Claire Darnell is the statistical favorite heading into Saturday's qualifier in Ocala. She averages 73% across six FEI starts, and no one else in this field is consistently above 71. A win moves her to 35 points on the season, tying Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu for third overall.
That said, Darnell and Harrold S haven't hit peak form yet this season. Their two 2026 starts came in at 70.560% and 73.450% &mdash; one sitting a full three points below their average, the other just at it. Neither remotely approaching the 77% PB that gives her this much separation from the field. If Saturday is the day they finally start pulling that average back up, it won't be a close class. If it isn't, the placings become considerably more interesting.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-axBwn" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: WEC Ocala March CDI3*" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/axBwn/1/" height="515" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">An Unknown Variable</h2>
This weekend, Shelly Francis makes her FEI freestyle debut with Estero, and it's the most interesting variable on the entry list. Their one USEF score puts them within podium range, of course with the caveat that one national result doesn't tell you much about how the FEI test will score. CDI judging can cut both ways: the panel tends to be sharper, but the atmosphere often brings something out in horses that the scores reflect. Whether Estero is that kind of horse is exactly what Saturday is for.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Supporting Cast</h2>
Leonardo Antonio Godoy and Marques Do Lis are also worth watching. Two starts is a thin sample, but both came this season in the Series and they're averaging 71%, second in this field behind Darnell. Currently sitting ninth on the overall leaderboard, a solid finish Saturday likely moves them into the top five.
Charlotte Osborne and Fruhlingszauber are still early in their freestyle career together, having done their first last November. Osborne's PB of 70.775% came at the January Ocala show &mdash; the same day Darnell had one of her below-average starts &mdash; and she averages just under that across three tests. Third is where the data puts her.
Micaela Mabraga&ntilde;a and Belatrix Rh average 68.2% across three Series starts.

Close up of dressage saddle with rider in it

Darnell Enters WEC as Favorite, With Caveats

1. Jumping

All you need to know

Wellington CSI5* Grand Prix

2. Eventing

Morven Park CCI4*-L

3. Dressage

Desert CDI5* Freestyle

The 2026 Finals

Thumbnail - Fan Guide

Predictions & entry stats for the eventing qualifiers

Fan Guides

Thumbnail - Social Media

Live coverage & entertainment

Thumbnail - Watch & Become Member

And stream free on the USEF Network

Become a Member

Thumbnail - Jumping Final 2026

Jumpers will contest their Final soon!

The Upcoming Final

Follow it all

Thumbnail - Open Weekly

Get the weekly debrief

The Open Weekly

Thumbnail - Leaderboards

Who's currently on top?

Series Leaderboards

Podcast4x5

Previews, Reviews & Interviews

The US Equestrian Open Podcast

Thumbnail - Open Road

Behind the scenes with the big stars

The Open Road

Stay up to date

Main

In this week&rsquo;s&nbsp;US Equestrian Open Podcast, Annie Bishop and Diarmuid Byrne dig into the biggest narratives shaping the series right now. From a new dressage leader to a potential Boyd Martin masterclass in eventing, the episode sets the stage for an exciting stretch of the season.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40305520/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/28427a/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Here are five storylines from the podcast that make this week&rsquo;s episode worth a listen.
<h2 data-start="658" data-end="701">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="658" data-end="701">1.Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn Takes the Dressage Lead</h2>
The <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dressage leaderboard </a>has a new name at the top&nbsp;and it&rsquo;s a story that has been building for a while.
Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and Gino delivered a standout weekend, including a personal best in the Grand Prix Special and a freestyle victory, moving her past Christian Simonson to take the series lead.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/26f73d45-9ce2-4dd7-899b-c777fe4b02e1.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Bo Iwm Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage ">
For the Annie and Diarm, it&rsquo;s also a reminder of how the Open helps turn riders into household names for fans following the journey week to week.
<blockquote data-start="1149" data-end="1362">
&ldquo;Ge&ntilde;ay became a real household name from an Open point of view last year&hellip; the interviews were great, the frequent competing, and the opportunity again, as we're talking about that name recognition, that really helped.&rdquo; - Diarmuid Byrne
</blockquote>
What makes this story even stronger is the East Coast-West Coast element. Vaughn picked up results in Florida earlier in the season before heading back west and winning again. Proof that the series truly spans the country.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1594" data-end="1597">
<h2 data-start="1599" data-end="1651">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="1599" data-end="1651">2. The Jumping Final Is Suddenly Three Weeks Away</h2>
The calendar has crept up quickly.&nbsp;In just three weeks, the Rolex US Equestrian Open Final of Jumping will crown a champion and the tension is building.
Annie and Diarm highlight how the season has evolved into a fascinating showdown between US riders and a strong international contingent arriving to challenge them.
<blockquote data-start="1973" data-end="2126">
&ldquo;What's really exciting for us from an Open point of view and from an individual final at Wellington point of view is that there there is so many individual superstars now in the US. And of course, as we saw last year, the international talent will come and take them on." - Diarmuid Byrne
</blockquote>
Names like&nbsp;Ben Maher, Richard Vogel, Shane Sweetnam, and Daragh Kenny are part of that international pressure. But the US riders have momentum and they want to keep the Open title on home soil.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2350" data-end="2353">
<h2 data-start="2355" data-end="2407">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="2355" data-end="2407">3. The US Nations Cup Win Adds Fuel to the Fire</h2>
Momentum matters and the US team got a big boost at Wellington last week.&nbsp;The United States claimed the CSI04* Nations Cup, reinforcing the idea that the Florida-based US riders are in strong form heading toward the Open final.
One of the standout performances came from Callie Schott, who delivered another reliable round, jumping double clear, as part of the winning effort.
<blockquote data-start="2754" data-end="2862">
&ldquo;There is strength and depth in these wins. These wins are important. The US tend to do pretty well here. I think this is their 11th win over the last 25 years at Wellington Nations Cups. I think it does show a lot of the depth that's available." - Diarmuid Byrne
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="3027" data-end="3030">
<h2 data-start="3032" data-end="3077">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="3032" data-end="3077">4. Eventing Returns With a Stacked Field</h2>
While dressage and jumping have been building their narratives, eventing is finally back on the Open calendar this weekend at Bouckaert.&nbsp;And it&rsquo;s not easing into the season.
The entry list includes series leader Lucienne Bellissimo, Caroline Pamukcu, Tamie Smith and defending Open champion Boyd Martin, who arrives with an entire string of competitive horses.
<blockquote data-start="3446" data-end="3595">
&ldquo;It is a corker of a field. There are so many excellent entries and it will be, assuming everyone starts, in the higher tier of points. So a lot to play for and we've got some really incredible entries here." - Annie Bishop 
</blockquote>
With valuable points on offer early in the season, the leaderboard could shift quickly after this weekend.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="3705" data-end="3708">
<h2 data-start="3710" data-end="3758">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="3710" data-end="3758">5. Boyd Martin Could Shake Up the Leaderboard</h2>
If there&rsquo;s one storyline the podcast keeps circling back to, it&rsquo;s Boyd Martin&rsquo;s depth of horsepower.
Martin arrives with serious depth: Fetiche Des Rouges, Kolbeinn, Commando 3, and Cooley Nutcracker, with the latter two entering as the highest-rated horses in the field.&nbsp;
For Diarmuid Byrne, that opens the door for a huge leaderboard opportunity,
<blockquote data-start="4077" data-end="4214">
&ldquo;If you look back on how this played out last year in terms of winning the series, Boyd tended to weigh in on big heavy weekends, maybe three times in the season. Twice or three times in the season, he took jumps of up to 100 points at a time." - Diarmuid Byrne
</blockquote>
With multiple rides capable of landing near the top of the leaderboard, Martin could emerge from the weekend as a major contender in the <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2026 Open standings.</a>
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40305520/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/28427a/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a>

Five Storylines Discussed on This Week’s US Equestrian Open Podcast

The US Equestrian Open Eventing Series is back at Bouckaert Farm in Fairburn, Georgia. It is the first qualifier of 2026 and the third event in the series, and this venue has built up quite a history since the four-star short first ran here in 2013. Thirteen years, multiple editions per year in some cases, and a winners list that has some big names. Below is every winner on record.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2795f882-47bd-4849-8238-1d588d31ee11.png?width=1348&amp;height=2262" alt="O U6n R Previous Winners of Bouckaert Cci4 S ">
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Previous Winners Returning This Week</h3>
Lucienne Bellissimo is the most recent winner, having taken the 2025 Autumn edition with&nbsp;Dyri. This result formed part of her series lead and marked Dyri's return to four-star short competition after stepping back due to a confidence knock earlier in the year. She returns this week with Kitsch Couture HPK.
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Double Sixteen won this event twelve months ago and return as major contenders. HSH Double Sixteen is a very fast horse, and with inside-the-time rates at this venue sitting at just 2%, that speed is a huge asset. If the optimum time is as demanding as it has been in recent years, they are likely to be well-placed. Caroline also brings HSH Connor and King's Especiale this weekend.
Buck Davidson won here in 2017 with the iconic Copper Beach. Though his connection to this venue runs deeper than that single result. Buck has 18 starts at Bouckaert, more than any other rider in the event's history and 5 clear of the next most frequent starter, Nilson Moreira Da Silva (13). This weekend's two entries, Cerafino D and Cooley Candyman, will take his career total here to 20. He also holds the record for most cross-country clears at this venue with 12, and the venue dressage record of 25.1 set with Carlevo in 2022.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-bouckaert-opens-vaughn-takes-the-lead-and-cook-shines-at-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a>
&nbsp;
<hr>
<section class="wysiwyg col-span-12 lg:col-span-6 lg:col-start-4">
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9dfe039-3b02-415d-b513-c5bd87d85dae.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar">
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<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>.
</section>

Bouckaert Farm: Who's Won & Who's Back?

The Rolex US Equestrian Open Final of Jumping format is straightforward: jump clear in Round One and you're in the jump-off. Make the jump-off and you're normally in the top 10.&nbsp;But rails fall, turns go wrong, and the fastest round doesn't always belong to the favourite. The podium has no guarantee. Unless you're Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/94425304-de34-4076-afd2-dfc5765c9756.jpeg?width=2500&amp;height=1922" alt="Wef12 88">
Just over a week ago in <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/ward-wins-in-wellington-again" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wellington's Week 7 CSI5* 160 class</a>, Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz (or 'Gizmo' to his friends) did it again: a clear jump-off round, a third-place finish, another podium added to a record that is beginning to look less like form and more like a law of the sport.
From 21 jump-off appearances at CSI5* 160 level, Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz have produced 18 clear rounds - an 86% strike rate. This is the second-highest clear rate the sport has seen at this level since 2010.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3a518779-e943-4f3a-af20-21f8a746ef99.png?width=1388&amp;height=862" alt="Uz04m Combinations With the Highest Jump off Clear Rate at Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Csi5 160 Level Since 2010 ">
They have stood on the podium 19 times at this level. Eighteen of those podiums came from clear jump-offs. The sole exception was the Rolex Grand Prix of Dublin, where only Laura Kraut jumped clear in Round One, making a four-fault round still good enough for the podium.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ee60694f-a4ef-43ad-a726-c93d5a60b33b.png?width=1132&amp;height=1416" alt="I T Jk a All of James Kann Cruz S Jump off Runs at Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Csi5 160 Level ">
So as Week 12 of Wellington draws nearer, Sweetnam's task is far simpler than any of his rivals: deliver in the first round and the rest will take care of itself.
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Form That Demands Attention</h3>
The Kentucky-based Irish combination arrived in Wellington in the kind of form that makes others take notice. James Kann Cruz, the 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Kannan x Cruising), has been operating at a level that borders on the extraordinary. As Sweetnam reflected in the WEF Week 7 press conference:
<blockquote>
"He hasn't knocked a fence in a Grand Prix since Dublin in August, and that's ridiculous. I'm blessed to have a horse that good. He really loves his job."
</blockquote>
The numbers back up the sentiment. James Kann Cruz currently sits as the highest-rated Irish horse on the EquiRatings Elo at 772 and his peak of 775 makes him the highest-rated Irish horse ever recorded. A record like that isn't built on a single standout week. It is built on years of quiet, relentless consistency at the very top of the sport.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7a73361e-dded-49a9-ad3b-88c2cdc76a9f.png?width=1880&amp;height=1062" alt="E Stk6 the Highest Rated Irish Horses of All Time Nbsp (1)">
Sweetnam is respected throughout for his feel and his composure. A fierce competitor who wears it quietly. When he and James Kann Cruz step into a jump-off arena, expectation shifts.
Third feels normal. Second feels common. The conversation now is whether he can win.
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">A Contender Peaking at the Right Time</h3>
Wellington has a way of rewarding combinations who arrive sharp and assured. James Kann Cruz fits that profile precisely: a horse in his prime, proven at this height, and one who appears to thrive when the atmosphere is biggest and the margin for error is smallest.
His numbers hold under scrutiny whether in individual five-star Grand Prix competition or on championship teams. The consistency is not contextual. It travels.
But in Week 12, none of that history matters until their first round is complete. Everything&mdash;the statistics, the Elo rating, the podium record&mdash;is conditional on one clear round. Just 80 seconds.
The Rolex US Equestrian Open Final may not be won in Round One. But for Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz, it may very well be secured there.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-bouckaert-opens-vaughn-takes-the-lead-and-cook-shines-at-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a>

Only 80 Seconds Stand Between Shane Sweetnam and a Podium Finish

<h3 dir="ltr">Eventing: It&rsquo;s Finally Time!</h3>
Next Qualifier: Bouckaert Equestrian, Georgia | The Final: Morven Park, Virginia (October)
Three days is all that stands between us and the start of the 2026 US Equestrian Open eventing season. After months of buildup, form-watching, and series speculation, Bouckaert is finally here. Later this week, watch out for our full preview article and fan guide to help you get the most out of the action.
Before we get there, the weekend just gone offered a reminder of who is on form. The $100,000 LiftMaster Grand Prix Eventing Showcase presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Service saw several combinations with serious Open ambitions.
Phillip Dutton and Denim won the Showcase by going inside the time cross country - one of only two combinations in the entire field to do so. Denim finished 6th at the US Equestrian Open Final last year and placed top 10 at each of the three qualifiers he contested. They start the new year on top form and as major contenders for this year&rsquo;s Series and Final
Second place went to Elisa Wallace and the ten-year-old Lissavorra Quality. Wallace and this horse are not known as a fast combination, yet they crossed the finish line with just 4.8 time penalties. On a day when the clock was tough, this was an exceptional result. 20 penalties at the US Equestrian Open Final and a mixed 2025 season overall makes this performance all the more significant as a reset heading into the new season. If the cross country speed shown here carries into the qualifier season, Lissavorra Quality is one to watch as she develops.
Third place went to the Australian pair Sophia Hill and Humble Glory - the other combination inside the time. Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire finished fourth with Caroline Pamukcu slotting into fifth with King's Especiale. With HSH Double Sixteen and HSH Connor also in her string for Bouckaert, Pamukcu arrives this week as one of the title contenders with genuine depth.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/254e09dd-d92e-4194-986b-baf0dbd8460b.png?width=1080&amp;height=158" alt="Read More Eventing"></a>
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Dressage: The Double Header Delivers a New Series Leader</h3>
Next Qualifier: WEC - March Dressage | The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)
Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn is the new US Equestrian Open of Dressage Series leader.&nbsp;A coast-to-coast double header to open 2026 delivered great sport, excitement, and personal bests, but it was Vaughn&rsquo;s weekend in California that changed the Series picture most.
HITS Del Mar Dressage Opener
California's Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and Gino had a weekend to remember at Del Mar. The pair opened with a personal best in Friday's Grand Prix before going on to claim the Freestyle Qualifier the following day with 75.955%. On the Series leaderboard, Vaughn moves to first overall with 45 points. The result also carries significant World Cup implications.&nbsp;
<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/26f73d45-9ce2-4dd7-899b-c777fe4b02e1.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Bo Iwm Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage "></a>
The victory draws Vaughn level with Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu and Jaccardo on 57 points in the North American League standings, placing her second behind Christian Simonson on Indian Rock, whose 60 points have all but confirmed his place at the Final in Fort Worth, Texas this April.&nbsp;
Vaughn's spot is not yet secure, however. Her three-score average sits below Fraser-Beaulieu's, who looks well-positioned for one of the three North American starting places. The third berth will be decided at the final qualifier at Wellington's Global Dressage Festival in two weeks, where Kevin Kohmann (54 points) and Benjamin Ebeling (52 points) could each tie both riders with a win. All ties are broken by the highest average.
Brittney Eastgate (formerly Simpson) was also in the ribbons aboard Kartsevo Goldfinch, posting a combination-best 72.020% for second place in the Freestyle.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVZHO_XkQ_O/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5789f223-8a88-4901-8606-b2515bcc1b07.png?width=907&amp;height=1104" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 03 111023"></a>
Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival 8
On the East Coast, Sweden's Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven delivered a commanding performance aboard Hyatt, a 13-year-old KWPN mare, taking the win with 78.000%. Germany's Michael Klimke and Harmony's Fado found themselves in second with a personal best of 74.770%, a result that moves Klimke into tied 7th on the Series leaderboard with 25 points. Susan Dutta rounded out the three-horse field in third and now sits on 23 points, placing her in tied 9th overall.
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVT4cg5kR-n/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3ad941f8-d866-4f9b-941f-7465640cbd62.png?width=904&amp;height=1099" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 03 110949"></a>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/df3afaab-1f25-4fab-a1dc-c46c608169fb.png?width=1080&amp;height=171" alt="Read More Dressage"></a>
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Show Jumping: Cook Dominates Wellington</h3>
The Rolex US Equestrian Open Final: Wellington, Week 12 | Countdown: 3 Weeks
Last week was a strong one for US riders. At WEF Week 8, Team USA defended their title in the Wellington CSIO4* Nations Cup, and 24 hours later Karl Cook topped the Grand Prix podium.
The US squad of Karl Cook, Marilyn Little, Callie Schott, and anchor McLain Ward faced eight other nations. With Cook, Little, and Schott all jumping clear, Ward sat out the first round.&nbsp;
When he was called upon in the decider, Ward delivered. Riding Jordan Molga M (pictured below), a partnership still gaining mileage at this level, he produced a composed clear to secure gold ahead of Ireland, with Canada finishing third.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ecc3e3cf-633f-42c9-91b5-0bab9c781d39.jpeg?width=2500&amp;height=2336" alt="Wefcsio4 87">
The victory marked back-to-back Nations Cup wins for the U.S. in Wellington and the nation&rsquo;s 11th title in the 25-year history of the event.
While the team result made the headlines, Marilyn Little with La Contessa and Callie Schott riding Garant (pictured below) were the standout performers, each producing double-clear rounds. At Nations Cup level, that kind of consistency is exceptional and it was the foundation of the win.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/388830b2-b247-4788-ab9a-e24aa470760e.jpeg?width=2500&amp;height=2070" alt="Wefcsio4 67">
Sunday&rsquo;s $200,000 JTWG Inc. Grand Prix came down to a five-horse jump-off. Karl Cook and Signe Ostby&rsquo;s Candy claimed the win with a bold inside turn to the final fence, leaving out a stride to gaining the edge. Ireland&rsquo;s Darragh Kenny (Colibelle Hero Z) and Shane Sweetnam (Coriaan van Klapscheut Z) finished second and third.
Cook&rsquo;s golden weekend, Nations Cup gold on Saturday, Grand Prix victory on Sunday, comes just three weeks before the Rolex US Equestrian Open Final. <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/ward-wins-in-wellington-again" target="_blank" rel="noopener">McLain Ward is carrying momentum from Week 7</a>; now Cook has firmly entered the conversation. The picture is sharpening. The combinations capable of winning Week 12 are making themselves known, one result at a time. Week 9 is next.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a>
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 data-path-to-node="4">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-path-to-node="4">Stay in the Loop with The Open Weekly</h2>
Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a>&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>.

Open Weekly Promo Graphic with Phillip Dutton and Denim

The Open Weekly: Bouckaert Opens, Vaughn Takes the Lead, and Cook Shines at WEF

The 2026 Finals

Wellington CSI5* Grand Prix

Morven Park CCI4*‑L

Desert CDI5* Freestyle

Darnell Enters WEC as Favorite, With Caveats

Top Stories

Darnell Enters WEC as Favorite, With Caveats

Five Storylines Discussed on This Week’s US Equestrian Open Podcast

Bouckaert Farm: Who's Won & Who's Back?

Only 80 Seconds Stand Between Shane Sweetnam and a Podium Finish

The Open Weekly: Bouckaert Opens, Vaughn Takes the Lead, and Cook Shines at WEF

Stay up to date

The Open Weekly

Series Leaderboards

The US Equestrian Open Podcast

The Open Road

Follow it all

Fan Guides

Follow Us

Become a Member

The Upcoming Final

Qualifiers

US Equestrian Open Final Partner Venues

Series Partners