<h2 dir="ltr">1. This Has Never Happened Before</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The US Equestrian Open of Dressage has run doubleheaders, but this weekend will be the very first triple header. Three Grand Prix Freestyle classes will award Series points simultaneously: the CDI3* Nations Cup and CDI3* in Wellington, and the CDI3* at HITS Del Mar Dressage Affaire in California. Ten of the 18 horses entered have already completed an Open leg this season. The leaderboard is about to see a lot of movement at once.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">2. Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n Is the Clearest Favorite in Any of the Three Fields</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In the Wellington CDI3*, <strong>Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n</strong> and <strong>Hyatt</strong> average 76%&mdash;more than three points above the next best average in the field. Hyatt's personal best of 79.070% towers over the rest of the combinations.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Jennifer Williams</strong> and <strong>Joppe K </strong>hold the clearest claim on second: a roughly one-point edge in average over the next tier, with a 75.680% PB that puts them in range of Silfv&eacute;n. <strong>P.J. Rizvi</strong> and <strong>Vanilla Ice</strong>, fresh off a crowd-pleasing ride at AGDF 10, and <strong>Devon Kane</strong> and <strong>Vamos</strong>&mdash;11 starts deep, 72.375% average&mdash;should be close behind, especially if Vanilla Ice continues to settle into the Wellington atmosphere this week.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-7srns" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: AGDF 11 CDI3*" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/7srns/1/" height="650" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">3. Wandres Enters the Nation's Cup as the Favorite and This May Be His Last Open Leg</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Frederic Wandres</strong> and <strong>Verrenberg</strong> are a safe bet for first in the Nation's Cup field. The horse averages 75% with a new personal best of 76.240% set just last weekend at AGDF 10. Beyond that, the pair have climbed in scores at every outing since their first Grand Prix Freestyle together last June.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Ashley Holzer</strong> and <strong>Hawtins San Floriana</strong> (73.449% average, 75.290% PB) are the strongest challengers, while the remaining field clusters in the low-73s and below. With the AGDF season wrapping up, Wandres and Verrenberg are likely headed back to Europe after this, which would make this their final Open Series appearance of 2026.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-YGfei" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: AGDF 11 Nation's Cup CDIO3*" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/YGfei/1/" height="583" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">4. Del Mar's Favorite Has a Complicated Case</h2>
<p dir="ltr">By the stats, <strong>G&uuml;nter Seidel </strong>and <strong>Equirelle</strong> lead at Del Mar with a 72.86% average and a 76.615% personal best, both the highest in the field. But those numbers don't reflect recent form as the pair has struggled to find their footing in their most recent outings. This dilemma could leave the door open for <strong>Kristina Harrison-Antell</strong> and <strong>Finley</strong>. They average 72% across eight starts, but their last freestyle was at the US Equestrian Open Final, where they earned that 75.470% PB. They've won their last four classes. The momentum is Harrison-Antell's, and a new combination best wouldn't be surprising.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-9KoP4" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: Del Mar Dressage Affaire" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/9KoP4/1/" height="515" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">5. The Leaderboard Is About to Rearrange Itself</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Wandres and Holzer are the headline movers this week. Both tied for eighth at 29 points and both likely to jump significantly depending on how the Nation's Cup shakes out. A Wandres win puts him at 49 and into first overall. Holzer in second lands at 44 and second overall. If she wins instead, those numbers simply flip. Either way, expect new names in first and second.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But they're not the only ones moving. Ten riders competing this weekend already have Series points on the board. Silfv&eacute;n sits at 25th with 15 points&mdash;a win in the CDI3* is worth 20, which vaults her into the top ten overnight. Kane is 19th on 18 points; a podium finish puts her squarely in that conversation too. At Del Mar, a win is also worth 20 points. That takes Seidel from 8 points to 28 and into the top 15. Meanwhile a win for Harrison-Antell puts her at 20 points and straight into the top 20 on her first result.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">6. Nearly the Whole Field Has 2026 Form</h2>
<p dir="ltr">All 18 horses entered have competed at least once in 2026, and 10 have already completed an Open Series leg this season. These combinations aren't knocking off cobwebs. They've been showing, and the scores on the board reflect it.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Tune In</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Both the CDI3* and the Nation&rsquo;s Cup will be held during AGDF&rsquo;s Friday Night Stars. Catch the action starting at 7 p.m. ET on the <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/19310/adequan-global-dressage-festival-xi-fei-dressage-nations-cuptm-2026">USEF Network</a>. Del Mar&rsquo;s Dressage Affaire kicks off Saturday, also on the <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/18459/del-mar-dressage-affaire-cdi-3">USEF Network</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Sign up for free</a> as a fan to stream the action.</p>

Frederic Wandres waves to the crowd on horse back after leaving the arena

6 Things You Need to Know About Dressage's First-Ever Triple Header

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<p>Some partnerships feel instant. Others take time to understand. Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan van de Donkhoeve are a bit of both.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3hS9O_pQ1sI" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>
<p>The Open Road follows their journey from that first connection &mdash; a horse she believed could jump anything &mdash; to the pressure, setbacks, and breakthroughs that shaped an Olympic partnership.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s a story of trust built over time, and the confidence that comes from knowing what your horse is capable of. Because sometimes, the right horse doesn&rsquo;t just deliver results, they make you believe you belong there.</p>
<p>Watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hS9O_pQ1sI&amp;list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2&amp;index=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">full episode now </a>and go inside the partnership.</p>

Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan van de Donkhoeve filming for the Open Road

Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan van de Donkhoeve | The Open Road

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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>1. The strongest field in Carolina history</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">This weekend's CCI4*-S carries an Elo Field Strength rating of 615 - the highest ever recorded at Carolina, and the sixth highest of any CCI4*-S on US soil in the last ten years.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Elo Field Strength is the average Elo rating of the top 20 horses in a competition. It&rsquo;s a way to measure the overall quality of both the field and the competitors. A rating of 615 doesn't happen because one or two world-class horses showed up. It happens because the whole field is elite. Whoever wins this weekend will have beaten some of the best combinations in the country to do it.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ff4d4ac5-5aa8-4a2f-b3ac-862b90e57f33.png?width=1572&amp;height=1600" alt="Sq U34 the Strongest Cci4 S Fields on Us Soil on Record "></p>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>2. Multiple Carolina champions are back</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Three of the last four horses that won Carolina are returning to defend their title.&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Jennie Brannigan </strong>and <strong>FE Lifestyle</strong>, winners here twelve months ago, are back to try and repeat.</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Liz Halliday's Miks Master C,</strong> this time with<strong> Boyd Martin, </strong>won here in 2024.</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Will Coleman </strong>and <strong>Dondante </strong>won in 2022, and <strong>Dondante </strong>is back, now with <strong>Meg Pellegrini</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>On top of that, Phillip Dutton </strong>has two in the field while <strong>Caroline Pamukcu&nbsp;</strong>returns with three rides having won her first major CCI4*-S title at this very venue in 2017.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5d9a6e14-0baa-4c5f-93a3-f26c1b311185.png?width=1278&amp;height=1126" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 18 184240"></p>
<h2 class="font-claude-response relative leading-[1.65rem] [&amp;_pre&gt;div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&amp;_pre&gt;div]:border-0.5 [&amp;_pre&gt;div]:border-border-400 [&amp;_.ignore-pre-bg&gt;div]:bg-transparent [&amp;_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&amp;_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&amp;_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&amp;_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response relative leading-[1.65rem] [&amp;_pre&gt;div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&amp;_pre&gt;div]:border-0.5 [&amp;_pre&gt;div]:border-border-400 [&amp;_.ignore-pre-bg&gt;div]:bg-transparent [&amp;_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&amp;_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&amp;_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&amp;_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"><strong>3. The competition is wide open</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The podium conversation stretches across half the start list. Will Coleman (23%) arrives as a three-time winner (on three different horses) but Diabolo is still newly back to competition after an injury. How hard Will presses cross-country will be a major factor for his chances.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a5016d79-da86-4058-ab10-5f3887becabe.png?width=1273&amp;height=955" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 18 193241"></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Caroline Pamukcu </strong>sits in second on the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/carolina_4s_2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre </a>with&nbsp;her superstar<strong> HSH Blake </strong>(14%),<strong> </strong>and with something still to prove ahead of Aachen selection, she may push on when Will doesn't.<br><br><strong>Phillip Dutton</strong> brings two horses for a combined win chance of 12% while FEI World No.2 Boyd Martin's win chance totals 16%.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">There is no clear race-away favorite, no obvious result. That's what happens when you put together the deepest Carolina field ever assembled.</p>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>4. The biggest points haul of the series so far</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Carolina is the fourth qualifier in the US Equestrian Open of Eventing, and for the first time in the 2026 Series, the full points scale is in play. With more than 25 starters, first place is worth 50 points this weekend - compared to a maximum of 40 at the previous qualifiers. That's a significant jump. A 50-point weekend changes things fast.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ec2bc08c-7c88-4dc3-a5e7-4fd9617950fd.png?width=3204&amp;height=2600" alt="Qualifiers With More Than 25 Starters (1) (1) (1)"></p>
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<div class="group relative relative pb-3" data-is-streaming="false"><strong style="font-size: 24px;">5. The whole Series leaderboard is on the line</strong><br>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">After three qualifiers, <strong>Lucienne Bellissimo</strong> and <strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong> are tied at the top of the Open Series leaderboard. <strong>Boyd Martin</strong> sits third, <strong>Will Coleman</strong> fourth. And three of these four are competing this weekend.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1708749e-a16c-47cb-9cbb-1e1fc14a457e.png?width=628&amp;height=952" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 18 200431"></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Caroline has three entries at Carolina, Boyd has two, and Will has one, meaning this single event could reshape the entire standings in one afternoon.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Whoever performs best this weekend has a real chance to break clear at the top. Whoever doesn't could find themselves looking up. The leaderboard that greets us on Monday morning will look very different to the one we have now.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><em><strong>Want to dive deeper into Carolina this weekend?&nbsp;</strong></em>Check out the full&nbsp;<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/carolina2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Form Guide</a> or tune in to this week's episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast <a href="https://pod.fo/e/3af826" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a></p>
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<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">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.</p>
<p dir="ltr">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;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p><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"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>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;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
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Five Reasons You Can't Miss the Carolina Qualifier This Weekend

<h2 dir="ltr">Dressage: Wandres Wins AGDF 10, Darcourt Holds On</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Germany&rsquo;s <strong>Frederic Wandres</strong> and <strong>Verrenberg </strong>won Friday night's Grand Prix Freestyle at AGDF 10 with a new combination best of 76.240%. Verrenberg, the youngest horse in the field at ten years old, looked every bit the emerging force the data hinted at. Wandres rode to a freestyle soundtrack originally built for Bluetooth, his Olympic gold medal partner, and the fit was close enough.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>"He's a really promising horse," </em>Wandres said.</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><em>"He's very consistent in the arena to bring these good results already at this young age, which is not so normal."</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d551e242-ce1a-4e66-a035-ffee1a411784.png?width=905&amp;height=1098" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 16 143401"></p>
<p dir="ltr">The win vaults Wandres from outside the top 25 into a tie for eighth at 29 points. With the AGDF season wrapping up next week, Wandres and Verrenberg will likely head back to Europe, which probably ends their Open Series run for now. But keep an eye on this horse regardless. He's shaping up to peak right in time for an LA 2028 appearance.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Kevin Kohmann</strong> and <strong>Duenensee</strong> took second with 75.715%. The high-70s rides are a possibility, but increasingly the exception. A 75 of some flavor is where this pair lives right now, and clearly it&rsquo;s working. The result secured Kohmann's place in April's FEI World Cup Final in Texas&mdash;the third consecutive Finals appearance for this combination.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>"This horse made my career; he changed everything,</em>" Kohmann said.</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><em>"If you'd told me four years ago that we'd make it to the World Cup Finals three times in a row, I'd have told you you were crazy."</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Pablo G&oacute;mez Molina</strong> and <strong>Ulises de Ymas</strong> took third with 73.715%, moving to 27 points and 13th overall. <strong>Ashley Holzer</strong> and <strong>Hawtins San Floriana</strong> finished fourth with 73.555%, and now sit in a crowded eighth on 29 points, alongside four other combinations.<strong> Caroline Darcourt</strong> and <strong>Lord Django</strong> finished fifth at 72.570%, leaving her in a tie with <strong>Christian Simonson </strong>for second on the season at 40 points.</p>
<p><a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/dressage/708" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/18e9bb9f-0b3b-4d31-bf4c-a3c37f0f35b0.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Pk Xie Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage "></a></p>
<p><strong>P.J. Rizvi </strong>and <strong>Vanilla Ice</strong> finished sixth on 72.325%, which frankly undersells the energy in the arena. Vanilla Ice is a piaffe machine when he locks in, and he locked in Friday. Rizvi left the arena smiling, still humming the music. By the metric of putting on a show, she wins every time.</p>
<p><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></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Eventing: Carolina International Approaches</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Next Qualifier: </strong>Carolina International, North Carolina | <strong>The Final:</strong> Morven Park, Virginia (October)</p>
<p dir="ltr">With 41 entries confirmed in the CCI4*-S, Carolina International is the largest qualifier of the 2026 series to date and the points on offer reflect that. Cross the 25-starter threshold and the win is worth 50 points rather than 40. <strong>Boyd Martin </strong>built his 2025 Series title on weekends exactly like this one. The combinations who arrive in form and leave with a result could reshape the leaderboard significantly.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40519610/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></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>The latest episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast breaking down the entries is now live, with a full form guide and preview article coming later this week - but before that, here are some of the big names to watch.</em></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Contenders</h3>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Phillip Dutton </strong>and<strong> Denim</strong> arrive in winning form after their victory at the Grand Prix Eventing Showcase in Aiken. They won outright, going inside the time on cross-country - one of only two combinations in the field to do so. <strong>Denim </strong>finished sixth at last year&rsquo;s US Equestrian Open Final and placed in the top ten in all three qualifiers he contested. They arrive at Carolina as serious contenders.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Will Coleman </strong>and <strong>Diabolo </strong>return carrying momentum of a different kind. Their last four-star outing was <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/terranova-closes-the-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a win at the TerraNova qualifier </a>in November, marking their return from a break. It was <strong>Diabolo&rsquo;s </strong>third four-star victory in a row, following earlier wins at Kentucky and Plantation in 2024. A 26.1 dressage and a double clear last time out is the kind of form that travels well into a new qualifier.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Kim Severson</strong> and <strong>Cooley Corraghy Diamond </strong>are back and that alone is worth talking about. <strong>Cooley Corraghy Diamond</strong> has not completed an event since May (withdrawing before cross-country on two occasion) when he placed second in a CCI4*-S in just his second start at the level. The talent has never been in question. With an EquiRatings Elo rating of 555, he is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/9-year-olds-on-track-for-the-us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highest-rated nine-year-old in the US</a> and 13th in the world for his age. This weekend will offer an intriguing first look at where he is now.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e5e51b2e-03a5-44a3-819a-0bba7cfa767c.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Vld71 Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Eventing "></a><br></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong> arrives with three entries in the four-star short &mdash; <strong>HSH Blake, HSH Tolan King, and She&rsquo;s The One </strong>&mdash; giving her three separate shots at the expanded points on offer. She currently sits joint first in the Series on 80 points, level with <strong>Lucienne Bellissimo,</strong> who also makes the trip with <strong>Kitsch Couture HPK. </strong>Pamukcu earned all 80 of her points at Bouckaert a fortnight ago and Bellissimo will be looking to respond.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Boyd Martin</strong> returns with <strong>Miks Master C </strong>and <strong>Shanroe Cooley, </strong>the two horses he took to the Final last year, finishing first and fourth. As the reigning Series and Final winner, and currently sitting third on 65 points, a strong weekend here could put him straight into the lead.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The leaderboard is tight. The points are big. The field is the deepest of the 2026 Series so far. Carolina matters.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><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></p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Jumping: Eleven Days to Go</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>The US Equestrian Open Final: </strong>Wellington, Week 12 | <strong>Countdown:</strong> 11 Days</p>
<p dir="ltr">The <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/jumping-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix</a> is on March 28th. There is one more weekend of competition before the final, yet most of the serious contenders will be saving their horses for the Final. After weeks of tracking form, watching jump-offs, and reporting on five-big star results from Florida to Doha, the picture is nearly complete. $1,000,000 is on the line, and it is shaping up to be exactly the kind of US versus the rest contest the buildup has promised.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Richard Vogel: Winning Elsewhere, Arriving Confident</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The result worth noting from this weekend came not from Wellington but from 's-Hertogenbosch, where the Rolex Grand Prix at the Dutch Masters &mdash; the first Rolex Grand Slam event of 2026 &mdash; went to <strong>Richard Vogel</strong> and <strong>United Touch S.</strong> It was their seventh Grand Prix/World Cup win together and their second Rolex Major, following Geneva 2023. Eleven combinations made the jump-off. None came close to Vogel's time.</p>
<p dir="ltr">While Vogel has confirmed he will be there for the Final (likely riding <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/countdown-to-the-final-five-lessons-from-the-first-five-star-weekend-in-wellington" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WEF Weeks 5 Winner <strong>Gangster Montdesir)</strong></a><strong>,</strong> whether <strong>United Touch S</strong>&nbsp;makes the trip to Wellington remains to be seen. In many ways, that may be beside the point. Winning a class like this just two weeks before a $750,000 Rolex Grand Prix is the kind of form that travels with a rider.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">US Contenders on the Road</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Two major US Open contenders made the trip to the Dutch Masters and both will take useful information back to Wellington. <strong>Lillie Keenan </strong>and <strong>Kick On</strong> jumped clear in Round 1 and posted the fastest four-fault jump-off round to finish sixth. Competitive, if not quite a podium.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Kent Farrington&nbsp;</strong>and <strong>Toulayna</strong> had the second-fastest jump-off time behind Vogel but had two fences down to finish tenth. Not their day but Farrington will arrive at Week 12 as one of the most dangerous riders in the field regardless. He will be hungry.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><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></p>
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<h2 data-path-to-node="4"><strong data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="0">Stay in the Loop with The Open Weekly</strong></h2>
<p data-path-to-node="5">Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="72"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a>&nbsp;</strong>drops on the site&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="124">every Tuesday.</strong></p>
<h3 data-path-to-node="9"><strong data-path-to-node="9" data-index-in-node="0">Join the Conversation</strong></h3>
<p data-path-to-node="10">Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="77"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a></strong>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="89"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a></strong>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="100"><a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a></strong></p>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6"><strong data-path-to-node="6" data-index-in-node="4">Go Beyond the Article</strong></h3>
<p data-path-to-node="7">Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="7" data-index-in-node="78"><a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a></strong>.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40519610/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></p>

Frederic Wandres & Verrenberg on the Open Weekly Graphic 

The Open Weekly: Wandres and Vogel Win Big, Carolina International on Deck

<p data-start="97" data-end="213">The story of Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque isn&rsquo;t a straight line and that&rsquo;s exactly what makes it compelling.</p>
<p data-start="97" data-end="213">&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_60FqMTTwTE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>
<p data-start="215" data-end="483">From early uncertainty to Olympic silver, from inconsistency to brilliance, <em data-start="291" data-end="306">The Open Road</em> captures the reality behind one of the sport&rsquo;s most powerful partnerships. It&rsquo;s not about perfection. It&rsquo;s about understanding, patience, and learning how to ride the extremes.</p>
<p data-start="485" data-end="599">As Cook puts it, some horses aren&rsquo;t meant to be smoothed out... because those sharp edges are what make them great.</p>
<p data-start="601" data-end="671">Watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_60FqMTTwTE&amp;list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2&amp;index=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">full video now </a>and go inside the journey behind the results.</p>

 Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque | The Open Road

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