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

Benjamin Ebeling is emerging as one of the most exciting young dressage talents in the United States. A former youth champion, Ebeling has spent 2025 redefining himself as a serious senior international contender. He rides Bellena, a 15-year-old Hanoverian mare formerly campaigned by his father, 2012 Olympian Jan Ebeling.
Their entire international career together has unfolded within the US Equestrian Open of Dressage. Since debuting their freestyle in April, Ebeling and Bellena have finished second in the overall standings with 94 points, posted the third-highest average score in the Finals field (76.325%), and climbed steadily through the leaderboard with personal bests that just keep rising.
<h2 dir="ltr">Brick by Brick</h2>
Nearly every start this season has brought a new career high for Ebeling and Bellena. Their first freestyle win came in April at WEC&rsquo;s CDI4*, where they debuted their freestyle with a 75.740%. The next month, they returned to Ocala and upped that mark to 76.190%, besting Series leader Anna Marek.
That win secured Ebeling a spot on the U.S. team for CHIO Aachen, where he made his senior team debut. While their freestyle in Aachen didn&rsquo;t meet expectations, Ebeling rebounded quickly. He stayed in Europe to compete at the Achleiten CDI4* in Austria, where he and Bellena set back-to-back personal bests&mdash;winning the Grand Prix and scoring 76.615% in the Freestyle.
By September, they were peaking. At Dressage at Devon, they posted a 77.665% in the largest qualifying field of the season. One month later, they capped off the regular season with a new combination-best of 78.055% at TerraNova. That mark is the third-highest score of any pair entered in the Final, behind only Drombusch OLD and Fayvel.
In just seven months, Ebeling and Bellena have built a career to rival riders who&rsquo;ve spent decades in the senior division.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Style Points</h2>
Their rise has come with a soundtrack. Set to confident, crowd-pleasing hits like Femininomenon, Rich Girl, and Maneater, the pair&rsquo;s freestyle has become one of the Series&rsquo; most recognizable.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I think in the Grand Prix, it&rsquo;s very difficult for the average fan to really connect with that,&rdquo; Ebeling said. &ldquo;But the freestyle, people really understand. Horses dancing is so exciting.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
The choreography is upbeat, punchy, and highlights Bellena&rsquo;s athleticism and responsiveness. The fiery mare, known for her expressiveness and energy, has matched Ebeling&rsquo;s confident style with patented chestnut-mare flair.
&ldquo;The mare is such a powerhouse,&rdquo; Ebeling said after their Ocala debut.&nbsp;
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I think this girl really loves to dance.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Turning Point</h2>
Ebeling didn&rsquo;t plan on a career in dressage. He began in the jumper ring, competing in his first Grand Prix over fences before ever stepping into a CDI arena. The pivot started when he asked his father to teach him a pirouette, not to win a dressage test, but to help him turn tighter in his jump-offs.
He didn&rsquo;t realize it then, but that moment marked the beginning of a new chapter. His ability to handle sensitive, high-powered horses has shaped the rider he&rsquo;s become.
At shows, Ben and Jan still carry one shared ritual: whoever finishes higher buys dinner; the other buys ice cream. After years of picking up the dessert tab, Ben finally got to pay for dinner.
<h2 dir="ltr">Poised for More</h2>
Ebeling is the highest-ranked rider in the Finals field based on FEI World Rankings (No. 34), and he&rsquo;s hit a new personal best with Bellena in each of their last three starts. If he can make it four in a row at the Final, a podium is easily within reach, but a title is on the table.&nbsp;
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>.

Ben Ebeling points in celebration aboard Bellena after a freestyle ride, both in full competition turnout with the US Equestrian Open of Dressage logo in the corner.

Four to Follow at the US Equestrian Open Final: Ben Ebeling

As the 2025 season winds down, we wondered who might have a breakthrough season at CCI4*-S next year? We turned to the EquiRatings High Performance rating to give us some clues, looking at who had measurably good results at CCI3*-L this year as a precursor to a 2026 step-up.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c5f0a2eb-5ab4-4bd5-81fb-5ecc953fe639.png?width=1540&amp;height=1672" alt="Ux Hjx Top 10 Cci3 L Hprs on Us Soil This Year ">
<h1 dir="ltr">What&rsquo;s the HPR?</h1>
The High Performance Rating (HPR) measures the strength of a single performance. For every result, the HPR assesses factors such as quality of opponents beaten, winning margin, course difficulty and scoring conditions. Because these factors vary from one competition to another, not all wins are equal and not all scores exactly reflect the true level of performance. By acknowledging and capturing these variables, the HPR objectively compares performances and placings across different classes.
HPRs in the 90s are exceptional - the kind of complete performance that signals a horse is ready to climb the levels.
The following five combinations earned the highest HPRs among all CCI3*-L results on US soil this year.
<h1 dir="ltr">1. Isabelle Bosley &amp; Conner &mdash; HPR 96 | 24.8 (1st)</h1>
Best 3*-L result of 2025: 24.8 to win the 3*-L at Maryland 5 Star
Why it matters: Just eight years old, Conner produced one of the most complete 3*-L wins of 2025. On his first run at the level, Conner finished on his sub-25 dressage score to top the 53-strong field. The performance gave Isabelle her first CCI3*-L victory and one of the highest HPRs recorded all season.
<h1 dir="ltr">2. Alyssa Phillips &amp; Rockett 19 &mdash; HPR 95 | 25.5 (2nd)</h1>
Best 3*-L result of 2025: 25.5 for 2nd place in the Maryland 5 Star 3*-L
Why it matters: Having just acquired the ride on Rockett 19 this year, Alyssa and the 10-year-old have already produced two wins at the 3*-S level (Bouckaert &amp; Plantation). Finishing on their dressage score at Maryland 3*-L earned them a statement second place in the deep field.
<h1 dir="ltr">3. Rebecca Brown &amp; Fernhill Quite Frankly &mdash; HPR 88 | 29.3 (1st)</h1>
Best 3*-L result of 2025: 29.3 to win the Ocala 3*-L.
Why it matters: On Fernhill Quite Frankly&rsquo;s first ever run at the level, he and Rebecca earned the win. They were second after the first phase on a sub-30 score and, of 27 starters, Rebecca and the 10-year-old &ldquo;Frank&rdquo; were one of only two pairs to finish on their dressage score, winning on 29.3.
Of our top five list, Frank and Jewelent are the only horses who&rsquo;ve already contested a four-star. Frank&rsquo;s came a few months after his 3*-L win but the pair didn&rsquo;t complete cross-country on that first attempt, choosing to retire. A step down to 2*-S afterward proved a confidence-boosting run (jumped double clear) so it will be interesting to see how Frank carries his few months of extra experience into the four-star level next season.&nbsp;
<h1 dir="ltr">4. Olivia Dutton &amp; Jewelent &mdash; HPR 88 | 32.9 (3rd)</h1>
Best 3*-L result of 2025: 32.9 for 3rd in the Maryland 5 Star 3*-L
Why it matters: Jewelent is one of the more-familiar names on our list as the 13-year-old has already contested 20 four-stars and even jumped clear around Badminton 2022. But this was his first year with Olivia and the pair got to know each other with two three-star runs, including their 3rd place in the Maryland 3*-L.&nbsp;
With Sea Of Clouds, Olivia has 11 four-star runs under her belt so - with both Jewelent and Olivia knowing the four-star ropes - this will definitely be an exciting pair for 2026.&nbsp;
<h1 dir="ltr">5. Margaret Pellegrini &amp; Falcon Crown Z &mdash; HPR 85 | 27.7 (1st)</h1>
Best 3*-L result of 2025: 27.7 to win the CCI3*-L at Rebecca Farm
Why it matters: When Meg and Falcon Crown Z step up to four-star, it will be a level debut for both horse and rider. The pair took the Rebecca Farm 3*-L win by finishing on their dressage score. It was their first and only 3*-L as a pair (to date) and while they&rsquo;ve shown mixed cross-country form at the 3*-S level they did produce a second place result at Tryon 3*-S this past May and added just 0.8 time faults over the Plantation 3*-S course last year. They&rsquo;ve demonstrated ability at three-star and now it&rsquo;s just a matter of consistency and strategy for the step up to four-star.
<h1 dir="ltr">Why These Five Matter</h1>
Each combination delivered a complete three-phase performance: low dressage, efficient cross-country, and clean show-jumping. These are precisely the indicators of readiness that the US Equestrian Open of Eventing was created to celebrate; rewarding development, not just destination.
<h1 dir="ltr">The Open Continues</h1>
The 2026 US Equestrian Open of Eventing is already underway. <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/bellissimo-and-dyri-make-it-five-in-a-row-at-bouckaert" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bouckaert opened the season</a> and TerraNova is next on the calendar. Stay tuned as new stars emerge and established names climb higher.
Follow the Open:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-weight: bold;" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usequestrianopen.org</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-weight: bold;" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/magazines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Latest Fan Guide </a></li>
<li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@usequestrianopen on Instagram</a></li>
</ul>
<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">

Five Combinations Primed to Make Their Mark in the 2026 US Equestrian Open

This weekend, TerraNova will the final FEI eventing competition in the US in 2025 and the second qualifier of the 2026 US Equestrian Open series. The headline?&nbsp;Diabolo is back.
<h2>Diabolo is Back</h2>
Will Coleman's superstar returns to the 4* level after an injury, having missed Paris 2024 and most of the 2025 season. The context matters: none of Coleman's string&mdash;Chin Tonic, Diabolo, or Off The Record&mdash;made it to the start box in Paris. Coleman is the only US winner of Aachen, and while he won't say it out loud, the World Games in Aachen next year, will be the target. To get there, he will need Diabolo, Very Dignified, and Off The Record all in top form.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/92c75eff-cff4-4237-88ba-98afd8e715b3.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="Diabolo Kentucky 2024 Will Coleman Diabolo 8342">
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Diabolo winning the CCI4*-S at Kentucky in 2024
Diabolo's journey back started with a CCI2* at Morven Park. This four-star outing is the next step and while he tops the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/terranova_4s_nov2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a>, don't expect Coleman to chase time cross-country to try and win this. This run will likely be strategic and test the thirteen-year-old's fitness.
Coleman also brings Fahrenheit Addict who was 2nd at Rebecca Farm's CCI4*-L. At only ten, this is one to watch.
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<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h2>The Competition</h2>
Lucienne Bellissimo brings a powerful double threat with Dyri and Kitsch Couture HPK. Dyri has been in exceptional form, winning the first qualifier of the 2026 series, and sits as the primary challenger.&nbsp;Kitsch Couture HPK is also on top form, having finished 5th at the inaugural series final at Morven Park back in October.
With two more chances to add points to her already 40-point tally, Bellissimo is giving herself a good chance to sit firmly in front heading into the winter break.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/da0879e8-0a9d-4325-8fe5-87886741e79e.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="Dyri Kentucky 2024 Le Mieux Friday 4 S Lucienne Bellissimo 3083 (2)">
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri
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<h2>Debutant to Watch</h2>
Meg Pellegrini makes her 4* debut with a strong trio: Dondante (8% win chance), Falcon Crown Z (7% win chance), and Cooley Wish Upon A Star (1% win chance).&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Dondante, previously ridden by Will Coleman to two top 10 finishes at the CCI5* level, arrives fresh off a podium at Bouckaert's CCI3*-S.</li>
<li>Falcon Crown Z, who won the CCI3*-L at Rebecca Farm, certainly has the class but has something to prove this weekend after 60 penalties led to a retirement at Morven Park.</li>
<li>The ten-year-old&nbsp;Cooley Wish Upon A Star has been Mr. Consistent for Meg, finishing inside the top 10 in their last six runs. They&rsquo;ll be aiming for more of the same this weekend.</li>
</ul>
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<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Horses Stepping Up</h2>
This late-season event also captures horses who are stepping up to the four-star level for the first time.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Falcon Crown Z (Meg Pellegrini)</li>
<li>Cooley Wish Upon A Star&nbsp;(Meg Pellegrini)</li>
<li>Fernhill Esmerelda&nbsp;(Jon Holling)</li>
<li>Legionnaire (Sara Beth Anton)</li>
<li>Total Access (Nicolette Adams)&nbsp;</li>
<li class="sc-Rmtcm cYMCPj">Shanaclough Quality Clover (Moriah Orms)</li>
</ul>
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<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h2>TerraNova's Time Test</h2>
Since this venue started hosting a CCI4*-S back in 2021, it has proven itself as a tough time test. Of the 134 starters, only four have jumped clear inside-the-time cross-country. However, three of these came in the venues 2025 spring edition.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4f552efc-56fa-4f78-945e-1b89aa5139ce.png?width=1820&amp;height=860" alt="K S Gq E Xc Stats for Terranova S Cci4 S ">
With that in mind, Waylon Roberts is most likely to climb this weekend, with his rides Fernhill Salt Lake and Chevalier topping the field on their speed metrics.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a16bb030-c1fb-41b4-b79f-d93f26c3c6ce.png?width=1036&amp;height=1680" alt="U Mqlo Fastest Horses in the Field Based on Equiratings Tsp (1)">
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<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The EquiRatings Prediction Centre</h2>
Diabolo leads the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/terranova_4s_nov2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a> with a 34% win chance, Lucienne Bellissimo's Dyri sits second at 18%, with her second ride Kitsch Couture HPK at 8%.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b7462207-3668-43a7-a4fb-e3785e20eacc.png?width=859&amp;height=811" alt="Screenshot 2025 11 13 113229">
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With a four-month break until the series resumes in March, TerraNova serves as both ending and beginning. It's the last competitive run before winter training and for many, the first glimpse of 2026 potential. For horses moving from three-star to four-star, the off-season work ahead will be transformative.
The season ends, but the stories are just beginning. Can Diabolo make the perfect comeback? Will Dyri maintain his dominance? Which combinations will announce themselves as 2026 series contender?&nbsp;
Listen to the TerraNova 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/38986300/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/0a317e/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 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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&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>.

TerraNova Preview: Diabolo Returns

Germany&rsquo;s Felicitas Hendricks is a staple on the Wellington podium, but for the first time in her already-storied career, she&rsquo;s heading west. She&rsquo;ll make her West Coast debut at the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final in Thermal, CA.
In 15 career Grand Prix Freestyles together, Hendricks and Drombusch OLD (by Destano) have finished outside the top three only three times. In 2024, they went undefeated through their Wellington season. This year has been a quieter one, but even Hendricks&rsquo; so-called &ldquo;off day&rdquo; was a 75 &mdash; a score most riders would celebrate.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Always in Rhythm</h2>
Across their four qualifier appearances, Hendricks and Drombusch OLD averaged a freestyle score of 76.533%. Their best outing came in January, when they won the first Adequan Global Dressage Festival qualifier with a 78.200%, dazzling judges with 20 one-tempis and an average degree of difficulty of 9.46. In just three months, they amassed 64 Series points before returning to Germany for the summer season.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I feel like the sky really is the limit for this horse because he wants to do it, and I know he will," Hendricks said.
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Making of a Match</h2>
Trained by famed German coach Christoph Koschel, Hendricks has married classic schooling with contemporary flair. Her disco-inspired freestyle, set to music her mother danced to in the &rsquo;80s, is a crowd favorite. Drombusch himself lights up when the music comes over the loudspeakers.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s such a big personality,&rdquo; Hendricks laughed. &ldquo;I really believe he knows his music. When the crowd starts clapping, it&rsquo;s our favorite part.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
The pair has bonded over nearly a decade, and Hendricks says each competition season reveals new layers to his personality and ability. In addition to her recent senior success, she was the 2023 European Under-25 Grand Prix gold medalist and Freestyle silver medalist, helping Germany capture team gold at the U25 FEI European Championships. Now based in Hagen, Germany for the summer, she is making her first trip to the West Coast for the Final.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t wish for a better dance partner. Every day I think, I don&rsquo;t want him to get older. I just want to freeze him and have him forever," Hendricks explained.
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">West of Wellington&nbsp;</h2>
The Final in Thermal will be Hendricks&rsquo; first West Coast appearance and perhaps the biggest test of her career so far. Her record leaves little doubt about her ability, but this time she&rsquo;ll be outside the familiarity of Wellington. If she can channel the same precision, composure, and trust that have defined her partnership with Drombusch, the path to the title may well run straight through her centerline.
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.
&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>.

Dressage rider Felicitas Hendricks smiles and celebrates while patting her horse after a ride, both wearing competition gear with the US Equestrian Open of Dressage logo in the corner.

Four to Follow at the US Equestrian Open Final: Felicitas Hendricks

On a night defined by personal bests, it was Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena who delivered the most meaningful one. Their final freestyle of the season scored 79.930%, a career high and more than enough to win the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final. After building their entire Grand Prix career together within the Series, the pair capped their year with a test that had the crowd clapping along and judges reaching for 9s.
They weren&rsquo;t the only ones who saved their best for last. Three other riders posted personal bests in Saturday night&rsquo;s freestyle, and ten of the twelve riders in the field outscored their season averages.
<h2 dir="ltr">Bellena&rsquo;s Best Yet</h2>
From their freestyle debut in April to their crowning ride in November, Ebeling and Bellena have looked more confident with every outing. In just six months, they started their showing career together, came second in the Series, won three of their five qualifiers, broke their personal best four times in a row, and now, have won the inaugural Final.&nbsp;
Riding to a girl-power soundtrack of &ldquo;Maneater,&rdquo; &ldquo;Femininomenon,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Perfect,&rdquo; they closed their test with a soaring extended trot and a seamless halt, drawing cheers from the crowd and topping the field by more than a point. Two judges scored the ride above 80%, and Ebeling was the only rider to receive that distinction.
His final score&mdash;79.930%&mdash;was nearly two points above his previous best. He earned 8s across the board for harmony, 8s and 9s for choreography, and an average degree of difficulty of 9.0. It marked the fourth personal best in a row for the pair, whose trajectory has been steep and steady: from 76.190% in July, to 76.615%, then 77.655%, 78.055%, and now this.
On a night full of strong rides, Bellena was the belle of the ball.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-3NPja" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Bellena's scores with Ben" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/3NPja/1/" height="769" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Line chart" data-external="1"></iframe>
&ldquo;This Series has opened the sport to people who can appreciate horse dancing,&rdquo; Ebeling said afterward. &ldquo;I mean, who doesn&rsquo;t like that?&rdquo;
He also gave full credit to Bellena, a 15-year-old Hanoverian mare owned by Ann Romney.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;She means everything to me. Every time I&rsquo;ve asked her to come into the clutch, she&rsquo;s always come through for me. She&rsquo;s a special mare.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">Margin of Greatness</h2>
Germany&rsquo;s Felicitas Hendricks and Drombusch OLD finished second with a 78.260% in a technically ambitious freestyle that earned the highest degree of difficulty of the night (9.3). She also received a 9.0 for her final halt and scored consistently high for music and choreography. Hendricks, already a two-time U25 European Champion, is a world champion in the making. At just 25, she&rsquo;s already holding her own against senior riders despite still being young enough for the junior division.
&ldquo;The test felt incredible,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;My horse gave it his all."
<blockquote>
"He was on fire in the best way possible.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Series champion Anna Marek returned to the arena with Fayvel. Their test was clean and assertive&mdash;though perhaps not as relaxed as their best outings&mdash;and included an extremely difficult line of one-tempi changes into twos, plus a final extension that closed the performance with strength. They finished third with their second-highest score of the season at 77.830%.&nbsp;
Kristina Harrison-Antell and Finley delivered a brilliant 75.470%&mdash;their first new personal best since 2022, and fittingly, at the very same show. It lifted her into fourth&nbsp;in the final standings and served as a fitting high point for the longest-running partnership in the Series.
Laura DeCesari and Nadine Schwartsman also notched career bests. DeCesari, riding in her first CDI5*, earned a 70.304%, while Schwartsman opened the evening with a 70.775%&mdash;her first time breaking the 70% barrier in freestyle. Both finished inside the Series top ten.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Final Page</h2>
Back in January, the US Equestrian Open was a budding series. We didn&rsquo;t know the cast of characters, and the possibilities were endless. By Saturday night, we&rsquo;d finished reading the last chapter.
We&rsquo;ll be reliving the highlights for weeks to come. The 2026 season starts soon, and when it does, a new volume of the US Equestrian Open gets underway.
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Benjamin Ebeling smiles and waves while riding Bellena in the winner’s presentation at the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final. Bellena wears a champion’s cooler and sash with blue ribbons as palm trees and branding fill the night-lit arena backdrop.

Ben and Bellena Save Their Best for Last 

Perhaps the most anticipated freestyle of the weekend belongs to Series leader Anna Marek and her partner Fayvel, a 15-year-old KWPN gelding by Zizi Top. The pair have been one of the most consistent duos of the season, always scoring in the upper 70s, always placing in the top three. This weekend, they trade lush Florida palms for California desert palms as they step into a US Equestrian Open arena, one more time.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">The Journey to Now</h2>
Fayvel wasn&rsquo;t originally meant to be Marek&rsquo;s mount. He came into her program as an amateur&rsquo;s horse, owned and ridden by Cynthia Davila. But when Davila was sidelined by injury, Marek took over the ride. The fit wasn&rsquo;t immediate. Fayvel had been brought along with someone else in mind, but over time, the partnership clicked into place.
Today, they&rsquo;ve become reliably dominant, only finishing outside the top three once in their last 10 FEI freestyles. That one exception? The 2024 World Cup Final, where they finished 8th, the highest-ranked US pair at the championship.&nbsp;
For the 2025 US Equestrian Open season, Marek split her Series campaign between Fayvel and Fire Fly. That strategy worked. She finished the regular season with 105 points, topping the leaderboard and becoming the only rider to break the 100-point mark. But it also forced a tough decision. Which horse would travel to the Final?
Fire Fly delivered Marek&rsquo;s only qualifier win of the season. But Fayvel brought more consistency and higher marks. Ultimately, she chose Fayvel.
Now the question is: did she choose right?
<h2 dir="ltr">The Season of Almost</h2>
On paper, Fayvel looks strong. Among the horses entered in the Final, he has both the highest Series average (76.840%) and the highest Series score (78.765%). When you expand the lens to broader FEI results, he still ranks near the top, second only to Drombusch OLD in career personal best and career average among Final entries.&nbsp;
And yet, for all his scoring power, he hasn&rsquo;t won a single qualifier. Marek&rsquo;s only Series victory came aboard Fire Fly, the horse she ultimately chose not to bring. Fayvel has come close again and again. At WEC, he missed the win by just 0.040%, the narrowest margin in Series history.
He hasn&rsquo;t won an FEI freestyle since February 2024, just before the World Cup Final. That&rsquo;s not a knock&mdash; it&rsquo;s a testament to how consistently, albeit heartbreakingly, close they&rsquo;ve been. Marek has more second-place finishes than any other rider this season.
Statistically, he&rsquo;s one of the best horses in the Series. But this weekend, metrics won&rsquo;t win the class. Can Fayvel finally turn second into first?
<h2 dir="ltr">The Final Wait</h2>
Marek is one of the most experienced riders in the field. She&rsquo;s brought with her a horse peaking in power, expression, and precision. One who is capable of breaking the 80% barrier.&nbsp;
She tops the leaderboard, and in nearly every metric, the data is on her side. She just hasn&rsquo;t had a win on this horse in over a year.&nbsp;
On Saturday night, as she exits the arena and the judges calculate the final score, we&rsquo;ll hold our breath with her, because it might be the moment she finally breaks free of second place.&nbsp;
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>.

Anna Marek smiles and waves to the crowd aboard Fayvel after completing their freestyle at the 2024 FEI World Cup Final.

Four to Follow at the US Equestrian Open Final: Anna Marek

Saturday night&rsquo;s Grand Prix Freestyle will decide the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final, and if <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/whos-on-form-for-the-final" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Friday&rsquo;s Grand Prix</a> was any indication, the field is more than ready. All three podium finishers landed within 0.304 percentage points of one another, with Anna Marek taking the win on 70.804%. Nine riders scored above their season average. And Laura DeCesari delivered a personal best that outpaced her norm by more than three full points.
In short: the field is in form, and they came to play.
With the Freestyle&rsquo;s added score multipliers and $200,000 on the line, we&rsquo;re likely to see bold riding, tight scoring, and more than a few new personal bests. And at the end of it, we will crown an inaugural champion.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-E2Jw7" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/E2Jw7/2/" height="887" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Usual Suspects&nbsp;</h2>
You know who the statistical favorites are, and it's anyone's game. Anna Marek, Felicitas Hendricks, and Ben Ebeling all average above 75% in the freestyle across the season, and all three landed on the Grand Prix podium last night. Even Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn, who finished in sixth, has the technical skill to knock any one of them off the podium tonight. She and Gino just need to clean up some communication, and if they can achieve that, the top three need to watch their backs.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">The Not-So-Usual Suspects</h2>
Outside the top four, the field doesn&rsquo;t get much more predictable. Which, let&rsquo;s be honest, just makes it all the more fun.
Kristina Harrison-Antell came fourth last night with a strong 68.978% in the Grand Prix&mdash;two full points above her average and just 0.3 percent off a new personal best. Often playing second fiddle to Ge&ntilde;ay and Gino on the California circuit, Harrison-Antell proved that the queen of the West Coast isn&rsquo;t untouchable. With the small matter of riding in a ring that Finley knows well, she&rsquo;s the kind of steady hand who could capitalize if others falter. She and Finley have the longest partnership in the field, and a podium tonight would be a full-circle moment in a strong season.
Jan Ebeling and Jubi&rsquo;s Tenacity bring that same veteran feel. Their name rarely tops headlines, but their 75.720% freestyle personal best is no small number, and it trails Vaughn's by just a tenth of a point. If Jubi's relaxed and Jan&rsquo;s riding sharp, they could absolutely disrupt the expected order.
Charlotte Jorst and Karen Lipp both have wide scoring spreads. Their personal bests sit in the 72&ndash;74% range, but either could break out with a clean ride and technical finesse. Lipp, in particular, has climbed the leaderboard all season by riding clean, artistic tests in tough fields.&nbsp;
Then there&rsquo;s DeCesari, who broke through with a personal best in Friday&rsquo;s Grand Prix that clocked in over three percentage points above her average. Their partnership has been trending upward all year, and a repeat performance tonight could launch them into the upper half of the leaderboard.&nbsp;
Laine Ashker and Zeppelin tied for 11th last night with Nadine Schwartsman. As only the second pair to go, there was a little tension, probably nerves in both horse and rider. While Ashker isn&rsquo;t new to the top of horse sport (she's an accomplished five-star eventer), she is new to the top of this horse sport. This is her first dressage five-star. Even still, one look at her social media tells you how much fun she&rsquo;s having just being here. If she can tap into that joy tonight, her 73% ceiling could come tumbling down with a new career-best.&nbsp;
Schwartsman hasn&rsquo;t cracked 70% yet, but she&rsquo;s getting close. Her personal best of 69.935% came earlier this spring, and her Grand Prix last night was nearly a full point above her average. If she can bring that same composure to the freestyle, a new PB&mdash;and a place inside the top 10&mdash;is absolutely within reach.
And then there&rsquo;s Brittney Simpson and Kartsevo Goldfinch. With a Grand Prix performance that outpaced her average by 1.572 points, she&rsquo;s quietly positioned herself to surprise. While her average freestyle sits near 67%, she&rsquo;s hit 72% before. If she does it again tonight, she&rsquo;ll be in the mix with the likes of Jorst, Lipp, and Harrison-Antell.
<h2 dir="ltr">X Halt, Salute</h2>
Not every rider will win tonight, but nearly all are chasing something meaningful. A personal best. A top-ten finish. A ride that reflects the work it took to get here.
That&rsquo;s what the Open has offered all season: a chance to show up, to break through, and to build something. Each qualifier brought new faces, new milestones, and new horses to fall in love with.
But this is the one that counts.
The math is simple now. Whoever wins tonight, wins the Final. And while the numbers will crown a champion, it&rsquo;ll take more than that to earn the title. Trust, timing, and maybe even a little luck.
All that&rsquo;s left now&hellip; is to ride.
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Don&rsquo;t miss a moment of the US Equestrian Open Final. Watch live on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usef.org/network" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USEF Network</a>, dive deeper with the complete&nbsp;<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/dressagefinal2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fan Guide</a>, and follow along on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/instagram.com/usequestrianopen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a> for updates, results, and behind-the-scenes coverage.

Anna Marek smiles and pats Fayvel after completing a freestyle test under the lights. The US Equestrian Open of Dressage logo and patriotic graphic elements frame the image.

The Freestyle Finale: Your Usual Suspects

The first night of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final delivered exactly what it was supposed to. Clarity.&nbsp;
Anna Marek and Fayvel captured the Grand Prix win on a 70.804%, edging out Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena (70.522%) and Felicitas Hendricks and Drombusch OLD (70.500%) in a top three separated by just 0.304%.&nbsp;
Behind them, the rest of the field surged, too. Laura de Cesari led the field in improvement, scoring a personal best of 67.304%&mdash;a full 3.1 points above her average. Kristina Harrison-Antell followed suit with a 2.3-point gain, and Charlotte Jorst, Brittney Simpson, and Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn all clocked in at least 1.4 points above their norm. The result? A leaderboard where 12 of 15 combinations beat their own FEI average.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-A55Bc" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Form Check: How Grand Prix Scores Stack Up After Night One" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/A55Bc/2/" height="1014" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">Close Enough to Make You Nervous</h2>
None of the four heavy hitters rode a flawless test, but that&rsquo;s what makes live sport so exciting. It&rsquo;s the drama and the unexpected that makes it so fun to watch&hellip; and so hard to predict.&nbsp;
Although Fayvel broke into canter in the very first extended trot, Marek still beamed after her test. &ldquo;I did have a very excited Fayvel when I first started the test,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;But I love that. He knows that test so well. I said, &lsquo;okay, let&rsquo;s put a lid on it,&rsquo; and he did.&rdquo; Fayvel settled as the ride went on. Marek rode smartly but not cautiously, opting to push for expression in later extensions rather than back down. That balance of containment and boldness earned her the top score of the night. With the energy dialed in and Fayvel familiar with the arena, Marek will be free to ride boldly tomorrow.
Right on her heels, Ebeling and Bellena delivered one of the most technically sound tests of the evening. They led through most of the ride until a bobble in the one-tempis and a miscue in the final piaffe-passage line opened the door for a reshuffle. Still, they came second by just 0.282%. At this point in the season, there&rsquo;s no question of whether Ebeling can win. Based on how attentive the mare looked in the ring and how well they recovered from minor mistakes, they&rsquo;ve got everything they need to take the title.
Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and Gino were nearly the surprise winners of the Grand Prix, but a few communication errors in coefficient movements kept them from catching Marek. Nevertheless, the test showed a combination that&rsquo;s in sync and hungry for more. The ride was confident, the horse looked sharp, and Vaughn now has a clear read on what&rsquo;s underneath her. If they&rsquo;ve managed to raise their degree of difficulty since the spring, this is a pair with podium potential and then some.
Felicitas Hendricks took a different approach: steady, thoughtful, and just a touch reserved. Drombusch OLD didn&rsquo;t quite have his usual fire, but Hendricks didn&rsquo;t ask for it either. &ldquo;He might have been a little tired tonight,&rdquo; she said after the ride, &ldquo;but that&rsquo;s good because it means he&rsquo;ll have more spirit tomorrow.&rdquo; With one of the most technically difficult freestyles in the field and a proven record over 79%, Hendricks remains very much in the hunt.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Ready or Not, Here Comes the Final</h2>
Statistically, the average freestyle score trends 3&ndash;5 percentage points higher than the Grand Prix, meaning tomorrow&rsquo;s results will likely crest well into the mid-70s, if not higher. That leaves the door wide open for comebacks, breakthroughs, and title-defining performances.
No one&rsquo;s walking away with this one. And that&rsquo;s exactly how the first Final should end.
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Don&rsquo;t miss a moment of the US Equestrian Open Final. Watch live on <a href="https://www.usef.org/network" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USEF Network</a>, dive deeper with the complete <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/dressagefinal2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fan Guide</a>, and follow along on <a href="instagram.com/usequestrianopen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a> for updates, results, and behind-the-scenes coverage.

Anna Marek and Fayvel stand in the rain under the lights at Desert International Horse Park after winning the Grand Prix at the US Equestrian Open Final. Fayvel wears a champion’s cooler and ribbon while Marek salutes during the national anthem.

Who's On Form for the Final?

The inaugural US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final opens Friday night in Thermal with the Grand Prix. It is the first of two tests that will decide this year's champion. The Grand Prix won't crown the winner outright (that's Saturday's freestyle), but it will tell us everything we need to know about who showed up ready.
Who's settled into the desert atmosphere? Who's scoring above their norm&hellip; or cracking under pressure? And which combinations look like they're about to have the weekend of their lives?
With Series leaders, World Cup finalists, rising stars, and West Coast heavyweights all converging at Desert International Horse Park&rsquo;s main arena, this is the most competitive field of the season.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">The Grand Prix: Your First Real Read</h2>
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-5dMDu" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final Horse &amp;amp; Rider Grand Prix Stats" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/5dMDu/2/" height="1031" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
The Grand Prix isn't a perfect predictor of the freestyle, but it's a clear signal for what&rsquo;s to come. Because it&rsquo;s a purely technical test, with no music, no degree of difficulty bonuses, and no choreography multipliers, it shows you exactly where each pair stands before artistry enters the equation. Plus, when a pair performs well on Friday, especially relative to their FEI averages, they almost always carry that confidence into Saturday. When a horse scores several points below its season norm, something's off: tension, travel fatigue, or the atmosphere itself.
The strongest GP performers this season are clear. <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/four-to-follow-at-the-us-equestrian-open-final-felicitas-hendricks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Felicitas Hendricks</a> and Drombusch OLD lead the field with a 74.256% personal best and the highest Grand Prix average (70.708%). <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/four-to-follow-at-the-us-equestrian-open-final-anna-marek" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anna Marek</a> and Fayvel follow closely with a 73.131% PB and a 70.148% average. They&rsquo;re the only Finalists who have cracked 73% in a Grand Prix.
The Grand Prix reveals the foundation riders must build on in the freestyle. Strong technical horses tend to remain strong once the music starts. And riders who struggle in the GP rarely find enough artistic points the next night to cover gaps in basic execution.&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s why Friday matters.
Still, some combinations reliably climb when the music turns on. Karen Lipp and Infinity often sit in the high-60s on Friday, then jump several points in the freestyle. Charlotte Jorst and Zhaplin Langholt show a similar pattern with solid technical work that blossoms once music, harmony, and choreography are factored in. These are the types of riders whose Grand Prix scores undersell their freestyle potential.
Friday will show us exactly what each pair has under the hood. Saturday tells us what they can build on top of it.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Gap Between the Tests</h2>
Across the season, the field trends three to five percentage points higher in Freestyles because the scoring system rewards more than execution: music, degree of difficulty, harmony, and choreography all carry 4x multipliers.
For some riders, that artistic boost is transformative. <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/four-to-follow-at-the-us-equestrian-open-final-ben-ebeling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benjamin Ebeling</a> and Bellena average around 69% in the Grand Prix, but clear 75% in the freestyle. Bellena&rsquo;s musicality and the pair&rsquo;s overall harmony give them one of the biggest Grand Prix-to-Freestyle jumps of the field. G&uuml;nter Seidel and Equirelle tell a similar story. The freestyle&rsquo;s choreography lets Equirelle settle into a rhythm, so technical work like changes and passage smooth out, and the artistic multipliers lift the whole picture in a way the Grand Prix can&rsquo;t.
So while Friday can give you a preview of what's to come, it can also mislead you. A mid-60s Grand Prix can turn into a low- or mid-70s freestyle if the technical base is solid. Strong Grand Prix rides almost always lead to strong freestyles. And riders who struggle a bit on Friday can still earn back marks on Saturday, but only to a point.
The real red flag is when a pair finishes well below their usual Grand Prix average. Horses do sometimes settle overnight, but heading into a championship test, a shaky Grand Prix rarely inspires confidence.
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Don&rsquo;t miss a moment of the US Equestrian Open Final. Watch live on <a href="https://www.usef.org/network" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USEF Network</a>, dive deeper with the complete <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/dressagefinal2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fan Guide</a>, and follow along on <a href="instagram.com/usequestrianopen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a> for updates, results, and behind-the-scenes coverage.
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A rider wearing a white button-down dress and tall brown boots jogs a chestnut horse during the veterinary inspection at the US Equestrian Open of Dressage in Thermal. Palm trees and desert mountains blur in the background beneath the event’s logo.

The Final Begins: What Friday's Grand Prix Will Reveal — and What It Won't

TerraNova closed out the second and final qualifier of the year - and the last chance for riders to make a move before the winter break. With the 2026 Series already taking shape, this weekend carried extra weight: momentum to protect, gaps to close, and reputations to reinforce. What unfolded was a mix of big statements, breakout moments, and one serious return to form.
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<hr>
<h2 data-start="936" data-end="978">1st place: Will Coleman &amp; Diabolo</h2>
Diabolo is back. His 26.1 dressage tied the second-best 4* test ever recorded at the venue, a mark beaten only by another of Will's horses -&nbsp;Chin Tonic HS.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4b1380cd-6e7b-4a59-b0f6-13a416680818.png?width=1256&amp;height=1172" alt="P Et Ia B Top 10 Dressage Tests at Terranova Cci4 S B ">
A double clear maintained their lead from start to finish. TerraNova became Diabolo&rsquo;s&nbsp;third four-star win in a row, following victories in Kentucky and Plantation (albeit back in 2024).
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/26fca5a5-c2e6-43bd-89de-3c902ab30ecc.png?width=1322&amp;height=566" alt="D Yp I4 Will Diabolo S Three 4 Wins in a Row ">
<h2 data-start="2022" data-end="2073">2nd place: Lucienne Bellissimo &amp; Dyri</h2>
Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri finished second, strengthening Dyri&rsquo;s position as the most podiumed horse in the world this year. His seventh podium puts him clear of well known names like Dark Gambler, Debbi, and London 52. Their solid finish at TerraNova gives them a second strong four-star result after what has been a mixed year at the level, and Lucienne heads into the break as the US Equestrian Open leader.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a93b214c-a741-4b80-9ce2-79fc0b1f41b9.png?width=1160&amp;height=752" alt="Y3d9 H B Horses With the Most International Podiums in 2025 B Nbsp (3)">
<h2 data-start="2745" data-end="2798">3rd place: Waylon Roberts &amp; Fernhill Salt Lake </h2>
Waylon arrived at TerraNova with the fastest horse in the field based on EquiRatings TSP (Top Speed Percentage) and he backed it up. Fernhill Salt Lake delivered the fastest round of the weekend and was the only horse to make the time cross the country. It also marked a big step forward for the pair as this was their third CCI4* start but only their first completion at the level.
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<hr data-start="3540" data-end="3543">
<h2 data-start="3545" data-end="3574">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="3545" data-end="3574">Breakout Performer - Meg Pellegrini</h2>
Meg Pellegrini made an impressive mark on her four-star debut. Dondante jumped clear in both show jumping and cross-country to finish 7th, while Falcon Crown Z opened with a brilliant 26.9 dressage &mdash; the second-best test in the field &mdash; before slipping to 9th with poles and some time. Cooley Wish Upon a Star added another strong result to her growing record to finish 12th.&nbsp;
These three results all rank among the highest-rated U25 performances on US soil at the four-star level this year - three from three is a pretty impressive return.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/09cb8aa2-4227-4080-8fb8-ba66292531ab.png?width=1760&amp;height=978" alt="5pve6 Span Data Start 121 Data End 189 Span Data Start 122 Data End 142 Style Highest Rated Cci4 Span Performances by U25 Riders on Us Soil This Year 2025 Span (2)">
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/90588136-8a91-4d32-abf1-a3311056fe6c.jpg?width=1599&amp;height=1189" alt="Width 1600">
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Meg Pelligrini and Cooley Wish Upon A Star
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<hr data-start="4665" data-end="4668">
<h2 data-start="4670" data-end="4699">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="4670" data-end="4699">The Leaderboard Picture</h2>
With two qualifiers now complete, Lucienne extends her lead in the 2026 Series. Will was expected to be a major player in last year&rsquo;s Open but finished 2025 on just 75 points. This season already looks different - 60 points on the board from the outset puts him in a far stronger position.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8a16ba9e-7de4-4d4d-b57c-f45fec335ce0.png?width=406&amp;height=550" alt="Leaderboard">
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<h2 data-start="5404" data-end="5435">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="5404" data-end="5435">A Clear End to the Season</h2>
TerraNova wrapped the season with clarity: Diabolo is back in a big way, Dyri remains the benchmark for global consistency, and the leaderboard picture heading into winter is sharper than ever. The break may pause competition, but the storylines are already set for when the series kicks off again in the new year.
Listen to the TerraNova Review 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/39088115/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">&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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<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>.

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