<p>Welcome to the EquiRatings Archive, a treasure trove of timeless tales that celebrate the unique bond between horse and rider, the thrill of competition, and the beauty of this age-old tradition. Here, you'll find an extensive collection of stories from the world of equestrian sports, covering everything in show jumping and eventing.</p>

Main

<p dir="ltr">The five highest-scoring tests of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage season all took place under the lights in Wellington, Florida, with top marks earned by Adrienne Lyle, Kevin Kohmann, Anna Marek and Julio Mendoza Loor. But with Mendoza Loor currently sitting 25th on the leaderboard and not yet qualified for the Final, this list focuses on the top-scoring American combinations we know are heading to Thermal. These freestyles showcased depth, difficulty, and the kind of creative ambition that has defined this year&rsquo;s Series. If this is what spring looked like, what might we see in November?</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">1. Adrienne Lyle &amp; Helix &ndash; 80.600%</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Event</strong>: Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10<br><strong>Degree of Difficulty Average</strong>: 9.26</p>
<p dir="ltr">Adrienne Lyle&rsquo;s 80.600% at the only CDI5* on the US Equestrian Open calendar made history. It was the highest score of the season, <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-helix-soar-to-five-star-victory">her personal best with Helix</a>, and the first time since 2021 that an American topped the podium at the AGDF 5*.</p>
<p dir="ltr">From the opening halt, the freestyle rode with ease and fluidity. Helix&mdash;a chestnut gelding by Apache&mdash;moved through the test with such grace that judge William Warren praised the effortlessness of their performance. High-difficulty transitions&mdash;like piaffe to extended trot and canter pirouette to extended canter&mdash;helped deliver an average difficulty mark of 9.26.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;It felt easy, which is exactly what I was hoping for,&rdquo; Lyle said after the test.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">2. Adrienne Lyle &amp; Helix &ndash; 80.325%</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Event</strong>: Global Dressage Festival 5<br><strong>Degree of Difficulty Average</strong>: 9.18</p>
<p dir="ltr">A month earlier, the same duo put the Series on notice with <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-marek-and-rizvi-deliver-a-thrilling-night-of-freestyle-dressage">their first 80% of the season</a>. Set to a nostalgic mix of <em>Stand By Me</em>, <em>Sweet Child O&rsquo; Mine</em>, and <em>The Way You Move</em>, the freestyle was polished, powerful, and technically demanding.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Their average difficulty score of 9.18 reflected that ambition, and one judge gave a rare perfect 10 for musical interpretation. Even more impressive? Coming off a January score of 77.280%, this three-point leap showed just how much potential is hovering just below the surface.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">3. Kevin Kohmann &amp; D&uuml;nensee &ndash; 79.240%</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Event</strong>: Palm Beach Dressage Derby<br><strong>Degree of Difficulty Average</strong>: 9.2</p>
<p dir="ltr">With the final World Cup ticket on the line, Kevin Kohmann and D&uuml;nensee delivered a career-best freestyle when it mattered most. Riding to Kygo&rsquo;s <em>Stole the Show</em> and Avicii&rsquo;s <em>Wake Me Up</em>, Kohmann opened with canter pirouettes directly from the halt and dropped a piaffe pirouette into the walk tour.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">It was a freestyle that blended risk with rhythm, earning an 80% from the judge at B and an overall average difficulty of 9.2. <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/a-cool-breeze-a-fiery-freestyle-kohmann-and-dnee-shine-in-wellington">Under the lights</a>, it felt more like a quiet schooling session than a pressure ride. D&uuml;nensee looked relaxed, Kohmann composed. If they can stay above the cutoff line this fall, this pair will arrive in Thermal as both a crowd favorite and a serious threat.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">4. Anna Marek &amp; Fayvel &ndash; 78.785%</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Event</strong>: Global Dressage Festival 5<br><strong>Degree of Difficulty Average</strong>: 9.56</p>
<p dir="ltr">With an average difficulty score of 9.56, Anna Marek and Fayvel delivered one of the most <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-marek-and-rizvi-deliver-a-thrilling-night-of-freestyle-dressage">ambitious freestyles of the year</a>. It was bold, technical, and downright fun.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Choreographed to <em>BOOM</em> by X Ambassadors and <em>Coincidance</em> by Handsome Driver, the test featured technical risks: a half-circle of two-tempis straight into ones, followed by pirouettes into extended trot. A small mistake in their final extension likely kept them just shy of the 80% mark.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;He&rsquo;s so easy to ride,&rdquo; Marek said after the test. &ldquo;I have to ride the brake a little bit and say, &lsquo;Not so much, buddy!&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
<p dir="ltr">If Marek decides to bring Fayvel to Thermal, she may want to ease off that brake and let the gelding&rsquo;s explosive power shine through.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">5. Anna Marek &amp; Fire Fly &ndash; 77.755%</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Event</strong>: Global Dressage Festival 3<br><strong>Degree of Difficulty Average</strong>: 9.0</p>
<p dir="ltr">Rounding out the top five is a <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-riders-marek-and-kohmann-dominate-a-chilly-night-in-wellington">theatrical crowd favorite</a>. This Stranger Things-themed freestyle turned heads early in the season, and earned Marek her first Series win. Fire Fly&rsquo;s expressive gaits paired perfectly with a cinematic rendition of <em>Running Up That Hill</em>, and the routine scored as high as 80.075% from one judge.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;This is my favorite freestyle venue,&rdquo; Marek said after the test. &ldquo;You can feel the atmosphere, and the horses get excited in a really good way.&rdquo;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The choreography walked the line between dramatic and disciplined, and for a horse that once struggled under pressure, this ride showed that Marek can now tap into his brilliance without the worry of him boiling over.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Looking Ahead</h2>
<p dir="ltr">These five rides were early markers of what the US Equestrian Open of Dressage is capable of delivering: high-level execution, creative risk, and scores that push into the 80s. They set the standard for the kind of riding it will take to win in Thermal.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Next week, we shift the spotlight from freestyles to the athletes themselves. Who&rsquo;s building the strongest case for the Series title? Who&rsquo;s averaging the highest scoring rides?&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Spoiler alert: every rider on this list will be there.</p>

Composite image of Anna Marek, Adrienne Lyle, and Kevin Kohmann

The Top Five Tests of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage (So Far) 

<p dir="ltr">The fans reading this article are already part of the fabric of the sport. You know the difference between passage and piaffe. You appreciate the harmony between rider and horse and the years of training distilled into a few minutes in the arena. But the Open isn&rsquo;t just for you&mdash;it's for everyone beyond the arena too.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Broadening the Circle</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The Open was designed not only to celebrate the sport we love, but to grow it. To offer a clear, exciting entry point for people who aren&rsquo;t already immersed in dressage&mdash;those who love horses but haven&rsquo;t yet followed the competitive circuit, or those with friends and family who do, and are looking for a way to understand and connect.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Dressage can be a complex world. &ldquo;Rhythm and relaxation&rdquo; might be fundamental, but they&rsquo;re not the easiest gateway for new viewers. A leaderboard, however, is. The concept of climbing the rankings or defending the top spot is universally understood. The Open takes something beautifully nuanced and packages it with structure and stakes&mdash;making it easier to access without diluting its depth.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Narrative First, Nuance Later</h3>
<p dir="ltr">We believe in starting with the narrative and growing into the nuance.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The intricacies of dressage&mdash;the half-halts, the straightness, the technical precision&mdash;are the sport&rsquo;s precious gems. But gems need to be discovered. What draws people in is the why. Why does this moment matter? What&rsquo;s at stake? Who&rsquo;s climbing the series leaderboard? Who&rsquo;s being chased? Who just made history?</p>
<p dir="ltr">If there's no broader story&mdash;no implication beyond a single win&mdash;it becomes harder to connect. But if we know that this win puts Marek back in the series lead, suddenly there&rsquo;s momentum. There&rsquo;s clarity. There&rsquo;s a hook.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Why Stories Matter</h3>
<p dir="ltr">We live in a world of finite attention. Every weekend, editors and producers make decisions about what stories get told and which athletes make headlines. &ldquo;Anna Marek wins today&rdquo; might not break through. But &ldquo;Marek&rsquo;s victory puts the US flag back on top of the leaderboard&rdquo; does.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s what the US Equestrian Open brings: context, connection, and consequence. It gives our dressage athletes and their achievements a broader stage&mdash;one with emotional resonance and public relevance.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">A Shared Vision</h3>
<p dir="ltr">USEF&rsquo;s mission is to bring the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible. The US Equestrian Open is a strategic initiative that serves this vision. It enhances the experience for our loyal fans&mdash;but more importantly, it opens the door to new ones. It gives sports editors a reason to feature our athletes. It gives casual viewers a reason to keep watching. And it gives all of us a shared story to tell.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As we prepare for the next leg in the Open series, let&rsquo;s not just look forward to who wins next. Let&rsquo;s remember why it matters that they do.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Why the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Matters

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Dressage at Devon</strong> has always been a prestigious stop on the calendar, but as a qualifier in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage, it takes on a new identity. For the first time this season, the Grand Prix is more than just a warm-up. With 17 entries, only 15 will advance to the freestyle (and from there, just 10 earn Series points). The math makes Friday matter.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As the inaugural Final approaches, leaderboard pressure is at an all-time high. The Top 18 secure their ticket, but leaderboard placing also dictates the payout. Thousands of dollars hinge on who climbs and who slips. With the largest field of the season, Devon is set to be the most consequential qualifier yet.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dc686f53-1d70-4561-86e2-c5911c577b2d.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Graphic showing first place earns 20 points, 2nd and 3rd earn 17, 4th and 5th earn 15, and 6th through 10th earn 10 points."></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Devon&rsquo;s Math Problem</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Wellington&rsquo;s fields were often large and packed with talent, but even their biggest qualifier (AGDF 3) topped out at 15 riders, which meant everyone advanced to the freestyle. Not so in the Dixon Oval. Here, the Grand Prix does more than seed the freestyle &mdash; it&rsquo;s a filter. With 17 starters, two combinations will be cut before Saturday night. And once the freestyle begins, only the top 10 will earn Series points.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-5jpFK" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: Dressage at Devon" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/5jpFK/1/" height="894" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s the first equation. The second is the leaderboard math. Six of the current top 18 are competing this weekend, which guarantees movement in the standings. Riders can climb into new payout tiers&hellip; or slide down them.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Take <strong>Benjamin Ebeling</strong>. He comes in 14th with 57 points, but a podium here would launch him as many as seven spots into the top seven. A win could tie him for 6th. In dollar terms, that&rsquo;s the difference between a $1,000 payout and a $3,000 payout, with another qualifier still to come in his Florida backyard.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ae89e81d-61fa-4edc-9f49-59aff5d5517f.png?width=1080&amp;height=866" alt="A graphic showing how the $50,000 prize money is allocated based on season-end standings. "></p>
<p dir="ltr">But leaderboard math cuts both ways. With a field this deep, it&rsquo;s not just about who climbs. It&rsquo;s also about who siphons points away. Several riders in this week&rsquo;s field sit outside the top 18, meaning they won&rsquo;t qualify for the Finals, but they can still shape the standings by stealing points from those who will. Six combinations are averaging within 1.5 percentage points of one another, a cluster that includes Series number 10 <strong>Charlotte Jorst</strong>. She&rsquo;ll be chasing at least 10 points to solidify her spot, while the likes of Laine Ashker, Meagan Davis, Tiago Ernesto, Mathilde Blais Tetreault, and Allison Carmichael will be looking to disrupt her path.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Final Equation</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Series leader <strong>Anna Marek</strong> and runner-up <strong>Eline Eckroth</strong> go head-to-head in Devon with an unusual twist: both have already logged six of six qualifying runs. That means the only way to add to their leaderboard totals is to improve on past results.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Eckroth&rsquo;s path is easier. She still carries two 10-point scores, so a finish of fifth or better would raise her total. Marek, though, faces a tougher equation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">She improves only if she wins. Despite leading the Series by nearly twenty points, she has just one victory to her name. With second and third both worth 17 points, only a first place adds to her total. Remarkably, she could also lose the lead this weekend. If Eckroth were to win, Marek&rsquo;s 19-point cushion would vanish. It&rsquo;s statistically unlikely based on averages, but in this sport, certainty is never guaranteed.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Few More Combinations to Watch</h2>
<p dir="ltr">With a field this deep, every rider brings a storyline. It would be difficult to tell them all, but here are a few more combinations worth a watch this weekend.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Kevin Kohmann &amp; D&uuml;nensee</h3>
<p>Devon reunites one of Wellington&rsquo;s favorite rivalries: Kohmann&rsquo;s lyrical D&uuml;nensee versus Marek&rsquo;s powerful Fire Fly. The two are often separated by a single percentage point, and Kohmann holds the highest personal best in the field (79.240%). Marek has the winning record against D&uuml;nensee, but if she leaves points on the table, D&uuml;nensee will be there to scoop them up.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Benjamin Ebeling &amp; Bellena</h3>
<p dir="ltr">On the rise since their freestyle debut in April, Ebeling and Bellena set a new personal best of 76.615% in Austria this summer. With a 75%+ average, they&rsquo;re one of Marek&rsquo;s strongest challengers.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu &amp; Jaccardo</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Jaccardo has only one FEI freestyle on record &mdash; a 76.125% &mdash; but that score alone tops the rest of the field&rsquo;s averages. Add Fraser-Beaulieu&rsquo;s Olympic experience and proven freestyle record with All In, and this pair could upset the top five.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Camille Carier Bergeron &amp; Finnlanderin</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Finnlanderin made her freestyle debut at Devon last year and earned a 77.280% personal best. Bergeron has been building steadily since, and another high-70s ride could move her from a top-five lock into podium contention.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Wild Cards</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Several combinations logged summer personal bests at national shows, including Kobus (76.225%), DSP Dauphin (75.113%), Zeppelin (74.925%), Toronto Lightfoot (73.675%), and Don Divino (70.650%). If they can translate that form to a CDI in Devon, they can disrupt the points race. One to watch in particular is <strong>Francine Gentile&rsquo;s</strong> Don Divino, making his first-ever CDI freestyle start. At 70%, he isn&rsquo;t a podium pick, but he could deny leaderboard climbers valuable points.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Looking Ahead</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Dressage at Devon will shape not only who qualifies for the Final but also how much money riders take home at season&rsquo;s end. Winning here is an achievement in its own right, yet this year it doubles as positioning for November. The Grand Prix matters now in the same way it will at the Final, where only the top 15 move on to the freestyle and a $200,000 prize pool awaits. In many ways, this weekend is the dress rehearsal.</p>
<p>Tune in live to<strong> <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/16989" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USEF Network</a> </strong>to watch the Grand Prix action starting Friday night.</p>
<p>For the full calendar of events and standings updates, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usequestrianopen.org</a>. 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</a>, and 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>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d35d5aa9-5dcf-4eb2-b1fa-746c463761a5?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage Series"></p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

Anna Marek and Fire Fly at the final halt salute

Dressage at Devon: The Series Returns

<p dir="ltr">Mai Baum, known to his connections as &lsquo;Lexus&rsquo; will compete in his final upper-level competition this weekend at Rebecca Farm&mdash;the very same class he won 10 years ago at this Montana venue, marking what was only his second four-star with rider Tamie Smith and their first four-star victory together.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The poetic symmetry of Mai Baum's farewell couldn't be more perfect. A decade ago, he launched what would become a legendary partnership with Smith by winning the Rebecca Farm CCI4*-S. Now, after one of the most impressive US eventing careers, he returns to the same competition, for his final farewell.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Listen to the 'Mai Baum Special' on US Equestrian Open Podcast now.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37307655/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/1787d4/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Career Defined by Excellence</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The numbers alone tell an extraordinary story. With 33 international starts, 20 podium finishes, and 13 wins, Mai Baum achieved a peak EquiRatings Elo of 833&mdash;the highest of any U.S. event horse in the past 15 years and ranking among the top 15 worldwide over that span.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/67a9aeb8-b39d-49ee-947e-cee480d34327.png?width=1150&amp;height=664" alt="Screenshot 2025 07 14 120819"></p>
<p dir="ltr">The horse's international career began in 2013 with Alexandra Ahearn. The next year at only his second international event, he had his first win in the CCI2*-S at Galway Downs. That victory marked the beginning of what would become a special relationship with the California venue&mdash;Tamie returned with him four times, in which they took the win every time.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b8f397ef-3550-4463-9e2d-b7979ad9712c.png?width=1688&amp;height=784" alt="I Aa K6 "></p>
<p dir="ltr"><br>For all of Mai Baum&rsquo;s accolades and podium finishes, his story was never written with medals in mind.&nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8d4b834c-771d-44a7-8c34-662cbeffb011.png?width=1080&amp;height=540" alt="Us Blog Quote Graphics (9)"></p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Dressage Mastery</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Perhaps no statistic better illustrates Mai Baum's consistency than his dressage record with Smith. Across 29 internationals together, they never scored in the 30s. Their best test came at Tryon in 2021 with a score of 20.4, while their worst was still a respectable 29.9 at Arville in 2021.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/150ba00e-34da-4d59-965a-86fee7da5b79.png?width=1688&amp;height=1320" alt="Ua Wi4 Mai Baum S Top 10 Dressage Tests"></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Five-Star Prowess</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Mai Baum's five-star record reads like a masterclass in big-competition performance. Across five attempts at the level (Kentucky 2021, Badminton 2022, Pratoni 2022 World Games, Kentucky 2023, Maryland 2024), he finished in the top 10 four times. Only a mid-course retirement at Maryland 2024 disrupted their otherwise perfect record, with Tamie choosing to pull up when Mai Baum showed signs of fatigue.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a705d953-ef4b-4e7f-a0ec-d3279b97a364.png?width=1924&amp;height=822" alt="Hey Un Mai Baum S Cci5 Record (1)"></p>
<p dir="ltr">The pinnacle came at Kentucky 2023, where Mai Baum and Tamie Smith became the first American pair to win since Phillip Dutton in 2008. Pre-competition, EquiRatings had highlighted them as the ones to beat, giving them a 66% win chance and an 88% shot at the podium.&nbsp; Despite this, it was still no easy feat. Sitting in third after dressage (24.2), they delivered a textbook cross-country round where they made the time &mdash; a decisive move that secured their 3.6-penalty victory.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Final Chapter</h2>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Rebecca Farm is a fitting stage for Mai Baum&rsquo;s farewell &mdash; the site where his brilliance at the highest-level first truly emerged. In 2015, it was here, in the mountains of Montana, that Mai Baum won the CCI4*-S on just his second start at the level.</p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aa03986c-8b82-4527-98eb-77ddcf2f12f6.png?width=1080&amp;height=554" alt="Us Blog Quote Graphics (7)"></p>
<p dir="ltr">According to the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/rebecca_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre,</a> they arrive this weekend with a 61% win chance and an 85% podium chance, practically identical to their Kentucky odds in 2023.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/rebecca_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a9eebb6f-3354-4691-ad01-46a40e13db0d.png?width=720&amp;height=820" alt="Screenshot 2025 07 14 125127"></a><br><br></p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Legacy Beyond Statistics</h2>
<p dir="ltr">While Mai Baum's achievements speak for themselves but his impact extends far beyond ribbons and rankings.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d405773a-a361-425d-9996-d1a3cf8eb057.png?width=1080&amp;height=537" alt="Us Blog Quote Graphics (6)"></p>
<p dir="ltr">This weekend at Rebecca Farm, the eventing community will witness the end of an era. Mai Baum may be stepping down from the upper levels, but his legacy will endure for many years to come. That it happens where his greatest chapter began makes this farewell all the more fitting.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h2>Listen to The US Equestrian Open Podcast Now</h2>
<p>Tamie Smith, Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell relive the moments that made Lexus unforgettable: from a German auction to Kentucky glory, from heartbreak to heroics.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37307655/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/1787d4/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><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 dir="ltr">&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>.</em></p>

Mai Baum Returns to Rebecca Farm for His Farewell

<h2>The Breakthrough in Dinard</h2>
<p>Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25 clinched their first CSI5* Grand Prix victory together last weekend, delivering a storming jump-off performance to top the Rolex Grand Prix of Dinard. It was a win that had it all: electric atmosphere, fierce competition, and a fearless final round that stopped the clock in 38.77 seconds, almost two full seconds ahead of the rest.</p>
<p>This moment marked their fourth international victory as a pair and their first at five-star 1.60m level. It came in their 33rd round together at this height, a stat that makes the win feel even more deserved and hard-earned.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3be125d5-a35e-4a4a-b05f-dbb0446afdd2.png?width=1006&amp;height=696" alt="J4n Rj Aaron Vale Carissimo 25 S International Victories"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>A Power Pair in Red, White, and Blue</h2>
<p>This win is just the latest chapter in a growing legacy. Vale and Carissimo have worn the Team USA jacket in five-star Nations Cup competitions nine times to date, playing a pivotal role in two team victories: the Longines League of Nations in Ocala earlier this year and the Aga Khan Nations Cup in Dublin last year.</p>
<p>Their next stop? Back to Dublin, where they&rsquo;ll aim to defend that Nations Cup title. It&rsquo;s a venue they know well. Alongside last year&rsquo;s team win, the pair also stood on the podium in the Rolex Grand Prix of Dublin. With recent form peaking and that success still fresh in their minds, they look poised to make another deep run.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Could They Do the Double in Dublin?</h2>
<p>Momentum is everything in this sport and Vale and Carissimo are riding high. If their Dinard performance is any indication, they could be in serious contention for another Nations Cup win and possibly more in Dublin.</p>

Blazing to Glory: Vale and Carissimo 25 Capture Their First Five-Star Grand Prix Win

<p>We&rsquo;re over halfway through the first ever US Equestrian Open of Eventing - 12 Qualifiers done, eight to go. That&rsquo;s <strong>eight more chances to take the Series lead</strong>, or at least finish in the money (i.e. the top three).<br><br></p>
<ol>
<li>June 12th:<em> </em>Aspen Farms</li>
<li>June 27th: Maryland International</li>
<li>July 16th: The Event at Rebecca Farm</li>
<li>Sep 11th: The Fork at Tryon</li>
<li>Sep 18th: Plantation Field International</li>
<li>Sep 19th: Twin Rivers Fall International</li>
<li>Sep 25th: Stable View Oktoberfest</li>
<li>Oct 3rd: Woodside Fall International</li>
</ol>
<p>Right now,&nbsp;<strong>Phillip Dutton</strong> is at the top of the table (215 points) but his closest threat, <strong>Jessica Phoenix</strong>, is just 30 points behind him (185). Is that gap surmountable? <em>Absolutely</em>. Here are two main reasons why:</p>
<p>1.<strong> You don&rsquo;t need a string of top placings to haul in 30 points</strong>. You just need to finish anywhere from 3rd to 5th place at any one Qualifier.</p>
<p>2.<strong> Gains of up to 130 points at a single event have been recorded&nbsp;</strong>so far in the Series. Jess herself earned 75 points at TerraNova earlier this year by placing first &amp; second at that event.</p>
<h3><strong>Current Series Leaders (After Qualifier 12 of 20):</strong></h3>
<p><em style="font-size: 98%; color: #999999;">See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier,&nbsp;<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</em></p>
<p><em style="font-size: 98%; color: #999999;"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/44d77235-5934-41a7-9436-ec12f002966b.png?width=497&amp;height=675" alt="Leaderboard Before Aspen Farms (1)"></em></p>
<h2><strong>Don't Count Your Chickens, Phillip</strong></h2>
<p>Not only is it possible for Jess to overtake Phillip, it&rsquo;s reasonably within reach for several of our Series leaders.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Last year, <strong>Jess </strong>took two horses to Maryland International and four to Plantation Field - both among our remaining eight Qualifiers this season. If she can repeat her third place Maryland result from last July (Aeronautics), she'll gain 30 points right there. Boom. Enough to equal Phillip. From there, she'll just need a 10th place finish (or higher) at Plantation to secure the solo lead. Of course if she goes to Maryland and places first or second, that single result will put her in front.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>West-Coaster&nbsp;<strong>James Alliston</strong> (3rd on the leaderboard) earned 125 of his Series points by taking full advantage of California's Twin Rivers Qualifier in April. With the Twin Rivers Fall International among our last eight events, will he make a bid for more points? James did compete in the 2021, 2023&nbsp;<em>and </em>2024 Twin Rivers Fall CCI4*-S so its seems to be a well-liked stomping ground for him.</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Last year, <strong>Boyd Martin</strong> (4th on the leaderboard) brought two horses to the fall running of The Fork CCI4*-S and three entries to Plantation Field CCI4*-S, two events in this year's autumn Qualifiers. If those two 2024 results were part of this year's Open, Boyd would have earned 25 more points. A repeat effort this year wouldn't earn him the lead but it would put him in the top three as it stands (<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/eventing-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a spot that earns $10,000 come season-end</a>).</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Likewise, <strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong> (5th on the leaderboard) contested The Fork CCI4*-S and Plantation Field CCI4*-S last fall, with Plantation Field in particular being a frequent stop for her over the years.&nbsp; This year alone, Caroline has competed six different horses at the CCI4*-S level, giving her options for racking up points over a selection of our remaining eight Qualifiers.</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Let&rsquo;s Break it Down</strong></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>1. What points are up for grabs</strong> in the remaining Qualifiers? Here&rsquo;s what can be banked depending on field size:&nbsp;<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c529e9e5-8120-4a83-9139-e0715ef07d4d.png?width=1080&amp;height=847" alt="Points Available at Each Eventing Qualifier"></p>
<p><strong>2. What&rsquo;s possible?</strong> Here is how each of our current leaders reached their points tally. Between just the five of them, you&rsquo;ll notice six different instances of a rider earning 70+ points at a single event, not to mention&nbsp;<strong>James Alliston&rsquo;s</strong> 125-point haul at Twin Rivers and <strong>Boyd Martin</strong> grabbing 130 points at Stable View.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f68b9879-7ba2-453b-977b-78edb789c40a.png?width=1350&amp;height=1686" alt="The Current Us Equestrian Open Leaders and How They Got There (1)"></p>
<h2><strong>What's&nbsp;on the line?</strong></h2>
<p>Prize money. And in a sport where the vast majority of pros lead...let's say...less-than-opulent lifestyles, substantial winnings are particularly appreciated. After all the Qualifiers are a wrap, this is how the prize money is divvied:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Series winner: $25,000</li>
<li>2nd place: $15,000</li>
<li>3rd place: $10,000</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>The Big Finale</strong></h2>
<p>And then there's the<strong> CCI4*-L Final at Morven Park in October</strong>. Series standings do <em>not </em>determine Final qualification. Instead, riders just need to complete any one of the Qualifiers with an MER, or a rider can even buy into the Final for $5,000 (provided they meet CCI4*-L pre-requisites). Any $5K buy-ins will be added to the Final's $200,000 prize-pot.</p>
<p>Now&nbsp;<em>that's </em>prize money. We can expect to see a strong field in the Series finale.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><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>
<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>.</em></p>

Image of two women watching a competition from the supporters' platform. The image is from behind the women & the words "Team Dutton" are on both of their matching jackets. One woman wraps her arm around the other's shoulders.

Why Phillip Can't Count His Chickens

<p dir="ltr">After 20 qualifiers, the leaderboard for the US Equestrian Open of Dressage has finally turned red, white, and blue. <strong>Anna Marek</strong> (105 points), <strong>Kristina Harrison-Antell</strong> (86), and <strong>Eline Eckroth</strong> (86) now hold the top three spots in a series that has, until recently, been defined by international domination. For the first time since Week 1, Americans control the podium positions. But getting there was anything but straightforward.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Disrupted Start</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Qualifier 1 saw <strong>Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn</strong> lead the way, <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/genay-vaughn-gino-clinch-grand-prix-freestyle-win-with-new-personal-best" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claiming victory in Thermal</a> and becoming both the first winner and the first American to top the leaderboard. She remained at the top through Week 3, first tying with Germany's <strong>Felicitas Hendricks</strong> in Week 2, then sharing the lead with both Hendricks and <strong>Charlotte Jorst</strong> in Week 3. By Week 4, the tide had shifted. Hendricks claimed the top spot on the leaderboard, with <strong>Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n</strong> in second and <strong>Evelyn Eger</strong> in third, a European sweep of the standings even though none had won that week's event outright.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Week 4 Leaderboard</strong></span><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e286c51b-e04e-41f6-b23e-7c861b4c040a.png?width=499&amp;height=516" alt="Leaderboard from week Four showing Hendricks in first"></p>
<p dir="ltr">That moment marked the start of a six-week drought for the American flag. Throughout the Adequan Global Dressage Festival and early WEC qualifiers, the top five remained packed with international riders. <strong>Danielle Gallagher</strong> (CAN) <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/gallagher-and-eckroth-deliver-career-best-rides-at-qualifier-five" target="_blank" rel="noopener">swept the early WEC events</a>. Hendricks and Eger took turns leading the standings. Even when Americans scored well, they were often second or third to an international winner.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The volatility at the top was fueled by a scoring system built for consistency, but early results were shaped by riders still early in their seasons, many of whom had competed only once at that point. For the first eight qualifiers, ties dominated the top five. Week 8 was the first time there were distinct riders in first through fourth place. But even then, three riders were still tied for fifth. It wouldn&rsquo;t be until Week 15 that the leaderboard showed a fully separated top five.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Week 8 Leaderboard</strong></span><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/78d0bcf9-2d32-4010-909f-f4f7b30938cc.png?width=499&amp;height=404" alt="Leaderboard from week 8 showing a that there were finally no ties in first-fourth place"></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Turnaround</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Qualifier 10 marked the beginning of a power shift. <strong>Anna Marek</strong>&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/down-to-the-decimal-mendoza-loor-wins-closest-finish-in-series-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">second-place finish</a> behind <strong>Julio Mendoza Loor</strong> earned her enough points to overtake Eger on the leaderboard. From there, more Americans began climbing. Although international riders still held space in the top five, their grip was slipping.</p>
<p dir="ltr">By Week 15, the leaderboard finally produced a fully separated top five. The following weeks saw rapid change: in Week 17, <strong>Kristina Harrison-Antell</strong> jumped from sixth to second, displacing Gallagher entirely. Two weeks later, <strong>Eline Eckroth</strong> pulled into a tie for second. And in Week 20, Vaughn <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/four-for-four-vaughns-streak-continues-at-devonwood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reentered the top five</a> with 80 points, reclaiming her position among the leaders. By the start of the summer break, seven of the top ten were Americans, and Eger had dropped to fourth.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Week 20 Leaderboard<br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/445b3e55-36f5-4ebe-9d89-e0b7ec6cd55f.jpg?width=499&amp;height=369" alt="Leaderboard from week 20 showing the top ten riders"></strong></span></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Three Who Rose</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Americans now hold the top three spots, and Marek, Harrison-Antell, and Eckroth have each carved their own path to the front of the standings.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For Marek, the season has been a mix of brilliance and near-misses. Despite high scores and freestyle flair, she often found herself just edged out. In Qualifier 10, her second-place finish behind Mendoza Loor earned her enough points to finally overtake Germany's Evelyn Eger on the leaderboard. Over the course of six qualifiers, Marek has never placed below third. Four of those rides scored over 77%, including a win on 77.755%. Her partnerships with <strong>Fire Fly</strong> and <strong>Fayvel</strong> have been among the most electric and consistent of the season. Marek is the only rider campaigning two mounts, a flexibility that strengthens her position in the race for the overall series lead.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Harrison-Antell has earned her 86 points entirely on the West Coast. She was often chasing Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn, but when Vaughn went to Europe for the World Cup Final, Harrison-Antell stepped into the winner&rsquo;s circle herself. Her consistency in smaller West Coast fields has made her a quiet powerhouse&mdash;scoring between 70.9% and 72.7% in four of her five starts, with one off week dipping to 68.1%. When adjusting for that off-character ride, Harrison-Antell is a reliable 72% scorer, which is exactly the kind of consistency that puts you at the top of this leaderboard.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Eckroth wasn&rsquo;t on anyone&rsquo;s radar early in the season, but she&rsquo;s been steadily stacking results while others sat out. By continuing to show up, especially in weeks with thinner fields, she capitalized on every opportunity to climb the leaderboard. She picked up a personal best in <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-open-of-dressage-a-three-way-tie-at-the-top" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Qualifier 7</a> and added points in small-field weekends like <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/nichols-claims-first-senior-freestyle-victory-at-terranova" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Qualifier 13</a>. She&rsquo;s the only rider in the current top five without a freestyle win, but consistency alone put her into a tie for second heading into the break.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The leaderboard, once dominated by international names, now tells a different story. Americans have fought their way back into control, but the margin is slim. And now the question is: <em>can they hold the line?</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">We&rsquo;ll be watching.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Starting next week, we&rsquo;ll dig into the rides and scores that built this leaderboard, and into the data that turned a scoreboard into a season-long story.</p>

Anna Marek atop Fire Fly in the trot at an international dressage competition.

After the Drought: How the Americans Took Back the Leaderboard

<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Morven Park 2025 is poised to become the second-strongest CCI4*-L ever held on US soil since records began in 2015, boasting an <strong>Elo field strength of 596.</strong> Only <strong>The Fork at Tryon</strong> in 2020 <strong>(605)</strong> has assembled a stronger lineup.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5758f9e2-f2be-4f0b-bace-9cbf8f0fc71d.png?width=1008&amp;height=1140" alt="138t N Cci4 L Field Strengths on Us Soil Since 2015"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">Rising to the Top</h3>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">This marks a significant milestone for American eventing and the US Equestrian Open. Of the 46 CCI4*-L competitions held in the US over the past decade, this competition has established itself as a premier destination for the sport's elite. This will be the venue's fifth consecutive year holding a CCI4*-L and each edition has grown stronger. The 2025 field represents a massive leap in both depth and quality - a jump of 130 Elo points from last year.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/12fd79bb-5dc0-4b16-b869-5dd9f2621e81.png?width=1008&amp;height=700" alt="E8ppa Morven Park Field Strength"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Understanding Field Strength</strong></h3>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Field strength measures the average Elo rating of the top 20 horses in a competition, providing a clear indicator of both quality and depth. The Elo rating system tracks performance over time, rewarding consistency and results in competitive fields while accounting for the difficulty of each achievement.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The depth throughout the top 20 is remarkable. While <strong>Off The Record </strong>and <strong>Miks Master C </strong>headline the field, riders like <strong>Phillip Dutton</strong> (with both <strong>Denim</strong> and <strong>Possante</strong>), <strong>Caroline Pamukcu (</strong>three horses in the top 15), and <strong>Boyd Martin </strong>(two in the top four) have brought multiple top-tier mounts, creating a field where any number of combinations could claim victory.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/826ea0f0-85e7-4bc7-b6b7-2d1754c1eee1.png?width=1328&amp;height=2010" alt="Std1h Top 20 Elo Rated Horses in the Morven Field"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>What Makes This Year Different</strong></h3>
<p>Several factors have come together to create this historic field. Most notably, this is the inaugural US Equestrian Open Final, the culmination of a year-long series of qualifiers and boasting the largest prize purse ever at this level - $200,000. That combination of prestige, financial incentive, and Morven Park&rsquo;s growing reputation for world-class footing and course design has drawn many of the nation&rsquo;s very best to Leesburg.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The US Equestrian Open Final is going to be an exciting chapter of world class competition on home soil as the sport and US Eventing look ahead to LA 2028. With history on the line and $200,000 up for grabs, next weekend promises to deliver drama worthy of the field assembled.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The stage is set and the best have answered the call. Now it's time to see who rises to the occasion.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><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 dir="ltr">&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>.</em></p>

Growing Depth: Morven Park 2025 Raises the Bar

<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The US Equestrian Open Final at Morven Park is about to brings together some of the best horses in the US but also globally to compete for the largest prize pot at the CCI4*-L level in history. While traditional rankings focus on who finished on the podium, the<strong> EquiRatings Elo</strong> digs deeper - rewarding horses who've consistently tackled tough competition and delivered when it mattered most.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Elo</strong> is a rating system that tracks how strong a horse's results are over time &mdash; kind of like a world ranking, but based on performance <em>quality</em>, not just placings. Big results in tough fields send your Elo up faster. Smaller wins or mistakes in easier company might hold you steady or even knock you down. It's how we measure long-term class.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">From veterans to 10-year-olds already posting world-class numbers, the field at Morven is stacked with depth. Here are the 10 horses with the highest Elo ratings heading into Morven Park.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/58d4c0a6-f0eb-4e33-9e1e-955696610f4e.png?width=851&amp;height=1289" alt="Morven Park Graphics (15)"></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</p>
<hr class="border-border-300 my-2">
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">1. Off The Record | Elo: 779 | 16 years old | William Coleman</h3>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Off The Record sits atop not just this field but the entire American eventing landscape. With an Elo of 779, this 16-year-old is the highest-rated horse in the US currently and the second-highest rated US horse&nbsp;<em>on record</em>, trailing only the legendary Mai Baum. Currently ranked 13th in the world, Off The Record has built his Elo through his ultimate consistency at the highest level.</p>
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">2. Miks Master C | Elo: 742 | 13 years old | Boyd Martin</h3>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The 13-year-old Miks Master C earned his 742 Elo rating while partnered with Liz Halliday before joining Boyd Martin's string. He's currently the third-highest rated horse in the US, sitting behind only Off The Record and 'Mikki's' stablemate, Commando 3. Miks Master C is currently ranked 25th globally.</p>
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">3. HSH Blake | Elo: 662 | 10 years old | Caroline Pamukcu</h3>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">At just 10 years old, HSH Blake has established himself as the second-highest rated 10-year-old in the world, behind only Clarke Johnston's Rocketman. With an Elo of 662, this young horse may represent the future of American eventing.</p>
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">4. Shanroe Cooley | Elo: 661 | 10 years old | Boyd Martin</h3>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Shanroe Cooley ranks as the third-highest rated 10-year-old, coming in a mere 1 point behind HSH Blake Also produced by Liz Halliday, 'Dallas'' steep Elo ascent is a credit to his almost perfect cross-country record: 21 clear rounds out of 22 starts (one elimination).</p>
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">5. Denim | Elo: 649 | 10 years old | Phillip Dutton</h3>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Denim ranks fifth worldwide among 10-year-olds. Since 2023, this horse has only&nbsp;<em>gained</em> Elo points through nearly always finishing in the top 10. Remarkably, Denim has never won an event, proving you don't need victories to build an elite rating.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">6. Larcot Z | Elo: 649 | 12 years old | Lauren Nicholson</h3>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The 12-year-old Larcot Z has quickly moved up the rankings with his recent form. In Lauren's last three international starts with Larcot Z, they've won two: an 18-point gain at Bromont CCI4*-L, followed by a withdrawal at Hartpury (which doesn't affect Elo), and then a massive 26-point gain from winning a competitive CCI4*-S section at Arville.</p>
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">7. QC Diamantaire | Elo: 649 | 15 years old | Sydney Elliott</h3>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">At 15 years old, QC Diamantaire has had more time than some younger horses to build an impressive resume. This partnership has competed in 46 international events together dating back to 2016. Standout performances include a podium finish at Kentucky CCI4*-S in 2023 and another top-10 result at Kentucky in 2024, cementing their place on this list.</p>
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">8. Possante | Elo: 648 | 12 years old | Phillip Dutton</h3>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Denim's stablemate, the 12-year-old Possante, benefits from Phillip Dutton's masterful cross-country riding. Dutton has never incurred a cross-country penalty with this horse, allowing for consistent Elo increases built on reliability and clean rounds.</p>
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">9. Freedom GS | Elo: 636 | 13 years old | Jessica Phoenix</h3>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Freedom GS, the only mare on the list, carries Canadian hopes into Morven Park as the third-highest rated Canadian horse currently and the fifth-highest rated Canadian horse of all time. With an Elo of 636, Freedom GS sits just seven points behind the highest-rated Candian horse - Kilcandra OceanPower (643 Elo with Nicolas Helayel). A strong performance at Morven could see Freedom GS claim the title of the highest-rated Canadian horse.</p>
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">10. Dyri | Elo: 581 | 13 years old | Lucienne Bellissimo</h3>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The 13-year-old Dyri has recently experienced the volatility of the Elo rating. Previously eared as high as 614, an unlucky start to the season, including an elimination and a retirement, has dropped the rating. But before this rough patch, Dyri had won a CCI4*-S and earned three additional four-star podiums. The class is clearly there, and Morven Park offers a chance to rebuild that elite rating.</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><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>
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<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

The Top 10 Elo-Rated Horses at the US Equestrian Open Final

<p dir="ltr">During this brief break in the US Equestrian Open calendar, all three of our Series leaders are competing on the world stage at CHIO Aachen (Germany) this week. Aachen, like all of the US Equestrian Open qualifiers, is a CCI4*-S and its one of the toughest CCI4*-S events in the world. How might our Series leaders fare abroad?</p>
<h3><strong>Series Standings as of July 4th, 2025 (After Qualifier 14):</strong></h3>
<p><em style="font-size: 93%; color: #999999;">See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier,&nbsp;<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</em></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d157fc24-3f4a-4051-97fd-f08a6dbc9f19.png?width=675&amp;height=844" alt="Current Series Leaders after Qualifier 14 (Maryland Int.)"></p>
<h2><strong>Phillip Dutton with Possante and Denim</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color: rgb(109, 114, 114);"><em>Current Series leader (in the $25K position) | 215 points</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Possante&nbsp;</strong>and Phillip&rsquo;s last international run was a <strong>second-place finish in the Cosequin&reg; Lexington 4*-S (Qualifier 11)</strong> where they earned 45 Series points. It was the pair&rsquo;s third top-three placing at the level of their five CCI4*-S appearances together. CHIO Aachen is known for a cross country-course that surprises even the world&rsquo;s best but if anyone knows how to handle whatever a cross-country course throws at you, it&rsquo;s one Phillip Dutton.</p>
<p>Plus, together, this pair have never had a CCI4*-S cross-country jumping fault so there is a big opportunity for them to move up the Aachen leaderboard come Saturday.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Possante&rsquo;s younger stablemate at just 10 years-old, <strong>Denim </strong>finished fourth in this year&rsquo;s Cosequin&reg; Lexington 4*-S which was also his latest international outing. He is ranked as a reliable cross-country jumper and is the most-reliable show jumper in the field.</p>
<h2><strong>Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color: rgb(109, 114, 114);"><em>Currently second place in the Series (in the $15K position) | 185 Points</em></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><span style="color: rgb(126, 140, 141);"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d03b7e99-5f24-43a0-a2c0-abaa556da494.jpg?width=4914&amp;height=3592" alt="Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS at the Paris Olympics. Photo by Tilly Berendt."></span></em></p>
<p><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;">Jessica Phoenix &amp;&nbsp;Freedom GS at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo by Tilly Berendt.</em></p>
<p>Paris Olympians&nbsp;<strong>Jess </strong>and <strong>Freedom GS </strong>are both making their CHIO Aachen debut. Freedom has earned Jess 80 of her 185 total Series points so far, doing so with a win at TerraNova this spring (Qualifier 6) and a <strong>third in the Cosequin&reg; Lexington 4*-S (Qualifier 11).</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/well-take-almost-every-horse-weve-got" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jess is seriously targeting her string for the Series Final this October (Morven Park CCI4*-L)</a> and this additional appearance on the European stage (after Paris) will only add even more valuable experience under Freedom&rsquo;s belt, a horse who is a top contender for the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/eventing-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Series-ending $200,000 prize pot</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Blake</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color: rgb(109, 114, 114);"><em>Currently third place in the Series (in the $10K position) | 155 Points</em></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><span style="color: rgb(126, 140, 141);"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/106c84f1-3bb2-49f9-a493-049709f09149.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="HSH Blake and Caroline Pamukcu at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo by Tilly Berendt."></span></em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><span style="color: rgb(126, 140, 141);"><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;">Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Blake at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo by Tilly Berendt.</em></span></em></p>
<p dir="ltr">With <strong>She&rsquo;s The One</strong>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLiOgDtN2Go/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caroline won the latest Series qualifier at Maryland International</a> (Qualifier 14) last weekend. Thanks also to a fifth place finish with <strong>HSH Tolan King</strong>, Caroline added 60 total Series points at that event, moving from fifth to third in the standings (and into the money positions).</p>
<p dir="ltr">Now, with her Paris Olympic mount and Pan American Champion, Caroline will want to get her groove back with her special <strong>HSH Blake:</strong>&nbsp;At Paris, they incurred 20 cross country points; they returned to international competition with a CCI3*-S in Carolina this spring - no issues there; but then they contested the Cosequin&reg; Lexington 4*-S (Qualifier 11) in April and got a 15-point flag penalty. A clean cross country round here will be particularly important for this pair.<br><br>HSH Blake is rated as one of the fastest horses in the CHIO Aachen field and it's typically tight for time at the venue. Blake's speed will be of great advantage on the Aachen leaderboard if paired with a clear round, which their both well-able to produce.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><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>
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<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

the dark bay horse HSH Blake and Caroline Pamukcu leave a dressage arena after completing a dressage test. HSH Blake has a content, ears-pricked expression and Caroline smiles.

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