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

The US Equestrian Open continues to highlight standout performances from the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), and this year&rsquo;s roster of multiple international winners is packed with talent from around the world. A total of 22 riders have already picked up multiple international wins during this season of WEF in Wellington. Just two of those are quadruple winners.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/66355ab9-7524-44ff-8288-ea851875e6c2.png?width=1086&amp;height=2080" alt="75 G Yb Rider With Multiple International Wef Wins in 2025 (1)">
<h2>Leaders of the Pack</h2>
Two riders have risen to the very top of the leaderboard with four international wins each: Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) and Richard Vogel (GER). Their performances across a variety of classes demonstrate versatility and consistency and show great form to start off the 2025 season.
Luis Fernando Larrazabal has been in exceptional form, securing three victories aboard the ever-reliable Belle De Muze in the CSI 5* and CSI 4* 1.45m Wednesday classes. His fourth win came in the CSI 3* 1.50m Classic with Scarlett Du Sart Z.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/49fb7852-0edd-4b6d-9350-1c6a3c31e6c6.png?width=1588&amp;height=804" alt="E Zeti Luis Fernando Larrazabal S 2025 Wef Wins ">
 Richard Vogel has also claimed four victories, splitting his success between two horses: Phenyo Van Het Keysersbos and Cydello. Vogel&rsquo;s results include back-to-back Wednesday wins with Phenyo Van Het Keysersbos and Grand Prix triumphs aboard Cydello, demonstrating his mastery across mid-week classes and high-pressure weekend finales.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f230e762-6993-4210-ad51-b8512049d913.png?width=1588&amp;height=804" alt="B Y9q D Richard Vogel S 2025 Wef Wins">
<h2> The Triple Winners</h2>
A total of 5 riders are already triple international winners at WEF.
The most notable of those is undoubtedly&nbsp;Kent Farrington, who picked up back-to-back five-star Grand Prix victories aboard Greya during WEF 5 and WEF 7, and also won the 1.50m Classic on the 9-year-old Grass de Mars during WEF 7. His ability to deliver on both experienced and developing horses underlines why he remains a force at the very top level.
McLain Ward continues to be a pillar of consistency, bringing his trademark precision to Winter Equestrian Festival. His 3 international victories of 2025 have brought his tally of international wins at WEF since 2010 to 60, making him the most prominent winner of WEF in the last decade. Also World #1, Henrik von Eckermann has proven that his brilliance extends to the Florida circuit with three strong wins, all aboard Glamour Girl.
<h2>The Double Winners</h2>
A further 18 riders have already posted multiple international wins at WEF 2025, a testament to the depth of talent on display. Familiar names like Ben Maher, Darragh Kenny, and Jessica Springsteen are joined by rising stars including Ireland&rsquo;s Tom Wachman and Tim Brennan, and the USA&rsquo;s Michael Murphy and Zayna Rizvi.
 The early part of the season has already offered drama, excitement, and remarkable performances&mdash;and with riders fine-tuning their peak form, fans can expect even more fireworks in the weeks ahead. 
&nbsp;
<hr>
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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Making a Habit of Winning at WEF

Jess Phoenix reminded everyone of her class last weekend in the TerraNova 4*-S, delivering a 1-2 finish that places her <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">third on the US Equestrian Open leaderboard</a>. But this wasn&rsquo;t just a good weekend &mdash; it was one of the best in Jess's CCI4*-S career; a career that spans 164 starts at the level dating back to 2006.
<h1>One of Her Best Weekends Ever at 4*-S</h1>
From a field of over 20 starters, Phoenix and Freedom GS claimed the win, while Fluorescent Adolescent joined the party in second. It marked just the sixth time in recent history (2008 onwards) that a 1-2 finish has been achieved at a U.S. CCI4*-S from a field of over 20 starters &mdash; the last being Boyd Martin at Tryon in 2023.
<h2>Table-Topping Win Counts</h2>
The victory was Phoenix's fifth four-star win,&nbsp;more than any other Canadian rider of the last 18 seasons. And each win was with a different horse.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7316c1fa-fd9a-4e54-92e1-7f17744dbad4.png?width=1366&amp;height=1282" alt="Canadian riders with the most CCI4* wins between 2008-2025">
Looking at all international levels, TerraNova was Phoenix's 19th win which is a decidedly table-topping tally among her fellow Canadians. It's over twice as many wins as number two on the list.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5e0e6185-f26c-41ce-8f95-70c31cce3711.png?width=722&amp;height=892" alt="Canadian Riders With the Most International Wins Since 2008">
<h2>Top 10 Scores</h2>
Both of Phoenix's 1-2 placings also cracked her all-time top 10 CCI4*-S finishing scores:
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/fe9a813f-e3df-4c5b-afcf-4c5032678a84.png?width=1030&amp;height=1222" alt="Table showing Jessica Phoenix's all-time top 10 CCI4*-S finishing scores">
<h1>164 Runs, One Relentless Competitor</h1>
Jess has now competed 164 times at CCI4*-S since first appearing at the level in 2006, a stat that underscores both her longevity and commitment to the international stage <a href="https://app.datawrapper.de/edit/ZfP2D/visualize#refine">&mdash;&nbsp;</a>becoming Canada's most recognizable face in the sport.
We at EquiRatings have data on&nbsp;all international riders dating back to 2008 and between then and now, only six riders worldwide have more CCI4*-S runs than Phoenix's 161 (three of Jess' 164 were pre-'08).
As Diarm put it on the <a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast/episode/aaf0749ae6d497a4c2c2e9f78129b3c1c4950cf5/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">podcast</a>: &ldquo;Jess has always had firepower. In my time in the sport, she&rsquo;s just remained constant.&rdquo;
Annie added:&nbsp;&ldquo;She's a national treasure. They call her the smiling assassin!&rdquo;
<h1>Climbing the Open Leaderboard</h1>
<blockquote>
"Form, confidence, and experience. That&rsquo;s a scary combination if you&rsquo;re chasing her.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
With her 1st and 2nd at TerraNova, Jess has jumped to 75 Series points and now sits third in the Open standings &mdash; just behind Emma Klugman (80 pts) and Phillip Dutton (175 pts). While Philip has already banked his six counting scores, Jess has more to come...
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not just about the leaderboard,&rdquo; Annie noted. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s about how she&rsquo;s doing it &mdash; form, confidence, and experience. That&rsquo;s a scary combination if you&rsquo;re chasing her.&rdquo;
<h2>Series Standings after this weekend:</h2>
See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier,&nbsp;<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4d962986-f5c0-4bc8-a00d-81fb962eed30.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Eventing leaderboard after qualifiers 6 &amp; 7">
<h1>Freedom GS &amp; Fluorescent Adolescent: One Win, Two Big Futures</h1>
Both mares are Kentucky-bound, with Freedom GS set for the CCI4*-S (which is another Open Qualifier), and Fluorescent Adolescent aimed at the CCI5*. Their TerraNova form gives real cause for optimism:
<ul>
<li>Freedom GS: Boasts two of Jess's best-ever finishing scores at CCI4*-S (TerraNova Mar 2024 &amp; Mar 2025).</li>
<li>Fluorescent Adolescent: Clocked in just behind her stablemate, helping secure the historic 1-2.</li>
</ul>
<h1>What&rsquo;s Next?</h1>
 Jess Phoenix has made a statement: not just that she&rsquo;s back on form, but that she never left. With the Morven Park Series Final in her sights and Kentucky just around the corner. As Diarm says:
<blockquote>
&ldquo;A strong Jess Phoenix is good for Canada &mdash; and great for the Open.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<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"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram. </a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&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 <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;
<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>
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 <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;

Jessica Phoenix fist pumping after a show jumping round with Freedom GS

Phoenix Rising: Jess Climbs to Third in the Series Standings with a TerraNova 1-2

<hr>
Wellington&rsquo;s star-studded winter season comes to a close tomorrow night with the final US Equestrian Open of Dressage qualifier at this iconic venue. Even without some of the biggest names in attendance, there&rsquo;s plenty of intrigue as we close the chapter on Wellington's dressage circuit. From leaderboard shakeups to career milestones, here&rsquo;s what to keep your eye on at AGDF 12.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-vIhvR" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats:&nbsp;Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival 12" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/vIhvR/1/" height="942" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">1. Evelyn Eger&rsquo;s new ride could reclaim the lead</h2>
After a commanding season aboard 11-year-old Oldenburg mare Tabledance 3, Evelyn Eger brings a new horse to the stage&mdash;Dancing Darkness 4. While this will be their freestyle debut, the pair logged a 72.326% in the Grand Prix Special earlier this month, suggesting they have the chops to land in the top five. That&rsquo;s all it would take for Eger to retake the series lead from Anna Marek. If it works out, she&rsquo;d join Marek as one of just two riders this season to lead the standings on two different horses.
<h2 dir="ltr">2. Camille Carier Bergeron&rsquo;s tenth freestyle could be her best yet</h2>
With nine FEI Grand Prix Freestyles under their belt, Camille Carier Bergeron and Finnl&auml;nderin will hit double digits this weekend&mdash;and they&rsquo;re doing it with momentum. Their personal best of 77.280% is second-highest in the field, and their most recent outing here earned a 75.325%. That score placed them just behind World Cup&ndash;bound Kevin Kohmann and series leader Anna Marek. A repeat performance could not only earn them the win, but also launch them into the top five on the Series leaderboard.
<h2 dir="ltr">3. Naima and Statesman bring 113 tests of experience to the ring</h2>
While Naima Moreira Lalibert&eacute; and Statesman are new to the US Equestrian Open Series, they&rsquo;re far from inexperienced. Statesman has logged 113 FEI-level tests&mdash;this weekend will be his 114th. That kind of mileage, paired with a personal best of 77.860%, makes them serious contenders. Their average (73.379%) already places them in the top five of this field. A win wouldn&rsquo;t change the leaderboard standings&mdash;but it could throw a wrench in the climb for Eger, Carier Bergeron, and Karen Lipp.
<h2 dir="ltr">4. Karen Lipp could move into third with another solid ride</h2>
Karen Lipp may not be the flashiest name on paper, but she&rsquo;s quietly become one of the Series&rsquo; most consistent performers. With 60 points from five starts, she&rsquo;s already in fourth place&mdash;and a top-five finish this weekend could move her into third. Riding Infinity, she&rsquo;s averaging 71.676% and has proven that steady, solid performances are a powerful strategy in a Series that rewards persistence as much as brilliance.
<h2 dir="ltr">5. Susan Dutta joins the double-digit freestyle club</h2>
Susan Dutta and her 14-year-old gelding Don Design DC will notch their 10th FEI Grand Prix Freestyle together this weekend. With a personal best of 73.950%, the pair are poised to contend for a top-five finish. Dutta has developed Don Design from a five-year-old to a seasoned international competitor over the years. And yes&mdash;that&rsquo;s the Susan Dutta behind the Dutta Corporation, one of the most recognized names in global horse transport.
<h2 dir="ltr">6. Kasey Perry-Glass returns aboard Heartbeat W.P.</h2>
Best known for her Olympic team bronze in Rio and team silver at the 2018 World Equestrian Games aboard Goerklintgaards Dublet, Kasey Perry-Glass is back in international competition with a new mount: Heartbeat W.P., a 13-year-old KWPN gelding. The pair debuted in February with back-to-back wins in the CDI3* Grand Prix and Special, and recently posted a personal best of 76.290% in the Freestyle. With the highest average in the field (74.728%), Perry-Glass could be a podium spoiler if she continues this upward trajectory. She may not be chasing Series points&mdash;but don&rsquo;t be surprised if she makes headlines anyway.
<hr style="height: 1px; background-color: #1b3066; border: none; margin: 24px 0;">
While it may not have the headline names of earlier qualifiers, this weekend&rsquo;s field is full of riders with something to prove&mdash;and plenty of chances to shake up the Series standings. It&rsquo;s the last AGDF qualifier, and for some, it could be their last best shot before the season&rsquo;s second half kicks off.
Catch all the action Friday night on the USEF Network. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Sign up for free</a>!
<h1 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h1>
For the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most up-to-date series calendar</a> and <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest standings</a>, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/">usequestrianopen.org</a>.
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>
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 <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;

A rider saluting during a dressage test aboard a chestnut horse.

One Last Dance in Wellington

This weekend&rsquo;s qualifier shifts to the World Equestrian Center, with three of the current top six US Equestrian Open of Dressage riders set to compete. Leaderboard movement is inevitable&mdash;yet the field is notably missing star power: no Olympic team members, no reigning series leaders. Still, this week is a rare one. It&rsquo;s both unpredictable and important. And there&rsquo;s no scenario where the leaderboard doesn&rsquo;t shift.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Five to Watch</h2>
Five riders stand to make an impact this weekend, each with a unique twist on the series narrative.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">1. Benjamin Ebeling &amp; Bellena</h3>
Benjamin Ebeling and 14-year-old mare Bellena are arguably the favorites based on personal bests and averages. Bellena holds the highest PB in the field&mdash;76.105%, earned with Ebeling&rsquo;s father, Jan Ebeling&mdash;and a competitive average of 73.441% in the Grand Prix Freestyle. The caveat? This marks Benjamin and Bellena&rsquo;s series debut&mdash;and their first Grand Prix Freestyle together. If they come anywhere near Bellena&rsquo;s past peak, they could take the win. That wouldn&rsquo;t just launch Ebeling onto the leaderboard in stylish fashion&mdash;it would also block riders like Eline Eckroth, Denielle Gallagher, or Karen Lipp from earning those critical 17&ndash;20 point finishes.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">2. Charlotte Jorst &amp; Zhaplin Langholt</h3>
Charlotte Jorst is one of the most accomplished amateur riders in the US, having competed at the 2016 World Cup Finals and made the Olympic shortlist in 2021. She returns this weekend aboard 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding Zhaplin Langholt. While they&rsquo;ve entered two qualifiers this year, they&rsquo;ve only earned points in one. That single result, however, was a big one&mdash; a win at the Gold Coast Opener in January that netted 20 points. The following weekend, they posted a strong 72.800% at AGDF 3, but narrowly missed the placings in a stacked field, finishing 11th. With just one qualifying score, Jorst is only just getting started in the series. But if Zhaplin Langholt lands on the podium, as expected, she&rsquo;ll almost certainly vault into the top 15. She&rsquo;s not a title contender yet, but she can absolutely steal points from those who are. That&rsquo;s the trouble for riders like Lipp. It&rsquo;s not just about who climbs, it&rsquo;s about who gets bumped.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">3. Karen Lipp &amp; Infinity</h3>
Karen Lipp currently sits third on the leaderboard with six of six qualifying results logged. That means she can only gain points by dropping her lowest score: a 10. Lipp&rsquo;s consistency has been impressive. All of her scores have come from deep fields at Wellington, where she&rsquo;s placed 6th through 10th in all but one of her qualifying results&mdash;a win in the CDI3* during Week 8. Despite cracking the top five just once, that steady accumulation has carried her into the leaderboard top three. To gain any ground, Lipp must place 5th or better, and even then, only a win would improve her total by the full 10 points, bringing her to 80. She can&rsquo;t catch Anna Marek or Evelyn Eger this week, but a podium keeps her in range. With the AGDF season now over and many top riders abroad, Lipp could find herself in more forgiving fields. Her average of 71.451% puts her well within top-five potential here.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">4. Eline Eckroth &amp; Daphne</h3>
If Lipp is the series&rsquo; consistency queen, Eline Eckroth is chasing results through a different strategy: podiums in smaller fields. Eckroth and her 14-year-old mare, Daphne, have made smart use of the series format. Their scores may not always be flashy, but final placings matter more in this series&mdash;and so far, that&rsquo;s working in Eckroth&rsquo;s favor. They&rsquo;ve earned three top-three finishes in four qualifiers. She enters this weekend with two scores still to add. Even a finish at the bottom of the standings (7th) would earn her 10 points, bringing her to 76. Although unlikely, a second-place finish to anyone other than Lipp would propel her into the overall top two. And if she makes the podium again next week, she&rsquo;s a legitimate threat for the series lead.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">5. Denielle Gallagher &amp; Come Back de Massa</h3>
With only three qualifying results so far&mdash;two of them wins&mdash;Denielle Gallagher may be the most dangerous rider in the field. She currently sits sixth overall with 57 points. A third win this weekend would tie her with Eger at 77. But unlike Eger, Gallagher has not yet maxed out her six scores. With two more qualifying results still to come, she has plenty of room to rise. Her potential path? A win here takes her to 77. A solid podium next week could launch her into the 90s&mdash;above Marek. With her trajectory and remaining opportunities, Gallagher may be the dark horse in the race to the Final.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a7ba8c4c-ce1e-4095-9594-d67272edac9f.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="graphic showing how the scoring works: 1st 20 points, 2nd-3rd 17 points, 4th-5th 15 points, 6th-10th 10 points">
<h2 dir="ltr">Depth of the Field</h2>
Qualifier 15&rsquo;s scoring spread is notable. The difference between the highest and lowest average Grand Prix Freestyle score is 6.6%&mdash;a sizable gap. But that spread narrows significantly when you focus on the top five contenders. Less than three percentage points separate Come Back de Massa (the fifth-highest average) and Bellena (the highest). Zhaplin Langholt, ranked second on averages, is only 0.875% ahead of Hatsjie B. At this level, one mark, from a single judge, can be the deciding factor.&nbsp;
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-HAEyM" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: WEC - Ocala April Dressage" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/HAEyM/1/" height="666" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
This may not be a star-studded cast, but it&rsquo;s a pivotal week for leaderboard restructuring. Whoever wins here doesn&rsquo;t just collect points&mdash;they shift the pressure onto the riders sitting out, especially those hoping to coast on early-season success. As the second half of the season rolls along, Ocala offers an opening to gain ground&mdash;or to get passed. The race to Thermal is far from over, and this weekend&rsquo;s results will help define who&rsquo;s still in it. <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/16321" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tune in Friday night</a> for live coverage of the freestyle action.&nbsp;
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-eKemH" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Current US Equestrian Open standings" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/eKemH/1/" height="1096" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
Stay connected with the latest news and standings on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen">Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on&nbsp;<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.
<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 <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;

dressage rider entering the ring seen from the back. Riding a black horse.

Unpredictable but Pivotal: Why WEC Could Reshape the Leaderboard

The Twin Rivers CCI4*-S marks <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/eventing-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Qualifier 9 of the US Equestrian Open of Eventing.</a> It also marks a new frontier for Tamie Smith and the first 2025 international for one of James Alliston's rising stars.
Last weekend, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIJnPuXOXmU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boyd Martin gained 130 Series points in a single qualifier</a> to jump to second on the leaderboard. Both Tamie and James, with multiple entries, can likewise make gains this weekend.&nbsp;
<h1 class="MsoNormal">Tamie Crosses a Threshold</h1>
About 18 years ago, Tamie Smith faced her first ever CCI4*-S event. Since then, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIRaiIYuYTS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">she has started a total of 100 competitions at the level </a>and has become the unofficial West Coast ambassador in the world of eventing.&nbsp;
The path to World silver medals (Pratoni 2022 team) and five-star victories (Kentucky 2023) is paved, largely, with CCI4*-S runs. And Tamie has become one of the USA's best at the level. She has <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIRaiIYuYTS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won 12 of her 100 CCI4*-S appearances</a>. And, even more telling, she has produced two of the USA's best CCI4*-S performances on record according to the EquiRatings High Performance Rating (which measures not just scores and placings but also all the other factors that make an event difficult to win).
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/72d3df95-cce2-4b78-a39b-b7548fa06935.png?width=1318&amp;height=1636" alt="Top 10 Cci4 S Performances by Us Riders">
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9556104c-7eb2-4b9e-baf2-4f035ec1f048.jpg?width=5172&amp;height=5606" alt="Bay horse Kynan &amp; Tamie Smith">
Tamie Smith &amp; Kynan who she rides this week. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Tamie is also one of just five US riders to register five or more&nbsp;sub-30 scores at the CCI4*-S level since 2008.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a42fa09c-cf2d-43f8-af26-f6c484ec475c.png?width=806&amp;height=826" alt="Us Riders With the Most Sub 30 Scores at Cci4 S Between 2008 2025"> And, at 4:48 pm PT on Thursday, Tamie will trot down center line on Kynan. It will be her 101st CCI4*-S start. Shortly after, Lillet 3 will be her 102nd.
Onward and upward to 200.
<h1 class="MsoNormal">Keep an Eye on Karma</h1>
Another West Coast stalwart,&nbsp;James Alliston, is Mr. Reliable at Twin Rivers. He&rsquo;s won the last four CCI4*-S events here &mdash; and just to show off, he did it on four different horses. This weekend, he brings forward four entries, including one of his most exciting prospects: Karma.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c8190c64-1cbc-4bcd-89e0-8a8f842181da.png?width=1200&amp;height=1622" alt="Last 10 Winners of Twin Rivers Cci4 S">
Karma is one to keep an eye on for the future. She hasn&rsquo;t run internationally since last summer, when she and James crossed the Atlantic to take on the&nbsp;CHIO Aachen Nations Cup, one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. There in Germany, Karma and James didn&rsquo;t just hold their own &ndash; they finished as the highest-placed US combination, ninth out of 45 starters. And that was in a field stacked with German athletes fighting for Olympic selection and other would-be Paris Olympians. It was a performance that helped Team USA secure the Nations Cup silver medal.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/cf81b56e-f5f2-4f05-87fe-51a26b4bdbf0.png?width=1080&amp;height=853" alt="Dark bay horse Karma &amp; rider James Alliston clearing a show jumping fence">
James Alliston &amp; Karma.
Karma has so far contested 10 internationals and aside from one early hiccup &mdash; a cross-country elimination on her very first international start &mdash; she has been on a roll:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">She&rsquo;s picked up Elo points in all nine subsequent international appearances, a sign of continual improvement and consistency.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">She has knocked only one rail across all nine international show jumping rounds.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">She made her five-star debut at Kentucky last year where she finished 12th by adding only time penalties to her dressage score.</li>
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<ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">She hasn&rsquo;t had a single XC jumping fault in any of those nine runnings, including a&nbsp;clear on that five-star debut.</li>
</ul>
So on Saturday, James and Karma be aiming for ten clear XC rounds in a row.
Or will they?
The pair are also entered for the Kentucky Three-Day CCI5* later this month. So it wouldn&rsquo;t be a surprise if James decides to withdraw the mare before cross-country. We&rsquo;ll find out soon enough &mdash; but whether or not she runs, this is a pair with positive momentum heading into their 2025 season.
<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"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram. </a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and <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">
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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 <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;

James Alliston & the dark bay horse Karma clearing a cross-country fence during competition.

Tamie Crosses 100 & James Brings a Rising Star

As the spring dressage shows draw to a close, we took a closer look at the horses delivering the best freestyle performances so far. The leaderboard race has been exciting to watch week after week, with both international and US riders jockeying for position. But the overall rankings only tell part of the story. Which horses have delivered standout performances? Which ones are consistently showing brilliance?
We reviewed the top six horses in the Series based on their average freestyle scores and found that the same combinations also account for the season&rsquo;s highest-scoring rides (though in a slightly different order).
Here&rsquo;s a closer look at the combinations leading the way in 2025.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-6OTwQ" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Top Horses in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/6OTwQ/4/" height="599" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Top Six Horses</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr">1. Helix (Adrienne Lyle)</h3>
Age: 13 Breed: KWPN Sex: Gelding Owner: Zen Elite Equestrian Center Bloodlines: Apache x Jazz Best Series Score: 80.600% Helix is the only horse to break the 80 percent barrier in the Series so far&ndash; and he&rsquo;s done it twice. His season-best 80.600% not only marked a personal best but also secured victory at the CDI5* at Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10. That prestigious event, the only 5* held in the Western Hemisphere, was the first time in four years that an American rider topped the podium. Despite their dominance, Adrienne Lyle and Helix&rsquo;s partnership is relatively new. They debuted their first freestyle together just a year ago at TerraNova, scoring 72.560%. Since then, they&rsquo;ve been on a steep upward trajectory, winning two Series legs and representing the US at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
<h3 dir="ltr">2. D&uuml;enensee (Kevin Kohmann)</h3>
Age: 16 Breed: Hanoverian Sex: Gelding Owner: Diamante Farms Bloodlines: Dancier x Davignon I Best Series Score: 79.240%
D&uuml;nensee&rsquo;s career-best freestyle score came at the perfect moment. It was during the historic Palm Beach Derby at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, which also served as the final World Cup Qualifier. Only one ticket to Basel remained for the Americans, and D&uuml;nensee faced off against Anna Marek and Fire Fly in a high-stakes showdown. Both delivered strong tests, but &ldquo;Denzel&rdquo; was in a league of his own: calm, fluid, and fully locked in. Their audience-favorite freestyle had spectators clapping along into the final halt. Kohmann&rsquo;s personal best of 79.240% earned him the win, the Series points, and the final World Cup berth. He later placed tenth overall at the World Cup Final, the highest-ranked American.
<h3 dir="ltr">3. Fire Fly (Anna Marek)</h3>
Age: 15 Breed: KWPN Sex: Gelding Owner: Janet Simile Bloodlines: Briar Junior x Oo Seven Best Series Score: 77.755%
Fire Fly is an impressive horse to watch. Hot, sensitive, and remarkably talented, it is no wonder he was shortlisted for the Paris Olympics with Marek aboard. Their dramatic freestyle, set to the Stranger Things soundtrack, is a performance worthy of the international stage. Their season-best came at AGDF 3, when Marek edged out Kohmann by just 0.21 percent. Although he has only started twice in the Series, Fire Fly has been remarkably consistent. Both outings, he scored in the high 70s and finished on the podium. His career average is 75 percent, reflecting a partnership that continues to trend upward. The progress is paying off. Between her two mounts, Marek has held the top spot on the leaderboard for more than two months.
<h3 dir="ltr">4. Fayvel (Anna Marek)</h3>
Age: 15 Breed: KWPN Sex: Gelding Owner: Cynthia Davila Bloodlines: Zizi Top x Houston Best Series Score: 78.785%
Marek is incredibly well positioned, with the ride on two Grand Prix superstars. While Fire Fly is flashy, hot, and commands attention, Fayvel is bold, reliable, and intelligent. He might lack the electric charisma of his stablemate but makes up for it with power, rideability, and calm focus under pressure. He transitioned to Marek&rsquo;s competitive string later in life when his owner suffered an injury that took her out of the saddle. Despite entering the top level at an older age, Fayvel quickly proved himself a powerhouse. He took Marek to the 2024 World Cup Final, where they finished as the highest-ranked American pair in ninth. Despite having the third highest Series score, Fayvel has yet to log a win this season. He came close in Week 10, trailing Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike by just 0.04 percent. As the long-time Series leader, Marek is all but guaranteed a place in the Final. With two stellar horses in her barn, the only question now is which one she will choose. You can learn more about both of Marek&rsquo;s horses in the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/new-podcast-anna-marek-on-passion-patience-and-performance">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>.
<h3 dir="ltr">5. Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike (Julio Mendoza Loor)</h3>
Age: 14 Breed: KWPN Sex: Gelding Owner: Julio Mendoza Loor Bloodlines: Bretton Woods x Scandic Best Series Score: 78.520%
Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike have only competed in two legs of the Series, but they made those appearances count earning a first and second place. Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike was Mendoza Loor&rsquo;s Paris Games mount where they finished individual 27th. Their week 10 Series debut in Ocala was their first outing since the games. The following week, they finished second to Lyle and Helix in the CDI 5* in Wellington. Before coming to Mendoza Loor, &ldquo;Goldie&rdquo; was deemed too difficult to ride. A $20 sale price and 24/7 turnout later, he has become a powerful international competitor and one of the highest-scoring horses in the Series.
<h3 dir="ltr">6. Drombusch OLD (Felicitas Hendricks)</h3>
Age: 14 Breed: Oldenburg Sex: Gelding Owner: Felicitas Hendricks Bloodlines: Destano x Dimaggio Best Series Score: 78.200%
Felicitas Hendricks and Drombusch OLD came into the season as favorites after sweeping the freestyle classes at AGDF in 2024. Their first 2025 outing in Wellington also marked their debut in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage qualifiers. They came out strong, earning their season high of 78.200%. Hendricks and Drombusch have been together since the gelding was six, and they won the Under-25 European Championship in 2023. Drombusch is particularly impressive in freestyle, where their floorplan is known for a strikingly high degree of difficulty, including 20 one-time changes down the centerline.
<h2 dir="ltr">Poised for the Final</h2>
Despite each of these six horses posting the highest scores in the Series so far, only five of them are currently in contention for a Finals spot. Mendoza Loor and Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike only have two qualifier appearances. The results were strong&mdash;first and second place&mdash;but that only puts the pair on a score of 37. Mendoza Loor planned to summer in Europe, so unless he returns to the qualifiers in the fall, we might not see the pair in Thermal come November.
The remaining five horses are not just Series frontrunners but likely Finals contenders. Their consistency, scoring power, and ability to deliver under pressure have defined the season so far. With only two qualifiers left this spring before the summer break, these combinations are well-positioned to secure their places for Thermal. And once there, this group is poised to battle for the Final&rsquo;s podium positions. While many factors can influence the road to the Final, if early-season form is any indication, these are the horses to watch when the Series culminates in November.

Six Horses Everyone Will Be Chasing in Thermal

As the US Equestrian Open of Dressage breaks ahead of its final stretch, one of the season&rsquo;s most captivating partnerships sits in the top five: Genay Vaughn and her partner, Gino. With four wins from four starts, a freestyle rooted in the music of her childhood, and a leaderboard surge that has her closing in on the top, Vaughn's season so far has blended personal expression with elite performance.
Tune in to hear Genay in her own words or catch the highlights below. 
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36950420/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/000a80/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
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<h3 data-start="852" data-end="893">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="852" data-end="893">Gino: The Star of His Own Show</h3>
The bond between Genay and Gino isn&rsquo;t just strong, it&rsquo;s the foundation of everything. Their connection goes far beyond training sessions or test scores. It&rsquo;s the rhythm of their everyday life that builds the deep understanding you see every time they enter the ring.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9e942aaf-0d5c-4393-9208-ec328865b8bb.png?width=1080&amp;height=875" alt="Us Blog Quote Graphics">
Since bringing Gino home as a six-year-old, Genay has built their partnership with patience and care. Their original freestyle was designed to keep things comfortable, but with Gino now stronger and more confident, they&rsquo;re ready to push the boundaries heading into the final.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 data-start="1586" data-end="1634">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1586" data-end="1634">High Performance Starts at Home</h3>
Genay&rsquo;s team isn&rsquo;t made up of the usual coaches and grooms - it is her family. Her mom is her trainer, which although it is intense to train, work, and live together, Genay says she wouldn't want it any other way. Her dad, a former Major League Baseball player, brings the high-performance mindset and support to the table. The entire family farm is built on a shared ambition and a relentless drive for success.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0f01eb7c-01dc-4ef8-80ed-7ff94978dc3f.png?width=1080&amp;height=870" alt="Us Blog Quote Graphics (4)">
It&rsquo;s a rare dynamic: personal trust mixed with professional expectation. There&rsquo;s no hiding in a family of competitors and no shortage of motivation, either.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 data-start="2191" data-end="2232">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2191" data-end="2232">Freestyle with a Personal Beat</h3>
One of the most talked-about freestyles on the circuit this season? Genay and Gino&rsquo;s. Freestyle dressage is all about self-expression, and Genay has mastered that art. Their freestyle music feels as bold and distinctive as the rider herself. The scores speak for themselves - it&rsquo;s clearly striking a chord with both judges and fans alike.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/42164377-dc19-43f0-abb0-6cfc9406bee3.png?width=1080&amp;height=864" alt="Us Blog Quote Graphics (3)">
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<hr>
<h3 data-start="2738" data-end="2780">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2738" data-end="2780">The Leaderboard</h3>
With 80 points, Genay Vaughn currently sits in 5th place on the US Equestrian Open leaderboard, just behind Evelyn Eger and tied contenders in second. Anna Marek leads with 105 points, but it isn&rsquo;t over yet. If Genay continues her form, the Desert Final could see major movement.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0b2ea0c7-e18b-4f83-a7c1-dc7cbd2f442f.png?width=733&amp;height=1032" alt="Screenshot 2025 06 11 123623"></a>
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<hr>
<h3 data-start="2782" data-end="3076">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2782" data-end="3076">Want to hear from the leader herself?</h3>
Check out our podcast with Anna Marek on passion, patience and performance.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/35371080/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/002580/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> 
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<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.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/22433326-f7d7-4286-930b-62c3a1ba80f2.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Show calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage">
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center">
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<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"></div>
&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;