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.

Main

Last weekend at The Fork,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOoEwwLDYCw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boyd Martin soared to the top of the Open leaderboard</a> after securing a 120-point haul. Phillip Dutton, on 215 points, is now sitting pretty in second place. But, while Boyd is fairly out of reach this late in the Series, Phillip&nbsp;can be caught and if he is, <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/eventing-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">it will cost him $5,000</a>.
&nbsp;
<hr>
Prize money come Series end:
<ul>
<li style="font-style: italic;">1st - $25,000</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-style: italic;">2nd - $15,000</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-style: italic;">3rd - $10,000</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<hr>
One rider with a good shot at catching Phillip is&nbsp;James Alliston.&nbsp;
James is competing in this weekend's Qualifier 18 - Twin Rivers - and&nbsp;he&rsquo;s won the last five editions of the event.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9b4f52ba-a85f-4a2a-84c1-76355322fce3.png?width=1190&amp;height=1670" alt="Last 10 Winners of Twin Rivers Cci4 S">&nbsp;
This time, James brings forward a CCI4* first-timer,&nbsp;HMR Rolan. But looking at Rolan&rsquo;s results, so far he has handled everything in stride. James has taken Rolan around four internationals and, across all four, Rolan has added just 4 penalties to his dressage score, just a single rail. That&rsquo;s it.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5b88af88-2748-4fa6-9b81-40791d070065.png?width=1400&amp;height=736" alt="Cm Ob F Hmr Rolan S International Appearances (1)">
On their latest outing last month - a national event - James and Rolan were crowned USEA Open Intermediate Champions and before that, they finished second in the Rebecca Farm CCI3*-L.
Now, facing Rolan's first CCI4*, the pair compete against five other combinations and according to EquiRatings Predictive Analytics,<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/twinriverssep2025/predictions--records" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> they have a 35% chance of winning</a>.
That&rsquo;s important because a win here would take James from 145 Series points to 185 points and equal third in the Series.
Then, after Twin Rivers, there is one last qualifier on the West Coast - Qualifier 20: Woodside. The Woodside Fall International is an event James has started 24 times before, including two entries in the CCI2*-S last year. He hasn&rsquo;t contested the CCI4*-S there since 2020 but he may be incentivized to enter this year - given the horse power - if it gives him a chance to secure more Open winnings.&nbsp;
<h1>The Scenario</h1>
Say James wins Twin Rivers this weekend to sit on 185 points coming into Woodside. To then catch Phillip on 215, James would need to place third or higher at Woodside (30+ Series points) to meet or exceed Phillip. Now, from 2020 onward, the number of Woodside 4*-S starters has ranged from 2 (2024) to 15 (2020), so placing third this year may be more or less straightforward depending on the number of this year&rsquo;s entries.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h1>Other Challengers</h1>
Another qualifier going on this weekend is the East Coast&rsquo;s Plantation Field. Of that field, Caroline Pamukcu and Jennie Brannigan are the two that could join James in a race for the Open podium.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2e11d825-95cc-4c7c-8ac9-a0d18a33031a.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="West Side Story leaderboard notations"> 
All to say, the Series ain't over. The checks aren&rsquo;t written. Stay tuned.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h1>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h1>
The Final in a snapshot. For full Series details, <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/eventing-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">head to our quick guide</a>.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6e95e199-0e64-4508-aaa5-7039e5d08293.png?width=2160&amp;height=2700" alt="Final Snapshot for Open Eventing Blogs">
<h3>Current Series Standings (Sep 18, 2025):</h3>
See the full, updated series standings and how the leaders got to the top, <a href="https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dfc13b24-b6dc-4dab-ac88-91d5d46150e5.png?width=721&amp;height=557" alt="Eventing Leaderboard as of 18 Sep 2025">
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.
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;
<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">
&nbsp;
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

Image of James Alliston jumping the dark bay horse Karma over a cross country fence during competition.

West Side Story

Every once in a while, a horse and rider come along and completely rewrite the established narrative. This weekend at TerraNova, 23-year-old Christian Simonson and Indian Rock did just that.
Their Grand Prix Freestyle score? 81.405%.
Eighty. One. Percent.
In a field of eight, the young American and his new partner not only won their first CDI-W together but did it with the highest score ever recorded in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage.
<h2 dir="ltr">A Storybook Debut</h2>
Simonson&rsquo;s freestyle debut with Indian Rock felt like something out of a storybook, each chapter unfolding with drama and delight.
TerraNova marked Simonson&rsquo;s first CDI-W appearance with Zen Elite Equestrian Center&rsquo;s 12-year-old stallion, Indian Rock (Apache x Vivaldi). Previously campaigned by the Netherlands&rsquo; Emmelie Scholtens &mdash; who rode him at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 11th with an 81.750% &mdash; Simonson took over the ride less than a year ago. Typically, partnerships need time to settle before scores rise again. But Christian and &ldquo;Rocky&rdquo; are clearly on their own timeline.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;To compete in my first CDI-W, let alone have the placing and score that we did today, was just a dream come true,&rdquo; Simonson said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s kind of my best friend. He and I are real bros. We spend so much time together grazing and hanging out... He&rsquo;s such a cool character.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Their test was bold yet precise, with artistry peaking at 87.600% and technical marks reaching 79.500%. The piaffe&ndash;passage work and canter pirouettes earned some of the highest marks of the season, and Rocky&rsquo;s elasticity allowed for a 9.5 degree of difficulty, a score on par with fellow rising star Felicitas Hendricks.
It was the first time since Adrienne Lyle&rsquo;s 80%+ freestyles on Helix &mdash; Indian Rock&rsquo;s half-brother &mdash; that a rider crossed the 80 percent barrier in the Series. The symmetry is hard to miss. Both horses share Apache bloodlines and are owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center, and while Helix is piloted by Lyle herself, Indian Rock is now ridden by her student.
While Simonson has only two qualifying starts this season, his timing might be better than it looks on paper. If he competes in Tryon this weekend and repeats anything close to this form, he has a real shot at qualifying for the Final in Thermal this year, a twist that could upend even the most well-calculated Final predictions.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Contenders Close In</h2>
Behind Simonson&rsquo;s record-breaking ride, two familiar names continued their steady climb. Benjamin Ebeling rode Bellena to a new personal best of 78.055% for the mare, reinforcing his position as one of the most consistent performers of the season. His balance of athletic precision and composure under pressure has kept him firmly in the title race, inching closer to Anna Marek&rsquo;s long-standing lead.
Just behind him, Kevin Kohmann and D&uuml;nensee delivered a polished, expressive test for 77.17%. The score pushes Kohmann into a three-way tie for third on the overall Series standings &mdash; though his confirmation that he&rsquo;ll skip the Final in favor of a World Cup event in Mexico leaves podium predictions tantalizingly open.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Leaderboard Shockwave&nbsp;</h2>
When the dust settled at TerraNova, the leaderboard told a very different story than it had on Friday morning.
Anna Marek still holds the lead on 105 points, but her once-comfortable margin is shrinking. Ebeling&rsquo;s latest result vaults him solidly into second with 94 points, while Kohmann&rsquo;s performance locks him in a three-way tie for third with Kristina Harrison-Antell and Eline Eckroth, each sitting on 86 points. Jennifer Williams, on her debut with Babylon Berlin, climbs into the top 15 which is a promising development for a combination just finding its rhythm.
If Ebeling makes the trip to Tryon and continues his current trajectory, Marek&rsquo;s six-month grip on first could finally be in jeopardy.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Next Chapter Begins</h2>
Simonson&rsquo;s breakthrough performance underscores why the Open was created. It offers a stage for rising riders to prove they can shine under pressure and to compete on a large stage.
The United States has a decade-defining stretch ahead: the World Cup Finals in Fort Worth in 2026, then the LA Olympics in 2028. If this weekend was any indication, Simonson embodies what&rsquo;s next for US dressage: polish, poise, and ambition.
Even if Simonson doesn&rsquo;t make the trip to Thermal this year, his name is now firmly in the conversation. And with Open qualifiers for the 2026 season right around the corner, it won&rsquo;t be the last time we hear it.

Simonson Shakes the Series at TerraNova

With just 0.04 percentage points separating them, Week 10&rsquo;s qualifier was a tight battle for first place. Ultimately, Julio Mendoza Loor took the win aboard his Paris Games mount, Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike, despite a music error that forced them to restart their test. New to the US Equestrian Open of Dressage qualifiers&mdash;but not new to the sport&mdash;Mendoza Loor rode to an upbeat, bold soundtrack, earning a score of 75.860%. Finishing second was Anna Marek aboard Fayvel, a 14-year-old gelding. This finish puts Marek and the US flag back atop the leaderboard.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e9eaf549-50ba-4fec-995a-c082ff590f4c.png?width=491&amp;height=496" alt="Top 5 riders in the US Open of Dressage as of Feb 9, 2025. (1) Anna Marek (2) Evelyn Eger (2) Karen Lipp (4) Denielle Gallagher (5) Felicitas Hendricks">
Mendoza Loor&rsquo;s high-energy freestyle music particularly suited &ldquo;Goldie&rsquo;s&rdquo; trot work. The 13-year-old KWPN gelding scored exceptionally well in the piaffe and passage, earning 8.0s from most judges. A stumble during one of the flying changes cost them a few marks, likely making the final score even closer than it would have been otherwise. This marked their return to competition after placing 27th individually at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
&ldquo;There were a lot of highlights tonight in the test,&rdquo; Mendoza Loor said. &ldquo;After the line of the one-tempis, he was really there in what I was asking him to do. His performance was amazing."
Marek, fresh off a second-place finish in Wellington last weekend on Fire Fly, delivered a strong test to a freestyle featuring the punchy, rhythmic &lsquo;BOOM&rsquo; by X Ambassadors and the playful, offbeat &lsquo;Coincidance&rsquo; by Handsome Driver. Her ride was remarkably consistent, with no movement receiving lower than a 7.0 from any judge.
The 0.04 percentage point margin between first and second place is the smallest in Series history, breaking the previous record of 0.210 percentage points, which was also set by Marek&mdash;though that time aboard Fire Fly&mdash;when she narrowly edged out Kevin Kohmann and D&uuml;nensee at Global Dressage Festival 3.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-LMZSy" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Winning MarginsUS Equestrian Open Dressage Qualifiers" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/LMZSy/1/" height="539" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Range Plot" data-external="1"></iframe>
This second-place finish earned Marek 17 points in the Series standings, cementing her position at the top of the leaderboard. With the Final in Thermal, CA, this November, her focus is now on maintaining that lead as the qualifiers near their halfway point.
<h2 dir="ltr">What&rsquo;s Next&nbsp;</h2>
The back-to-back qualifiers return to Wellington this weekend for Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10&rsquo;s CDI5*&mdash;a highly anticipated competition in Florida&rsquo;s winter circuit. The entry list is stacked, with top combinations poised to shake up the standings: Adrienne Lyle on Helix, Anna Marek on Fayvel, Evelyn Eger on Tabledance 3, Felicitas Hendricks on Drombusch OLD, Kevin Kohmann on D&uuml;nensee, Tinne Vilhelmson&nbsp;Silfv&eacute;n&nbsp;on Devanto, and Julio Mendoza Loor on Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike.&nbsp;
With Marek, Eger, and Hendricks separated by fewer than 20 points, the battle for the top spot is far from over.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b0ba4a7e-31a4-4a11-a147-7faa41ac9f1d.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2025 US Open of Dressage">

A bay horse in a double bridle walks out of the arena after a dressage test. 

Down to the Decimal: Mendoza Loor Wins Closest Finish in Series History

In their Grand Prix Freestyle debut as a pair, Benjamin Ebeling and the 14-year-old Hanoverian mare Bellena delivered a winning performance under the lights at the April CDI4* in Ocala. Their bold, girl-power-themed freestyle scored 75.740%&mdash;just 0.365 percentage points shy of the mare&rsquo;s personal best, earned with Benjamin&rsquo;s father, Jan Ebeling, in 2022.
<h2 dir="ltr">Bellena&rsquo;s Breakout Win</h2>
Despite only receiving the music two days prior, Ebeling and Bellena looked at home in the arena. Clapping erupted as they trotted down the final centerline to &ldquo;Femininomenon&rdquo; by Chappell Roan, closing a clean, high-energy ride that also featured &ldquo;Rich Girl&rdquo; by Gwen Stefani and &ldquo;Maneater&rdquo; by Nelly Furtado.
&ldquo;I think that was my best ride ever,&rdquo; Ebeling beamed after the test. &ldquo;The mare is such a powerhouse."
<blockquote>
"I think this girl really loves to dance.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
In the four months since their debut in Wellington, Ebeling and Bellena have placed in the top five in every start. With the second half of the season underway and only three Florida qualifiers remaining, the pair still have the scoring power&mdash;and the opportunity&mdash;to make a serious run at the Finals. Even with three fifth-place finishes, they&rsquo;d be sitting on 65 points&mdash;enough to stay in the hunt for a Finals berth. Sixty-five points wouldn&rsquo;t guarantee a Finals berth, but with the top 18 advancing&mdash;and many contenders opting to skip qualifiers outside their home regions&mdash;it&rsquo;s a realistic benchmark. Ebeling, based in Wellington, is also strategically positioned to capitalize as the series begins to stretch across the country.
But geography isn&rsquo;t their only edge&mdash;their advantage also lies in technical brilliance and high execution. Friday&rsquo;s test had a single 6.0, with all other marks 6.5 or higher. One judge even awarded a rare 9.0 for their extended trot&mdash;a mark that speaks to the pair&rsquo;s polish, power, and precision. And if this is what they can do with a freestyle they&rsquo;ve ridden only once, imagine what&rsquo;s possible when they&rsquo;ve had time to refine it.
<h2 dir="ltr">Another Top Finish for Gallagher</h2>
Denielle Gallagher and her Lusitano gelding, Come Back de Massa, continued their strong run in Ocala, securing second place with a score of 72.685%. The pair have been a consistent force at the WEC dressage shows this season, finishing in the top three in all of their 2025 appearances. This performance nearly eclipsed their personal best&mdash;just 0.255 percentage points shy of the score they posted in February at this same venue. Their freestyle, set to the nostalgic Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron soundtrack, continues to be a crowd favorite and a signature of Gallagher&rsquo;s expressive style.
This latest result cements Gallagher firmly inside the top five on the US Equestrian Open leaderboard, despite having competed in just four qualifiers. With two wins, a second, and a third to her name, her record now rivals that of current leader Anna Marek, who holds 88 points from five qualifiers.
<h2 dir="ltr">Lipp&rsquo;s Strategic Climb</h2>
Karen Lipp successfully defended her third-place position in the overall standings, finishing third in the class with a score of 71.345%. The result allowed her to drop a previous 10-point finish in favor of this 17-point placing&mdash;netting an additional 7 points and tightening the leaderboard race.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/52538ac1-caaf-404c-b7f7-1642fe51636d.png?width=986&amp;height=730" alt="Leaderboard as of April 13, 2025">
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
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.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dce51360-5371-41aa-a234-8d5afb25ac10.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Dressageopensched Final">
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at USEquestrianOpen@usef.org.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at cweilminster@usef.org.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at lgriffin@usef.org.&nbsp;

Close up image of a dressage rider's leg and torso riding an extended trot.

Bellena Dances to Victory, but the Leaderboard Holds Its Breath

Fifteen Qualifiers done, five to go. Next up, in two weeks, is the Fork at Tryon (12 Sep). In the meantime, we thought we&rsquo;d summarize the Series scores so far and what it&rsquo;s taken to win.
<h1 dir="ltr">First up, finishing scores:&nbsp;</h1>
The best Qualifier score came from California&rsquo;s Tommy Greengard &amp; Joshuay MBF. In fact, the top three Series scores have come from West Coast events, including the only sub-30 finishes.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/619146cc-b142-4e70-89d5-fff9de035b4d.png?width=1156&amp;height=1858" alt="R Nho E Top 10 Finishing Scores in the Series so Far">
Tommy &amp; Joshuay produced their table-topping result by finishing on their dressage score (aka, getting an FOD) &ndash; one of just three combinations in the Series so far to do so.
<h2 dir="ltr">The three FODs in the Series so far:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ol>
<li dir="ltr">Tommy Greengard &amp; Joshuay MBF- 26.9 at Aspen Farms (Qual 13)</li>
<li dir="ltr">Jessica Phoenix &amp; Fluorescent Adolescent - 40.4 at TerraNova (Qual 6)</li>
<li dir="ltr">Brooke Burchianti &amp; Cooley Space Grey - 46.0 at TerraNova (Qual 6)</li>
</ol>
Of all 256 Qualifier runs, Tommy Greengard &amp; Joshuay and Tamie Smith &amp; Mai Baum make up the just 1% who finished on a sub-30 score. Here&rsquo;s a breakdown of all 256 finishing results:
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8c74721b-93f7-424b-b5b3-2b97f6575950.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Wc 18 Aug Usef Article Images (3)">
&nbsp;
<h1 dir="ltr">Next, dressage scores:</h1>
With Will Coleman, Off The Record produced his best ever international dressage score (21.8) en route to winning Qualifier 10, the Cosequin&reg; Lexington CCI4*-S (Kentucky). Off The Record&rsquo;s previous best had stood for five years - a 21.9 from the 2020 Great Meadow CCI4*-S.
It&rsquo;s his new PB that tops the Series dressage table so far:
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3f300e35-2427-406e-90b4-ffd6f6306085.png?width=1156&amp;height=1724" alt="B Br M8 Top 10 Dressage Scores in the Series so Far"> 
The top three dressage scores on the table &ndash; delivered by Will &amp; Off The Record, Tamie Smith &amp; Mai Baum, and Phillip Dutton &amp; Possante &ndash; make up the 1% of Series tests in the 25-or-lower scoring bracket. Here&rsquo;s how all 256 panned out:
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9f99b0ba-31bb-4b13-a56f-41f55de8a2a7.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Wc 18 Aug Usef Article Images (4)">
&nbsp;
<h1 dir="ltr">Lastly, winning profiles:</h1>
Winning scores across the 15 Qualifiers have ranged from 26.9 to 52.3 while the first-phase scores of winners have all been sub-37.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b0827104-b787-48a2-81db-482e9cdb2f90.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="winning scores summary - first 15 eventing qualifiers">
Looking at the detailed winning scores, six Series winners have knocked a rail in the show jumping phase and one even won with a frangible penalty (11 points) across the country. Thirteen different athletes have won a Qualifier; Caroline Pamukcu and Jessica Phoenix each took home two Series victories.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/91d6d5b4-9a8a-4936-b52e-400d55c1d2ac.png?width=1464&amp;height=2282" alt="W Y3m T the 15 Series Winners so Far">
<h1 dir="ltr">The current leaderboard</h1>
Those two wins by&nbsp;Caroline and Jess helped put them both in the top three on the all-important leaderboard standings. The top three spots will bring home the money so it&rsquo;s a handy place to be this far into the Series.
<h3 dir="ltr">Once all Qualifiers are wrapped up, here's how the prize money is divvied.</h3>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">1st place:&nbsp; $25,000</li>
<li dir="ltr">2nd place: $15,000</li>
<li dir="ltr">3rd place: $10,000</li>
</ul>
Then, there's an&nbsp;additional $200,000 up for grabs at the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/eventing-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Morven Park CCI4*-L Final this fall</a>.
<h3>Series Standings after the First 15 Qualifiers:</h3>
See the full series standings, and how the leaders got to the top, <a href="https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6322a623-cee0-440a-a66e-d0734fc72db4.png?width=722&amp;height=562" alt="Leaderboard After Rebecca Farm">
<h1 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h1>
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.
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;
<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">
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

A collage of photos featuring Tommy Greengard, Will Coleman and Caroline Pamukcu

Top Scores and What it Takes to Win: the Eventing Qualifiers So Far

A crisp chill hung in the autumn air as a 14.2-hand Connemara&ndash;Thoroughbred cross trotted into the famed Dixon Oval. Far smaller than his competitors, not that he knew it, Seldom Seen commanded attention. The flashy grey was about to dance his final Grand Prix freestyle. Piloted by Olympian Lendon Gray, the superstar in a pony&rsquo;s body rode to victory, sweeping Devon&rsquo;s top classes that year. He was then honored with a retirement ceremony, stepping away as a crowd darling who proved heart matters as much as size.&nbsp;
These moments, the ones that become legendary stories, are why Dressage at Devon carries a special weight in American dressage. Each autumn, careers are tested, champions are crowned, and Olympic horses are made against the pale blue grandstands of the Dixon Oval.&nbsp;
Dressage at Devon (DAD) was founded in 1975 by the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association (DVCTA). As the show grew in popularity, it began adding breed divisions, exhibitions, and larger classes. The show became a World Cup qualifier in 1990 and quickly became the biggest stage for East Coast dressage.&nbsp;
Turning 50 this year, DAD again hosts a week-long dressage festival, with vendors, masterclasses, and of course, the most elite classes in the sport. This weekend&rsquo;s Performance Division not only kicks off the 2026 World Cup Finals qualifiers, but it also hosts one of the final qualifiers for the U.S. Equestrian Open of Dressage Final.&nbsp;
This is a destination show, a bucket list item. For U.S. riders, riding Devon&rsquo;s Saturday Night Freestyle is not unlike running cross-country at Kentucky. It&rsquo;s iconic, with the crowds close, the lights hot, and the atmosphere electric. For international riders, it&rsquo;s a chance to experience U.S. dressage at its most iconic. Six-time dressage Olympian Robert Dover called Devon, &ldquo;the standard by which all American horse shows should be judged.&rdquo;
As one of the last three qualifiers in the U.S. Equestrian Open, Saturday&rsquo;s Freestyle will have lasting effects on who makes it to the Final. With 17 riders entered, it is the largest qualifying class we&rsquo;ve seen all season, and the list is stacked. Kevin Kohmann, Charlotte Jorst, Camille Carier Bergeron, Benjamin Ebeling, Eline Eckroth, and of course, series leader Anna Marek on Fire Fly. A big freestyle here could push a rider into qualifying territory&hellip; or knock someone out.&nbsp;
In the coming days we&rsquo;ll break down the data on the field of competitors. For now, tune into the breed division and get excited because CDIs are back on American soil.

Fifty Years of Dressage at Devon

Returning for the third year in a row for the CCI4*-L, Lucienne Bellissimo and&nbsp;the 13-year-old gelding Dyri have proven that they can perform at this venue. Last year, they led the CCI4*-L after dressage (30.7) only to drop to second with 4.8 cross-country time penalties. The year before, they finished 4th.
<blockquote>
"He's done the four-star long at Morven twice now. He sadly didn't win it last year. He finished up second... He deserved to win it. I found a gallop that suited him and I left him alone and it was the right choice by the horse. But I will definitely be aiming him for the four long there again."
</blockquote>
In fact, this will be their 5th year in a row at this venue and their track record speaks for itself. With results like this, Bellissimo and Dyri are a serious threat even though they may not instantly make the headlines or top the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/morvenpark_4l_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Center.</a>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b5bfa8f1-8c65-473c-bd1e-c21cd72d7801.png?width=1880&amp;height=666" alt="Rrj Rz ">
<h3>Their 2025 Season</h3>
The season started brilliantly with two top-five finishes at CCI4*-S but then came challenges. At Kentucky, their first attempt at five-star, Bellissimo made a tough call:&nbsp;
<blockquote>
"I could feel him saying, I'm not enjoying this. So I put my hand up and did the walk of shame and brought him home, but it was the right choice because he doesn't deserve to get spooked."
</blockquote>
A few weeks later, what should have been a confidence-building run at Tryon's four-star long turned into an unlucky fall at a double of corners when Dyri hit the back rail after an open distance.&nbsp; "Horses, it's a humbling sport," Bellissimo admits. Two difficult outings in a row for a usually reliable partnership.
<h3>The Rebuild</h3>
Rather than push through, Bellissimo took the approach of stepping back a few levels and giving Dyri a spin around some smaller events. The strategy worked - winning their last two events, albeit at the CCI2*-S level. With two FODs, it seems the partnership is clicking again - just in time for Morven Park 2025.
<h3><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/04fc8630-3c6e-4d49-a0a3-542ecdc7ec5f.png?width=1676&amp;height=422" alt="Ff L77 "></h3>
<h3>The Morven Threat</h3>
Because of this inconsistent start to the season, Dyri doesn't feature high on the Prediction Center. But knowing the full story, the rebuild, and the track record - this combination could be a real threat. In the dressage, you can expect this pair to score around the 30 mark - which was enough to lead this exact competition last year. As long as their cross country stays back on track, they are in with a good chance. Dyri's showjumping record is excellent - having only had one pole across their last 8 international runs.
Bellissimo discussed how the US Equestrian Open adds extra pressure: "It does suddenly make you think, maybe I should go a bit quicker today," and with time penalties being the only thing that cost them victory at Morven last year? The pressure may benefit this pair this time around.
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<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Listen to&nbsp;Lucienne Bellissimo on the US Equestrian Open Podcast now.</h3>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
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.
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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

The Morven Specialists: Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri

This weekend's CCI4*-L at Morven Park is many things - one being the inaugural US Equestrian Open Final and one being a showcase of some of the most accomplished riders in&nbsp; US eventing history.
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">The Numbers Don't Lie</h3>
The entry list reads like a who's who of American eventing royalty. Between just three riders&mdash;Boyd Martin, Buck Davidson, and Phillip Dutton&mdash;they have 274 combined completions at 4*-L and 5* level since 2008. This is testament not only to their talent and consistency, but to their horsemanship and management behind decades of keeping horses fit, sound, and competitive at the highest level.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ab768f5b-5f09-4b64-818e-a60230f18778.png?width=1088&amp;height=1132" alt="Zd K7 U Riders in the Morven Park Field With the Most Completions at 4 L Amp 5 ">
Boyd Martin leads the pack with 94 completions and arrives with two rides: Miks Master C and Shanroe Cooley. More significantly, Martin sits on 10 career wins at 4*-L level - tied for the most in the sport (since 2008). A win this weekend would make him the outright record holder with 11. He also has two wins at the CCI5* level - Adelaide 2003 and Maryland 2021.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0add9a8e-bfc7-4154-b11d-b25be337769f.png?width=1000&amp;height=962" alt="Pzbbo Riders in the Morven Park Field With the Most Wins at 4 L">
Phillip Dutton, US eventing icon, brings Denim and Possante to Morven Park. Since our records began in 2008, Dutton has racked up 89 completions, putting him on the verge of hitting the 90 mark this weekend. He has had 4 wins at CCI4*-L level and one win at the 5* level back in 2008 at Kentucky.
Buck Davidson continues the family legacy established by his father Bruce. The Davidson name is synonymous with American eventing excellence, and Buck has carved out his own legendary status with 91 completions and four wins at four-star. He arrives with Cooley Candyman, ready to add to that tally.
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Beyond the Big Three</h3>
The depth doesn't stop there. The field if filled with riders who bring impressive credentials and experience
<ul>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Jess Phoenix - 50 completions, 2 wins</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Will Coleman - 41 completions, 2 wins.&nbsp;</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Jennie Brannigan - 34 completions, 5 wins</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Tamra Smith - 33 completions, 3 wins at CCI4*L, including a 2022 Morven Park victory, and one at 5*</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Ryan Wood - 20 completions, 2 wins&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/06c9cb32-2061-4508-a108-e6210ba490f0.png?width=1264&amp;height=1298" alt="I Gxh a Horses in the Morven Park Field With the Most Completions at 4 L Amp 5 ">
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Why It Matters</h3>
At a venue where the cross-country clear rate sits under 50% and only eight combinations have finished inside the optimum time across the last 80 starters, experience is a going to be a huge advantage.&nbsp;
Morven Park is to host one of the most experienced fields assembled at any 4*L event on US Soil since 2015. Legends will compete, milestones will be reached, history will be made. 
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
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.
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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

Legends Assemble at Morven Park

From riding bareback in the fields of South Texas to competing on international stages, Devon Kane&rsquo;s journey has been anything but ordinary. In this episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast, she talks about the rise of her freestyle partner Vamos, what it feels like to represent the U.S., and the unique rituals she shares with her husband, fellow Grand Prix rider <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/a-cool-breeze-a-fiery-freestyle-kohmann-and-dnee-shine-in-wellington" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kevin Kohmann</a>, when either of them is about to step into a competition arena.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation below
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<h3 data-start="852" data-end="893">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="593" data-end="651">From Backyard Quarter Horses to Grand Prix Freestyle</h3>
Kane grew up in South Texas, where horses were part of daily life but dressage was still a world away.
&ldquo;I grew up riding in a halter bareback in the field,&rdquo; she recalled. &ldquo;Then my best friend started doing hunter-jumpers, and I thought it was the coolest thing.&rdquo; A bad fall ended her jumping career early, but it led her to a dressage barn and to the discipline that fit her &ldquo;Type A&rdquo; personality perfectly.
Her career has since taken her to the biggest stages in the sport, including representing the U.S. in Nations Cups. She calls it &ldquo;a privilege, not a pressure.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 data-start="1586" data-end="1634">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1482" data-end="1525">A Partnership on Horseback and Beyond</h3>
Competing at the top level can be isolating, but Kane has the rare experience of sharing the journey with her husband. Kohmann is not only her partner in life but often her first line of support at the barn.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/30827512-7613-49ff-90b4-feb4dd8d37dd.PNG?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="&ldquo;One of our rituals is that as Kevin&rsquo;s getting on, I give the horse a sugar, the horse gets a kiss, Kevin gets a kiss, then he gets on,&rdquo; she explained.">
When both ride on the same team, that support system shifts. &ldquo;It was different, because I had to get ready, he had to get ready, and we couldn&rsquo;t always watch each other. That was tough, but it was also really special to be doing it together.&rdquo; It is a glimpse into how their relationship balances professional pressure with personal connection, and how that bond strengthens both riders in the ring.
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<hr>
<h3 data-start="2191" data-end="2232">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1568" data-end="1608">Vamos: The Horse Who Almost Wasn&rsquo;t</h3>
When Kane bought Vamos, she knew he was talented but not yet ready for the top tier.
&ldquo;He was skinny and angular, and even Kevin [Kohmann, her husband] told me, &lsquo;I don&rsquo;t know if he has what it takes.&rsquo;&rdquo;
She refused to sell, trusting the process. That faith paid off with a 75% freestyle in Wellington that ended the debate.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d81b58e1-3a22-4b91-992e-ef1a8987fe46.PNG?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="&ldquo;Kevin came out crying and said, &lsquo;You were right. I was wrong. The horse is not for sale.&rsquo;&rdquo;">
<hr>
<h3 data-start="2738" data-end="2780">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2740" data-end="2762">Under the Lights</h3>
Freestyles are Kane&rsquo;s favorite class, and Vamos thrives on them, especially at night.
&ldquo;He hears the music and the horse just [exhales],&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Those are his most relaxed tests."
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d998f54c-57f5-49ad-a35b-312b8d3ac6d1.PNG?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="&ldquo;Kevin came out crying and said, &lsquo;You were right. I was wrong. The horse is not for sale.&rsquo;&rdquo;">
Their newest freestyle blends Enrique Iglesias and&nbsp;Despacito, a nod to Kane&rsquo;s South Texas roots.
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<h3 data-start="2782" data-end="3076">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="3083" data-end="3113">Lessons from a Near Miss</h3>
In Hagen this summer, their debut with the new freestyle looked like a win until Kane learned she had accidentally omitted a required element. &ldquo;Two zeros took me from winning to last place,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Lesson learned. It won&rsquo;t happen again.&rdquo;
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<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Dressage</h2>
Stay updated on news and standings for the US Equestrian Open Series 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>&nbsp;Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
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&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

New Podcast: Devon Kane on Freestyle Magic, Life on the Move, and Why Vamos Wasn’t for Sale After All

As the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) gears up for its third five-star Grand Prix of the season, anticipation is at an all-time high. Saturday night&rsquo;s $500,000 CSI5* Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix will see some of the world&rsquo;s best combinations battle it out under the lights in the International Arena. With just one more CSI5* Grand Prix left before the $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Final during WEF 12, this is a crucial moment for riders to make their mark.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/611386ef-bae7-4dee-913f-2a2f1bc45a39.png?width=1484&amp;height=1862" alt="Uyi Hw Top 10 Elo Rated Horses for the Wef 9 500 000 Csi5 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix (1)">
<h1>Reigning Champions in the Field</h1>
Two of the biggest names in the sport will enter the ring as the highest-rated horses in the competition: Henrik von Eckermann &amp; King Edward and Christian Kukuk &amp; Checker 47. These two reigning champions&mdash;King Edward as the current World Champion and Checker 47 as the reigning Olympic Champion&mdash;have already proven themselves at WEF this season.
King Edward, the highest-rated horse on record with an Elo rating of 810, finished fifth in the WEF 5 CSI5* Grand Prix after delivering a solid double clear. Meanwhile, Checker 47 has been nothing short of dominant, claiming a CSI4* Grand Prix victory during WEF 3, finishing as the runner-up in WEF 7&rsquo;s five-star Grand Prix, and are of course the defending champions of the WEF 12 Grand Prix.
Both horses arrive in top form and will be the combinations to beat when the competition heats up under the Saturday night lights.
<h1>The Hometown Heroes</h1>
<h3>McLain Ward &amp; Ilex &ndash; The USA&rsquo;s Best Shot?</h3>
If the American crowd is looking for a home victory, their hopes may rest on McLain Ward &amp; Ilex. This combination played a key role in securing Team USA&rsquo;s Olympic silver medal in Paris last summer, and Ilex will be making his five-star Grand Prix season debut here at WEF 9.
Ward&rsquo;s track record at the Winter Equestrian Festival speaks for itself. Since 2010, he has amassed an impressive 60 international wins at this venue. He is also one of just two riders in history to win multiple five-star Grands Prix in the same WEF season&mdash;a feat that only one other rider has ever achieved.
<h3>Kent Farrington &amp; Myla &ndash; Making History?</h3>
That rider? Kent Farrington&mdash;who has already won both five-star Grands Prix of the WEF 2025 season aboard Greya. No rider has ever managed to win more than two five-star Grand Prix classes in a single WEF season, but with Myla in strong form, Farrington could be on the verge of rewriting history.
Though Myla sits just outside the Top 10 Elo-rated horses in the field (Elo: 720), she is ranked among the Top 5 highest-rated 10-year-old horses in the world. Farrington&rsquo;s record speaks for itself, and if anyone can pull off the impossible, it&rsquo;s him.
<h3>Lillie Keenan &amp; Argan de Beliard &ndash; A Veteran of the International Arena</h3>
For Lillie Keenan &amp; Argan de Beliard, experience will be key. The 13-year-old gelding will be jumping his 40th five-star 160cm round in this Grand Prix, with 12 of those rounds already taking place in this very arena at WEF.
Most recently, the pair delivered a strong podium finish, taking third place in the WEF 7 CSI5* Grand Prix. With familiarity and form on their side, they will be looking to improve upon that result as they take on another stacked field this weekend.
<h1>The Challengers</h1>
<h3>Darragh Kenny &amp; Zero K &ndash; The Momentum Factor</h3>
Ireland has always had a strong presence in Wellington, and this year is no exception. Leading the charge will be Darragh Kenny &amp; Zero K, who will enter the ring last in the draw after their WEF 9 Challenge Cup victory last Thursday. Kenny has a history of success under the lights, and with momentum on his side, he could be a serious contender for the win.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;These classes are so competitive. There are so many brilliant riders. One day it&rsquo;s me, next day it&rsquo;s Kent [Farrington], next day it&rsquo;s Richard Vogel, Henrik Von Eckermann, Mclain Ward. That&rsquo;s just how competitive this circuit is here.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<h3>Shane Sweetnam &amp; James Kann Cruz &ndash; Ireland&rsquo;s Top-Rated Horse</h3>
Another top Irish combination to watch will be Shane Sweetnam &amp; James Kann Cruz, currently the highest-rated Irish horse with an Elo of 760. Coming off a runner-up finish in the Ocala World Cup last month, James Kann Cruz is in top form and could be one of the biggest threats to the championship favorites.
<h1>The Stage is Set</h1>
With elite talent from around the world converging on Wellington, this promises to be one of the most thrilling nights of the WEF 2025 season. Can King Edward solidify his reign? Will Checker 47 add another WEF Grand Prix title to his record? Or will a US rider rise to the occasion on home soil? One thing is certain&mdash;Saturday night is set to deliver a world-class showdown.
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About the Series Born from a commitment by the US Equestrian Board in July 2023, the US Equestrian Open aims to grow the sport's awareness, exposure, and fan engagement. With $1 million in prize money and extensive media coverage on ESPN and the USEF Network, this series is designed to:
<ul>
<li>Provide a structured, prestigious championship format.</li>
<li>Attract a broader audience.</li>
<li>Enhance competition opportunities for athletes.</li>
</ul>
Stay connected with the US Equestrian Open on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the USEF Network for live event updates, stories, and results. Use #USEquestrianOpen to share your own experiences and connect with fellow fans.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1ba79d22-0b13-4687-b1e5-5dc0cd708aee?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="P. 4 Jumping">
For sponsorship and media inquiries, please contact:
Carly Weilminster: cweilminster@usef.org Layson Griffin: lgriffin@usef.org

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