Five editions in and the <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/kentucky4s2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosequin&reg; Lexington CCI4*-S&nbsp;</a>has established itself as one of the most competitive CCI4*-S classes in the US. Over the past five years, the field has grown in size, strength, and prestige. This weekend, two of those winners return looking to add their names to the list again.
<div style="text-align: center; margin: 20px 0;"><a style="display: inline-block; background-color: #1a5fa8; color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; padding: 14px 28px; border-radius: 6px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/kentucky4s2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more about Kentucky in the Fan Guide</a></div>
 <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1a9dcdb9-cadf-4136-b1df-fcab4615adef.png?width=1196&amp;height=972" alt="Dqe Gz Who S Won Before (1)">
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The back-to-back champion: Will Coleman</h2>
Will Coleman has won this class more than anyone having had back-to-back victories on two different horses, Diabolo in 2024 and Off The Record in 2025. He also finished third in 2024 with Off The Record, meaning he held first and third on the podium that year. Diabolo is in the five-star this week, and Off The Record has yet to compete internationally this season, likely being managed carefully on the road to World Championship selection.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/835ef1d4-cbe6-453a-a463-9be6c866f0bf.jpeg?width=2500&amp;height=2014" alt="Copy of C Y6 A0108">Will Coleman &amp; Diabolo winning the 2024 edition of the Cosequin&reg; Lexington CCI4*-S
Coleman brings two other rides this year: Fahrenheit Addict and Very Dignified. Fahrenheit Addict is relatively inexperienced at the level, with just four previous CCI4* runs, and this will certainly be a step up in both atmosphere and intensity for the 11-year-old.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/mikki-dora-and-six-boyd-will-and-caroline-three-exciting-partnerships-from-the-us-equestrian-open-eventing-final" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Very Dignified&nbsp;or &lsquo;Dora&rsquo;</a> did something no other combination managed at last year&rsquo;s US Equestrian Open Final: she finished on her dressage score (FOD) to take third place. The ability to FOD stands out given the history of this class. It has only happened twice before&mdash;Hot Bobo in 2023 and Diabolo in 2024&mdash;and on both occasions, it led to the win.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/13cdffba-f4af-41c8-b81a-16c17c83c94a.jpg?width=4160&amp;height=2775" alt="Very Dignified Will Coleman. Credit Devyn Trethewey &amp; Us Equestrian. From Open Final 2025 (2)">Will Coleman &amp; Very Dignified at the 2025 US Equestrian Open Final
&nbsp;
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The inaugural winner: Alyssa Phillips</h2>
Alyssa Phillips is back for the first time since she took the first-ever edition of this class aboard&nbsp;Oskar in 2021. She returns this time with Rockett 19 - a horse <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-crystal-ball-how-data-predicts-the-next-generation-of-us-superstars" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings has flagged as one to watch</a> for some time. He made his four-star debut at TerraNova earlier this season, scoring a 27 in dressage and jumping clear before picking up time penalties on cross-country, though he was held on course so that figure may not tell the full story. Together they have scored as low as 22.3 (albeit at three-star) and they have never finished outside the top ten in an international start.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9d7c80a1-bcec-4a69-92e8-89663bb6e1ba.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="C E5 A8517">Alyssa Phillips &amp; Oskar competing at Aachen in 2024
<h2 data-path-to-node="9">Check out the Fan Guide</h2>
An <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/kentucky4s2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings fan guide</a> does more than list who's entered: it tells you who's actually favoured and why, using win percentages, Elo ratings, and form data you won't find anywhere else in one place.
It gives context to every phase: who to watch on the dressage leaderboard, who's built for cross-country, and where the competition could turn.
Read it in a few minutes and you'll follow the weekend like someone who knows the sport inside out.
<div style="text-align: center; margin: 20px 0;"><a style="display: inline-block; background-color: #1a5fa8; color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; padding: 14px 28px; border-radius: 6px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/kentucky4s2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more about Kentucky in the Fan Guide</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin: 20px 0;">&nbsp;</div>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts">
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<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
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The Mission of the Open The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US Equestrian sport.
Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines.&nbsp;
With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season. The Series is anchored by core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic entertaining experience onsite.

Will Coleman & Off The Record winning at Kentucky in 2025

Cosequin® Lexington: Who's won and who's back?

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Kent Farrington & Greya are the 2026 Jumping Champions

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Main

After winning both the $1M Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix and the FEI World Cup Final at Fort Worth, the EquiRatings Elo rankings have a new world number one. Greya&nbsp;sits at 787 - two points clear of&nbsp;Point Break&nbsp;and&nbsp;United Touch S, who are both on 785. The best horse in the world right now is&nbsp;Kent Farrington's&nbsp;mare.
<a href="https://www.equiratings.com/top-horses/jumping-current" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7d417a59-af4e-49bc-80dc-d9f08c06de5d.png?width=1434&amp;height=1554" alt="9d Wo1 the Current Top 10 Elo Rated Horses in the World 20 04 2026 "></a>
The climb has been rapid and recent.&nbsp;Greya&nbsp;moved from 777 to 781 after the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix in Wellington. The World Cup Final in Fort Worth pushed her from 781 to 787. Two major wins in the space of three weeks, and a global ranking to show for it.
Toulayna sits fourth in the world on 783 after her role in Thursday's speed class at Fort Worth. Farrington now holds two of the four highest-rated horses globally.
<a href="https://www.equiratings.com/top-horses/jumping-all-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/62ef62a8-848f-482e-a8a7-e1e38ad66462.png?width=1698&amp;height=1662" alt="P1t2o the Top 10 Us Elo Rated Horses of All Time Since 2010 "></a>
It also makes her the highest-rated US horse of all time since EquiRatings began tracking in 2010, clearing the previous US record of 784 held by&nbsp;McLain Ward's&nbsp;HH Azur&nbsp;at her peak in 2018.&nbsp;HH Azur&nbsp;set that bar as a World Cup champion herself, winning on home soil in Omaha in 2017 and claiming multiple WEF five-star Grand Prix including the Week 12 final in 2019. She was the standard for what a US horse could be.&nbsp;Greya&nbsp;has now surpassed it.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-weekend-wins-and-greya-is-officially-the-greatest" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast.</a>&nbsp;
The Mission of the Open The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US Equestrian sport.
Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines.&nbsp;
With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season. The Series is anchored by core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic entertaining experience onsite.

Greya the Great(est) is now the highest-rated horse in the world

<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Eventing: Two FODs from two winners, and a leaderboard that's moving fast</h2>
Next Qualifier: Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S (April 22) |&nbsp;The Final: Morven Park 4*-L, October 8th
It was a weekend that produced two winners, leaderboard movement, and a statistical rarity that happened twice in the same weekend across two different venues. The double-header delivered.
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Fair Hill: Pamukcu &amp; HSH Double Sixteen catch the clock</h3>
Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Double Sixteen won the Fair Hill CCI4*-S by doing what almost nobody does at this venue, making the cross-country time. They were only the second combination in Fair Hill history to do so across 143 starters, and they finished on their dressage score (FOD) of 37.7 as a result. It was the second FOD of the 2026 Series, following&nbsp;Lucienne Bellissimo&nbsp;&amp; Dyri at Stable View a fortnight ago.
Read the full review of Caroline's win<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/caroline-pamukcu-hsh-double-sixteen-speed-to-the-top-at-fair-hill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> here.</a>
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Ocala: Smith steers Jump To Day D to a win in just his second 4*</h3>
Down in Florida, Tamie Smith &amp; Jump To Day D won the Ocala CCI4*-S and they did it with an FOD of their own, finishing on their dressage score of 31.5. Just three combinations had ever finished on their dressage score in this event&rsquo;s history, all before the move from the Ocala Jockey Club. Smith becomes the fourth and the first at this venue (Ocala Festival of Eventing). She also placed fifth with Spiro P on his four-star debut.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXVVQdCjGpt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7ac6f3c2-8f6f-47f0-953a-d91cb150d951.png?width=904&amp;height=1099" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 20 121920"></a>
Read more on EquiRatings' prediction that Tamie Smith will win the 2026 Series<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/six-horses-two-weekends-why-tamie-smith-is-the-series-favorite" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> here.</a>
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Leaderboard</h3>
Caroline Pamukcu extends her lead to 185 points, while Boyd Martin moves into second on 160 after finishing second and third at Fair Hill. Tamie Smith jumps to third on 155 and heads to Kentucky with three horses entered. With neither Caroline nor Boyd competing in the US Equestrian Open qualifier this week, this could be Tamie&rsquo;s chance to get ahead.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c56d96de-cd72-42a9-94a1-6d9c3c125ab4.png?width=706&amp;height=495" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 21 100037"></a>
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">What's Next</h3>
This is it... the countdown to the&nbsp;"Best Weekend All Year" is nearly over. As the horse trailers roll (and planes land!) into the Kentucky Horse Park, everyone is buzzing from a weekend of dual-coast qualifiers that dramatically shifted the leaderboard. There will be plenty of content across the week from previews, predictions, form guides, and more. So stay tuned on <a href="usequestrianopen.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usequestrianopen.org</a>, socials and the <a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/254e09dd-d92e-4194-986b-baf0dbd8460b.png?width=1080&amp;height=158" alt="Read More Eventing"></a>
&nbsp;
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Jumping: Greya becomes the highest-rated horse in the world</h2>
If you have noticed how often we have mentioned Greya this year, we're not sorry. When a horse becomes the highest-rated in the world, it's worth talking about. We have been calling her Greya the Great for a number of month but the numbers have now made it official.
After winning both the $1M Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix and the FEI World Cup Final at Fort Worth, the EquiRatings Elo rankings have a new world number one. Greya sits at 787 - two points clear of Point Break and United Touch S, who are both on 785. The best horse in the world right now is Kent Farrington's mare.
<a href="https://www.equiratings.com/top-horses/jumping-current" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7d417a59-af4e-49bc-80dc-d9f08c06de5d.png?width=1434&amp;height=1554" alt="9d Wo1 the Current Top 10 Elo Rated Horses in the World 20 04 2026 "></a>
The climb has been rapid and recent. Greya moved from 777 to 781 after the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix in Wellington. The World Cup Final in Fort Worth pushed her from 781 to 787. Two major wins in the space of three weeks, and a global ranking to show for it.
Toulayna sits fourth in the world on 783 after her role in Thursday's speed class at Fort Worth. Farrington now holds two of the four highest-rated horses globally.
<a href="https://www.equiratings.com/top-horses/jumping-all-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/62ef62a8-848f-482e-a8a7-e1e38ad66462.png?width=1698&amp;height=1662" alt="P1t2o the Top 10 Us Elo Rated Horses of All Time Since 2010 "></a>
It also makes her the highest-rated US horse of all time since EquiRatings began tracking in 2010, clearing the previous US record of 784 held by McLain Ward's HH Azur at her peak in 2018. HH Azur set that bar as a World Cup champion herself, winning on home soil in Omaha in 2017 and claiming multiple WEF five-star Grand Prix including the Week 12 final in 2019. She was the standard for what a US horse could be.&nbsp;Greya has now surpassed it.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a>
&nbsp;
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Dressage: Schwartsman Sets a Personal Best at Del Mar</h2>
Next Qualifier: WEC Ocala (April 24)&nbsp;| The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)
Nadine Schwartsman &amp; Royal Flash R won Saturday's CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle at Del Mar with a 73.675%, marking a personal best for both horse and rider. Almost exactly a year ago, their freestyle debut together produced a 67.990%. Nearly six points of separation in twelve months is no small achievement.
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXXZr31AAUj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/72990c18-68c7-47cc-8a80-18273b3b480d.png?width=702&amp;height=847" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 21 101416"></a>
G&uuml;nter Seidel &amp; Equirelle finished second at 71.455%, their second freestyle score of the season after withdrawing from the March qualifier. Kristina Harrison-Antell &amp; Finley were third at 70.730%, a step back toward form after the 68.835% in March that raised questions. Cyndi Jackson &amp; Florisson, who won this class a month ago,&nbsp;were fourth at 68.700%.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/dressage/708" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5a83ab82-1eec-4619-8c8a-7baec6a9a488.png?width=709&amp;height=373" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 21 101140"></a>
Schwartsman moves to 12th with 31 points and Jackson to 13th with 29, both with three of four qualifying scores banked. Those are good positions to be in with only seven qualifiers left. The window for anyone outside the top 18 to mount a late campaign is narrowing as the schedule thins into summer. For these two, one more west coast stop remains on the calendar&mdash;the Ginny Rattner Memorial in Oregon&mdash;and that's a straightforward opportunity to solidify or improve upon their leaderboard position.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/df3afaab-1f25-4fab-a1dc-c46c608169fb.png?width=1080&amp;height=171" alt="Read More Dressage"></a>
&nbsp;
<h2 data-path-to-node="4">Stay in the loop with The Open Weekly</h2>
Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a>&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast.</a>&nbsp;
<h3>The Mission of the Open&nbsp;</h3>
The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic&nbsp;Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US&nbsp;Equestrian sport.&nbsp;Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines.&nbsp; With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the&nbsp;vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season.&nbsp;The series is anchored by&nbsp;core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic&nbsp;entertaining experience onsite.

The Open Weekly: Weekend wins and Greya is officially the greatest

HSH Double Sixteen entered the Fair Hill International CCI4*-S with the highest Top Speed Percentage (TSP) in the field, a 94%. This means he had outpaced 94% of opponents across his three fastest runs. That number was being used as a prediction. Today, it became a result.
The pair moved from seventh after dressage to first place by showjumping clear and catching the cross-country time (the only one's to do so) to finish on their dressage score (FOD) of 37.7. It was just the second FOD of the 2026 Series so far, following <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/fast-flawless-and-the-first-of-the-2026-series-lucienne-bellissimo-dyri-deliver-at-stable-view" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri at Stable View</a> two weeks ago.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3196d3d4-0dec-47c3-a9cc-fd3add53009d.jpg?width=4539&amp;height=3026" alt="Caroline Pamukcu and Hsh Double Sixteen">
Across the full 2025 Series, only four FODs were recorded from 349 runs (1%) - and impressively, this combination was responsible for one of them.&nbsp;The 2026 Series is now tracking at a similar rate, with two FODs already in the first nine of 20 qualifiers.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/48889016-252b-410a-8a02-3b4cc420d538.png?width=1748&amp;height=614" alt="W A0 Jf the Four Fod S From the 2025 Series Qualifiers Nbsp (1) (1)">
<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]">How rare is a finish like this at Fair Hill?</h2>
Fair Hill returned to the CCI4*-S format for the first time since 2022, and the history of the class tells you exactly how hard the cross-country time is to catch. Across 143 starters (including this weekend), just two combinations have ever made it inside the time. Kurt Agardy Martin &amp; Anna Bella in 2014 were the first and they also finished on their dressage score that day. HSH Double Sixteen is now the second to do both.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/02c29ba0-3449-46fa-a72c-77b461ee8db2.png?width=1288&amp;height=1862" alt="A Oycz All Previous Winners of the Cci4 S at Fair Hill Nbsp ">
<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]">What it means for the Series leaderboard</h2>
Caroline Pamukcu extends her lead at the top of the standings. Boyd Martin added further points with Miks Master C in second and Shanroe Cooley in third, moving to second in the Series. These results mean Tamie Smith arrives at Ocala with serious pressure. Read more on that <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/six-horses-two-weekends-why-tamie-smith-is-the-series-favorite" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f1d5f9d9-ce89-4cbe-abe5-5beab3b9412a.png?width=1240&amp;height=814" alt="W1 N Zj Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Eventing Nbsp ">
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-world-cup-glory-for-farrington-historic-podium-for-simonson" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast.</a>&nbsp;
The Mission of the Open The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US Equestrian sport.&nbsp;Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines.&nbsp;
With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season. The Series is anchored by core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic entertaining experience onsite.

Caroline Pamukcu & HSH Double Sixteen at a trot up

Caroline Pamukcu & HSH Double Sixteen speed to the top at Fair Hill

Five horse-and-rider pairs with averages compressed within four points of each other. No one obviously dominant, and the combination that looks most formidable on paper isn't currently the combination you should trust most. That's the setup heading into this weekend's CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle qualifier at Del Mar.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-LWCI6" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Del Mar National Horse Show: CDI3* Freestyle Stats" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/LWCI6/1/" height="528" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
G&uuml;nter Seidel and Equirelle lead the field on both average (72.863%) and personal best (76.615%), but those numbers are rosying the picture a bit. The PB dates to November 2021. They've yet to ride a freestyle this season, having withdrawn from the March freestyle at Del Mar after scoring a 61.391% in the Grand Prix the day before. Their most recent scoring freestyle &mdash; a 72.815% at Desert Dressage last December &mdash; represents the high end of what this pair has shown recently, and they've dipped into the 66% range on the other end. That's a wide window to make predictions from. A clean, connected ride puts them squarely in podium conversation, but they&rsquo;ve got to make it down the centerline.&nbsp;
Kristina Harrison-Antell and Finley are a different kind of question. Her FEI freestyle average of nearly 72% and PB of 75.470% &mdash; scored at the US Equestrian Open Finals last November &mdash; signal a combination that has been genuinely competitive at this level in recent memory. But the most recent result complicates that narrative: a 68.835% at this same venue in March, fourth of five, and well off her normal range. It may have been a one-off after four months without a freestyle start. It may not. Either way, this weekend starts to answer that. If the mid-72s version of this pair shows up, they are in the conversation for the win.&nbsp;
Interestingly, the newer partnership of Cyndi Jackson and Florisson might be the most predictable of the class. They won the last Del Mar freestyle at 70.915% &mdash; only their second FEI freestyle together as a combination. The first was a 69.465% in February. A modest body of work, but an upward line nonetheless. If they push above 71% this weekend, they are firmly in podium contention and ahead of schedule for a pair still figuring out what they can be.&nbsp;
Nadine Schwartsman and Royal Flash R finished second in March at 70.835% and have been a steady 69&ndash;70% combination over the past year. Royal Flash R has shown the tools for something bigger; whether this is the weekend that materializes is worth watching.
Claire Robinson and Glamour Boy are the only combination without a prior US Equestrian Open freestyle start, but a personal best of 71.090% suggests they're capable of knocking any number of these riders down a placing or two.
<h2 dir="ltr">Series Standings</h2>
Jackson currently sits 19th with 23 points and Schwartsman 27th with 16; a strong result this weekend moves both meaningfully toward the top-18 qualifying band. For Seidel and Harrison-Antell, who have one qualifier start each, this week alone won't change the picture much either way.

A grey horse and rider in navy show attire competing in a dressage arena at an evening event, with spectators and string lights visible in the background.

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Caroline Pamukcu & HSH Double Sixteen speed to the top at Fair Hill

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