<p dir="ltr">On Thursday afternoon in the sun in Wellington, we watched for news as to which of the top 12 would come back to jump in the Round 2. Laura Kraut and Bisquetta would not be back. Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie the same. These are going to be major contenders for the Saturday night final and it felt like a decision to save them. Richie Vogel had chosen Cloudio for the qualifier and he was coming back. He would go on to finish in second place and guarantee himself a late draw for Saturday. The decision to come back also meant something else, we are going to see a different horse on Saturday - and it is an absolute star. <br><br>The CSI5* Week 5, $500,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix here at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington went to Gangster Montdesir. They jumped double clear and stopped the clock in 42.65 seconds to win against a 715‑Elo field. Widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted riders on the circuit, Vogel looks to have found his next superstar in Gangster, a 10‑year‑old who has already proven he belongs at the very top of the sport.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/66ff2db6-86fb-4112-b0c1-2951572a8ea7.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Field Stength"></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Why Richie is on such hot form</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Over the past 12 months at 1.55&ndash;1.60m, Vogel and Gangster have multiple CSI5* victories and podiums across Lyon, Barcelona, Thermal, and Wellington, while consistently jumping clear in round one against high field strengths. At Lyon&rsquo;s CSI5*-W Longines Grand Prix in October 2025, they delivered a double clear to win from a 49‑strong field, improving Vogel&rsquo;s top‑level Elo from 590 to 649. That was the first major statement. They were second in the CSI5*-W Longines World Cup qualifier in Arcadia and then of course had the big win in Wellington. Rated 733, this horse is now in the top four 10 year old horses in the world.&nbsp;<br><br>Of course, United Touch S remains the big name in the stable. A couple of weeks ago they won the &euro;1,000,000 Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters CSI5*, the first Major of the 2026 Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, producing a blazing, clear jump‑off in 39.42 seconds.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The momentum carried straight to Florida. At World Equestrian Center &ndash; Ocala this past weekend, Vogel anchored Team Germany to victory in the $770,000 Longines League of Nations CSIO5*-LLN on Cloudio, delivering crucial clear rounds under maximum pressure as the last rider in the ring. He then capped the week by winning the $65,000 The Dutta Corp. Grand Prix CSI2* with Cardentos and adding podium finishes in the Winning Round class with Quizas van&rsquo;t Hulsbos and Cardentos, turning Ocala into another multi‑horse, multi‑class statement of form.<br><br>Yesterday in Wellington he won on Michael Jackson and today, was second with Cloudio.&nbsp;<br><br>Already a Wellington winner with Gangster&ndash; and a former winner of the class with Cepano Baloubet.&nbsp; It will be no surprise if we see another German winner on Saturday night.&nbsp;</p>

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<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Finally the day is here. The first of two qualifiers which lead us into the US Equestrian Open of Jumping Final.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h2 id="how-todays-qualifier-works" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">How today&rsquo;s qualifier works</h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Sixty horses and riders come forward in the CSI5* $116,100 Adequan WEF Challenge Cup, the first official qualifier for the US Equestrian Open Jumping Final.&nbsp;<br><br><strong>The competition runs over two rounds: every combination jumps Round 1, then the top 12 on faults and time come back for Round 2</strong> to decide today&rsquo;s prize money and ranking.</p>
<h2 id="how-to-qualify-for-saturday" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">How to qualify for Saturday</h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Thirty of today&rsquo;s 60 starters will book their ticket to the Final: the 12 who jump again in Round 2, plus the next 18 best-placed combinations from Round 1 who do not return.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Tomorrow night offers a second chance: another qualifier will add 10 more spots to complete the 40‑strong Final line‑up alongside any pre‑qualified riders.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">That means some horses we see today are here purely to secure qualification; riders may swap to a different top horse for the Grand Prix itself once they are safely through.</p>
<h2 id="stars-to-watch" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">Stars to watch</h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">There is still plenty of star power on show: Laura Kraut brings the ultra‑consistent Bisquetta, Nina Mallevaey lines up with in‑form Dynastie de Beaufor, and Karl Cook partners the electric Caracole de la Roque.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">These combinations arrive with strong recent CSI5* form and high Elo ratings in 1.55m classes, marking them out as serious threats for both today&rsquo;s win and Saturday night&rsquo;s spotlight.</p>
<h2 id="follow-along" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">Follow along</h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">For the full picture on every horse and rider, <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/fanguide-jumpingqualifier1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out the detailed Fan Guide</a> for today&rsquo;s qualifier on the US Equestrian Open site:</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">You can also dive into the <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/fanguide-jumpingqualifier1/the-startlist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">complete start list and running order here</a>.&nbsp;</p>
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Qualifier 1: From 60 to 30

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<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The US Equestrian Open Eventing Series heads into its first of three double-headers of the 2026 season this weekend. The Event at TerraNova will see the Florida contingent tackle the 4*-S, while Galway Downs in California offers a first look at a West Coast field.&nbsp;<br><br>Last weekend reshuffled the Series leaderboard, with Caroline Pamukcu moving into the lead ahead of Boyd Martin and Will Coleman, who moved into a tie for second. None of the three are fielding horses this weekend - leaving the door right open for the chasing pack.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 data-pm-slice="1 1 []">The Event at TerraNova</h2>
<p>TerraNova returns for its sixth consecutive year as a CCI4*, having first run at this level in 2021. With two editions held in both 2024 and 2025, this weekend will crown the eighth winner of the class.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s a venue known for testing jumping phases with only two combinations having ever finished on their dressage score and both came last year.<strong> Jessica Phoenix </strong>and <strong>Fluorescent Adolescent </strong>did it to win in March 2025 and return here to defend, as well as <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/family-fate-and-five-star" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brooke Burchianti </strong>and <strong>Cooley Space Grey.</strong></a></p>
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<h3 data-start="293" data-end="582"><strong>Who wins?</strong></h3>
<p data-start="293" data-end="582"><strong>Monica Spencer</strong> and <strong>Artist </strong>lead the pre-event predictions on 24% win chance on the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/terranova_4s_march2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a>, and it's easy to see why. The New Zealand combination are making their 2026 Series debut this weekend, their last run being a landmark second place at the Maryland five-star last autumn. <strong>Artist </strong>carries the second best dressage average in the field (a 26.9 6RA) and is known for his speed cross country. While people may doubt his show jumping, <strong>Artist </strong>has actually jumped far more clears than not at the 4*-S level (5 from 8).</p>
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<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/terranova_4s_march2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/350a6592-f07c-47be-b9a3-afd52cf754e1.png?width=1114&amp;height=817" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 25 171344"></a></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Dan Kreitl&nbsp;</strong>and <strong>Carmango </strong>sit second on 21%. The combination previously finished second here back in 2023, posting what remains the second-best finishing score the class has ever seen. They missed the entire 2025 international season, so TerraNova marks their return to the level and therefore, their first time competing in a US Equestrian Open qualifier. On the strength of their history here, though, they'll carry plenty of confidence back onto familiar ground.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8ed9a2d6-b673-49d9-9511-853655172672.JPG?width=3203&amp;height=2176" alt="06.30.23 Kreitl Carmango"><em>Dan Kreitl &amp;&nbsp;Carmango at CHIO Aachen in 2023</em></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Canada's <strong>Colleen Loach</strong> and <strong>FE Golden Eye</strong> come in third on 17%, and they represent one of the most compelling storylines in the field. Like <strong>Carmango</strong>, the combination sat out 2025 but they made a statement return at Bouckaert earlier this year, winning the 3*-S. Their show jumping record is extraordinary: <strong>FE Golden Eye </strong>has not knocked a rail at international level since April 2022, a streak that now stands at 17 consecutive clear rounds. Loach and<strong> FE Golden Eye</strong> were part of Canada's gold-medal team at the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games, and finished 6th individually. Their class is not in question but a return from a break at the top-level is.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Alyssa Phillips</strong> and <strong>Rockett 19</strong> are worth watching closely at 16% win chance. At just 11 years old, Rockett 19 arrives on the back of three consecutive podium finishes, including a second at the Maryland 3*-L last October. He is one of the highest rated US 11-year-old's on the EquiRatings Elo - sitting ahead of Series regulars like <strong>HSH Double Sixteen </strong>and <strong>King's Especiale. </strong>This is the horse's first 4*-S, and how he handles the step up in level will be worth watching.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/123fab0c-4f0f-4157-94de-117494559e6f.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="Img L4011"></strong><em>Alyssa Phillips &amp; Rockett 19</em></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Galway Downs International</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">California's Galway Downs will be our first proper look at this year's West Coast contenders. It is also a reminder of a broader dynamic within the series. West Coast qualifiers are likely to always carry 40 points rather than 50, but with six legs on the western side of the country, the gap is far from insurmountable.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Read more on whether a west-coast contender could win the whole Series:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/is-the-us-equestrian-open-winnable-from-the-west-coast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/is-the-us-equestrian-open-winnable-from-the-west-coast</a><br><br>Additionally, this is one of only two CCI4*-S competitions on the West Coast before athletes will head east for Kentucky. It makes it a key prep run for combinations targeting the major spring events and an early read on form.</p>
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Who wins?</h3>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Tommy Greengard</strong> leads the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/galwaydowns_4s_march2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a> on 33% with <strong>That's Me Z.</strong> The nine-year-old is already proving himself at the level: last year, the pair were second at this venue on their 4*-S debut, and have since added two more podium finishes at the level. Greengard knows what it takes to win a series qualifier &mdash; he took Aspen Farm last year with <strong>Joshuay MBF </strong>&mdash; and at only nine, <strong>That's Me Z</strong> is an exciting horse to follow this weekend.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/galwaydowns_4s_march2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1e037f7b-6081-4cae-a4d1-a8cab86794a4.png?width=1254&amp;height=607" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 25 174834"></a></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Greengard also brings <strong>Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad </strong>on a 23% win chance. This will be the 11-year-old's 4* debut, but his international record gives every reason for optimism: six international starts, five podiums - two of which are wins. On these six starts, they have never once knocked a showjumping pole.&nbsp; A debut at the short format feels well within their capabilities.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Karen O'Neal a</strong>nd <strong>Clooney 14 c</strong>ome in third on 17%. This is an experienced combination with wins at both 4*-L and 4*-S level. They are proven winners at the top of the game, and not to be underestimated.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Megan McIver</strong> and <strong>Igor B</strong> sit behind on 13%. If you haven't read about how McIver came to partner with <strong>Igor B, </strong>and the journey they've been on since, check it out here: <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/seventh-into-selection" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/seventh-into-selection</a></p>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/seventh-into-selection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b3ecc5e8-b420-4d87-bd6b-fc24c87828dd.jpeg?width=4000&amp;height=2667" alt="7 Fcbbbdb 4012 4 A5 B A10 F 9 F7 B6 F16283 D (1)"></a></div>
<div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"><em>Megan McIver &amp;&nbsp;Igor B | Photo: Atalya Boytner Photography</em></div>
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<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>
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Dan Kreitl and Carmango and Tommy Greengard and That's Me Z

A Tale of Two Coasts: TerraNova and Galway Downs Deliver a Double-Header Weekend

<p dir="ltr">When the Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final lights up the International Arena on Saturday night, fans are likely to be watching the most powerful Grand Prix fields ever assembled at Wellington International and one of the best 20 rated fields of the last 15 years.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">EquiRatings&rsquo; ELO model rates every horse based on how it performs round‑by‑round against the quality of opposition, updating after every result. In simple terms, the higher the ELO, the more consistently that horse is beating strong fields; horses in the 770+ range are operating right at the top of the sport.​</p>
<p dir="ltr">To measure the quality of a Grand Prix line‑up, EquiRatings uses a field‑strength rating: the average current ELO of the top 25 horses on the start list.​<br><br>Every big name that makes it through Thursday and Friday&rsquo;s qualifiers can move that field‑strength number significantly.​</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">When Checker 47 and Christian Kukuk claimed the Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final last year, they did it against what was&mdash;at the time&mdash;the strongest Grand Prix field Wellington had ever seen, with a field‑strength rating of 730.​</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/66ff2db6-86fb-4112-b0c1-2951572a8ea7.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Field Stength"><br><br>That number was boosted by the presence of King Edward, the highest rated horse in the world at the time. He hasn&rsquo;t jumped at the top level since that weekend last year. <br><br>This year, though, the story is about depth rather than a single outlier: qualifier‑dependent, the 2026 line‑up is on track to deliver the strongest top‑25 Wellington has ever seen, and potentially the highest‑rated Grand Prix field in the venue&rsquo;s history.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Last year&rsquo;s field was rated 730, a WEF record. The best 25 horses on this year&rsquo;s long list currently averages closer to 748, a difference that comes from the sheer number of horses clustered in that high‑760/770 band.<br><br><strong>On current ratings, if the strongest combinations make it into Saturday night&rsquo;s final, the projected field‑strength average for the top 25 could land in the 735&ndash;745 range.​</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Those numbers matter in a global context. Since 2010, the 2024 Geneva Grand Prix (field‑strength 759) and the 2025 Dutch Masters (754) are the top fields. If we see a rating above 730 on Saturday, we will be watching the best ever here. If it clears 740, it would sit inside the top ten strongest rated Grand Prix fields anywhere in the world since 2010; even a rating of 735+ would secure a place inside the all‑time top twenty.​<br>​<br>Whatever the final number, the 2026 Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final is on track to be both one of the best ever Wellington fields and one of the highest‑rated Grand Prix classes anywhere in the world.<br><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5a51bc0d-7044-42fe-9533-48dc36749820.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Field Strength All Wef"></p>

Stand by for the Strongest Ever Wellington Grand Prix?

<h2 dir="ltr">Jumping: The $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix is Set to Break a Wellington Record.</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>The Rolex US Equestrian Open Final:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday, March 28th | Wellington, Week 12&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Twelve weeks of competition in Wellington. Three CSI5* Grand Prixes completed and the the biggest night of them all awaits.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix takes center stage this Saturday. <em>The coverage won&rsquo;t be light - a fan guide later this week, a special preview <a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">podcast</a> on Friday, and daily articles across the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">microsite.</a></em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Two episodes of The Open Road are already live, featuring&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_60FqMTTwTE&amp;list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2&amp;index=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Karl Cook</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hS9O_pQ1sI&amp;list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2&amp;index=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jessica Springsteen</a></strong> Saturday night. Tune in before the weekend.<br></em></p>
<p dir="ltr">When the Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final lights up the International Arena on Saturday night, fans are likely to be watching the most powerful Grand Prix field ever assembled at Wellington International and one of the best 20 rated fields of the last 15 years.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The EquiRatings&rsquo; ELO model rates every horse based on how it performs round‑by‑round against the quality of opposition, updating after every result. In simple terms, the higher the ELO, the more consistently that horse is beating strong fields; horses in the 770+ range are operating right at the top of the sport.​</p>
<p dir="ltr">To measure the quality of a Grand Prix line‑up, EquiRatings uses a field‑strength rating: the average current ELO of the top 25 horses on the start list.​ Every big name that makes it through Thursday and Friday&rsquo;s qualifiers can move that field‑strength number significantly.​</p>
<p dir="ltr">When <strong>Checker 47</strong> and&nbsp;<span style="font-weight: bold;">Christian Kukuk</span>&nbsp;claimed the Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final last year, they did it against what was, at the time, the strongest Grand Prix field Wellington had ever seen, with a field‑strength rating of 730.​</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/66ff2db6-86fb-4112-b0c1-2951572a8ea7.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Field Stength"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Last year&rsquo;s field was rated 730, a WEF record. The best 25 horses on this year&rsquo;s long list currently averages closer to 748, a difference that comes from the sheer number of horses clustered in that high‑760/770 band. In a global context the 2024 Geneva Grand Prix (field‑strength 759) and the 2025 Dutch Masters (754) are the top fields. If we see a rating above 730 on Saturday, we will be watching the best ever here. If it clears 740, it would sit inside the top ten strongest rated Grand Prix fields anywhere in the world since 2010; even a rating of 735+ would secure a place inside the all‑time top twenty.​</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><strong id="docs-internal-guid-9fc52465-7fff-5c06-7172-257d67f86f4a">All of that turns this week&rsquo;s qualifiers into more than just a route to our Saturday night final. These qualifiers will decide if we all get to see a new Wellington record.&nbsp;<br><br></strong></em></p>
<p><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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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Eventing: Smith Sweeps Carolina as Pamukcu Takes the Series Lead</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Next Qualifiers: </strong>TerraNova, Florida &amp; Galway Downs, California<strong> | The Final: Morven Park,</strong> Virginia (October)</p>
<p dir="ltr">Carolina International was the fourth qualifier of the 2026 series and the first with over 25 starters, meaning expanded points were on the table. The leaderboard that emerged looks significantly different from the one that went in.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Winners</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The win went to <strong>Tamie Smith</strong> and <strong>Lillet 3</strong> who came closest to the cross country time, picking up just 1.2 time penalties to move from fifth to first. It was their fifth win together as a combination and their second at the four-star level, following their Galway Downs CCI4*-L victory.</p>
<p dir="ltr">And it didn&rsquo;t stop there. Smith swept the weekend, adding wins in the CCI3*-S with <strong>Spiro P</strong> and the CCI2*-S on <strong>Solaguayre Cantata.</strong> A three-level clean sweep that speaks to both her depth and her current form.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5b0cb64b-8068-48b4-999a-c15a2fc2b2c2.jpg?width=4000&amp;height=2667" alt="Tamie Smith Lillet 3 05449"></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Photo Credit: Sally Spickard/Eventing Nation.&nbsp;</em></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Leaderboard</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Second place went to <strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong> and <strong>HSH Blake </strong>and that result, combined with<strong> She's The One</strong> finishing seventh, added 65 points to her series tally in a single weekend. Pamukcu moves to 145 points and takes the series lead outright, 50 points clear of the chasing pack.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7bdc5f2f-5420-4cb0-9349-f60304cdc28b.png?width=658&amp;height=1111" alt="Bouckaert Review 2 (1)"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Behind her, the leaderboard tightened. <strong>Will Coleman</strong> and<strong> Boyd Martin </strong>both finished inside the top five and now sit joint second, firmly within striking distance.<strong> Lucienne Bellissimo</strong> slips to fourth after moving <strong>Kitsch Couture HPK </strong>into the 3* division, while<strong> Jennie Brannigan&rsquo;s </strong>third-place finish moves her into the top ten for the first time.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">What's Next</h3>
<p dir="ltr">This weekend brings the first doubleheader of the 2026 series with qualifiers running simultaneously on the east and west coasts at TerraNova and Galway Downs.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Full previews, and predictions form guides are coming. As usual, the weekly US Equestrian Open podcast episode previews both events.</em></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40613490/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><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e6b627a3-4fce-4bbf-8314-5c8c2402cd3e.png?width=1080&amp;height=158" alt="Read More Eventing"></a></em></p>
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<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Dressage: A triple header sees Wandres lead the series while Jackson surprises at Del Mar</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Next Qualifier:</strong> Dressage at TerraNova<strong> | Coundown:</strong> 1 week</p>
<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/equiratings_eventing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/bb3a37f0-4091-4a31-b0c4-5c6b384318c6.png?width=1920&amp;height=840" alt="Carolina Winner"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Frederic Wandres</strong> and <strong>Verrenberg </strong>won the Modon FEI Nations Cup at AGDF 11 with 77.000%. This is their fourth straight freestyle improvement since their debut together last June, and another combination best. <strong>Ashley Holzer </strong>and <strong>Hawtins San Floriana</strong> took second at 74.350%, and<strong> Emma Caecilia Lienert</strong> and Windermere <strong>J'Obei W</strong> rounded out the podium at 73.105%. The result moves Wandres to 49 points and first overall. Holzer lands at 44 and third.</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/7f133541-2f05-4cb8-bf74-a4bf3096ea5f.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="I Il7 a Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage "></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">The surprise of the weekend came from Del Mar, where <strong>Cyndi Jackson</strong> and <strong>Florisson</strong> won the CDI3* freestyle with a personal best of 70.915%. Jackson has produced<strong> Florisson</strong> from the start. Their first show together was a USEF Training Level test in March 2017. By 2020 they were competing at Prix St. Georges, debuted at Grand Prix in 2024, and worked through their freestyle at national shows last year before making their CDI freestyle debut at Del Mar in February. Sunday&rsquo;s win was the payoff. <strong>Nadine Schwartsman</strong> and <strong>Royal Flash R </strong>finished second with a combination best of 70.835%, only the second time the pair have broken 70% in freestyle - the last being a ninth-place finish at the US Equestrian Open Final</p>
<p dir="ltr">In the CDI3*, also held at AGDF 11, <strong>Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n</strong> and <strong>Hyatt</strong> won with 76.640%. <strong>Jennifer Williams</strong> and <strong>Joppe K</strong> took second at 75.455%&nbsp; with <strong>P.J. Rizvi</strong> and<strong> Vanilla Ice</strong> third at 73.500%. The win moves Tinne to 35 points and into a three-way tie for sixth.</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>
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<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40613490/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>

The Open Weekly graphic with Tamie Smith and Lillet 3

The Open Weekly: Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix Week Arrives as New Series Leaders Emerge

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