<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

<h2>A Night to Remember in Saint-Tropez</h2>
<p>Under the lights in Saint-Tropez-Gassin, Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque delivered yet another masterclass. The track was big, technical, and built to test the very best, but the pair made it look effortless. Flying through the jump-off in 41.06 seconds as the last to go, they snatched the win from Brazil&rsquo;s Stephan de Freitas Barcha &amp; Dinozo Imperio Egipcio, with USA&rsquo;s Laura Kraut &amp; Bisquetta close behind in third.</p>
<h2>Entering the History Books&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Three consecutive five-star Grand Prix wins is something we rarely see. Since 2010, only 11 horse-and-rider combinations have ever pulled it off. Caracole is now the only horse to have done it twice and with two different riders. First with Julien Epaillard in 2022, and now with Karl Cook in 2025. That puts her alongside names like Explosion W, Gazelle, and Hickstead in the record books.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eb393637-c10f-43be-bc89-1fe3e8ddc197.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Usef Jumping Graphics 2025 (19)"></p>
<h2>What&rsquo;s Next?</h2>
<p>Momentum is on their side, and the partnership looks unstoppable. The big question now: can Cook and Caracole push this streak even further? Fans will be watching closely as the season rolls on.</p>

Three in a Row for Cook & Caracole

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<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Will Coleman</strong> and <strong>Off The Record</strong> maintained their lead after a tense cross-country phase at the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final CCI4*-L, but a late-night flag review tightened the competition heading into Sunday's show jumping finale.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Coleman became the first rider to make the optimum time twice at Morven Park's CCI4*-L - first finishing with his new ride <strong>Very Dignified</strong> and then finishing in 10:04 with <strong>Off The Record -</strong> five seconds inside<strong> Derek di Grazia's</strong> 10:09 time allowed. The performance keeps him on his dressage score of 25.1, but his cushion has shrunk considerably.<br><br><strong>Will Coleman</strong> spoke about his round with <strong>Off The Record:</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">"It wasn't the smoothest round we've ever had. He got really worked up in the warm-up and was just like a freight train starting out. It took us a bit to find our rhythm, but it's a credit to him; on a day where we weren't totally in sync, he still hunts the flags and does whatever it takes to stay between them."</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><em><strong>&nbsp;Will Coleman and Very Dignified</strong></em></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6dd21815-765a-4176-a5ac-a0dcf20ff9fc.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Morven Park Graphics (91)"></p>
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<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>The Flag Review That Changed Everything</strong></h3>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Boyd Martin</strong> and <strong>Miks Master C</strong> initially sat in 13th place on 58.7 penalties with two flags under review. When officials removed both penalties late Saturday evening, Martin moved into second on 28.7&mdash;just 3.6 penalties behind Coleman.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/16f62cef-2a00-49d1-9bc6-84f16ed87021.jpeg?width=2048&amp;height=1366" alt="Whats App Image 2025 10 11 at 22.01.24"></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The flags being reviewed moved Sunday's show jumping from a near-certain Coleman victory into a genuine contest. Coleman now holds less than one rail's advantage over Martin, while Martin can afford one rail over third-placed <strong>Lucienne Bellissimo</strong> (33.5) but not two.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d64f0eb7-6534-4d49-98cc-38c6001342c1.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Morven Park Graphics (90)"></p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong>Lucienne Bellissimo</strong> and <strong>Kitsch Couture HPK</strong> produced one of the standout rounds of the day, adding just 2.0 time penalties to climb from eighth after dressage into podium contention. <strong>Phillip Dutton</strong> and <strong>Denim</strong> hold fourth on 33.9, while Phillip was eliminated with his second horse <strong>Possante</strong> following a broken bridle on course. <strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong> delivered the day's fastest round with <strong>HSH Double Sixteen, </strong>finishing inside the optimum time to rocket from 17th into fifth.</p>
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<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Win Chance Post Cross Country:</strong></h3>
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<p><strong><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/40c77a0c-d6cc-42e5-96c8-1700df3bf134.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Morven Park Graphics (89)"></strong></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The inaugural US Equestrian Open Eventing Champion will be crowned on Sunday. Showjumping starts at 1:30 p.m. EST over <strong>Christopher Barnard's </strong>show jumping track, with $200,000 in prize money on the line. What seemed like Coleman's race to lose has become a genuine battle - one rail could decide everything.</p>
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<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>
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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>
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Flag Drama Tightens the Race at Morven Park

<p dir="ltr">With 105 points, <strong>Anna Marek</strong> became the first rider in US Equestrian Open of Dressage history to cross the 100-point mark, sealing her place as the inaugural Series champion.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Art of Almost Winning</h2>
<p dir="ltr">When the season opened in January, Marek sat mid-pack while European riders like <strong>Felicitas Hendricks</strong> and <strong>Evelyn Eger</strong> traded early wins. But by Week 10, after a string of podiums in Wellington and Ocala, she overtook the leaderboard. From that point on, no one caught her.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-itjY6" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="The Points Race: Anna Marek, Ben Ebeling, Felicitas Hendricks" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/itjY6/2/" height="653" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<p dir="ltr">Across her six qualifying runs, Marek never finished lower than third and averaged over 75% in every freestyle. She also logged four second-place finishes, more than any other rider in the Series. It&rsquo;s the kind of stat that cuts both ways: a testament to her reliability, but also a question mark heading into the Final.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Can the sport&rsquo;s most consistent contender finally trade silver for gold when it matters most?</strong></p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-MMizW" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Anna Marek's Series Points" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/MMizW/1/" height="438" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Power of Two</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Most riders only managed one horse through the Series. Marek managed two.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-cOxSA" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Anna Marek's Grand Prix Stable: Fire Fly vs. Fayvel" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/cOxSA/2/" height="414" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<p dir="ltr">Fire Fly, the high-voltage Pan Am Games medalist, brings flair with an all-time best of 78.750%. But he&rsquo;s a sensitive horse. Electric, but unpredictable under pressure.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Fayvel, by contrast, is the dependable one. A 15-year-old KWPN gelding by Zizi Top, he&rsquo;s an accurate horse, rarely dropping below 75%. Marek herself calls him &ldquo;bold but honest,&rdquo; a horse who gives her confidence to take risks.</p>
<p dir="ltr">When she needed reliability, Fayvel delivered. When she needed brilliance, Fire Fly did. That dual approach kept her ahead of riders just fielding one mount.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">What the Numbers Say</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Heading into the Final, Marek is the only rider in the field with two proven Grand Prix Freestyle horses, both capable of scoring in the high 70s. She&rsquo;s logged seven top-four finishes this season, more than any other competitor, and her 105 points make her the most consistently high-scoring American across the year.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On paper, that consistency makes her a statistical favorite for another podium&hellip; but not necessarily for the win. Four second-place finishes have shown she&rsquo;s reliably in the mix, but rarely untouchable.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The question now is whether she can ride for first in the palm-lined arenas of Thermal, California.</p>

Anna Marek smiles while riding during a US Equestrian Open Dressage competition, wearing a navy coat with the U.S. team badge and helmet, set against a blurred green background with the event logo in the corner.

How Anna Marek Won the Series

<p data-start="1338" data-end="1740">The sport's stars facing off, leaderboard shuffles, and a champion who made history while honoring a friend; come Sunday evening, we not only had an inaugural winner of this trailblazing event but we also got to witness exciting horse-and-rider partnerships come to the fore.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr"><strong>The Champions</strong></h1>
<p dir="ltr">If you <em>haven&rsquo;t </em>yet heard, <strong>Boyd Martin </strong>and <strong>Miks Master C</strong> are our 2025 US Equestrian Open Eventing Champions. The Open was just their third international appearance together. They went from ninth at Bromont 3*-S in August, to fourth at The Fork 4*-S in September and now to first in this 4*-L, an event Boyd called, &ldquo;the greatest 4*-L in the world.&rdquo;</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;Lastly, I&rsquo;d like to give a big shout out to Liz who did all the work on this magnificent horse. I hope you&rsquo;re watching Liz, and this is for you.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f9a8cdf8-f297-4152-a875-2f45b2d3fee8.jpeg?width=4160&amp;height=2775" alt="Boyd Martin &amp; Miks Master C just after their dressage. Boyd smiles brightly &amp; Miks Master C's ears are pricked forward. Credit Devyn Trethewey and Us Equestrian">Miks Master C &amp; Boyd Martin (&copy;Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Will Coleman </strong>and <strong>Off The Record</strong> were leading after cross country, less than a rail ahead of Boyd and &ldquo;Mikki&rdquo; who added just 2.8 cross country time penalties to their dressage score. But <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPtiRl5Ash1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">we knew if anyone could put the pressure on Will and &ldquo;Timmy&rdquo; it was our winning pair</a>. True to form,<strong> Mikki delivered a clear show jumping round for a perfect four-from-four record of keeping all the rails up at 4*-L and 5* events.</strong> Off The Record followed with a late rail (which broke a few hearts) and we crowned our first-ever Open Champion (!) on a score of 28.7</p>
<p dir="ltr">The win earned Boyd the solo lead on the EquiRatings 4*-L winning records. <strong>Boyd is now the most successful 4*-L rider in the world looking at the years 2008 to now.</strong></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2070871b-a9e6-4cf3-bd48-21d5a862cd61.png?width=1264&amp;height=1440" alt="5 H Ih H Riders With the Most Cci4 L Wins Since 2008 (3)"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Boyd took over the ride on Mikki &ndash; a class act in all three phases &ndash; this season after Liz Halliday&rsquo;s accident last year. In his post-win interview, Boyd dedicated the moment to Liz; after a quick pause to maintain composure and with the threat of trembling in his voice, Boyd stated, <strong>"Lastly, I&rsquo;d like to give a big shout out to Liz who did all the work on this magnificent horse. I hope you&rsquo;re watching Liz, and this is for you.&rdquo; </strong>It was a genuine, poignant moment.&nbsp;</p>
<h1 dir="ltr"><strong>Mikki was not the only head-turner</strong></h1>
<h2><em>Off The Record</em></h2>
<p><strong>Timmy </strong>is a fan favorite. His cross country work ethic and longevity at the top level makes him hard not to root for.<strong> In his entire international career, Timmy has j<span class="a_GcMg">umped clear in 34 of his 38 </span></strong><span class="a_GcMg"><strong>XC rounds</strong> (all with Will),<strong> </strong>including a perfect five-from-five at five-star. He entered as the fastest horse in the field and finished on a clear inside the time.</span></p>
<p><span class="a_GcMg">The team World silver medalist from Pratoni 2022 is currently the <strong>USA's highest rated horse</strong> with an EquiRatings Elo Rating of 789, which &ndash; all time for the US &ndash; is second only to <strong>Mai Baum</strong> (2008 onward).</span></p>
<p><span class="a_GcMg"><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2b053ba0-1de2-469d-b6a9-bf55240e9b9b.jpg?width=819&amp;height=1024" alt="Off The Record and WIll Coleman clear a cross country obstacle. Credit Devyn Trethewey &amp; US Equestrian.">Off The Record &amp; Will Coleman (&copy;Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)</em></span></p>
<p><span class="a_GcMg">Timmy and Will were in in fact neck and neck with Miks Master C at the very top of the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/morvenpark_4l_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pre-event win chances</a>. They led after cross country on their dressage score of 25.1 but &ndash; and it's hard to admit because he is such a stalwart &ndash; Timmy does have a weakness at 4*-L<em> </em>and 5* and that weakness it show jumping. Only once has he knocked more the one rail but he almost always has one down (6 of 7 times).</span></p>
<p><span class="a_GcMg">So, with a heartbreaker rail, Will and Timmy earned second. But man, they were impressive all weekend.</span></p>
<h2><em>Very Dignified</em></h2>
<p dir="ltr">While Boyd earned top spot on the podium, Will took up second <em>and </em>third. Off The Record, in second, came in with a reputation that preceded him &ndash; a very good reputation, mind you. But <strong>Very Dignified</strong> was a lesser known entry for Will and, as Will said in his post-cross-country interview,<strong> this was the first time he really let &ldquo;Dora&rdquo; go across the country. And what she showed for it was a clear-inside-the-time round. </strong>Viewers could tell it meant a lot to Will and his team as the camera followed them to the cool down area where there were high fives and plenty of smiles.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/60f0c7f9-2db5-4f4a-beb0-1fd1d1608740.jpg?width=4160&amp;height=2775" alt="Very Dignified and Will Coleman clearing a cross country obstacle. Photo by Devyn Trethewey &amp; US Equestrian">Very Dignified &amp; Will Coleman (&copy;Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)</em></p>
<p>Dora followed with a clear show jumping round the next day, making her <strong>the only horse to finish on her dressage score.&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>Frankly, Will &amp; Dora weren&rsquo;t in the conversation too much after dressage, when they sat 18th on a 35.4. But then, after cross country, sixth. And then, after Sunday, the podium. They&rsquo;re exciting, this pair.&nbsp;</p>
<p>So the clears inside the time on Saturday were (1) Off The Record (no surprises there), (2) Very Dignified (a breakout moment), and (3) <strong>HSH Double Sixteen</strong>, which brings us to another head-turner this weekend.</p>
<h2><em>HSH Double Sixteen</em></h2>
<p><strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong> was all fist pumps and smiles as she crossed the Saturday finish line; so thrilled with HSH Double Sixteen&rsquo;s<strong> clear-inside-the-time round.</strong> The round was bold and forward and it looked like "Six" would be game for anything ("What, like it's hard?").</p>
<p dir="ltr">The pair started their weekend in 17th after dressage (on a 35.2) but, thanks to their XC round, moved up to fifth overnight. On the last day, a late, costly line &ndash; and an uncharacteristic three rails down &ndash; moved them to ninth when all was said and done.</p>
<p>This pair were also<strong> the only clear-inside-the time at Stable View 4*-S last month</strong> &ndash; only the second pair in the last six seasons to make the 4*-S time at that venue. Now, unlike Boyd and Miks Master C and Will with Very Dignified, which are both new partnerships this year, Caroline and Six have been together since 2022. But Six is only 10-years-old. With their XC edge and some dressage polish, it will be exciting to watch this pair in the coming seasons.</p>
<p><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/805afe6d-124a-454b-b610-2abd76592a72.jpeg?width=3328&amp;height=4160" alt="Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Double Sixteen clear a cross country obstacle. Credit Devyn Trethewey and US Equestrian">HSH Double Sixteen &amp; Caroline Pamukcu (&copy;Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)</em></p>
<h1><strong>Ready to go again?</strong></h1>
<p>Here's the lineup of events for the 2025-2026 Open. Starting soon! Just make sure to check back on the&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">homepage for any updates</a>.</strong></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d537f534-cc65-4b3e-aa20-078e62a749b0.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Schedule Subject to Change  Usequestrianopen.org for the Latest"></p>
<p dir="ltr">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>
<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>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

A graphic featuring Boyd Martin holding the US Equestrian Open trophy up high while smiling broadly

Mikki, Dora and Six. Boyd, Will and Caroline. Three exciting partnerships from the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final

<p dir="ltr">Germany&rsquo;s <strong>Felicitas Hendricks</strong> has spent the past ten winters lighting up Wellington&rsquo;s Global Dressage Festival. Now, she&rsquo;s heading west to California for the <strong>US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final</strong> with her longtime partner, <strong>Drombusch OLD</strong>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Their partnership is nearly a decade in the making. Hendricks has brought the 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding up the levels herself, from six-year-old prospect to international Grand Prix winner.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;Every day I think, I don&rsquo;t want him to get older,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I just want to freeze him and have him forever.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">That bond was on full display earlier this year when the pair opened their Open campaign with a 78% freestyle win, one of the highest scores in the Series. Their upbeat disco routine&mdash;set to the same &lsquo;80s hits her mother once danced to&mdash;has become a crowd favorite. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s such a big personality,&rdquo; Hendricks laughed.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;I really believe he knows his music. When the crowd starts clapping, it&rsquo;s our favorite part.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">Despite early hesitation about the long trip from Germany to California, Hendricks says there was no question she&rsquo;d make the journey once she qualified. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got the perfect horse right now, and he&rsquo;s such a good traveler. I had to take the chance,&rdquo; she explained.</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;[The Final] is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">Listen to the full episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast to hear Felicitas share stories from her season, her preparations for Thermal, and what it means to bring Drombusch to one of the sport&rsquo;s most exciting new finals.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Listen to the full podcast <a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710/dressage-felicitas-hendricks-on-drombusch-disco-and-the-road-to-la" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/38572145/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/no/custom-color/001c54/time-start/00:00:00/hide-show/yes/hide-playlist/yes/hide-subscribe/yes/hide-share/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

New Podcast: Felicitas Hendricks Takes the Long Flight West

<p dir="ltr">Rain soaked through show coats on Saturday night as freestyles began in the Dixon Oval. Polished boots and plaited manes became waterlogged as the evening wore on. The storm didn&rsquo;t deter spectators, though. Enthusiastic fans packed Devon&rsquo;s pale blue grandstands and clapped along to familiar tunes.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Bellena&rsquo;s Big Step</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Benjamin Ebeling</strong> and Ann Romney&rsquo;s 15-year-old Hanoverian mare, <strong>Bellena</strong>, earned a combination-best of 77.665% to secure the win. The atmosphere didn&rsquo;t seem to faze Bellena, perhaps thanks to her stint in Europe over the summer. The pair has been on a steady climb since their freestyle debut in April, notching multiple wins and consistently raising their scores. With this result, Ebeling moves to a tie for sixth on 77 points, momentum that comes at a pivotal moment with Finals just six weeks away.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no place like Dressage at Devon,&rdquo; Ebeling said. &ldquo;This was a big step in getting my horse acclimated in big environments in an arena like this.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Kohmann Climbs, Bergeron Learns, Marek Falters</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Kevin Kohmann</strong> and <strong>D&uuml;nenesee </strong>placed second with 77.005%, a performance that launched them eight places up the leaderboard into ninth on 69 points. With only two qualifiers left, Kohmann is now comfortably positioned for a Finals berth. True to form, the freestyle was steady and lyrical, with D&uuml;nenesee&rsquo;s calm presence making the rain-soaked Dixon Oval look easy.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;It feels like a big show in Europe. I love it here,&rdquo; Kohmann said. &ldquo;This was the show where I rode this freestyle the first time and I&rsquo;m here one year later to ride it again.&rdquo;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Canada&rsquo;s <strong>Camille Carier Bergeron</strong> looked set for a podium finish, but an error proved costly. Riding ahead of her music, she over rotated a pirouette &mdash; a violation of FEI rules that slashed her degree of difficulty score and left her with 68.450%. Even so, Bergeron&rsquo;s ninth-place finish earned her 10 leaderboard points, moving her into 13th overall. Her climb adds another layer of pressure for riders heading to the Final.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Saturday was not <strong>Anna Marek</strong> and <strong>Fire Fly&rsquo;s</strong> night. Whether it was the rain or the unfamiliar arena, the 15-year-old KWPN gelding never settled fully into the test. The pair earned 72.790% for fourth place, a respectable score but several points below their average of 75.683% and well off their last freestyle outing. That&rsquo;s the tricky thing about sensitive horses. They can deliver brilliance at their best, but that same sensitivity can also unravel under pressure.<strong><br></strong></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Title Picture Shifts</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Marek and Fire Fly have proven themselves in Wellington as regulars at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. But the Finals will be held at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, CA, a venue Fire Fly has experienced. Devon provided a preview of what that challenge could look like: a charged atmosphere outside their comfort zone. Fire Fly&rsquo;s personal best came at the Pan American Games in Santiago, proof that the potential is there, but consistency in new environments remains the question.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That decision is complicated further as the title fight is no longer only between Marek and Kohmann. Ebeling is charging into contention, Bergeron is climbing, and <strong>Genay Vaughn</strong> &mdash; undefeated queen of the West Coast &mdash; awaits them all on her home turf in Thermal.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Next Stops: TerraNova and Tryon</h2>
<p>With Devon behind us, attention now turns to the final two qualifiers: TerraNova in early October and Tryon, South Carolina, just two weeks before the Final. Every ride left on the calendar has the potential to shape who arrives in Thermal as a favorite. And, who doesn&rsquo;t.&nbsp;</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>

15-year-old Hanoverian mare, Bellena, in the Dixon Oval against the background of the pale blue grandstands

Devon Delivers Drama as Finals Near

<p dir="ltr">Competitors will take to the idyllic TerraNova dressage arena this weekend for the penultimate qualifier of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage. At this stage, every placement and every percentage point matters. Not only will this weekend&rsquo;s performances determine who makes the cut for the Final in California, but leaderboard payouts are also on the line. Thousands of dollars could hinge on which horse decides to cross its legs in just the right way on Saturday night.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Contenders in Motion</h2>
<p dir="ltr">As a Florida stop, it&rsquo;s no surprise that familiar names fill the roster. Among them, <strong>Benjamin Ebeling</strong> and <strong>Kevin Kohmann</strong> are both poised for upward momentum. Each sits on four completed qualifiers, meaning any finish here directly boosts their season total.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Despite only debuting his freestyle with the 15-year-old <strong>Bellena </strong>in April, Ebeling enters the weekend as a favorite, leading Kohmann&rsquo;s average freestyle score by a slim 0.4 percentage points. It&rsquo;s a narrow gap, and one Kohmann will be eager to close aboard <strong>D&uuml;nensee</strong>, who owns the third-highest score of the season (79.240%), behind only Adrienne Lyle&rsquo;s and Helix&rsquo;s 80% performances.</p>
<p dir="ltr">With TerraNova marking their fifth qualifier, both riders will look to climb into the top five overall, a feat a freestyle win could achieve.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Adding a personal twist to the weekend, Kohmann will also face off against his wife,<strong> Devon Kane</strong>, who enters ranked 16th. Even a modest result would move her solidly into the top ten, and with one of the highest freestyle averages in the field, she could easily finish higher still.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-tk8R5" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: TerraNova Dressage II" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/tk8R5/1/" height="706" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">A High-Risk Debut</h2>
<p dir="ltr">On the edge of qualification sits <strong>Jennifer Williams</strong>, currently holding the 18th and final spot on the leaderboard. Rather than bringing her seasoned partner <strong>Joppe K</strong>, Williams will debut a new horse, <strong>Babylon Berlin</strong>, at the Grand Prix level this weekend.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It&rsquo;s a bold move at a critical moment. Even an eighth-place finish would improve her total, but the real intrigue lies in what this debut signals about her strategy for the Final. Joppe K, who has been in Williams&rsquo; program since his early years, carried her to U.S. team selection for Aachen earlier this season, though their outing there was below expectations.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Is Babylon Berlin&rsquo;s first appearance a changing of the guard? Or is this simply a curiously timed debut?&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Shaping the Final</h2>
<p dir="ltr">With Ebeling and Kohmann chasing higher placements, Williams fighting to stay inside the top 18, and the Final just four weeks away, TerraNova will reshape the starting lineup for the desert showdown. Series leader Anna Marek is still safe&hellip; for now. But with Ebeling and Kohmann closing in on their fifth qualifying run, her title spot may be in jeopardy next week.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">For now, settle in for an evening of freestyle in one of the country&rsquo;s most beautiful arenas as riders take one more swing at shaping the Series before the road turns west to California.&nbsp;</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>

Kevin Kohmann and Duensee half pass across the arena in trot

The Penultimate Push

<p>The 2026 US Equestrian Open Eventing Series launched with a statement of intent from L<strong>ucienne Bellissimo and Dyri, </strong>who claimed their fifth consecutive international victory at <strong>Bouckaert in Fairburn, Georgia.</strong></p>
<p>With this victory, the British rider has now accumulated eight international wins this season, making her the GB rider with the most international wins in 2025- ahead of<strong> Ros Canter, Laura Collett, Tom McEwen,</strong> and the rest of Britain's elite. Her mount <strong>Dyri</strong> has also claimed the title of winningest British horse this season with five victories.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2fc0c36e-826e-4919-a913-4bc376b743a2.png?width=528&amp;height=706" alt="Screenshot 2025 10 29 162218"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dcc23cc9-8896-4046-afa5-996728c4c170.png?width=525&amp;height=649" alt="Screenshot 2025 10 29 162233"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Winning Formula</h2>
<p>Lucienne and&nbsp;<strong>Dyri </strong>opened with a dressage score of 33.0, to put them in the lead after the first phase, with <strong>Hot Bobo </strong>snapping at their heels on just 33.5. They jumped a clear round showjumping, before securing the win with a clear cross-country round. Adding 8.0 time penalties, <strong>Dyri</strong> was the fastest horse on course. High time penalties across the field was&nbsp; no surprise given the venues cross-country history over the last number of years.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3d00d1a2-fe2e-43ce-b763-5ed948c02d9c.png?width=1083&amp;height=732" alt="Screenshot 2025 10 29 162546"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Streak Continues</h2>
<p>This wasn't just another win - it was the culmination of a carefully strategized comeback. After two difficult runs at the start of 2025, Lucienne made the tactical decision to step <strong>Dyri </strong>back down to lower levels. The move paid dividends: four consecutive wins at 2* and 3*.</p>
<ul>
<li>Bouckaert CCI2*-S (Aug): 1st, 29.4</li>
<li>Tryon CCI2*-S (Sept): 1st, 27.7</li>
<li>Stable View CCI3*-S (Sept): 1st, 27.2</li>
<li>Morven Park CCI3*-S (Oct): 1st, 29.2</li>
</ul>
<p>This also marks Lucienne and Dyri's fifth CCI4* podium together.&nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f0494ff5-4d65-4451-88a3-6b51408c1c35.png?width=1116&amp;height=716" alt="V8o0 L Lucienne Dyri S Four Star Podiums"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Bouckaert Breakthrough</h2>
<p><strong>Kate Sand</strong> and <strong>Top Shelf </strong>delivered a breakthrough performance to finish second with a double clear. This was only <strong>Top Shelf's </strong>second podium finish, having placed second at his first-ever international, a<strong> CCI1* at Bouckaert in 2021.</strong> 18.4 time penalties on cross-country kept them from challenging for the win, but this is a young horse (10YO) still finding his feet at this level. As the partnership strengthens and <strong>Top Shelf</strong> improves, those time penalties should naturally decrease.</p>
<p><strong>Bruce Davidson</strong> Jr. and <strong>Cerafino D</strong> took third place on 62.7. <strong>Olivia Miller and Cooley Starstruck </strong>finished fourth on 80.9, while <strong>Emily Mastervich and Rio de Janeiro </strong>rounded out the top five with 81.4.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Points on the Board</h2>
<p>With this opening qualifier complete, Bellissimo now sits atop the series leaderboard with 40 points.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/74654cce-df5d-4637-9bb6-57f2b9497d9e.png?width=1240&amp;height=860" alt="R Se76 Leaderboard After Qualifier 1"></p>
<h2>Looking Ahead</h2>
<p>The race to Morven Park 2026 has begun, and Bellissimo has made a mark. But with TerraNova still to come before the winter break, this story is far from over.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em><strong>Li</strong></em><strong style="font-style: italic;"><em>s</em>ten to the Bouckaert Preview Podcast now on the US Equestrian Open Podcast - available on all podcast platforms.</strong></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/38817710/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/4c414c/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></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">&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9dfe039-3b02-415d-b513-c5bd87d85dae.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

Bellissimo and Dyri Make it Five in a Row at Bouckaert

<p>The 2026 US Equestrian Open Eventing Series launches Friday at Bouckaert in Fairburn, Georgia. And if last year taught us anything, it's that early points matter - just ask <strong>Phillip Dutton.</strong></p>
<p>Remember Bouckaert 2024? <strong>Phillip Dutton </strong>and<strong> Jewlent </strong>missed a fence here, and by season's end those lost points loomed large in the final standings. The lesson: you can't take early qualifiers for granted.&nbsp;This weekend's field of nine means 40 points will go to the winner.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Hot Bobo Returns</h2>
<p><strong>Karl Slezak </strong>and <strong>Hot Bobo</strong> enter as favorites with a 36% win chance on the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/bouckaert_4s_oct2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre.</a></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/96d40c24-411e-4810-8d4a-03d7f3952619.png?width=673&amp;height=463" alt="Screenshot 2025 10 23 130011">&nbsp;<br><br>But more importantly, we finally get to see Hot Bobo back at the four-star level.&nbsp;The mare won at Defender Kentucky in 2023 by finishing on her dressage score - rare at a venue and competition of that caliber. She backed it up with win a Bromont's CCI4*-S before heading overseas to the Paris Olympics.</p>
<p>Then came a 15-month absence after Paris. <strong>Hot Bobo </strong>returned just two weeks ago at Morven Park's CCI3*-S, finishing fourth on a 35.7 with one rail. Now comes the real test: can she return to her 2023/2024 form in time to make her a potential Aachen team horse for Canada in 2026?</p>
<p>Don't expect Slezak to push all the buttons and win this weekend. With only four horses ever making time at Bouckaert in 13 years, and <strong>Hot Bobo</strong> returning after a long break, this is going to be about getting a solid four-star run under their belt.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Dyri's Calculated Return</h2>
<p><strong>Lucienne Bellissimo</strong> and<strong> Dyri</strong> sit at 29% to win with something nobody else has: recent venue success.</p>
<p>After two unlucky runs at the beginning of the 2025 season, Bellissimo stepped <strong>Dyri</strong> back down to the lower levels. The strategy worked: four consecutive wins at 2* and 3* shorts with mid-20s dressage, 3 inside-the-time runs, and zero rails. Now comes the step back up at a venue where <strong>Dyri </strong>has good form having finished second place here in March 2025&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Ones to Watch</h2>
<p>Don't overlook <strong>Buck Davidson</strong> and<strong> Cerafino D.</strong> The prediction center gives them just a 6% chance at top three, but Davidson has won here at Bouckaert before. In fact, he has produced the second-best finishing score in the venue's history. In a small field where experience matters, those credentials carry weight.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Waylon Roberts</strong> and <strong>Fernhill Salt Lake</strong> bring something this field needs: pace. Roberts doesn't hang about on cross-country, entering with a 95 Top Speed Percentage (TSP) - the highest in the field. With a 6RA of 33.1 they should be right in the mix and ready to capitalize on their speed.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Emily Mastervich</strong> and <strong>Rio de Janeiro</strong> are another combination worth watching. They won the very first qualifier of the first series - will they do it again? After a five-month break (a pattern seen in recent seasons so it is likely planned) and a retirement at Plantation, Mastervich will be looking to put that run behind her.</p>
<h2>What to Expect</h2>
<p>Bouckaert's statistic show how demanding the venue is. The cross-country clear rate is a respectable 68% but only 4 riders (2% of previous starters) have managed to go inside the time.<br>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/552b1963-5ea0-4a7f-b3fc-fa1abde1c992.png?width=742&amp;height=502" alt="Screenshot 2025 10 23 142218"><br><br>Only one combination in 270 starters has finished on their dressage score: <strong>Jacob Fletcher</strong> and A<strong>tlantic Domino </strong>in 2018 when they took the win.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>The Bigger Picture</h2>
<p>This is the first of just two qualifiers before the series takes a winter break and it starts again in 2026. With riders engaging more and more with the series format, expect more strategic approaches to the points race.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The US Equestrian Open format counts your best six results, which means missing one qualifier doesn't end your season. But nail this opener and you've got points banked before the 2026 battle begins.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The race to Morven Park 2026 starts now.<br><br></p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em><strong>Listen to the Bouckaert Preview Podcast now on the US Equestrian Open Podcast - available on all podcast platforms.</strong></em></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/38735600/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/4c414c/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></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">&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9dfe039-3b02-415d-b513-c5bd87d85dae.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

First Points on the Board: Bouckaert Begins

<p dir="ltr">Taking place at Tryon International Equestrian Center, this week&rsquo;s qualifier may feature a small class, but it&rsquo;s far from insignificant.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Two familiar faces headline the final qualifier: <strong>Julio Mendoza Loor</strong> and <strong>Laine Ashker</strong>. Both sit just outside the top 18, and both could qualify for the Final by Saturday night if conditions align.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Mendoza Loor&rsquo;s Mission</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Mendoza Loor enters Tryon in 25th place on 37 points. Despite contesting only two qualifiers, he finished first and second in those starts. With his 14-year-old partner <strong>Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike</strong>, the Paris Olympian boasts a strong Grand Prix Freestyle average of 77.549%, one of the highest in the Series, and a personal best of 84.230% making him the clear favorite in Tryon.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If he wins (and it&rsquo;s hard to see him not doing so), he&rsquo;ll finish the season on 57 points, tying with Adrienne Lyle for 18th place, the final qualifying position for the Thermal Final. Even if he skips the trip west, that 18th-place finish still nets him $500, which isn&rsquo;t much, but it&rsquo;ll pay for his next FEI entry fee.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Ashker&rsquo;s Chance</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Ashker&rsquo;s path is a little different. A second-place finish would add 17 points to her current 35-point total, bringing her to 52 points and 19th&nbsp; overall&mdash;just outside the automatic qualifying cutoff. But there&rsquo;s still hope. When riders inside the top 18 decline their invitations, the next in line receive the call-up. With Kevin Kohmann and Eline Eckroth already confirmed as non-participants, at least two Final spots should open, likely including one for Ashker.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-OIbVf" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: Tryon Fall Dressage III" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/OIbVf/1/" height="470" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Leaderboard at a Glance</h2>
<p dir="ltr">With <strong>Kevin Kohmann</strong>, <strong>Eline Eckroth</strong>, <strong>Benjamin Ebeling</strong>, and Kristina <strong id="docs-internal-guid-d11817c3-7fff-0b93-2222-ec70e4bbf4b7">Kristina Harrison-Antell </strong>all sitting out this weekend, <strong>Anna Marek&rsquo;s</strong> hold on the top spot is secure. Once the dust settles in Tryon, she will officially be crowned the Series leaderboard champion, earning $12,500 for her season-long effort. The bigger check, of course, awaits in Thermal.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f4b16253-141a-41e1-8da6-537304def5ae.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Infographic titled &ldquo;The Series Standings Are Finalized After the Qualifiers.&rdquo; It explains how $50,000 in prize money for the US Equestrian Open of Dressage is distributed based on season-end standings. The Series winner earns $12,500; payouts continue through 18th place, which receives $500. The graphic includes icons of first-, second-, and third-place trophies and notes that riders can also qualify for the Final event."></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
<p dir="ltr">For the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide">most up-to-date series calendar</a> and <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open">latest standings</a>, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/">usequestrianopen.org</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.</p>

A male dressage rider wearing a navy coat, white breeches, and a helmet rides a dark bay horse performing an extended trot. The US Equestrian Open of Dressage logo appears in the top left corner. Red, white, and blue stripes border the bottom edge

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