Six Horses Everyone Will Be Chasing in Thermal

As the spring dressage shows draw to a close, we took a closer look at the horses delivering the best freestyle performances so far. The leaderboard race has been exciting to watch week after week, with both international and US riders jockeying for position. But the overall rankings only tell part of the story. Which horses have delivered standout performances? Which ones are consistently showing brilliance?

We reviewed the top six horses in the Series based on their average freestyle scores and found that the same combinations also account for the season’s highest-scoring rides (though in a slightly different order).

Here’s a closer look at the combinations leading the way in 2025.

The Top Six Horses

1. Helix (Adrienne Lyle)

Age: 13
Breed: KWPN
Sex: Gelding
Owner: Zen Elite Equestrian Center
Bloodlines: Apache x Jazz
Best Series Score: 80.600%

Helix is the only horse to break the 80 percent barrier in the Series so far– and he’s done it twice. His season-best 80.600% not only marked a personal best but also secured victory at the CDI5* at Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10. That prestigious event, the only 5* held in the Western Hemisphere, was the first time in four years that an American rider topped the podium. Despite their dominance, Adrienne Lyle and Helix’s partnership is relatively new. They debuted their first freestyle together just a year ago at TerraNova, scoring 72.560%. Since then, they’ve been on a steep upward trajectory, winning two Series legs and representing the US at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.

2. Düenensee (Kevin Kohmann)

Age: 16
Breed: Hanoverian
Sex: Gelding
Owner: Diamante Farms
Bloodlines: Dancier x Davignon I
Best Series Score: 79.240%

Dünensee’s career-best freestyle score came at the perfect moment. It was during the historic Palm Beach Derby at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, which also served as the final World Cup Qualifier. Only one ticket to Basel remained for the Americans, and Dünensee faced off against Anna Marek and Fire Fly in a high-stakes showdown. Both delivered strong tests, but “Denzel” was in a league of his own: calm, fluid, and fully locked in. Their audience-favorite freestyle had spectators clapping along into the final halt. Kohmann’s personal best of 79.240% earned him the win, the Series points, and the final World Cup berth. He later placed tenth overall at the World Cup Final, the highest-ranked American.

3. Fire Fly (Anna Marek)

Age: 15
Breed: KWPN
Sex: Gelding
Owner: Janet Simile
Bloodlines: Briar Junior x Oo Seven
Best Series Score: 77.755%

Fire Fly is an impressive horse to watch. Hot, sensitive, and remarkably talented, it is no wonder he was shortlisted for the Paris Olympics with Marek aboard. Their dramatic freestyle, set to the Stranger Things soundtrack, is a performance worthy of the international stage. Their season-best came at AGDF 3, when Marek edged out Kohmann by just 0.21 percent. Although he has only started twice in the Series, Fire Fly has been remarkably consistent. Both outings, he scored in the high 70s and finished on the podium. His career average is 75 percent, reflecting a partnership that continues to trend upward. The progress is paying off. Between her two mounts, Marek has held the top spot on the leaderboard for more than two months.

4. Fayvel (Anna Marek)

Age: 15
Breed: KWPN
Sex: Gelding
Owner: Cynthia Davila
Bloodlines: Zizi Top x Houston
Best Series Score: 78.785%

Marek is incredibly well positioned, with the ride on two Grand Prix superstars. While Fire Fly is flashy, hot, and commands attention, Fayvel is bold, reliable, and intelligent. He might lack the electric charisma of his stablemate but makes up for it with power, rideability, and calm focus under pressure. He transitioned to Marek’s competitive string later in life when his owner suffered an injury that took her out of the saddle. Despite entering the top level at an older age, Fayvel quickly proved himself a powerhouse. He took Marek to the 2024 World Cup Final, where they finished as the highest-ranked American pair in ninth. Despite having the third highest Series score, Fayvel has yet to log a win this season. He came close in Week 10, trailing Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel’s Goldstrike by just 0.04 percent. As the long-time Series leader, Marek is all but guaranteed a place in the Final. With two stellar horses in her barn, the only question now is which one she will choose. You can learn more about both of Marek’s horses in the US Equestrian Open Podcast.

5. Jewel’s Goldstrike (Julio Mendoza Loor)

Age: 14
Breed: KWPN
Sex: Gelding
Owner: Julio Mendoza Loor
Bloodlines: Bretton Woods x Scandic
Best Series Score: 78.520%

Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel’s Goldstrike have only competed in two legs of the Series, but they made those appearances count earning a first and second place. Jewel’s Goldstrike was Mendoza Loor’s Paris Games mount where they finished individual 27th. Their week 10 Series debut in Ocala was their first outing since the games. The following week, they finished second to Lyle and Helix in the CDI 5* in Wellington. Before coming to Mendoza Loor, “Goldie” was deemed too difficult to ride. A $20 sale price and 24/7 turnout later, he has become a powerful international competitor and one of the highest-scoring horses in the Series.

6. Drombusch OLD (Felicitas Hendricks)

Age: 14
Breed: Oldenburg
Sex: Gelding
Owner: Felicitas Hendricks
Bloodlines: Destano x Dimaggio
Best Series Score: 78.200%

Felicitas Hendricks and Drombusch OLD came into the season as favorites after sweeping the freestyle classes at AGDF in 2024. Their first 2025 outing in Wellington also marked their debut in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage qualifiers. They came out strong, earning their season high of 78.200%. Hendricks and Drombusch have been together since the gelding was six, and they won the Under-25 European Championship in 2023. Drombusch is particularly impressive in freestyle, where their floorplan is known for a strikingly high degree of difficulty, including 20 one-time changes down the centerline.

Poised for the Final

Despite each of these six horses posting the highest scores in the Series so far, only five of them are currently in contention for a Finals spot. Mendoza Loor and Jewel’s Goldstrike only have two qualifier appearances. The results were strong—first and second place—but that only puts the pair on a score of 37. Mendoza Loor planned to summer in Europe, so unless he returns to the qualifiers in the fall, we might not see the pair in Thermal come November.

The remaining five horses are not just Series frontrunners but likely Finals contenders. Their consistency, scoring power, and ability to deliver under pressure have defined the season so far. With only two qualifiers left this spring before the summer break, these combinations are well-positioned to secure their places for Thermal. And once there, this group is poised to battle for the Final’s podium positions. While many factors can influence the road to the Final, if early-season form is any indication, these are the horses to watch when the Series culminates in November.