In the exclusive ranking compiled by the Swiss equestrian magazine «PferdeWoche», Germany’s Sophie Hinners emerged as the standout performer of the season, earning the title of «Ms. Nations Cup» 2025 with an impressive 14 clear rounds.

Hinners’ Dominant Performance

Sophie Hinners, the 28-year-old rider based in Pfungstadt, southern Hesse, achieved her 14 clear rounds across eight different Nations Cup events. She succeeds Cian O'Connor (IRL), who led the 2024 ranking with 15 clear rounds.

Hinners utilized three different horses to achieve her success:

  • Iron Dames Singclair (10-year-old Swedish gelding): Recorded seven clear rounds, including three double clear rounds in Abu Dhabi (UAE), Ocala (USA), and Calgary (CAN).

  • Iron Dames Combella (11-year-old Argentine mare): Recorded double clear rounds in Mannheim (GER) and St. Gallen (SUI).

  • Iron Dames My Prins (13-year-old Belgian gelding): Achieved a clear round in Rotterdam (NED) and a crucial double clear round at the European Championships in A Coruña (ESP).

Notably, at the European Championships in A Coruña, her partner Richard Vogel won individual gold, and she and My Prins contributed to the German team bronze medal.

The Joy of the Nations Cup

Speaking on the sidelines of the CHI Geneva, Hinners expressed her delight at the honor. “It's something incredibly wonderful. It's always special to ride in a Nations Cup, to represent your own country and to do so together with a team. I look forward to it every time. And yes, the fact that this season has gone so well is a great joy.”

She gave special recognition to her support system: “Of course, I also have the great team behind the scenes to thank for that. First and foremost, my wonderful horses and also the owner, Deborah Meyer from Iron Dames, for giving me the opportunity to have such horses in my stable. We also have a team in the Global Champions League, but it was still very important to her that I also ride in Nations Cups.”

Hinners had her team debut at the five-star level this year in Abu Dhabi. Reflecting on the significance of the Nations Cup, she highlighted the team spirit. “What makes the Nations Cup special is that you can achieve something together as a team and also represent your country. That's something to be proud of. It makes it special that we all pull together and support each other. This sense of togetherness is a wonderful feeling.”

Season Overview

In 2025, 325 riders from 37 different countries contributed to the total of 766 clear rounds achieved in the 34 Nations Cups (ranging from three to five stars, including the European Championships).

  • This works out to an average of just over 22 clear rounds per tournament.

  • The total number of clear rounds (766) was only slightly lower than the 768 recorded in 2024.

Commenting on Germany's success in the team classification, where 32 German riders recorded 83 clear rounds, Hinners concluded: “Of course, I am all the more pleased that Germany is also ahead in this respect. We had a very good year with ‘Ritschi’ as European Champion and the team medal at the European Championships. I would say we are doing well...”