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.

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Germany&rsquo;s Felicitas Hendricks has spent the past ten winters lighting up Wellington&rsquo;s Global Dressage Festival. Now, she&rsquo;s heading west to California for the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final with her longtime partner, Drombusch OLD.
Their partnership is nearly a decade in the making. Hendricks has brought the 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding up the levels herself, from six-year-old prospect to international Grand Prix winner.&nbsp;
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&ldquo;Every day I think, I don&rsquo;t want him to get older,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I just want to freeze him and have him forever.&rdquo;
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That bond was on full display earlier this year when the pair opened their Open campaign with a 78% freestyle win, one of the highest scores in the Series. Their upbeat disco routine&mdash;set to the same &lsquo;80s hits her mother once danced to&mdash;has become a crowd favorite. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s such a big personality,&rdquo; Hendricks laughed.&nbsp;
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&ldquo;I really believe he knows his music. When the crowd starts clapping, it&rsquo;s our favorite part.&rdquo;
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Despite early hesitation about the long trip from Germany to California, Hendricks says there was no question she&rsquo;d make the journey once she qualified. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got the perfect horse right now, and he&rsquo;s such a good traveler. I had to take the chance,&rdquo; she explained.
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&ldquo;[The Final] is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.&rdquo;
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Listen to the full episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast to hear Felicitas share stories from her season, her preparations for Thermal, and what it means to bring Drombusch to one of the sport&rsquo;s most exciting new finals.
Listen to the full podcast <a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710/dressage-felicitas-hendricks-on-drombusch-disco-and-the-road-to-la" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
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New Podcast: Felicitas Hendricks Takes the Long Flight West

Rain soaked through show coats on Saturday night as freestyles began in the Dixon Oval. Polished boots and plaited manes became waterlogged as the evening wore on. The storm didn&rsquo;t deter spectators, though. Enthusiastic fans packed Devon&rsquo;s pale blue grandstands and clapped along to familiar tunes.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Bellena&rsquo;s Big Step</h2>
Benjamin Ebeling and Ann Romney&rsquo;s 15-year-old Hanoverian mare, Bellena, earned a combination-best of 77.665% to secure the win. The atmosphere didn&rsquo;t seem to faze Bellena, perhaps thanks to her stint in Europe over the summer. The pair has been on a steady climb since their freestyle debut in April, notching multiple wins and consistently raising their scores. With this result, Ebeling moves to a tie for sixth on 77 points, momentum that comes at a pivotal moment with Finals just six weeks away.
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no place like Dressage at Devon,&rdquo; Ebeling said. &ldquo;This was a big step in getting my horse acclimated in big environments in an arena like this.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Kohmann Climbs, Bergeron Learns, Marek Falters</h2>
Kevin Kohmann and D&uuml;nenesee placed second with 77.005%, a performance that launched them eight places up the leaderboard into ninth on 69 points. With only two qualifiers left, Kohmann is now comfortably positioned for a Finals berth. True to form, the freestyle was steady and lyrical, with D&uuml;nenesee&rsquo;s calm presence making the rain-soaked Dixon Oval look easy.
&ldquo;It feels like a big show in Europe. I love it here,&rdquo; Kohmann said. &ldquo;This was the show where I rode this freestyle the first time and I&rsquo;m here one year later to ride it again.&rdquo;
Canada&rsquo;s Camille Carier Bergeron looked set for a podium finish, but an error proved costly. Riding ahead of her music, she over rotated a pirouette &mdash; a violation of FEI rules that slashed her degree of difficulty score and left her with 68.450%. Even so, Bergeron&rsquo;s ninth-place finish earned her 10 leaderboard points, moving her into 13th overall. Her climb adds another layer of pressure for riders heading to the Final.
Saturday was not Anna Marek and Fire Fly&rsquo;s night. Whether it was the rain or the unfamiliar arena, the 15-year-old KWPN gelding never settled fully into the test. The pair earned 72.790% for fourth place, a respectable score but several points below their average of 75.683% and well off their last freestyle outing. That&rsquo;s the tricky thing about sensitive horses. They can deliver brilliance at their best, but that same sensitivity can also unravel under pressure. 
<h2 dir="ltr">The Title Picture Shifts</h2>
Marek and Fire Fly have proven themselves in Wellington as regulars at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. But the Finals will be held at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, CA, a venue Fire Fly has experienced. Devon provided a preview of what that challenge could look like: a charged atmosphere outside their comfort zone. Fire Fly&rsquo;s personal best came at the Pan American Games in Santiago, proof that the potential is there, but consistency in new environments remains the question.
That decision is complicated further as the title fight is no longer only between Marek and Kohmann. Ebeling is charging into contention, Bergeron is climbing, and Genay Vaughn &mdash; undefeated queen of the West Coast &mdash; awaits them all on her home turf in Thermal.
<h2 dir="ltr">Next Stops: TerraNova and Tryon</h2>
With Devon behind us, attention now turns to the final two qualifiers: TerraNova in early October and Tryon, South Carolina, just two weeks before the Final. Every ride left on the calendar has the potential to shape who arrives in Thermal as a favorite. And, who doesn&rsquo;t.&nbsp;
For the full calendar of events and standings updates, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usequestrianopen.org</a>. Stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d35d5aa9-5dcf-4eb2-b1fa-746c463761a5?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage Series">
<hr>
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>.

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

Devon Delivers Drama as Finals Near

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

Kevin Kohmann and Duensee half pass across the arena in trot

The Penultimate Push

The 2026 US Equestrian Open Eventing Series launched with a statement of intent from Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri, who claimed their fifth consecutive international victory at Bouckaert in Fairburn, Georgia.
With this victory, the British rider has now accumulated eight international wins this season, making her the GB rider with the most international wins in 2025- ahead of Ros Canter, Laura Collett, Tom McEwen, and the rest of Britain's elite. Her mount Dyri has also claimed the title of winningest British horse this season with five victories.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2fc0c36e-826e-4919-a913-4bc376b743a2.png?width=528&amp;height=706" alt="Screenshot 2025 10 29 162218"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dcc23cc9-8896-4046-afa5-996728c4c170.png?width=525&amp;height=649" alt="Screenshot 2025 10 29 162233">
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<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Winning Formula</h2>
Lucienne and&nbsp;Dyri opened with a dressage score of 33.0, to put them in the lead after the first phase, with Hot Bobo snapping at their heels on just 33.5. They jumped a clear round showjumping, before securing the win with a clear cross-country round. Adding 8.0 time penalties, Dyri was the fastest horse on course. High time penalties across the field was&nbsp; no surprise given the venues cross-country history over the last number of years.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3d00d1a2-fe2e-43ce-b763-5ed948c02d9c.png?width=1083&amp;height=732" alt="Screenshot 2025 10 29 162546">
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<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Streak Continues</h2>
This wasn't just another win - it was the culmination of a carefully strategized comeback. After two difficult runs at the start of 2025, Lucienne made the tactical decision to step Dyri back down to lower levels. The move paid dividends: four consecutive wins at 2* and 3*.
<ul>
<li>Bouckaert CCI2*-S (Aug): 1st, 29.4</li>
<li>Tryon CCI2*-S (Sept): 1st, 27.7</li>
<li>Stable View CCI3*-S (Sept): 1st, 27.2</li>
<li>Morven Park CCI3*-S (Oct): 1st, 29.2</li>
</ul>
This also marks Lucienne and Dyri's fifth CCI4* podium together.&nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f0494ff5-4d65-4451-88a3-6b51408c1c35.png?width=1116&amp;height=716" alt="V8o0 L Lucienne Dyri S Four Star Podiums">
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<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Bouckaert Breakthrough</h2>
Kate Sand and Top Shelf delivered a breakthrough performance to finish second with a double clear. This was only Top Shelf's second podium finish, having placed second at his first-ever international, a CCI1* at Bouckaert in 2021. 18.4 time penalties on cross-country kept them from challenging for the win, but this is a young horse (10YO) still finding his feet at this level. As the partnership strengthens and Top Shelf improves, those time penalties should naturally decrease.
Bruce Davidson Jr. and Cerafino D took third place on 62.7. Olivia Miller and Cooley Starstruck finished fourth on 80.9, while Emily Mastervich and Rio de Janeiro rounded out the top five with 81.4.
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<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Points on the Board</h2>
With this opening qualifier complete, Bellissimo now sits atop the series leaderboard with 40 points.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/74654cce-df5d-4637-9bb6-57f2b9497d9e.png?width=1240&amp;height=860" alt="R Se76 Leaderboard After Qualifier 1">
<h2>Looking Ahead</h2>
The race to Morven Park 2026 has begun, and Bellissimo has made a mark. But with TerraNova still to come before the winter break, this story is far from over.
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<hr>
&nbsp;
Listen to the Bouckaert Preview Podcast now on the US Equestrian Open Podcast - available on all podcast platforms.
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<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.
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;
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9dfe039-3b02-415d-b513-c5bd87d85dae.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar">
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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>.

Bellissimo and Dyri Make it Five in a Row at Bouckaert

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

First Points on the Board: Bouckaert Begins

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

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

All Eyes on Tryon: The Last Dance Before the Desert

In a final qualifier class of just three, Tryon proved that a small field can still have Series-altering impact. Both Julio Mendoza Loor and Laine Ashker entered the weekend outside the qualification cutoff&mdash;and both left with invitations to the Final.
Mendoza Loor and his Paris mount, Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike, claimed victory on a 76.190%, while Ashker and Zeppelin followed with 72.955%. Their one-two finish vaulted both riders up the leaderboard: Mendoza Loor now sits in 18th, the last automatic qualifying position, and Ashker moves to 20th but has already received and accepted her invitation to the Final.
Entries for the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final will be confirmed later this week, but several riders inside the top 18&mdash;Eline Eckroth, Evelyn Eger, and Kevin Kohmann&mdash;have already declined their spots, which created an opening for Ashker. Eckroth plans to stay in Florida to prepare for the winter circuit, while Eger and Kohmann are entered in the $350,000 World Cup event in Mexico the week before the Final. As for Mendoza Loor, we&rsquo;ll have to wait and see whether he joins the field in Thermal when entries are confirmed.&nbsp;
With the standings now set, Anna Marek officially tops the season leaderboard on 105 points, closing out the inaugural season with a $12,500 payout. Later this week, we&rsquo;ll take a closer look at her journey and how she got here. In the meantime, as we wait with bated breath for official entry announcements, one question lingers: <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/reliability-or-flash-which-will-marek-choose" target="_blank" rel="noopener">which horse will she bring to the Final</a>? With Kohmann out of the picture and Ebeling on an upward trajectory, it&rsquo;s a decision that promises to be anything but simple.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ec351ddc-39ae-4bbb-8c20-23407423ff89.png?width=497&amp;height=684" alt="Screenshot of the final US Equestrian Open of Dressage leaderboard showing Anna Marek in first with 105 points, followed by Benjamin Ebeling with 94, and Kristina Harrison-Antell, Eline Eckroth, and Kevin Kohmann tied at 86. The top 20 riders are listed through Laine Ashker in 20th with 52 points.">

A dressage rider in formal competition attire raises his fist in celebration while riding a chestnut horse adorned with a ribboned bridle and the Ecuadorian flag on its saddle pad. The US Equestrian Open Dressage logo appears in the top right corner

Tryon Delivers the Final Twist in the US Equestrian Open Qualifiers

If you rode the highs of the 2025 Series and that Morven Park finale two weeks ago, we hope you&rsquo;ve caught your breath because the 2026 US Equestrian Open Eventing Series kicks off this Friday at Bouckaert CCI4*-S in Fairburn, Georgia.
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">New to the US Equestrian Open?</h2>
Perhaps you caught wind of the thrilling finale at Morven Park, saw buzz on social media about the series battle, or you're gearing up for the dressage final and accidentally found yourself reading about eventing. Whatever brought you here, welcome! And don&rsquo;t worry, you&rsquo;re not late. We&rsquo;re just about to kick off the second-ever series, and you&rsquo;ve joined us at the perfect time. The US Equestrian Open of Eventing is a year-long competition that brings together the nation's top eventers in a points race culminating in a high-stakes final with a massive prize purse.
Here's how it works: Riders compete in a series of 4*-S qualifier events throughout the season, earning points based on their final placings. The bigger the field (25+ starters), the more points are up for grabs. Your best six qualifier results count toward your series standing, and whoever accumulates the most points wins $25,000, with second and third place earning $15,000 and $10,000 respectively.
But that's just the series prize money. Complete at least one qualifier with a Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER), or buy in for $5,000, and you're eligible for the October 2026 Series Final at Morven Park - a CCI4*-L with a staggering $200,000 prize pot.&nbsp;
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Reflecting on Year One: Boyd Martin's Historic Victory</h2>
Last year's inaugural series delivered everything we could have hoped for - fierce rivalry, fantastic competition, and a champion who made history while honoring a dear friend. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/badf2c98-95f3-43cd-a3ba-4eb03c050b04.png?width=1600&amp;height=2000" alt="Eventing Winner Boydfinal (1)">
Boyd Martin and Miks Master C claimed the 2025 US Equestrian Open Eventing Championship title at Morven Park in spectacular fashion. The victory was particularly meaningful as Boyd dedicated the win to Liz Halliday, who produced 'Mikki' into the champion he is.&nbsp;Will Coleman demonstrated his consistency by securing both second and third place in the final aboard Off the Record and Very Dignified, respectively.
When the series standings were tallied after all qualifiers, Boyd Martin topped the leaderboard with 260 points, followed by Phillip Dutton with 235 points and Caroline Pamukcu with 215 points.
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">This Weekend: Let the Games Begin</h2>
The 2025-2026 season launches this Friday at Bouckaert - the first of two 4*-S qualifiers happening before the year ends (TerraNova follows shortly after.) With multiple venues scheduled throughout 2026 - from Carolina and Galway Downs to Tryon, Maryland Int., The Fork, and beyond - riders will have plenty of opportunities to rack up points and position themselves for that coveted spot at the 2026 Final at Morven Park.
Get excited! Whether you're going to be ringside, watching online, or following through the US Equestrian Open Podcast this season promises the same excitement, world-class sport, and dramatic storylines that made year one so memorable.
The gallop to glory begins now. This is the first chance to score points and begin the long run toward lifting that Morven Park trophy in October 2026.
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Listen to the Bouckaert Preview Show now on the US Equestrian Open Podcast - available on all podcast platforms.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/38735600/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/4c414c/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> 
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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.
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/ac73ddee-59a5-410b-a07f-0ac96cdbf934.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="2025 Blog Social Promos">
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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>.

Back in the Start Box: The 2026 US Equestrian Open Kicks Off

The Final is here! Whether you're tuning in from the stands in Thermal or following along from home, there&rsquo;s no shortage of ways to stay in the loop. As thirteen of the season&rsquo;s top Grand Prix combinations step into the Desert International Horse Park for the inaugural US Equestrian Open Final, here&rsquo;s how to keep up with every result, storyline, and standout moment.
<h2 dir="ltr">Where to Follow Along</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr">1. Listen to the US Equestrian Open Preview Podcast</h3>
Get primed before Friday night with a full preview show breaking down matchups, form, and what&rsquo;s at stake. Ideal pre-Final listening.
▶ <a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710/dressage-us-equestrian-open-of-dressage-final-preview">Listen In</a>&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">2. Follow the US Equestrian Open on Instagram and Facebook</h3>
Catch real-time results, ride times, backstage moments, and quick-hit updates straight from Thermal. This is the fastest way to follow along as the action unfolds.
▶ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen">https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen</a> ▶ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen">https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen</a>&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">3. Read the Blog for in-depth coverage</h3>
From analytics to rider profiles to post-class recaps, the US Equestrian Open Blog houses every story shaping the Final field.
▶ <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org">Read Now</a>&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">4. Watch the Livestream on USEF Network</h3>
Every ride, every score, every moment&mdash;from the Grand Prix to the Freestyle&mdash;stream it all live on USEF Network. Fan memberships are free, making this the easiest way to watch the entire Final from home. ▶ <a href="https://www.usef.org/network">Watch Live</a>&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">5. Follow EquiRatings for stats, data, and metrics</h3>
If you want the numbers behind the performances&mdash;averages, trends, personal bests, matchup history&mdash;EquiRatings will be breaking it all down throughout the weekend. ▶ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/equiratings">Analyze the Data</a>&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">6. Dive into the Fan Guide</h3>
The central hub for everything you need to know: rules, scoring, format, rider bios, past results, and Series context all in one place. ▶ <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/dressagefinal2025">Dive In</a>&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">7. BONUS: The 2025 Freestyle Playlist on Spotify</h3>
Every song you&rsquo;ll hear in Thermal, all in one playlist. Perfect for getting into the spirit before riders trot down centerline. ▶ <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5qg8w2tHudpgLYXNGSTVF3?si=0YFIVTmqQnqYYuZET-EYsQ&amp;pi=A8SMfyfIQO6Jj&amp;nd=1&amp;dlsi=025eadc3f2f44e63">Listen Now</a>
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A close-up of a braided dark bay dressage horse wearing a black bridle, photographed outdoors with palm trees and mountains softly blurred in the background. The US Equestrian Open Dressage logo appears in the top right corner.

6 Ways to Follow the US Equestrian Open Final

As in many sports, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage offers its own kind of home field advantage. This weekend, Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn will be riding on it. Based in Northern California, Thermal is a familiar stop on Vaughn&rsquo;s competition calendar. She opened her 2025 season with a win there. Now, she returns to finish the story.
<h2 dir="ltr">Built in California</h2>
Vaughn rides Gino, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding she&rsquo;s brought along since he was six. The two are inseparable. She is Gino&rsquo;s rider, groom, chef, travel companion, and emotional anchor.
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&ldquo;My world revolves around him. It&rsquo;s his world&mdash;I&rsquo;m just living in it.&rdquo;
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That bond has carried them from California&rsquo;s regional CDIs to the top tier of the US Equestrian Open. Vaughn is the only undefeated rider in Series qualifiers, going four-for-four with CDI wins at Thermal, Del Mar, and Devonwood. She finished the regular season ranked 7th on the leaderboard with 80 points, despite fewer starts than many of her rivals. Her Series average and personal best sit at 74.859% and 75.875%, respectively.
Her early-season winning streak earned her a ticket to the 2025 FEI World Cup Final in Basel, where she placed 14th with a 73.765%. Not bad when your lowest score of the year comes at your first major international championship. That kind of experience is exactly what prepares a rider for a grand final like the one in Thermal.
<h2 dir="ltr">Freestyle with Soul</h2>
Vaughn brings that technical know-how and a popular freestyle soundtrack to this weekend&rsquo;s event. Her test is a love letter to her roots, choreographed and set to music she selected herself. The soundtrack blends artists from her childhood: Barry White, Luther Vandross, and Earth, Wind &amp; Fire.
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&ldquo;I picked songs that I grew up on&mdash;artists that were close to me, and music that I really liked and felt was part of my culture. I picked a lot of African-American artists.&rdquo;
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That music pairs beautifully with Gino&rsquo;s expressive confidence. &ldquo;He knows when it&rsquo;s showtime,&rdquo; Vaughn said.
Their freestyle averages in the mid-70s, but over the summer, Vaughn has been working to refine the floorplan and increase the degree of difficulty&mdash;a crucial scoring factor with a 4x multiplier. Top combinations like Hendricks and Drombusch or Ebeling and Bellena consistently earn degree of difficulty marks in the high 8s and low 9s. To challenge for the win, Vaughn will need to bring the same level of technical complexity.
<h2 dir="ltr">A Family Foundation</h2>
Vaughn&rsquo;s career is powered by her family. She trains daily with her mother, Michele, who has coached her from juniors to the international Grand Prix level. Together, they run Starr Vaughn Equestrian in Elk Grove, CA. The high-performance mindset also runs through her father, a former MLB player, whose mantra still guides her:
<blockquote>
&ldquo;If you want to be above average, then you can&rsquo;t just do the average things.&rdquo;
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In a sport often dominated by big names, grooms, and European bases, Vaughn has carved her own path. She rides without major sponsors, without a typical team behind her&mdash;and she wins anyway. Her work ethic, resourcefulness, and bond with Gino have made her one of the most authentic contenders in the Series.
<h2 dir="ltr">Thermal, Again</h2>
This weekend, Vaughn returns to where it all began&mdash;Thermal, the site of the very first US Equestrian Open qualifier and the first win of her undefeated season. A mid-70s performance is all but assured.
But if the summer went as she&rsquo;d planned, and she&rsquo;s managed to increase the degree of difficulty in the floor plan, then a fairytale finish isn&rsquo;t out of reach.
She&rsquo;s just one win away from a perfect season.
Catch every ride of the US Equestrian Open Final live on the <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/usef">USEF Network</a>. Sign up for a free fan membership at <a href="https://www.usef.org/network">usef.org</a> to access the full broadcast from Thermal.
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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 <a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

Geñay Vaughn smiles while riding Gino in Thermal after their January win, both dressed in a navy winner’s blanket with US Equestrian Open branding.

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