In what Janet Foy described as an &ldquo;impressive start to the season,&rdquo; the Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival kicked off its first night of freestyles with technical brilliance, musical flair, and captivating performances.
Germany&rsquo;s Felicitas Hendricks and her own Drombusch OLD, riding last in the lineup, clinched the win with a remarkable score of 78.200%. It was the pair's fifth Freestyle to Music in Wellington and they've won all five.
Hendricks&rsquo; disco-inspired dance routine opened with &ldquo;Keep It Coming Love&rdquo; by KC and the Sunshine Band as she and Drombusch passaged into their opening halt. The vibrant music carried through to the finale with &ldquo;Need You Tonight&rdquo; by INXS. Though the pair had one small bobble early in the test, when Drombusch broke to canter for a few strides, they regained their rhythm and nailed the rest of the test. Their hallmark high degree of difficulty&mdash;a striking average of 9.46 across all judges for this performance&mdash;featured highlights like 20 one-tempi changes down the centerline.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;The main work we&rsquo;ve been doing at home is still the same and won&rsquo;t change. It&rsquo;s very basic work of improving self-carriage and gaining more strength behind. I think that is a process that won&rsquo;t ever stop, but I can tell that it&rsquo;s really benefiting both of us. We take all that basic work into the exercises like the pirouettes and changes,&rdquo; Hendricks explained.
</blockquote>
2024 Team USA rider Adrienne Lyle and Zen Elite Equestrian&rsquo;s Helix took second place with a score of 77.280%, their second-best score as a pair. Lyle and Helix, who have been partnered for just under a year, performed to a nostalgic mix featuring &ldquo;Stand by Me,&rdquo; &ldquo;The Way You Move,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Sweet Child O&rsquo; Mine.&rdquo; Unfortunately, a technical glitch with the music interrupted their test, but once resolved, the Paris duo went on to deliver a strong test showcasing resilience, focus, and power.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Considering the unconventional start to the test, I was really happy with him. He got a little excited at the beginning, so it maybe wasn&rsquo;t our most polished ride, but he still didn&rsquo;t have any big mistakes. It&rsquo;s his first time under the lights anyway. So this is all a new experience for us,&rdquo; Lyle said.
</blockquote>
In third, Sweden&rsquo;s Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n rode longtime partner Devanto, a 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding, to a score of 75.515%. Their familiar &ldquo;Puttin&rsquo; on the Ritz&rdquo; freestyle included a particularly outstanding piaffe that earned a 9 from the judge at E. The duo&rsquo;s jazzy, Broadway-inspired performance was a crowd favorite, with spectators rating it the night&rsquo;s best freestyle.
While the top three performances drew much of the spotlight, another standout was Devon Kane, who piloted Vamos to a personal best score of 75.305%, finishing in fourth place.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2f29fa00-e219-4225-bf89-691f8277bd78?width=1304&amp;height=1396" alt="Table Showing the Results of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 1">
The U.S. Open of Dressage qualifiers continue next weekend at Gold Coast Dressage Association&rsquo;s 2025 Opener at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Here are the current Series standings after the two completed qualifiers:
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8bb433a7-c168-481c-b0b2-b175f55adf3c?width=495&amp;height=985" alt="Us Equestrian Open of Dressage Leaderboard After Qualifier 2">
Series standings are continually updated&nbsp;<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
For the full calendar of events and standings updates, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usequestrianopen.org</a>. Stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9b903e21-2b8e-466a-8261-40a73f43ffd7?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the show calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage series">
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

A close up image of a dressage rider in competition attire riding a dark back horse. The rider's & horse's face are not visible due to the close-up of the image. 

Hendricks & Drombusch OLD Remain Undefeated in Wellington Freestyles

Main

The US Equestrian Open of Eventing is three events in. Once we get to Bouckaert in March, we begin a run of six events over a two month period. The series is in its opening season and at the heart of the project is helping fans find and follow the superstars of the sport. As an early guide, we took a look back at some of the stand-out scores from CCI4*-S (every qualifier is at this level) and CCI4*-L (the final at Morven is a long format).&nbsp; Top of the list was that score from Liz Halliday at Carolina with Miks Master C. Liz was injured in a fall later in the season and her recovery continues. No doubt we will see some of her stars on show over the course of the series.&nbsp; 
<h2 dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d6611263-adcb-4f64-8f2c-c9e5e981dbb4?width=1518&amp;height=1640" alt=" Top 10 Finishing Scores From Us Riders at Cci4 Cci5 Events Last Year (1)" loading="lazy"> Lilet 3 to shine for Tamie?</h2>
Mai Baum, ridden by Tamie Smith, returns to competition on home soil. They've historically started strong, with a 23.0 dressage score last year and a 22.2 the year before, often securing victories. Notably, Mai Baum retired as the highest-rated U.S. event horse since 2010, being the only one to surpass the 800 mark.
If Mai Baum competes at the CCI4*-S level, they're likely to earn points. Otherwise, Tamie will focus on Lilet 3, who won the CCI3*-L at the same venue in late October.
<h2 dir="ltr">Dancing with Diabolo&nbsp;</h2>
In our simulation of the U.S. Equestrian Open based on the previous season, Will Coleman emerged as the clear winner. With a string of horses including Off The Record, Chin Tonic, and Diabolo, he dominated the CCI4S level in the first half of last year. In April, Diabolo and Coleman clinched first place at the Cosequin Lexington CCI4-S in Kentucky, finishing on their dressage score of 29.9. This achievement marked them as only the second pair in the event's history to finish on their dressage score.
Looking ahead to 2025, we anticipate Diabolo's continued success, with promising prospects like Box Como and Fahrenheit Addict also in the mix.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c8779127-8508-4b4d-b88e-cbc604f408f5?width=2048&amp;height=1844" alt="Hsh Blake">
<h2 dir="ltr">The Next Olympic Champion?</h2>
In early 2024, a titanic battle unfolded between Liz Halliday with Miks Master C and Caroline Pamukcu with HSH Blake. Blake had previously beaten Miks and won the Pan-Ams in late 2023. They met again at the Carolina CCI4*-S in March, where Miks Master C emerged victorious, finishing on their dressage score of 22.5. They faced off once more in Kentucky, where Blake delivered a standout performance&mdash;fast, controlled, and visually impressive&mdash;which arguably secured their spot for Paris.
However, Paris didn't go as planned for Blake due to an unfortunate error as the U.S. Pathfinder. Subsequently, Liz Halliday was also present at Paris, but with Cooley Nutcracker. We remain huge fans of HSH Blake at EquiRatings, and<a href="https://news.equiratings.com/stories/how-paris-proved-the-power-of-data-in-eventing-lessons-for-la-2028" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> if ratings are anything to go by</a>, we expect to see them as contenders again in LA.
<h2 dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6fc183e8-d351-437e-b99c-52f04d27618f?width=1792&amp;height=1614" alt="Commando 3"></h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Commando 3 to star</h2>
The Kentucky CCI4*-S class was full of stories. Will Coleman and Boyd Martin shared the first four places, with Diabolo winning&mdash;but not from the front. Three seconds cross-country (1.2 time penalties) cost Commando 3 and Boyd the win, despite a better dressage score (28.9). They are now well-established at the upper levels of the sport and made a CCI5* debut at Maryland in October.
Commando 3 starts strong (always in the twenties in their last six internationals), has an almost perfect cross-country record, and has had only one rail in their last eight internationals. Commando 3 is poised to be a star in 2025.
<h2 dir="ltr">Cute Girl Performing Well in Europe</h2>
Cute Girl (Hallie Coon) arrived in the US with a big reputation, having won the Seven-Year-Old World Championship at Le Lion d'Angers in 2021 with Australian rider Kevin McNab. They had two significant CCI4*-S wins in the Netherlands in 2024 at Oudkarspel and Kronenberg before a podium finish at Boekelo. That Boekelo score is the only one in the list achieved by a US rider in Europe. Time will tell if we see her at the Open but a contender at Morven for the final if she goes.
<h2 dir="ltr">Mama&rsquo;s Magic Way Making a Play</h2>
Will Faudree's Tryon performance with Mama's Magic Way at the end of the year was huge and another one of only three in the list achieved in the long format. One of their best-ever dressage tests, fast, and they kept the rails up. It was a brilliant finish to the season and it is enough to put them on all of our radars again for the Open Championship.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Looking Ahead</h2>
The U.S. Equestrian Open series runs at CCI4*-S level until the final&mdash;a $200k prize pot at Morven in October. We are three events in and look forward to following some of the superstars&mdash;and watching new ones emerge. We will get going again in March at Bouckaert. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/91a202fc-4e77-4bac-94e8-8d8b1deca6de?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="US Equestrian Open Eventing Qualifier List">
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
Don&rsquo;t miss a moment of the action as the U.S. Equestrian Open unfolds across its 2024-2025 season. We will follow these riders and horses between now and when we get going again in March.
Stay up to date with the latest news, standings, and updates on the U.S. Equestrian Open Series by following us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
Be part of the conversation using #USEquestrianOpen.
For media inquiries: Contact Carly Weilminster at cweilminster@usef.org For sponsorship opportunities: Contact Layson Griffin at lgriffin@usef.org
The journey to the final at Morven Park CCI4*-L in October 2025 is just beginning&mdash;be sure to follow along as the series continues to deliver high-stakes excitement and unforgettable moments!
&nbsp;

Will Coleman and Diabolo winning Kentucky CCI4-S

The Top 10 US Scores From 2024 and What It Means For the U.S. Equestrian Open

Week one of the twelve-week Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival (Global) kicks off today with a field of thirteen entered in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix. While the festival spans 12 shows, it isn&rsquo;t strictly consecutive&mdash;there are breaks from January 17&ndash;21 and January 29&ndash;February 2. From February onward, the schedule continues weekly until the finale at the end of March.
Global, which takes place in Wellington, Florida, is a prestigious circuit frequented by top dressage riders from around the world. Among this week&rsquo;s headliners are Germany&rsquo;s Felicitas Hendricks, the 2023 Under-25 European Champion, and Adrienne Lyle, a three-time U.S. Olympian and top-ranked American at the Paris Olympics.
<h2 dir="ltr">Felicitas Hendricks: The Rising Star</h2>
Hendricks will enter the ring on her 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Drombusch OLD. The pair has been together since the gelding was six, and they have progressed up the levels as a team. &ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t wish for a better dance partner,&rdquo; Hendricks said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s even more special because we&rsquo;ve gone all the way together.&rdquo;
The pair had a dominant showing in Wellington last year, winning seven of their eight starts, including a clean sweep of all freestyle tests. The pair boasts a personal best freestyle score of 79.11% and maintains an impressive average of 77.54%.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I feel like the sky really is the limit for this horse because he wants to do it, and I know he will,&rdquo; Hendricks said.
</blockquote>
Hendricks and Drombusch are known for their high degree of difficulty in freestyle tests&ndash; averaging a stunning 8.83 in their last 5 competitions. With last year&rsquo;s track record and consistently high scores, Hendricks and Drombusch are undoubtedly a pair to beat this weekend.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6ea26cea-346c-4c80-9b7a-8aa26b3a42e2?width=1468&amp;height=896" alt="Table of Felicitas Hendricks &amp; Drombusch OLD's Scores at Global in 2024">
<h2 dir="ltr">Adrienne Lyle: The U.S. Olympian</h2>
Facing off against Hendricks is three-time Olympian Adrienne Lyle (2012, 2020, 2024) with her Paris partner, Helix, a 13-year-old KWPN chestnut gelding. Lyle took over the ride on Helix in early 2024 after her Tokyo mount, Salvino, retired in 2023. Despite having less than a year to prepare for the games, Lyle and Helix delivered a strong 72.593% in the Grand Prix at the Paris Olympics, making them the highest-ranked U.S. combination.
Lyle&rsquo;s first ride on Helix was just under a year ago, on January 21, 2024. Since then, the pair has averaged a freestyle score of 75.09%.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I always commend his character because there aren&rsquo;t many horses so game to handle so many changes. He&rsquo;s always willing to work and try something new,&rdquo; Lyle said.
</blockquote>
Known for his playful nature, Lyle describes Helix as a &ldquo;goofball&rdquo; and a &ldquo;people&rsquo;s horse.&rdquo; &ldquo;[If he were human] he would go to the spa and relax with cucumbers on his eyes. He loves having people&rsquo;s hands on him&mdash;massages and treats are his idea of heaven,&rdquo; she shared.
Helix&rsquo;s most recent outing also produced his personal best in the freestyle with a stellar 77.61% in December 2024 in Ocala, Florida. With this upward trajectory, Lyle and Helix are a formidable combination to watch.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7c049b67-fd06-44c3-b208-8b945de83d8f?width=1548&amp;height=1516" alt="Table of Adrienne Lyle &amp; Helix's Results Together in 2024">
<h2 dir="ltr">Depth of the Field</h2>
While Hendricks and Lyle are the marquee names for the second U.S. Open of Dressage qualifier, the competition features several other strong contenders. Below, rounding out the Top 5, are the other riders who have the best averages in their Grand Prix Freestyle tests:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n (SWE): The seven-time Olympian and her 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Devanto, hold the second-highest freestyle average of 75.46% with a personal best of 78.08%.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Camille Carier Bergeron (CAN): The 25-year-old Olympian from Quebec and her 15-year-old mare, Finnlanderin, boast a freestyle average of 74.20% with a personal best of 77.28%.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Evelyn Eger (GER): Riding Tabledance 3, Eger helped Team Germany secure victory at the Nations Cup finale in Falsterbo last July. The pair averages 73.55%, with a personal best of 77.09%.</li>
</ul>
This depth of talent ensures the Grand Prix will be a fiercely competitive showcase.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f36328c5-1dd5-458d-b946-52d5cd272cde?width=1280&amp;height=2034" alt="Table of the Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for the Qualifier 2 Entries">
<h2 dir="ltr">Wellington&rsquo;s Legacy</h2>
Wellington has long been an equestrian mecca, drawing riders from around the globe to winter in Florida&rsquo;s warm climate. The Global Dressage Festival consistently attracts talent, making it no surprise that the Top 10 highest-scoring tests at the venue are in the 80s.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f0465fd3-fdc3-4b6b-aa00-347ce33a8d43?width=1280&amp;height=1648" alt="Top 10 International Grand Prix Freestyle Scores at the PBIEC venue">
While this week&rsquo;s horse and rider combinations have yet to hit the 80% mark, the potential is undoubtedly there.&nbsp;Will someone break into the 80s this weekend? Can Hendricks maintain her undefeated freestyle streak in Wellington? Or will one of the four Olympians (Lyle, Hendricks, Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n, and Kelly Layne) seize victory? Tune in live to <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/15331">USEF Network</a> to watch the freestyle action Friday night.
<h3 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h3>
Stay updated on news and standings for the U.S. Equestrian Open Series on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram.</a> Follow U.S. Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2ab3ac31-d66d-43fc-867d-b03a5d36b628?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="A graphic showing the entire calendar for the U.S. Equestrian Open of Dressage">
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Champions Collide: Hendricks vs. Lyle at U.S. Open of Dressage Qualifier

In an extraordinary season marked by consistent podium finishes and record-breaking achievements, Kent Farrington's rising star Greya has established herself as one of show jumping's most promising talents.
<h2>A Breakthrough Year for Greya</h2>
Kent Farrington &amp; Greya started the 2024 season on a great note with a fourth place finish in the five-star Grand Prix at WEF9 in Wellington. They continued this form when the pair travelled to Riyadh for the Longines FEI World Cup Finals to finish just beside the podium in fourth position. This result had quickly boosted Greya to take the running title of highest-rated 10-year-old horse in the world according to the EquiRatings Jumping Elo rating, a title she held onto until November 2024.
Their form continued to improve as they travelled across the Atlantic to compete on the European circuit. In one of the most nail-biting jump-offs of the year, Farrington and Greya emerged victorious in the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix of La Baule ahead of fellow countryman, Karl Cook &amp; Caracole de la Roque.&nbsp;
This run of results allowed the pair to be named on the US Team heading to the Paris Olympic Games in the summer, where an unfortunately timed allergic reaction kept them from competing. They returned to upper-level sport with a bang as they took victory in the World Cup leg of Traverse City.
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/530de619-ed0c-4325-b8a2-9a836d9ef5e8?width=1370&amp;height=992" alt="Sd Fkb Greya S Rise up the Ratings in 2024 (3)">
&nbsp;
<h2> Making History: Elite Company at Age Ten</h2>
Greya completed the 2024 season on an Elo rating of 769, her highest rating achieved to date. She finished the year as the second-highest rated 10-year-old horse of 2024 behind only Ben Maher&rsquo;s Point Break.
Since 2010, only 12 other horses have ever managed to achieve an Elo rating of 769 or higher at the age of 10. Greya now joins HH Azur as the second US horse in the list of top Elo ratings achieved by 10-year-old horses since 2010.
She finds herself in strong company alongside both the 2016 and 2021 Individual Olympic Champions, Explosion W &amp; Big Star. The reigning European Champion, Dynamix de Belheme, also achieved an Elo rating of 769 last year at the age of 10 and went to on to claim Individual Silver at the Paris Olympic Games this year.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6da7bb4c-82c6-4d44-8f64-07f84140b31a?width=1276&amp;height=1984" alt="the Top Elo Ratings Achieved by 10 Year Old Horses Since 2010">
 With this remarkable track record at just 10 years old and her proven ability to excel under the Saturday Night Lights at the Wellington International, Greya could enter the inaugural US Equestrian Open Series as one of the strongest contenders to secure an American victory on home soil.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

From Wellington to World Stage: The Meteoric Rise of Greya

Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and her 14-year-old KWPN gelding, Gino, danced to victory at Saturday&rsquo;s Grand Prix Freestyle in Thermal, CA, with a personal best score of 75.15%. Her win follows an impressive 71.283% score in Friday&rsquo;s World Cup Grand Prix test, where she also took first place.
This freestyle win not only positions Ge&ntilde;ay well to kick off the year on the U.S. Open leaderboards, but it also adds valuable qualifying points for the World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland, this April. Currently, she is tied for 6th place with Paris Olympian Adrienne Lyle, who will undoubtedly rack up qualifying scores when Florida&rsquo;s winter circuit kicks off next week in Wellington, FL.
The year-long <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/a-season-long-spectacle-of-grand-prix-freestyles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$250,000 U.S. Open Dressage Series spans 23 qualifying events, with the top 18 advancing to the final</a> in Thermal, CA, from November 13&ndash;16, 2025.
Ge&ntilde;ay said ahead of her freestyle that she was &ldquo;looking forward to having fun with Gino, enjoying the journey, and showing my freestyle.&rdquo; What better way to enjoy the journey than with a personal best?
Fellow competitors Kristina Harrison-Antell and her 15-year-old KWPN gelding Finley posted a very respectable 72.715%. Kristina now starts the year in second place on the U.S. Open of Dressage leaderboards.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a3548467-6b76-4efe-bced-ef60941f01f8?width=903&amp;height=816" alt="Table showing the Open of Dressage Leaderboard after Qualifier 1">
The U.S. Open of Dressage continues next weekend at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, where four of the top 10 North American-ranked FEI riders will be competing.

Photo of rider Geñay Vaughn riding the dark bay horse Gino in a victory canter inside of a competition arena. Geñay is smiling broadly while Gino wears a blue ribbon around his neck and the winner's cooler over his body. 

Hendricks & Drombusch OLD Remain Undefeated in Wellington Freestyles

Top Stories

Hendricks & Drombusch OLD Remain Undefeated in Wellington Freestyles

The Top 10 US Scores From 2024 and What It Means For the U.S. Equestrian Open

Champions Collide: Hendricks vs. Lyle at U.S. Open of Dressage Qualifier

From Wellington to World Stage: The Meteoric Rise of Greya

Geñay Vaughn & Gino Clinch Grand Prix Freestyle Win With New Personal Best

US Equestrian Open Final Partner Venues

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