<p dir="ltr">Since January, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage has crisscrossed the country with 16 qualifiers scheduled&mdash;including two doubleheader weekends. That leaves <strong>six qualifiers and seven freestyle classes to go</strong> before we reach the Final in Thermal, California. Only the <strong>top 18</strong> combinations will qualify&mdash;and only their <strong>top six scores</strong> count.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Right now, <strong>Anna</strong> <strong>Marek</strong> leads with 88 points, but <strong>Evelyn Eger</strong> is close behind at 85. <strong>Karen Lipp</strong> has quietly climbed into third, and <strong>Eline Eckroth</strong> is following closely on fourth. The cutoff line is crowded, and one strong ride could still change everything.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">7 Moments That Shaped the Series So Far</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">1. The 80% Club</h3>
<p><em>Adrienne Lyle and Helix</em>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-helix-soar-to-five-star-victory">delivered a masterclass</a> under the lights at the CDI5* in Wellington, earning a career best of <strong>80.600%</strong>. It&rsquo;s one of only two scores to break the 80 barrier so far. The other one? Also earned by Lyle and Helix at AGDF Week 5.</p>
<h3>2. Double Trouble</h3>
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Week 7&rsquo;s East/West <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-open-of-dressage-a-three-way-tie-at-the-top">doubleheader made history</a>: <em>Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn</em> and <em>Denielle Gallagher</em> became the series&rsquo; first two-time winners on opposite coasts, both securing top spots on the leaderboard in the same weekend.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">3. Comeback Queen</h3>
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><em>P.J. Rizvi</em>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-marek-and-rizvi-deliver-a-thrilling-night-of-freestyle-dressage">returned to the CDI arena after a six-year break</a>, piloting <em>Vanilla Ice</em> to a <strong>76.585%</strong> in their first freestyle&mdash;complete with a cameo by the real Vanilla Ice.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">4. The Heartstopper</h3>
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">At WEC March, <em>Julio Mendoza Loor</em>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/down-to-the-decimal-mendoza-loor-wins-closest-finish-in-series-history">edged out</a> <em>Anna Marek</em> by just <strong>0.04%</strong>&mdash;the narrowest margin of the series. Mendoza scored 75.860%, Marek 75.820%. That&rsquo;s the definition of a photo finish.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">5. The Consistency Climber</h3>
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Without a win to her name, <em>Karen Lipp</em> has used&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/unpredictable-but-pivotal-why-wec-could-reshape-the-leaderboard">a string of steady top-10s</a> to earn 77 points and climb to third overall. Call it the long game, and she&rsquo;s playing it well.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">6. The Spoiler Threat</h3>
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><em>Kevin Kohmann</em> and <em>D&uuml;nensee</em>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/a-cool-breeze-a-fiery-freestyle-kohmann-and-dnee-shine-in-wellington">delivered a show-stopping 79.240%</a> to win AGDF 9&mdash;and punch their ticket to Basel for the World Cup Final. They&rsquo;ve only shown twice, but both rides were class.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">7. Breakout Pair</h3>
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><em>Eline Eckroth</em> and <em>Daphne</em> only debuted at Grand Prix in November. Fast forward five months, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/nichols-claims-first-senior-freestyle-victory-at-terranova">they&rsquo;re sitting fourth</a> on the leaderboard with three podium finishes and a new personal best of 71.055%.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">On the Edge: Who&rsquo;s Climbing, Who&rsquo;s Slipping</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The riders between 15th and 25th are in precarious territory. Some have just enough to squeak into Thermal. Others need one more shot to qualify&mdash;or risk missing the cut. Here&rsquo;s where things stand:</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">In (for now)</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Devon Kane</strong> (42 pts, 17th) &ndash; Three starts, solid scores, and Florida-based. She&rsquo;s likely to show again&mdash;and just one more decent result could lock her in.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n</strong> (42 pts, 17th) &ndash; Also on three starts, but now back in Europe. Unless she makes a return stateside (unlikely), she&rsquo;s at serious risk of being overtaken.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Out (but not far)</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn</strong> (40 pts, 19th) &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/genay-vaughn-gino-clinch-grand-prix-freestyle-win-with-new-personal-best">One of only three riders with two wins</a>. But she hasn&rsquo;t been seen since February Del Mar, and the leaderboard&rsquo;s catching up fast.</li>
<li><strong>Julio Mendoza Loor</strong> (37 pts, 20th) &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/marek-takes-aim-at-series-lead-in-ocala-showdown">A consistent contender</a>, but reportedly off to Europe for the summer. If he&rsquo;s gone, he&rsquo;s likely done with the series.</li>
<li><strong>Charlotte Jorst</strong> (35 pts, 21st) &ndash; <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-equestrian-open-welcomes-one-of-the-countrys-top-amateur-riders">Winner at Gold Coast Opener</a> and fourth in Ocala. A top 5 finish at any of the remaining qualifiers could sneak her back into the top 18.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Kasey Perry-Glass</strong> (30 pts, 24th) &ndash; Two starts. Two huge scores (76.290% and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/perry-glass-closes-agdf-with-a-win-on-heartbeat">75.915%</a>). If she rides again and lands even a modest third score, she&rsquo;ll be a real Finals threat.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Benjamin Ebeling</strong> (20 pts, 30th) &ndash; He&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/bellena-dances-to-victory-but-the-leaderboard-holds-its-breath">won his debut Grand Prix Freestyle</a>. But he&rsquo;s only got one score. He likely needs two more starts&mdash;and strong ones&mdash;to qualify. If he shows up, he could really shake things up. He&rsquo;s got the talent and horsepower to make a Finals podium play.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2>On the Horizon</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Competition resumes this weekend for the series' second dual-coast doubleheader. In Florida, Benjamin Ebeling, Kasey Perry-Glass, and Charlotte Jorst all have a chance to add a much-needed twenty points to their overall score. In the West, Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn returns to competition fresh off the World Cup Finals.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stay connected with the latest news and standings on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen">Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dce51360-5371-41aa-a234-8d5afb25ac10.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Dressageopensched Final"></p>

Kevin Kohmann and Dünensee walk out of the dressage arena in Wellington

The Final Stretch: Seven Classes Remain in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage

Main

<p class="" data-start="120" data-end="499">From new personal bests to leaderboard shakeups, the<strong> Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S</strong> delivered a weekend packed with momentum shifts and standout moments. <strong>Will Coleman</strong> and <strong>Off the Record</strong> led from the very first phase, but there were big moves happening just behind them as<strong> Phillip Dutton, Jessica Phoenix,</strong> and <strong>Allison Springer</strong> made major statements in the US Equestrian Open Series.</p>
<p class="" data-start="501" data-end="674">The full breakdown is now live on the US Equestrian Open Podcast&mdash;but here&rsquo;s your snapshot of everything that went down in Kentucky, and what it means for the road ahead.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36353425/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/1744d4/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3 data-start="686" data-end="1136">Coleman and Off the Record Lead from Start to Finish</h3>
<p class="" data-start="686" data-end="1136"><strong>Will Coleman </strong>and&nbsp;<strong>Off the Record</strong> were the stars of the show. They came out swinging with a 21.8 in the first phase&mdash;Timmy&rsquo;s best ever score at any level&mdash;and never gave up the lead. They added only 7.2 time penalties on cross-country (the fastest of the day) and just added four faults on Sunday in the showjumping, to defend Will's title at the Kentucky 4*-S. From start to finish, it was smooth, stylish, and a perfect example of what this partnership can do when they&rsquo;re on song.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1138" data-end="1217">This win wasn&rsquo;t just another notch on the belt&mdash;it was a record-defining moment:</p>
<p class="" data-start="1138" data-end="1217">🏆 Will's 16th career CCI4*-S win (15 of them on U.S. soil, plus CHIO Aachen)</p>
<p class="" data-start="1138" data-end="1217">🏆<em> </em>Off The Record&rsquo;s 6th CCI4*-S win</p>
<p class="" data-start="1340" data-end="1398">🏆 Will&rsquo;s second win in five runnings of the Kentucky 4*-S</p>
<p class="" data-start="1401" data-end="1474">🏆 Enough to move Will into the global top 10 for CCI4*-S wins since 2008</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="1476" data-end="1937">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1476" data-end="1937">Dutton and Phoenix Secure Key Podium Finishes</h3>
<p class="" data-start="1476" data-end="1937">And while Coleman took the win,<strong> Phillip Dutton</strong> stole the spotlight when it came to the series storyline. He came into Kentucky on top of the US Equestrian Open standings with 175 points&mdash;and both of his rides delivered.&nbsp;<strong>Possante</strong> finished second,<em> </em><strong>Denim </strong>took fourth, and together they helped push his season total to 215 points. That makes Dutton the first rider this year to break the 200-point barrier, and he now sits 30 points clear at the top of the table.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1939" data-end="2306">There was some speculation about whether Phillip&rsquo;s horses had the speed to challenge this field&mdash;and while both picked up time penalties, context matters. <strong>Off the Record</strong> was the fastest with 7.2; Phillip&rsquo;s horses weren&rsquo;t far behind.<strong> Possante </strong>and <strong>Denim</strong> both posted top-six cross-country times, proving that when it counts, they can absolutely turn up the heat.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2308" data-end="2707">Just behind them, <strong>Jessica Phoenix</strong> quietly climbed the podium into third place with<em> </em><strong>Freedom GS,</strong> adding 40 points and bumping her series total to 185. That makes her the closest challenger to Dutton&rsquo;s lead, and with a few more key results, she&rsquo;s well within striking distance. Her Ocala performance, her podium here&mdash;Jess is on a tear this season and proving she&rsquo;s got the firepower for a serious series run.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2308" data-end="2707">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="2308" data-end="2707">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2308" data-end="2707">No May Moon Shines in Kentucky</h3>
<p class="" data-start="2709" data-end="3240">But the biggest mover of the weekend?<strong><em> </em>No May Moon. Allison Springer</strong> and her crowd-favorite mare delivered one of the standout performances of the competition. They started in 25th after dressage, then rocketed up to finish fifth. It was one of the fastest cross-country rounds on the day, followed by a clear jumping round. This wasn&rsquo;t a fluke&mdash;this was a star stepping fully into the spotlight. With a string of strong recent performances,<strong> No May Moon</strong> could be the sleeper pick for the finale.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2709" data-end="3240">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="3242" data-end="3639">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="3242" data-end="3639">Leaderboard Update: It&rsquo;s Still All to Play For</h3>
<p class="" data-start="3242" data-end="3639">The <a href="https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leaderboard</a> looks different now, and it&rsquo;s shaping into a real race. <strong>Phillip</strong> leads on 215,<strong> Jess</strong> follows with 185, and<strong> James Alliston</strong> holds third with 145. Riders like C<strong>aroline Pamukcu, Ema Klugman</strong>, and <strong>Allison Springer </strong>are still in the hunt, especially as we head into the second half of the series. The full top ten is here&mdash;and it&rsquo;s tight enough to expect fireworks over the coming qualifiers:</p>
<p><a href="https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/bd3f74f7-7a71-401e-939c-d2d10ce477ce.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Kentucky  Recap"></a></p>
<p class="" data-start="3732" data-end="4026">So what&rsquo;s next? More qualifiers, more movement, and all eyes on Morven Park, where the $200K showdown will bring the best back together. With<strong> Off the Record</strong> in this kind of form, <strong>Phillip</strong> pushing the pace, and <strong>Jess </strong>quietly stacking points, it&rsquo;s anyone&rsquo;s game.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3732" data-end="4026">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p class="" data-start="3732" data-end="4026">&nbsp;</p>
<h3 data-start="3732" data-end="4026">🎙️<strong> Listen Now: </strong><strong data-start="455" data-end="501">The Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Review&nbsp;</strong></h3>
<p class="" data-start="3732" data-end="4026">Dive deeper into the wins, surprises, and leaderboard drama on the latest&nbsp;<strong data-start="578" data-end="608">US Equestrian Open Podcast</strong>.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36353425/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/1744d4/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h1 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h1>
<hr>
<h1 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h1>
<h1 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h1>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<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>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <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>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<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>.&nbsp;</em></p>

New Podcast: Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Review Show

<p><br>As the eyes of the equestrian world turn to Lexington for the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, elite show jumping takes center stage alongside it with the Kentucky International CSI5*. A glittering lineup of top international combinations will take to the Rolex Stadium with serious form and firepower.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e00837c3-cd95-4ca6-a5db-9bc560024884.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Usef Jumping Graphics 2025 (5)"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>U.S. Contenders: Formidable and On Fire</h1>
<h3>Kent Farrington &amp; Greya</h3>
<p>Kent Farrington enters with a double threat, and Greya is the queenpin of the field. Ranked No. 1 in the field with an Elo of 770, she is currently the top-rated U.S. horse and boasts 5 clears from her last 9 rounds at five-star 160 level. With two five-star Grand Prix wins already under her belt in 2025, both in Wellington, Greya brings both class and momentum.</p>
<h3><br>Kent Farrington &amp; Toulayna</h3>
<p>Farrington's second ride, Toulayna, is no sidekick. Ranked second in the field this week with an Elo of 764, she also sits within the Top 20 globally-rated horses. Her recent stats show 6 clears in her last 10 rounds at the top level &mdash; evidence of a mare on a serious upward trajectory.</p>
<h3><br>Laura Kraut &amp; Bisquetta</h3>
<p>Another heavy-hitter in red, white, and blue: Bisquetta, partnered with Olympic Team Silver medallist Laura Kraut, comes in ranked 7th in the field with an Elo of 739. They arrive with a flawless 100% clear round record over their last 10 international rounds at CSI4* &amp; 5* at 150cm and above. They also stood proudly on the podium U.S. Equestrian Open Jumping Final, Rolex Grand Prix of Wellington and they&rsquo;ll be out to add another five-star clear here in Lexington.</p>
<h1>&nbsp;</h1>
<h1>International Challengers: Chasing U.S. Supremacy</h1>
<h3>Christian Kukuk &amp; Just Be Gentle (GER)</h3>
<p>The reigning Olympic Champion brings fire to Lexington with Just Be Gentle, ranked 5th in the field on an Elo of 747. This pair helped Germany to the podium in Ocala&rsquo;s Longines League of Nations and also took top honours the Grand Prix there, proving their synergy is lethal at the top level.</p>
<h3><br>Darragh Kenny &amp; Eddy Blue (IRL)</h3>
<p>Ireland&rsquo;s Eddy Blue holds the title of highest-rated Irish horsewith an Elo of 755 and comes in with a consistent record: clear over fences in four consecutive five-star Grand Prix or World Cup first rounds, including a podium finish in Wellington. Kenny and Eddy are riding a quiet storm of consistency, just the kind of form that breaks through under the Saturday Night Lights.</p>
<h3><br>Conor Swail &amp; Casturano (IRL)</h3>
<p>If you want a horse made for Kentucky, look no further. Casturano and Conor Swail are the defending champions of this Grand Prix. &nbsp;As a matter of fact, Conor has never jumped a Grand Prix on Kentucky Horse Trials weekend without producing a clear round. With past wins in 2022 and 2024, and a podium in 2018, the Irish rider enters on serious venue form.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>Ones to Watch</h1>
<p>The top 10 are stacked with familiar names, so watch out for stars like <strong>Shane Sweetnam &amp; James Kann Cruz</strong>, currently 6th in the field (Elo 745) with a 56% clear rate at five-star 160cm, and <strong>Lillie Keenan &amp; Argan De Beliard</strong>, coming off a high with their Top 3 finish in Wellington.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>Final Thoughts</h1>
<p>With over 10 horses rated over 700 Elo, the Kentucky International CSI5* field boasts a competitive field. Between Farrington&rsquo;s powerhouse pair, Kukuk&rsquo;s winning form, and Swail&rsquo;s unmatched Kentucky record, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown in the Rolex Stadium. Whether it's a rising star making their mark or a seasoned name reclaiming the spotlight, the Kentucky International promises edge-of-your-seat action from start to finish.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

 CSI5* Kentucky International: The Stars Align in Lexington

<p class="" data-start="467" data-end="820">In this week&rsquo;s episode, Annie Bishop is joined by <strong>Sally Spickard</strong> (Eventing Nation), <strong>Sinead Maynard</strong>, and EquiRatings' <strong>Diarm Byrne</strong> to break down the field for the Cosequin&reg; Lexington CCI4*-S. From bold predictions to heartfelt dark horse picks, it&rsquo;s your all-access pass to the names, numbers, and narratives that matter most.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36261295/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/0a317e/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p class="" data-start="467" data-end="820">&nbsp;</p>
<hr class="" data-start="822" data-end="825">
<h3 class="" data-start="827" data-end="858">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="827" data-end="858">🔺 The Big Three at the Top</h3>
<p class="" data-start="860" data-end="1209"><strong>Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Blake</strong>, <strong>Will Coleman &amp; Off The Record</strong>, and <strong>Alyssa Phillips &amp; Oskar </strong>currently dominate the top of the Prediction Centre &mdash; combining for nearly 70% of total win chance. But as Diarm reminds us, this doesn't mean everything. Past years have seen late lead changes, surprise poles, and big names fall short. This is not a field for safe bets.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1211" data-end="1423">Blake&rsquo;s star-making turn at Kentucky last year still lingers in Diarm&rsquo;s mind &mdash; not just the numbers, but the visual dominance across country. Can Caroline repeat with more pressure and more eyes this time around?</p>
<p class="" data-start="1211" data-end="1423">&nbsp;</p>
<hr class="" data-start="1425" data-end="1428">
<h3 class="" data-start="1430" data-end="1458">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="1430" data-end="1458">🐴 Dark Horses Lining Up</h3>
<p class="" data-start="1460" data-end="1720">Sure, the prediction models favor the big names &mdash; but the pundits are keeping close tabs on some serious spoilers. Sally flags <strong data-start="1587" data-end="1602">No May Moon</strong> as her one-to-watch: a gritty little mare with proven form and podium potential if she can stay close after dressage.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1722" data-end="1912">Annie&rsquo;s backing <strong data-start="1738" data-end="1751">Cute Girl</strong> to recapture form, while Sinead is excited to see <strong data-start="1802" data-end="1814">Invictus</strong>, <strong data-start="1816" data-end="1831">That&rsquo;s Me Z</strong>, and <strong data-start="1837" data-end="1848">Possante</strong> in action &mdash; all with solid backstories and momentum heading in.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1914" data-end="1997">And Diarm? He&rsquo;s still running spreadsheets, but even his data admits: it&rsquo;s wide open.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1914" data-end="1997">&nbsp;</p>
<hr class="" data-start="1999" data-end="2002">
<h3 class="" data-start="2004" data-end="2046">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="2004" data-end="2046">🌍 West Coast Energy, East Coast Stage</h3>
<p class="" data-start="2048" data-end="2365">There&rsquo;s a buzz around the West Coast riders making the trip: <strong data-start="2109" data-end="2142">Tommy Greengard </strong>and<strong data-start="2109" data-end="2142"> That&rsquo;s Me Z</strong>, <strong data-start="2144" data-end="2172">Taryn Hoffos </strong>and <strong data-start="2144" data-end="2172">Regalla</strong>, and <strong data-start="2178" data-end="2192">Molly Duda</strong> with <strong>Disco Traveler</strong> are among those crossing the country for a shot at this major 4*. With top-level experience overseas, these combos bring freshness &mdash; and fire &mdash; to a field full of veterans.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2367" data-end="2544">It&rsquo;s exactly what the US Equestrian Open is built for: mixing regions, highlighting talent, and giving fans a chance to see combinations they might not normally catch in person.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2367" data-end="2544">&nbsp;</p>
<hr class="" data-start="2546" data-end="2549">
<h3 class="" data-start="2551" data-end="2592">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="2551" data-end="2592">💻 Podium Picks &amp; Prediction Showdown</h3>
<p class="" data-start="2594" data-end="2931">As always, Annie and Diarm close out the episode with their podium predictions &mdash; and the scoring battle between them is heating up. Diarm&rsquo;s going for a head-heart hybrid: Blake to win, Off The Record second, and No May Moon sneaking into third. Annie&rsquo;s betting on Will and Timmy to get it done, with Cute Girl and Possante crashing the party.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2933" data-end="2994">Bonus drama? Caroline doesn&rsquo;t even make Annie&rsquo;s podium. Bold.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2933" data-end="2994">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 class="" data-start="3001" data-end="3018">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="3001" data-end="3018">🎧 Listen Now</h3>
<p class="" data-start="3020" data-end="3157">It&rsquo;s all to play for in Kentucky. The Prediction Centre says one thing. The gut says another. And the horses? They&rsquo;ll have the final say.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3159" data-end="3225">This is where the leaderboard gets serious. This is why we follow.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3159" data-end="3225">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 class="" data-start="3988" data-end="4009">📣 Stay Connected</h3>
<p class="" data-start="4011" data-end="4252">Explore the latest&nbsp;<strong data-start="4030" data-end="4089"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/magazines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fan Guide</a></strong>, check the&nbsp;<strong data-start="4101" data-end="4168"><a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/?hsCtaTracking=907b4987-399b-4b9c-987d-14baa17bbf42%7Cc8942863-dac1-4a71-95b2-ee4f0be07dc6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prediction Center</a></strong>, and follow the series on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen/">Instagram</a>.</p>
<p class="" data-start="4254" data-end="4294"><strong data-stringify-type="bold">Don&rsquo;t miss a second of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event &mdash; streaming live on the USEF Network. All USEF members, including free Fan account holders, can watch the action without any added costs.</strong>&nbsp;Join now at <a href="https://www.usef.org/events/kentucky-three-day/?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=slider&amp;utm_campaign=k3de" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usef.org</a>.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36261295/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/0a317e/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

New Podcast: Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Preview Show

<p dir="ltr">With just one California qualifier left on the calendar, <strong>Kristina Harrison-Antell</strong> and her longtime partner <strong>Finley </strong>seized their moment in Del Mar. The pair topped Sunday&rsquo;s Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 72.180%, earning Harrison-Antell her first career win in a CDI Grand Prix Freestyle&mdash;and her first Big Tour win of any kind in three years, following a Grand Prix victory the day before.</p>
<p dir="ltr">She and the 15-year-old KWPN gelding have been together from the start. Harrison-Antell purchased Finley as a coming three-year-old and has developed him up the levels herself. For the California native, earning her first freestyle victory at a venue like Del Mar&mdash;one she competed at often in her junior years&mdash;was a full-circle moment.</p>
<p dir="ltr">With this result, Harrison-Antell moves into sixth place on the US Equestrian Open leaderboard with 69 points, likely securing a ticket to the Final in Thermal, California this November.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Leaderboard Implications Beyond the Win</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The field in Del Mar was smaller than usual, but still yielded meaningful leaderboard movement. <strong>Nadine Schwartsman</strong> and <strong>Royal Flash R</strong> finished second with a personal best of 69.935%, a result that&mdash;while below the typical freestyle benchmark&mdash;adds valuable points to her season total. With consistent appearances across multiple qualifiers, Schwartsman is quietly building a strong case for a Finals berth.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Laura DeCesari</strong> and <strong>Rossi </strong>rounded out the podium in third with a score of 66.845%, just ahead of<strong> G&uuml;nter Seidel</strong> and <strong>Equirelle</strong>. While Seidel&rsquo;s freestyle didn&rsquo;t land as hoped, a fourth-place finish in the small field added enough to push him into 15th on the leaderboard with 47 points. That keeps him within the current Finals cutoff, but his position remains vulnerable. A fifth-place or better result at Galway Downs in May would help secure his spot as the leaderboard tightens.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, <strong>Anna Buffini</strong> and <strong>Fiontini</strong>&mdash;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/coach-vs-student-round-two-the-del-mar-rematch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">favorites heading into the weekend</a>&mdash;were eliminated during the Grand Prix and did not advance to the freestyle. Buffini later explained on Instagram that while she didn&rsquo;t feel anything wrong in the moment, &ldquo;after reviewing the video, it&rsquo;s clear the judges made the right call.&rdquo; The elimination likely ends her chances of climbing the leaderboard, especially as the remaining qualifiers begin to fan out across the country.</p>
<p dir="ltr">With 16 qualifiers down and <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">just seven remaining</a>, the leaderboard is tightening. The top names have begun to pull away, but the final slots for the $250,000 Final are still very much in play.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Series Continues</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The US Equestrian Open has its first break in qualifiers next week but returns with a dual-coast, double-header on May 1. West Coast riders like Seidel and Harrison-Antell will have a chance to reinforce their leaderboard standing in Temecula, California, at Pacific Coast Dressage, while East Coast contenders such as Karen Lipp, Anna Marek, and Denielle Gallagher head to TerraNova in Myakka City, Florida.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dce51360-5371-41aa-a234-8d5afb25ac10.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Dressageopensched Final"></p>

white horse trotting in a dressage arena and dressage gear

The Final Stretch: Seven Classes Remain in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage

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The Final Stretch: Seven Classes Remain in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage

New Podcast: Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Review Show

CSI5* Kentucky International: The Stars Align in Lexington

New Podcast: Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Preview Show

Kristina Harrison-Antell Clinches First Freestyle Victory in Del Mar

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