<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>
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<p class="" data-start="467" data-end="820">&nbsp;</p>
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<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>
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<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>
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New Podcast: Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Preview Show

Main

<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 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

Kristina Harrison-Antell Clinches First Freestyle Victory in Del Mar

<p dir="ltr">One of America&rsquo;s most decorated dressage mentors and his star student go head-to-head again this weekend in Del Mar. The last time <strong>Anna Buffini</strong> and <strong>G&uuml;nter Seidel</strong> met here, Buffini edged her longtime coach for the win. But on that day, it was Seidel&mdash;not Buffini&mdash;who received the highest individual judge score of the class. Now, just two California qualifiers remain before the series heads east, and both riders return to a familiar arena with different goals on the line.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Buffini returns with <strong>Fiontini</strong>, a <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/a-quiet-stage-a-legendary-mare">triple World Young Horse Champion</a> who once posted an 83.410% freestyle under Patrik Kittel. Buffini&rsquo;s best with the mare sits at 73.235%&mdash;a strong result, but still shy of Fiontini&rsquo;s proven potential. This season is about whether she can unlock the brilliance embedded in that record.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Seidel, meanwhile, isn&rsquo;t chasing redemption. With three Olympic appearances and a resume full of World Cup Finals, his return is about rhythm and refinement. After a three-year freestyle hiatus, he and Equirelle posted a shaky 68.695% at the Del Mar Opener in February before rebounding to 73.080% in March&mdash;just 0.155% behind Buffini at their last faceoff.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Test Decided by Tenths</h2>
<p dir="ltr">That March faceoff&mdash;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/buffini-returns-seidel-surges-a-tight-finish-at-the-del-mar-affaire">Qualifier 12</a>&mdash;was one of the closest finishes of the season. Buffini won the class on 73.235%, but Seidel earned the day&rsquo;s highest single judge score: a 75.175%. More than half of the movements were separated by less than a tenth of a point on average. It was, in every sense, a test decided by the slimmest margins.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-0GzTl" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Movement-by-Movement: Buffini vs. Seidel in Del Mar" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/0GzTl/4/" height="794" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Split Bars" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<p dir="ltr">Buffini won more of the directly comparable movements, especially in trot work and artistry. Her final halt carried an average margin of +1.8. Her extended trot was another highlight, netting her a +0.9 edge. She also led the field in rhythm&mdash;a 0.28-point advantage that helped tilt the artistic panel in her favor.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But her weaknesses were just as pronounced. In extended canter, Buffini lost by an average of 1.8 points. Her half-pass left (&ndash;0.5) and canter pirouette right (&ndash;0.3) were additional soft spots. More telling than the averages, though, was the judging spread. Her extended canter was scored as low as a 4.0 and as high as an 8.0. One judge gave her an 8 in the half-pass right while another gave a 6. At position H, one judge consistently diverged&mdash;awarding an 8 where others gave 5s, and later handing out a 5 where most gave 7s.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Seidel, by contrast, was steady. Across all 25 matched movements, no score differed by more than 1.5 points between judges. His ride was measured and deliberate, and the panel stayed in agreement from start to finish. His extended canter remained his biggest win, and his musicality continued to shine.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Despite the difference in style, the two riders finished nearly tied in overall artistic averages. Buffini led in rhythm and choreography. Seidel edged ahead in degree of difficulty and music. Their totals were separated by just 0.02 points before coefficients were applied. It was, essentially, a draw&mdash;but one that revealed two very different strengths.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-6OqPx" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Buffini vs. Seidel: The Artistic Edge" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/6OqPx/2/" height="455" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Grouped Bars" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Leaderboard Picture</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Although the student-versus-mentor rematch headlines the weekend, it&rsquo;s Kristina Harrison-Antell who may have the most to gain. She sits 12th on 49 points. With just five riders in the field, she&rsquo;s guaranteed at least 15 points&mdash;likely enough to push her into the top ten.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Seidel, currently holding 32 points, would move to 52 with a win. And if he competes again at Galway Downs in a few weeks, a fourth result would likely secure his place in the Final.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Buffini is still on the outside looking in when it comes to the leaderboard. But two strong results&mdash;this weekend and at Galway&mdash;could change that. She&rsquo;ll need top-two finishes at both, and she&rsquo;ll need to deliver tests that show not just potential, but polish.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-ksVwv" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: Del Mar National Horse Show" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ksVwv/1/" height="528" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<p dir="ltr">Technically, the West Coast season wraps at the Ginny Rattner Memorial in Oregon at the end of May. But with Del Mar and Galway Downs marking the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide">last two California qualifiers</a>, the travel questions are real. Riders looking to avoid a 2,000-mile haul to the East Coast will need to make these final stops count.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Watch the freestyle Sunday at Del Mar Horse Park. The class starts at 10:30 a.m. Pacific on USEF Network. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Sign up for free</a> as a fan to stream the action.</p>

A dressage rider pats her bay horse after a test.

Coach vs. Student, Round Two: The Del Mar Rematch

<p class="" data-start="448" data-end="767">In our latest podcast episode, Annie Bishop and Diarm Byrne unpack a wild few weeks of competition and look ahead to a fascinating Ocala field. From James Alliston&rsquo;s incredible 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th at Twin Rivers to the long-awaited CCI4*-S debut of Sharon White's Jaguar&rsquo;s Duende, this is the kind of stretch that transforms a season.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36206940/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/04328f/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="448" data-end="767">&nbsp;</p>
<hr class="" data-start="769" data-end="772">
<h3 class="" data-start="774" data-end="808">💥 Alliston&rsquo;s Historic Weekend</h3>
<p class="" data-start="810" data-end="1183">We&rsquo;ve seen dominance, but not like this. James Alliston not only showed up at Twin Rivers &mdash; he swept the podium and then some. His four-horse haul (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th) is the kind of stat you rarely see, even at the international level. As Diarm notes, it&rsquo;s the first time in nearly a decade that one rider has had four horses in the top five at this level.</p>
<p class="" data-start="810" data-end="1183"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1dd4427c-fcb0-4841-a8a9-cd3e560ffd7a.png?width=738&amp;height=922" alt="Screenshot 2025 04 17 220023"></p>
<p class="" data-start="1185" data-end="1275">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="" data-start="1185" data-end="1275">And those 125 points? They&rsquo;ve vaulted him into third place on the leaderboard &mdash; from zero.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1185" data-end="1275">&nbsp;</p>
<hr class="" data-start="1277" data-end="1280">
<h3 class="" data-start="1282" data-end="1315">🔄 Caroline Reloads for Ocala</h3>
<p class="" data-start="1317" data-end="1598">Caroline Pamukcu has two big bullets to fire this weekend: <strong data-start="1376" data-end="1395">Redfield Dexter</strong> and <strong>HSH</strong> <strong data-start="1400" data-end="1416">Tolland King</strong>. Sitting in eighth place with 60 points, a strong result at Ocala could launch her right into title contention &mdash; especially with HSH Blake poised to strike at Kentucky next week.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1600" data-end="1823">Prediction Center odds are stacked in her favor (this week and next) with Caroline holding both the first and second highest win chances. She&rsquo;s been here before &mdash; and after a few setbacks at TerraNova, you get the sense she&rsquo;s coming in sharp.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1600" data-end="1823">&nbsp;</p>
<hr class="" data-start="1825" data-end="1828">
<h3 class="" data-start="1830" data-end="1853">🐎 The Duende Debut</h3>
<p class="" data-start="1855" data-end="2090">Let&rsquo;s just say it: Jaguar&rsquo;s Duende <em data-start="1890" data-end="1897">feels</em> like <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/jaguars-duende-sharon-white-on-her-rising-star-of-us-eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the breakout moment we&rsquo;ve all been waiting for</a>. Sharon White&rsquo;s carefully-managed star mare makes her 4* debut at Ocala, and it&rsquo;s one of the most buzzed-about entries of the entire series.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2092" data-end="2417">Will she run fast? Will she challenge for a podium? Maybe. But as Annie reminds us (and Diarm tries to internalize), this is a long game &mdash; and Sharon&rsquo;s approach has always been horse-first. That said, this mare hasn&rsquo;t missed a podium yet at the lower levels, so don&rsquo;t be surprised if she forces her way into the conversation.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2092" data-end="2417">&nbsp;</p>
<hr class="" data-start="2877" data-end="2880">
<h3 class="" data-start="2882" data-end="2914">📊 The Leaderboard Gets Real</h3>
<p class="" data-start="2916" data-end="3202">With Ocala marking the halfway point in the series, we&rsquo;re finally starting to see the true shape of the leaderboard. Phillip Dutton&rsquo;s early-season lead is suddenly under pressure. Boyd Martin, James Alliston, and possibly Caroline could be right there by the time Kentucky rolls around.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3204" data-end="3325">And that&rsquo;s exactly what the Open was designed to do &mdash; create reasons to follow, stories to connect, and new fans to hook.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3204" data-end="3325">&nbsp;</p>
<hr class="" data-start="3327" data-end="3330">
<h3 class="" data-start="3332" data-end="3365">🥇 Predictions &amp; Podium Picks</h3>
<p class="" data-start="3367" data-end="3572">Want to know who Annie and Diarm are backing this week? They both expect big things from Caroline&rsquo;s entries, but Diarm also makes the case for <strong>Zachary Brandt</strong> and <strong>Direct Advance</strong> sneaking into the top three.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3574" data-end="3710">And while Annie <em data-start="3590" data-end="3597">won&rsquo;t</em> let herself put Jaguar&rsquo;s Duende on the podium (superstition!), she makes it clear her heart says otherwise.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3574" data-end="3710">&nbsp;</p>
<hr class="" data-start="3712" data-end="3715">
<h3 class="" data-start="3717" data-end="3734">🎧 Listen Now</h3>
<p class="" data-start="3736" data-end="3906">This is the weekend that could change everything. Will Caroline make her charge? Will Sharon&rsquo;s 'Jags' deliver a debut for the ages? And who else could shake up the table?</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36206940/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/04328f/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="3908" data-end="3981">&nbsp;</p>
<hr class="" data-start="3983" data-end="3986">
<h3 class="" data-start="3988" data-end="4009">📣 Stay Connected</h3>
<p class="" data-start="4011" data-end="4252">Explore the latest <strong data-start="4030" data-end="4089"><a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/379819202/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fan Guide</a></strong>, check the <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 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen/">Instagram</a>.</p>
<p class="" data-start="4254" data-end="4294">&nbsp;</p>

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