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

Two qualifiers down, a winter break ahead, and a leaderboard that's begging for debate. Here are five storylines guaranteed to spark arguments more entertaining than anything happening on the TV in the other room.
<h3>1. Is the Leaderboard Safe&hellip; or Living on Borrowed Time?</h3>
Lucienne Bellissimo sits pretty at the top with 80 points. Will Coleman's right behind with 60. Waylon Roberts rounds out the podium at 55.&nbsp;
And here's the thing nobody at the table wants to hear: the top three finishers from last year's series haven't even competed yet. Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton, and Caroline Pamukcu are all sitting at zero and they're not exactly short on firepower.
The numbers tell the story. Caroline Pamukcu logged 31 runs across 7 horses at the top level in 2025. Boyd Martin had 24 runs with 9 horses. Phillip Dutton? 17 runs, 5 horses. Compare that to Lucienne's 13 runs with 3 horses, or Will's 10 runs with 4.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b2e8e0c4-80e3-43a7-81c1-174db526d651.png?width=916&amp;height=772" alt="J I Aob B 2025 Top Level Runs Last Year S Podium Vs. Current Leaders B Nbsp ">
More horses means more chances to place. More runs means more opportunities to stack points. And that's just their current strings - it is likely that there is horses waiting in the wings ready to step up.
So is Lucienne safe? Is Will? The honest answer: probably not yet. When riders with that kind of depth come out after the winter break, 80 points might start looking less like a cushion and more like a head start that's about to evaporate.
The debate: Does early momentum matter or does string depth win out in the end?
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
<h3>2. Will Riders Change Their Tactics for Series Points in 2026?</h3>
Let's take a look at how Boyd Martin won it last year. He started the 2025 series at Bouckaert in March with modest points. Then came Stable View in the spring: +130 points. The Fork followed: +120 points. By the end of the season, he'd rocketed to 260 and the winner's check.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a67dc579-e760-432b-a8b2-7faf1fef17a1.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Series Podium (8)">
&nbsp;
Notice a pattern? Those big point gains came at events with larger fields. The scoring system rewards depth of competition - qualifiers with more than 25 starters offer 50 points for first place, while smaller fields cap out at 40.
So here's the question: will riders start targeting the bigger events specifically for points? If you know a qualifier is going to draw a deep field, does it make sense to aim your best horse there rather than a smaller competition where the math doesn't work as well in your favor?
The debate: Is strategic event selection the key to the series, or does it overcomplicate things?
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>3. Which Rider Has the Most Pressure Heading into 2026?</h3>
Let's run through some of the candidates.
Boyd Martin &ndash; The defending champion of both the series and the final. He's got a target on his back and everyone's coming for him.&nbsp;
Will Coleman &ndash; That pole. You know the one. The rail that handed Boyd the win. Does redemption fuel him or haunt him?
Phillip Dutton &ndash; Led the series right until the bitter end, then watched Boyd pip him at the post.&nbsp;
Lucienne Bellissimo &ndash; Currently leading the 2026 standings. She's put herself in the spotlight, can she handle it?
Tamie Smith &ndash; Mai Baum's retirement leaving a hole in Tamie's string and an aim to recreate those results with other horses.&nbsp;
The debate: Whose pressure is heaviest - the defending champ, the current leader, or another contender?
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>4. If You Could Buy Stock in One Rider for the Rest of the Season&hellip; Who Would It Be?</h3>
Time to put your money where your mouth is. With $25,000 on the line for the series winner and $200,000 for the final, your portfolio better be right.
The Blue Chip: Boyd Martin &ndash; Safe money, solid returns.
The Growth Stock: Caroline Pamukcu &ndash;&nbsp; Zero points so far but a huge string - very likely surge up the standings.
The Value Play: Waylon Roberts &ndash; Sitting third with 55 points, he's already on the board while the big guns are still on the sidelines.
The Speculative Buy: Lucienne Bellissimo &ndash; She's proven she can score points but with a smaller string than the Americans chasing her, there is no margin for error.
The debate: Who do you invest in and who do you short?
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>5. Who's the Next Breakout Star of the Series?</h3>
Last season gave us two young horses we couldn't stop talking about. Sharon White's Jaguars Duende, just nine years old, stepped up to the 4* level and looked like he belonged there from day one. Kim Severson's Cooley Corraghy Diamond did the same at eight.&nbsp;
So who's next?
The 2025 season saw some top-class performances from seven-year-olds at the 3* level on US soil. Sharon White tops the board with Arden Augustus, posting an HPR of 87 at The Fork at Tryon in May.&nbsp;Caroline Pamukcu's HSH Talbots Hill matched that mark at TerraNova.
One of these ten could be next years superstar.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0c630cac-f1ca-445b-b671-0b819614208b.png?width=1412&amp;height=986" alt="L Xrzj B Highest Rated Performances by 7 Year Old S at 3 on Us Soil in 2025 B ">
The debate: Which young horse do you think makes the biggest splash in 2026?
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Pass the Pie, Keep the Debate Going</h3>
That's your Thanksgiving cheat sheet. Five storylines, endless arguments, and a winter break to let the anticipation build.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
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">
&nbsp;
<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>.

Thanksgiving Table Talk: Five US Equestrian Open Storylines to Debate Over Dessert

The 2026 US Equestrian Open of Dressage arrives with a ruleset that&rsquo;s familiar in shape but slightly different in how it functions. Most of the changes revolve around how points are earned and what it now takes to build a competitive season. The goal is simple: reward riders for showing up where the depth is real, and make the pathway to the Finals more reflective of performance than pure mileage.
Below is a breakdown of what&rsquo;s changed, and why it matters as the new season gets underway.
<h2 dir="ltr">A Points System That Reflects the Field</h2>
The biggest shift for 2026 is the complete overhaul of the points structure. The old system assigned fixed points regardless of how many riders showed up. A four-horse qualifier gave the same points as a ten-horse qualifier.
The new version changes that. Points now adjust to field size: small fields include 1&ndash;5 starters, medium 6&ndash;10, and large 11&ndash;15. The top end of each range mirrors the intent of the old system, but the spacing and values change dramatically.
- Small fields (1-5) now top out at 15 points for a win and drop quickly.
- Medium fields (6-10) match the former standard&mdash;20 for the win&mdash;but smooth out the distribution through the top 10.
- Large fields (11-15) receive the biggest boost, offering 25 points to the winner and a strong payout down the order.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ca9b4a65-64fb-4868-aeb9-d7e3ee412167.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Points chart showing how riders earn points based on field size at US Equestrian Open qualifiers, with separate tables for large, medium, and small classes.">
This new system, which follows the same principles used in the Eventing Open, rewards depth and showing up in competitive fields. Second place in a large field (20 points) is now equal to what winning used to earn across the board. In a large field, sixth place still earns 10 points, but unlike before, 7th&ndash;10th now receive fewer points&mdash;so finishing one place higher actually changes your season total. In large fields, points now extend through 15th place&mdash;five places deeper than before&mdash;allowing more riders to accumulate meaningful totals.
This system does two things. It rewards riders who step into deep, competitive environments. And it pressures those aiming for the Finals to choose their venues carefully. A small field still counts, but it no longer holds the same weight.&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Fewer Results Count&mdash;So Each One Matters More</h2>
Another fundamental change is the shift from counting a rider&rsquo;s top six results to counting their top four.&nbsp;
Under the old structure, consistency across a long schedule was rewarded, and riders based on the East Coast naturally benefited from having more Big Tour opportunities within easy reach. With only four results now counting, each ride carries more weight, but riders who compete more than four times still have the flexibility to replace low scores as the season progresses.
This setup also softens the impact of an off weekend, but it also sharpens the value of every strong performance. Four mid-range scores won&rsquo;t do the work that four competitive ones can, especially under a points system that rewards depth.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Clarifications, Cleanups, and Codified Scenarios</h2>
The remaining changes are small adjustments that refine rather than overhaul.
<h3 dir="ltr">Multi-Star Weekends.</h3>
When a venue offers multiple Grand Prix Freestyles in a single weekend, riders can now earn points only in the highest-star class offered. The exception: if there&rsquo;s a CDIO3* (or higher), riders may also earn points in the highest non-CDIO class. Previously, the rule existed in spirit but not in precise language. Now, it&rsquo;s spelled out.
<h3 dir="ltr">Tie-breaking language.</h3>
The underlying approach remains unchanged&mdash;ties occupy consecutive places, and the next rider&rsquo;s placing is adjusted accordingly&mdash;but the rulebook now gives a clearer example. It&rsquo;s administrative clarity, not structural change.
<h3 dir="ltr">Season dates.</h3>
The Series now officially begins December 1 instead of January 1. The end-of-season timing remains the same: at least two weeks before the Finals. Practically speaking, this mostly aligns the paperwork with how the season already operated.
<h3 dir="ltr">What Hasn't Changed.</h3>
While the points system and season structure have evolved, the foundation of the Series remains the same. The $50K season prize pool and $200K Finals purse are unchanged, as are the qualifications that shape the competitive field: the top 18 advance to the Finals, riders must earn a 67% Certificate of Capability, each athlete may bring only one horse to the Final, and a 60% Grand Prix score is still required to ride the Freestyle Final.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Looking Ahead to Ocala</h2>
The heart of these updates is simple: the 2026 Open rewards strong performances in strong company. Riders won&rsquo;t need as many big weekends to qualify, but the big weekends they choose will matter more than ever.
The first chance to see this new landscape in action is next weekend in Ocala, where the season officially begins. Tune in and watch the new points era take shape from the very first judge&rsquo;s bell.

A decorated archway marking the entrance to the US Equestrian Open of Dressage, framed by tall palm trees and flower arrangements on a sunny day.

What’s New for 2026: A Clearer, Sharper US Equestrian Open of Dressage

Last week, we looked at the big picture of the inaugural US Equestrian Open series - 349 runs, 179 horses, 115 athletes, and 8 nations. This week, we're going deeper into how some of the best performances unfolded across the three phases.
Because while knowing who won matters, understanding how they won tells the real story. 
<hr>
<h2> The Dressage Leaders</h2>
Of those 349 runs, the dressage phase set the tone for what was possible. Will Coleman and Off The Record delivered the series' best mark&mdash;21.8 at Kentucky&mdash;proving that an elite first phase is often the foundation for victory. They went on to win that qualifier and ultimately, finish second in the final at Morven Park.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/41905f3e-23f6-46f6-bc3d-e0ed5287ae3f.png?width=1312&amp;height=1202" alt="Jlej W Top Ten Dressage Scores of the 2025 Series Qualifiers (1)">
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum weren't far behind at 22.0 at Rebecca Farm, also converting that performance into a win. Phillip Dutton appeared three times in the top 10 dressage scores with two different horses -Possante and Denim.
The standout? Only six combinations scored sub-25 and 40 combinations scored sub-30 across all 349 runs of the series.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Jumping Phases</h2>
Of 349 runs, only 83 show jumping rounds finished clear and inside time - less than 24% of the runs. The optimum time proved harder to achieve than many anticipated, even at this level.
Cross-country was even more selective. Just 9 combinations went clear inside the time - that's 2.6% of all starters. James Alliston is the only rider who did it twice (and with two different rides - HMR Rolan&nbsp;and Karma). When you're two of nine in a group of 349, you've done something exceptional.
And then there were the FODs (Finish on Dressage.) Only four combinations managed it.&nbsp;Four FODs from 349 runs. That's 1.1%.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0b6afe0a-ba95-4eba-9149-aeae4a1c25dd.png?width=1748&amp;height=614" alt="W A0 Jf the Four Fod S From the 2025 Series Qualifiers Nbsp ">
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2>The Finishing Scores</h2>
The best finish of the series? Two combinations tied for first at 26.9 - Phillip Dutton and Possante at Plantation Field and Tommy Greengard and Joshuay MBF at Aspen Farms.&nbsp;Tamie Smith and Mai Baum's 27.6 at Rebecca Farm rounds out the top three finishing scores.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aa517b9c-71a6-4b7c-bc4a-4ba123c7cb10.png?width=1312&amp;height=1202" alt="H3 Ya Q Top Ten Finishing Scores of the 2025 Series Qualifiers ">
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Highest Rated Performances</h2>
EquiRatings' HPR system measures performance relative to variables such as field strength,&nbsp;difficulty, scoring etc. Phillip Dutton and Possante topped the list with an HPR of 99 at Plantation Field - the only performance to break into the upper 90s all season.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/174f4230-1f00-44c9-9419-6e5d25be819e.png?width=1368&amp;height=1202" alt="W4asl Top Ten Highest Rated Performances of the 2025 Series Qualifiers ">
Boyd Martin (Commando 3, 94 HPR at Plantation Field) and Caroline Pamukcu (HSH Blake, 94 HPR at Plantation Field) had the second and third best performances (separated by decimals!)
The variety in riders and venues reinforces what we saw throughout the year: excellence wasn't limited to one location or athlete. This was a true season-long series.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>What It All Means</h2>
The US Equestrian Open isn't just about creating a new series, the prize money, or the trophy&mdash;it's about establishing a national standard. Being able to quantify and compare results across the season and across the country creates a benchmark that drives improvement. Better data means better preparation, sharper competition, and ultimately, a stronger Team USA.
This series is showcasing elite sport at its most demanding and 2025 set the bar for everything that comes next. 2026 and beyond!
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
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">
&nbsp;
<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>.

2025 US Equestrian Open: The Performance Numbers

Qualifier 3 of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage takes place this week in Wellington, with nine combinations set to contest the freestyle. The field includes the winners from both December qualifiers, bringing Christian Simonson and Indian Rock together with Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and Gino in the same class. The points available are modest, but the field is strong enough to make this a useful early-season reference.
This is the first Wellington qualifier of the 2026 season. The calendar says &ldquo;Qualifier 3,&rdquo; but the context feels closer to that of an opening weekend. The Adequan Global Dressage Festival is where winter campaigns actually begin, and the scores posted here hold their relevance longer than anyone plans for at the start of January.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-dPK15" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: AGDF 1" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/dPK15/1/" height="831" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">Indian Rock Sets the Bar (Again)</h2>
Christian Simonson and Indian Rock enter as the clear statistical leader. Winners of Qualifier 1, they also hold the highest freestyle average in the field at 79.871 percent, supported by a personal best of 82.095.
That makes the framing simple: Qualifier 3 is Simonson&rsquo;s to lose. Another test in the low 80s would also lift Indian Rock&rsquo;s career freestyle average to 80 percent, a mark no other Series horse has reached. The pair is only eight months into their partnership, but they&rsquo;ve clicked quickly. Many riders struggle to access a horse&rsquo;s previous peak; Simonson appears to have found it almost immediately.
The field size this weekend caps the points for a win at twenty, but it would make Simonson the Series&rsquo; first two-leg winner of 2026. As long as he continues to perform at this level, Indian Rock remains very good at making life inconvenient for everyone else.
<h2 dir="ltr">Gino Steps Back Into the Florida Conversation</h2>
Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn&rsquo;s return to Florida is one of the more telling developments this week. She and Gino arrive off a win at Qualifier 2 in California, where they set a new personal best of 76.415 percent. That score raised their freestyle average to 74.053 percent.
Vaughn has wintered in Florida before, but she skipped the circuit last season. Being back now reads as a clear intention for the season&mdash;she&rsquo;s gunning for something big. Instead of easing into the year regionally, she&rsquo;s opting to line up against the strongest domestic combinations right away.
A solid mid-70s score here would suggest the California result was not simply a product of geography, which is often the unspoken question.
<h2 dir="ltr">Lord Django&rsquo;s Question of Form</h2>
Caroline Darcourt and Lord Django remain the obvious wildcard. They hold the second-highest freestyle average in the field at 75.382 percent and the second-highest personal best at 78.170.
That personal best came at this venue in 2023, in Lord Django&rsquo;s Grand Prix Freestyle debut, but he has not returned to that scoring potential since. Results since then have been more uneven, though recent form suggests some upward movement. Their most recent freestyle, a 75.135 percent in Stockholm last November, points to a combination working its way back toward that earlier standard.
It&rsquo;s the kind of record that invites pause. The ability is clearly there. But whether Wellington in 2026 becomes the place where Lord Django reconnects with his peak&mdash;or simply confirms steady upward progress&mdash;will be one of the more interesting threads to follow this weekend.
<h2 dir="ltr">Filling Out the Class</h2>
Several experienced combinations round out the field. Chloe Gasiorowski and Sam Donnerhall bring a freestyle average of 73.372 percent with a personal best of 77.160, suggesting both range and variability. Ashley Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana sit at a 72.571 percent average from a smaller sample, which at this stage mostly means &ldquo;still defining the baseline.&rdquo;
Susan Dutta and Don Design DC arrive with one of the deeper records in the class, logging 13 freestyle starts and a 71.611 percent average. Tiago Ernesto and Hobbit Interargo are earlier in that process, with limited FEI freestyle data but a personal best of 70.575 percent that at least puts a number on the board.
Michael Klimke&rsquo;s start aboard Harmony&rsquo;s Fado marks the horse&rsquo;s FEI debut. The goal here is experience, not heroics. Everyone involved would likely settle happily for &ldquo;uneventful and informative.&rdquo;
<h2 dir="ltr">What This Weekend Is (and Isn&rsquo;t)</h2>
With nine competitors, Qualifier 3 is not a points bonanza. Anyone with real leaderboard ambitions will still need repeat appearances later in the season.
What Wellington does offer is clarity. It gives early comparisons, sets reference scores, and starts answering questions that will come up again in March, April, and beyond. For an early January stop, that&rsquo;s doing its job.
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

A dressage rider pats his horse’s neck after a freestyle test at WEC Ocala in December, wearing a black tailcoat and helmet as the horse lowers its head in the arena.

Qualifier 3 Preview: Get Used to Hearing About Indian Rock

The first freestyle of the 2026 US Equestrian Open of Dressage kicks off tomorrow in Ocala, and it&rsquo;s nothing short of a proper season opener. A deep field, the reigning Finals champion, and the highest-scoring pair of 2025 all converge, giving us an early look at the storylines that may shape the months ahead.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Indian Rock&rsquo;s New Era</h2>
Few combinations in the world enter 2026 with more intrigue than Christian Simonson and Indian Rock. Simonson took over the ride on the Dutch stallion last May, taking the reins of a horse with Olympic mileage, an 82.095% personal best under Emmelie Scholtens, and an 81.750% finish at the Paris Games. It&rsquo;s a major inheritance for any rider, let alone one who is only 23.
But from the moment Simonson swung a leg over, the results spoke for themselves. Their first Grand Prix together was a 70.543%, followed by a 74.277% Grand Prix Special, the sport&rsquo;s most demanding and unforgiving test. Then in October, they debuted their freestyle: 81.405%, the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/simonson-shakes-the-series-at-terranova" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highest score recorded</a> in the entire 2025 Open season.
Transitions like this don&rsquo;t often come together so quickly. Many riders never access a horse&rsquo;s previous peak, yet Simonson already has. Tomorrow&rsquo;s freestyle offers the next glimpse of where this young partnership is headed&mdash;and a chance for spectators to simply enjoy two genuinely exciting performers do their thing.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">The Champion Returns</h2>
The last time Ben Ebeling and Bellena rode under a spotlight, they walked out of the arena as the inaugural <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/ben-and-bellena-save-their-best-for-last">US Equestrian Open Final champions</a> with a personal best of 79.930%. It was the culmination of a year in which they built their entire Grand Prix career inside the Series: from their freestyle debut in April to that electric November finish, they grew sharper, braver, and more expressive with every start.
Bellena originally competed under Ebeling&rsquo;s father, Jan, before Ben took the reins in early 2025. Their very first freestyle together was a 75.740%, and the rise since then has been unmistakable. They broke their personal best four times in six months, won three qualifiers, and ended the year as Final champions&mdash; all before the partnership reached its first anniversary.
After the season they had, they don&rsquo;t need another career-defining ride tomorrow. This weekend just gives us a sense of how they&rsquo;re carrying that momentum into 2026.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">The Watch List</h2>
Behind the two headliners sits a group of combinations worth watching for very different reasons.
Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu and Jaccardo arrive with limited freestyle mileage but meaningful promise. Their two FEI freestyles averaged 76.823%, with a 77.520% personal best, and they were poised for a strong showing at Devon before an elimination took them out of contention. With so few data points, Ocala might give us the first real sense of where this pair fits in the broader 2026 picture.
For Erin Nichols and Elian Royale, the numbers are fuller: a 72.266% average and a 75.975% PB, plus a consistent trend upward throughout last season. Elian Royale is a horse who tends to shine in freestyles, and Nichols has shown she can coax quality out of high-energy environments. If they open the season in the mid-70s, that would signal a continuation rather than a reset.
And then there&rsquo;s Jennifer Williams with Babylon Berlin, a horse she seriously considered taking to the Final last year. With just one FEI freestyle on the record &mdash; a 74.005% &mdash; Babylon Berlin is still developing, but Williams clearly believes in his future. He reads like championship material once the strength and polish come together, and this weekend might tell us whether that maturity is arriving early in 2026 or building more gradually. Either way, it&rsquo;s always compelling to watch an experienced rider guide a young Grand Prix horse into his next stage.
<h2 dir="ltr">Opening Bars of 2026</h2>
It&rsquo;s only Qualifier One, and no one is crowning a champion this early. The fun of early-season qualifiers is getting these combinations back in the ring, checking in on familiar faces, and seeing the first hints of what 2026 might hold. Between a world-class young rider on a world-class horse, a Finals champion on a sharp rise, and the middle of the pack with genuine potential, Ocala offers a strong opening frame for the season.
Good horses, good riders, and good music. Hard to argue with that.&nbsp;

Christian Simonson smiles while riding Indian Rock in competition at the US Equestrian Open of Dressage.

Unwrapping the 2026 Season

As expected, Christian Simonson and Indian Rock opened the 2026 US Equestrian Open of Dressage with a win, topping the class on a 78.840%. It marks their second World Cup qualifier victory in the past three months and moves Simonson into third in the FEI World Cup standings&mdash;behind Benjamin Ebeling and Kevin Kohmann&mdash;as the race intensifies for one of North America&rsquo;s three qualifying spots for the World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas, four months from now.
<h2 dir="ltr">A Wide Spread on a Clean Test</h2>
While this weekend&rsquo;s score sits a few percentage points below the pair&rsquo;s debut earlier this fall, it remains a strong result. Still, a closer look at the score sheets reveals a striking judging spread.
Simonson and Indian Rock delivered what was, by any measure, a fault-free test. Yet the difference between the high and low marks totaled more than ten percentage points. Gabriela Valeri&aacute;nov&aacute; (H) awarded an 83.525%, while Brenda Minor (B) scored the ride at 73.225%.
Interestingly, the variation did not come from the individual movements themselves. Across the panel, most marks stayed within a reasonable range, rarely differing by more than a point and often not involving Minor at all.The divergence emerged almost entirely in the artistic scores, each carrying a 4x coefficient. While the rest of the judges rewarded the performance with consistent 8s and 9s, Minor stayed firmly in the 7 range, only reaching an 8.9 for degree of difficulty. The result was an unusually low overall score from a single judge, despite broad agreement elsewhere.
That lack of alignment extended down the leaderboard. While the final placings appeared relatively consistent, the scorecards revealed a different pattern. Overall totals from judge to judge were notably closer than in Simonson&rsquo;s case, but the individual movement marks showed significantly more variation. A canter pirouette might earn a 7 from one judge and a 4 from another. Two judges could award 7s for piaffe while a third landed at a 5. Notably, the lowest mark rarely came from the same judge, making it clear that the variation was not driven by a single consistently harsh scorer.
<h2 dir="ltr">A Quiet Start for the Defending Champion</h2>
Defending Series champion Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena finished fifth on a 71.790%&mdash;a result below their recent average, but not one that raises alarms. The pair have been remarkably consistent over the past season, and this performance reads more like a let-up on the gas than a red flag as they ease into the new year.
Instead of their usual run of 7.5s and 8s, the score sheet leaned heavily on 6.5s and 7s, and errors in the one-tempis proved costly. Those details made the difference this time, but unless they start to repeat, they are unlikely to be cause for concern. Ebeling remains a proven contender and is well positioned to make a World Cup run in Wellington early next season.
<h2 dir="ltr">Westward Bound</h2>
The Series heads west next weekend for the first West Coast qualifier of the 2026 season, which also doubles as a World Cup qualifier. Expect a smaller field but no shortage of quality.
It will also offer the first real look at the new points system in action. With historically leaner West Coast entries, next week&rsquo;s winner is unlikely to earn the same haul of points as Simonson did in Ocala, reflecting a system that now rewards how many riders you beat rather than simply where you place.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c3546a81-b82e-4bd7-940c-bd104895ed19.png?width=1253&amp;height=794" alt="Screenshot showing the 2026 US Equestrian Open of Dressage standings after Ocala, with Christian Simonson leading the leaderboard.">

Close-up portrait of a dressage horse in bridle and crystal browband.

Simonson and Indian Rock Start 2026 on Top

Qualifier 3 of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage concluded Friday night in Wellington with a result that felt both <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/qualifier-3-preview-get-used-to-hearing-about-indian-rock" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expected</a>, yet historic. Christian Simonson and Indian Rock delivered an 81.445 percent Grand Prix Freestyle, setting a new personal best for the pair and the highest score recorded in Open Series history to date.
The win marked Simonson&rsquo;s second victory of the season and extended an eight-start winning streak that now spans multiple venues and levels. While Indian Rock has scored higher in the past with his previous rider, Emmelie Scholtens, Friday&rsquo;s test represented a new high point for this partnership, one that continues to progress at a notable pace.
From the opening line, the freestyle had a sense of ease that carried through the test. That impression was reflected across the panel, with all five judges placing the combination first and awarding marks that reinforced both the technical quality and overall impression. The final score edged past Simonson and Indian Rock&rsquo;s previous Open Series record of 81.405 percent, set last season.
A day earlier, Simonson and Indian Rock scored 76.043 percent in the Grand Prix, the highest mark by an American rider at that level since Adrienne Lyle and Salvino posted 77 percent on the same grounds three years ago. Together, the two scores place Simonson and Indian Rock atop a small but growing group of younger American riders now producing internationally competitive numbers with increasing regularity.
The result also carried practical consequences. With the win, Simonson and Indian Rock clinched their qualification for the FEI Dressage World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas this spring, becoming the first American combination to do so this season. It is another milestone in what has been a rapid ascent for the 23-year-old rider, who climbed from No. 151 to No. 15 in the world rankings this month, now the highest-ranked American rider globally.
&ldquo;At the end of the test I was shaking my head in absolute disbelief,&rdquo; Simonson said.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Since I started riding, I&rsquo;ve been coming to this show and always hoped that one day I could do Friday Night Stars because it&rsquo;s the epitome of amazing dressage freestyles in Florida. So, on that last centre line, I was just thinking, &lsquo;Whoa, this is me doing this with the Indian Rock. I can&rsquo;t believe it.&rsquo;&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Behind the winners, Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and Gino finished second on 75.790 percent, backing up their December win in California with a solid result in a deeper field. Ashley Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana took third on 75.010 percent, narrowly ahead of Caroline Darcourt and Lord Django, who posted a 74.695 percent freestyle at the venue where they once set their career high.
With three qualifiers now complete, the Open Series leaderboard has begun to take shape. Simonson leads with 40 points, followed by Vaughn on 30, while the remaining positions reflect a mix of single starts and early-season exploration.
&nbsp;
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

Christian Simonson on Indian Rock in the trot in Wellington Florida

We Warned You About Indian Rock

As 2025 wraps up, four US-based partnerships have emerged as potential contenders for next year's US Equestrian Open series. These seven-year-olds have cut their teeth at three-star level and could be ready to step up to the four-star stage in 2026.
The Elo is EquiRatings' overall performance rating that measures a horse's performance across all three phases&mdash;the higher the number, the stronger the horse. Here are the top-rated US seven-year-olds heading into 2026.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/196fcbf6-b2d6-479e-ae45-a631473d37e8.png?width=1472&amp;height=922" alt="Qi Db9 the Highest Rated Us Seven Year Olds Based on the Equiratings Elo Nbsp ">
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0a9efbdc-4f3b-42e5-b141-c8a987926093.jpg?width=4768&amp;height=4047" alt="C E5 A1840"></h2>
<h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">Fernhill Bertus &amp; Madison Temkin (526 Elo)</h2>
Leading the class is Fernhill Bertus, who sits at 526 Elo. The seven-year-old gelding has a completely flawless record having never had a jumping fault&mdash;cross country or showjumping&mdash;across his eight international starts.&nbsp;
At only 25-years-old, Maddy has piloted Fernhill Bertus to three top-10 finishes from four runs in 2025, including a strong performance at Maryland's CCI3*-L to finish 7th. Their partnership is built on consistency, with results that suggest they are ready to take the step up to four-star.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e18e8647-523c-4fef-8dfe-f92a98cd9530.jpeg?width=1600&amp;height=1242" alt="C E5 A1719"></h2>
<h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">Kokoleka &amp; Kate Brown (460 Elo)</h2>
Kokoleka has already proven herself in the most demanding format, completing two three-star-long events this year. The mare delivered a double clear at Ocala's CCI3*-L in April for fifth place, then tackled the championship three-star at Maryland 5* in October, where two showjumping rails cost her from a top-five finish. She still placed 12th in a field of 53.
Kate has methodically developed the seven-year-old, building confidence through the levels. With long-format experience already under their belt, this partnership could be primed for the US Open's demanding tracks.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">Jag'Fly JS &amp; Elizabeth Stewart (450 Elo)</h2>
Jag'Fly JS took a more patient path than his peers, not attempting three-star until October. But when he did, he made it count - winning the CCI3*-S at Kentucky Horse Park in a field of 12.
The victory was particularly meaningful for Elizabeth, marking her first international win in 32 starts dating back to 2006. In a fitting full-circle moment, she claimed that maiden victory at the same venue where her international career began 19 years earlier.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/688b87c6-c484-4802-bf59-4c7bcc2e2849.jpg?width=5753&amp;height=4568" alt="C E5 A0642"></h2>
<h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">Arden Augustus &amp; Sharon White (432 Elo)</h2>
Arden Augustus posted the highest-rated three-star performance by any seven-year-old on US soil in 2025, earning a HPR of 87 when finishing third at The Fork at Tryon's CCI3*-S in May. The gelding had already won three international events as a six-year-old, establishing himself as one to watch.
Sharon's 2025 campaign with Augustus has been slightly less consistent than his breakthrough six-year-old year but the horse's ceiling remains clear. On his best days, he's capable of winning.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold">Looking Ahead</h2>
These four partnerships all represent different paths to the top but if they continue their upward trajectories, don't be surprised to see these horses contesting US Equestrian Open events in 2026.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
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">
&nbsp;
<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>.

Future Stars: America's Rising 8-Year-Olds Eyeing the US Equestrian Open

The 2026 US Equestrian Open of Dressage continues this weekend at Desert Dressage III, with the Grand Prix Freestyle set for Saturday, December 20, at 5:00 p.m. PT. As the second qualifier of the season, this marks the first opportunity for West Coast combinations to put points on the board.
The field is compact at just five entries, which places a natural ceiling on points. With five starters, the winner can earn a maximum of 15 points, highlighting the disadvantage smaller West Coast fields will have this season.
Many of these horses were last seen at this same venue just a month ago during the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-freestyle-finale-your-usual-suspects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2025 Final</a>, giving the weekend a familiar feel despite the calendar turning over to a new season.
<h2 dir="ltr">A Polishing Phase for Gino</h2>
Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and Gino enter the freestyle with the strongest average in the field, carrying a 73.758% across eight FEI Grand Prix Freestyles, alongside a personal best of 75.875%. The pair debuted a new freestyle floorplan at the Final last month, and while the performance lacked the polish they may have hoped for, the foundation is clearly there.
This weekend is one of refinement. With a new season underway and no pressure to chase big points early, Desert Dressage offers a low-stakes setting to continue smoothing out the details and letting the choreography settle.
<h2 dir="ltr">Momentum Watch: Jorst and Zhapplin</h2>
Charlotte Jorst and Zhapplin Langholt come in off a <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/whos-on-form-for-the-final" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strong showing</a> at the 2025 Final at this same venue, where they scored 73.305%, nearly two points above their career average. Though they&rsquo;re often associated with the Florida circuit, the pair has remained on the West Coast since Thermal, where they are based in Reno, Nevada when not in Florida. If they bring that same form back to the ring this weekend, they have a real path to the top in this five-horse field.
<h2 dir="ltr">Familiar Names</h2>
Brittney Simpson and Kartsevo Goldfinch bring a freestyle personal best of 72.010% into the weekend, though their average sits slightly lower at 68.613%. With nine freestyle starts behind them, this pair has enough mileage to make gains if things align.
Meanwhile, Patty Mayer and Pio are likely to catch some eyes &mdash; especially for those who remember seeing Pio&rsquo;s name last month. That appearance, however, came in a different discipline entirely, as Pio competed in the FEI Para Grand Prix test at Thermal. This weekend marks a return to the conventional Grand Prix freestyle stage for the horse, with this being his second FEI freestyle.
<h2 dir="ltr">Series Implications</h2>
With just five combinations, the points on offer this weekend are limited, and any real movement will require repeat appearances later in the season. Desert Dressage marks the first opportunity for West Coast riders to get on the board and establish a baseline, while offering an early look at how the new points system shapes Series positioning.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/472b60ac-2918-4b5b-b370-f6699e0cbf6b.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Dressageopensched2026">
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

Charlotte Jorst rides Zhapplin Langholt in collected trot during Grand Prix competition.

Desert Dressage Hosts the First West Coast Qualifier of 2026

Qualifier 4 of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage takes place this weekend at the Gold Coast Opener, held at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center&mdash;just fifteen minutes down the road from Wellington International and the Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival. The drive is short, but the atmosphere is entirely different. Where Wellington delivers international stars and polished spectacle, Gold Coast is run by the Gold Coast Dressage Association, an organization focused on education and the development of amateur sport.
The show offers a notably more relaxed environment to contest an FEI freestyle, particularly for horses still establishing themselves at the level. This season&rsquo;s Open Series also requires only four qualifying freestyle runs rather than six, making low-pressure starts like this quite useful, even if the immediate stakes remain modest with 20 points available to the winner in a field of seven.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Known Quantities</h2>
Charlotte Jorst returns to a venue that has treated her exceptionally well. The top amateur rider in the United States, Jorst has represented the US on championship teams and finished seventh at last year&rsquo;s Open Final in a competitive field. She won this leg a year ago with Zhaplin Langholt, posting a 73.985 percent&mdash;one of the strongest scores of her career and just shy of the pair&rsquo;s personal best. Gold Coast has historically suited them, and in a field like this, Jorst enters as the clear favorite. A new personal best is not out of the question.
Ellesse Gundersen is the only other rider in the field who has already logged a Series start this season, and that first result is worth a closer look. Gundersen and Quintessential 4 made their FEI freestyle debut in December at Ocala, opening the 2026 season with a fourth-place finish in a field of eight. That alone is a solid start for a debut international freestyle.
But look at who they finished ahead of. Their 72.350 percent beat <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/ben-and-bellena-save-their-best-for-last" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reigning Equestrian Open champions</a> Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena. Now, were Ben and Bellena operating at full capacity? No, probably not. They'd just won a $200,000 championship and had nothing to prove. But it is still an achievement worth noting for Gunderson. That single score also sits above Jorst&rsquo;s current 11-run FEI freestyle average. Yes, it is a sample size of one, making it futile to draw any statistically meaningful conclusions. Still, expect Gundersen near the top of this class. She may even give the favorite a real run for her money.
<h2 dir="ltr">Different Kinds of Firsts</h2>
Beyond the favorites, several combinations here are riding their first freestyle of one kind or another.
Sylvia Gugler and Vulkano 14 headline that group with the horse&rsquo;s first freestyle appearance of his career. Gold Coast offers a sensible setting for that step, and the emphasis this weekend is undoubtedly on completing the test.&nbsp;
Caleb Scroggins and Villanelle follow in a similar vein, though with a slightly different kind of first. While the pair have competed nationally, this marks Villanelle&rsquo;s first FEI freestyle, making the class an opportunity to gain experience at the international level.&nbsp;
Finally, Frederic Wandres brings a third variation. Zara K 2 will contest only his second freestyle overall, and the first with Wandres in the tack.&nbsp;
This week&rsquo;s field is typical Gold Coast. It&rsquo;s a place where established combinations can return to familiar footing, newer partnerships can test a freestyle for the first time, and the class itself is allowed to unfold without much pretense attached.
&nbsp;
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

Close up of chestnut horse's head and neck in a dressage double bridle

Archive