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

Lucienne Bellissimo has spent much of her career flying the British flag. In 2026, she&rsquo;s doing something new - leading the U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series as an American.
After officially becoming a United States citizen in late 2025, Bellissimo now represents the US as she sits atop the 2026 Open leaderboard following the first two qualifiers, both contested with Dyri and Kitsch Couture HPK at the tail end of last season.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c23492d7-840b-47ef-9003-9f9fdbe46459.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="E Fens Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Eventing (1)">
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<h3 data-start="893" data-end="937">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="893" data-end="937">A Long-Term Commitment Comes Full Circle</h3>
Originally from England, Bellissimo has based her life, business, and competitive career in the United States for many years. Her decision to change nationality reflects a long-term personal and professional commitment to American eventing - one built gradually rather than overnight.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;It is such an honor to now be an American citizen. Becoming part of a culture that celebrates big dreams feels like the right&nbsp;home.&nbsp;The support of my husband and stepchildren through this chapter has been so inspiring, and I will&nbsp;give my all to make them and America proud in the next chapter of my eventing career."
</blockquote>
Becoming a US citizen allows Bellissimo to align her competitive ambitions with the country she has called home, including her long-term goal of representing Team USA at the highest level of the sport.&nbsp;
<h3 data-start="2019" data-end="2050">Experience at the Top Level</h3>
Bellissimo brings decades of top-level experience into this new chapter. She has competed internationally at CCI4* level since 2006 and has ranked as high as ninth in the US Eventing Rankings, alongside appearances inside the top 50 of the FEI world rankings.&nbsp;
Beyond competition, she is also the founder of Horse Scout Group and has spent more than 20 years developing and sourcing elite event horses - experience that continues to shape her depth and durability at the top of the sport.
<h3 data-start="2582" data-end="2615">A New Flag, the Same Ambition</h3>
Nationality may have changed, but Bellissimo&rsquo;s competitive direction remains clear. With her sights set on a CCI5* future and a strong start to the US Equestrian Open Series already in hand, she enters 2026 as both a proven campaigner and a new face for Team USA.
As the season unfolds, Bellissimo&rsquo;s Open campaign will be followed not just as a points race but as the beginning of a new era under a new flag.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-freestyle-west-coast-momentum" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a>
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<h3 data-start="2884" data-end="3030">Listen to Lucienne Bellissimo on the US Equestrian Open Podcast last year.</h3>
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37875415/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/28427a/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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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>.

New Flag for the Frontrunner

<h3 dir="ltr">Show Jumping: Vogel Takes the First 5* of WEF 2026 as the World No. 1 Battle Shifts</h3>
The US Equestrian Open Final: Wellington, Week 12 | Countdown: 6 Weeks
The first of four CSI5* weeks at the Winter Equestrian Festival set a high-stakes tone for what to expect as the circuit builds toward the Rolex finale. Germany&rsquo;s Richard Vogel claimed the $500,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix (1.60m) with the 10-year-old stallion Gangster Montdesir. It was a clinical performance for the rising superstar, marking his fourth clear round from four 5* starts (100% clear rate at the level).
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/297524eb-1727-4b63-bc11-aa562354867f.jpeg?width=1600&amp;height=1424" alt="Img L8956 (1)">
Kent Farrington (USA) was the first to find the path to a clear round in the evening, leading a total of eight combinations into the jump-off. While Farrington and Greya ultimately finished 5th after a pole down, their time of 40.43 seconds was the fastest of the night. It was a solid showing for the home nation, with Lillie Keenan and Argan de Beliard finishing 4th and Spencer Smith taking 6th with Keeneland.
As we suspected in last week&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-freestyle-west-coast-momentum">Open Weekly</a>, the battle for the World No.1 spot was on. Great Britain's Scott Brash has now officially overtaken Kent Farrington to become the new Longines World Number One. This marks exactly 10 years since Brash last held the position. With Brash in fantastic form in Doha&mdash;winning five Grand Prix titles this January alone&mdash;the question remains whether he will make a rare trip to Florida for the ultimate head-to-head with Farrington for the US Equestrian Open title on American soil.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/93f7dc6e-604b-4d1d-913d-73eddaee42db.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a>
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<h3 dir="ltr">Dressage: A Winning Debut for G&oacute;mez Molina and Servus Ymas&nbsp;</h3>
Next Qualifier: World Equestrian Centre (WEC) February Dressage - 2/11/26 | The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)
AGDF&rsquo;s Friday Night Stars was held on an unusually cold, blustery Wellington night, but the conditions did little to unsettle Pablo G&oacute;mez Molina (ESP) and Servus Ymas. The pair won the CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 74.490%, marking their first FEI freestyle together and G&oacute;mez Molina&rsquo;s first Big Tour victory.
A win on debut at this level is uncommon, particularly when it comes with a horse stepping into a CDI4* environment for the first time and a freestyle originally choreographed for a different partner. &ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s really special because we struggled a little bit to find our groove last year,&rdquo; G&oacute;mez Molina said. &ldquo;We already felt a progression, and I think this just confirmed that we keep growing.&rdquo;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4f2d8584-ab2f-49fb-9781-346d6cd55eec.png?width=909&amp;height=1101" alt="Screenshot 2026 02 10 144916">
Devon Kane finished second on 74.235%, with Susan Dutta third on 72.985%. With a small field and early-season timing, points were modest but still meaningful. Dutta added eight points to her existing Open total, while G&oacute;mez Molina&rsquo;s first Series appearance put both riders on 15 points. That result slots them into a seven-way tie (yes, seven) for eighth place on the leaderboard, while the top seven positions remain unchanged for now.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d2b162d1-db95-4337-bb53-bae7adbf61ea.png?width=1240&amp;height=806" alt="S Ichi Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage (1)">
For G&oacute;mez Molina, the result marked his first Open qualifier appearance since finishing tenth at AGDF 3 in 2025 aboard Ulises de Ymas - a horse who, fittingly, is also Servus Ymas&rsquo;s sole traveling companion. Servus Ymas, the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding, has been produced by G&oacute;mez Molina since age five and is known for being powerful, sharp, and very much his own character. The freestyle, originally built for Ulises de Ymas, was used here as a test of how Servus might handle the demands of the level. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s no better place to try those things than here,&rdquo; G&oacute;mez Molina said.
If a mid-70s score is what the pair can produce with a borrowed program, future outings with a freestyle built specifically for Servus Ymas will be worth watching.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/df3afaab-1f25-4fab-a1dc-c46c608169fb.png?width=1080&amp;height=171" alt="Read More Dressage"></a>
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<h3 dir="ltr">Eventing: Early Bouckaert Entries Roll In</h3>
Next Qualifier: Bouckaert Farm - 3/5/26 | Countdown: 3 Weeks
The series returns to Georgia next month for the Bouckaert Equestrian International (March 5-8). Early entries are beginning to roll in, and we already have five pairs confirmed for the first qualifier of 2026.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Zach Brandt &amp; Direct Advance: Ocala-based Brandt contested three qualifiers last year with Direct Advance. The now fifteen-year-old jumped double-clear twice for two top-10 finishes.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Mia Farley &amp; Phelps: Last year, Farley used this event as a prep run for the Kentucky 5* with a slower cross-country round that added 22 time penalties. It is always a pleasure to see fan-favorite Phelps back out, particularly in the cross-country phase.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Olivia Dutton &amp; Jewelent: Jewelent will contest his first 4* with Olivia, having previously been campaigned at the level by her father, Phillip Dutton.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Ali Kuhn &amp; Little Hail: This 15.1hh OTTB captured hearts at last year&rsquo;s Kentucky 4* with a clear cross-country round and their signature pink cross-country colors. They will contest their second four-star at Bouckaert.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Jan Byyny &amp; Beautiful Storm: Having contested three qualifiers and the Final last season, this is a long-established combination, with Byyny producing the 11-year-old Thoroughbred since he was three</li>
</ul>
Keep a close eye on the entry list for Lucienne Bellissimo. As our current Series leader, she won the opening qualifier at Bouckaert last October with Dyri. As of last week, Bellissimo now officially <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/new-flag-for-the-frontrunner">represents the United States after changing her nationality from Great Britain.</a> Her decision to change nationality reflects a long-term personal commitment to the country she has called home for many years.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c23492d7-840b-47ef-9003-9f9fdbe46459.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="E Fens Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Eventing (1)">
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/254e09dd-d92e-4194-986b-baf0dbd8460b.png?width=1080&amp;height=158" alt="Read More Eventing"></a>
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<h2 data-path-to-node="4">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-path-to-node="4">Stay in the Loop with The Open Weekly</h2>
Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;The Open Weekly&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40068020/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/28427a/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

Open Weekly Promotion Poster with Lillie Keenan Jumping

The Open Weekly: The First WEF 5*, Dressage Momentum, and Bouckaert Takes Shape

<h3 dir="ltr">What is the US Equestrian Open of Eventing?</h3>
The US Equestrian Open of Eventing is a nation-wide Series that brings together top riders and horses across multiple qualifying events, all building toward a championship final at Morven Park.
Throughout the season, riders compete at Qualifiers at the CCI4*-S level to earn series points. Riders can also qualify for the US Equestrian Open Final which has a $200,000 prize pot.&nbsp;
The series is part of a broader US Equestrian Open initiative that also includes Dressage and Jumping disciplines, all designed to create a clear season-long storyline for fans to follow.
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<h3 dir="ltr">How does the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Series work?</h3>
The series runs across a set of official qualifiers during the 2025&ndash;2026 season.
At each qualifier:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Riders earn points based on their finishing position</li>
<li dir="ltr">The number of points available depends on how many starters are in the class (see image below)</li>
<li dir="ltr">Points accumulate across the season</li>
<li dir="ltr">A leaderboard tracks standings</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d17ad15d-f84f-403d-a977-f2f4b9c90d48.png?width=3204&amp;height=2600" alt="Qualifiers With More Than 25 Starters (1) (1)">
Whoever accumulates the most points by the end of the Series wins $25,000, with 2nd place getting $15,000 and receiving $10,000.
Check our this year&rsquo;s leaderboard here: <a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2">https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2</a>
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<h3 dir="ltr">When and where are the next US Equestrian Open eventing qualifiers?</h3>
At the time of writing, the next two qualifiers are:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Bouckaert International in Fairburn, Georgia will take place from March 5th&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr">Carolina International in Raeford, North Carolina on March 12th&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
A full list of 2025&ndash;2026 qualifiers is below.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/990e1192-6e1c-4f71-bd65-b0892eca1b8f.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar">
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<h3 dir="ltr">What happens at a typical eventing qualifier?</h3>
Eventing is a three-phase competition, typically run over three days. All qualifiers are held at the CCI4*-S level, with most following this order: dressage first, then show jumping, and finally cross country. The final result combines penalties from all three phases with the lowest score winning.
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<h3 dir="ltr">How do riders qualify for the US Equestrian Open Final?</h3>
Riders qualify by completing at least one Series Qualifier with a MER. A MER is a Minimum Eligibility Requirement. It means the rider and horse must complete the competition within specific performance standards across all three phases.
To achieve a MER at four-star:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Dressage: Score no more than 45 penalty points (55% or better)</li>
<li dir="ltr">Show jumping: Finish with no more than 16 jumping penalties</li>
<li dir="ltr">Cross country: Jump clear at the obstacles (no more than one frangible device activation or one missing flag allowed) and finish no more than 75 seconds over the optimum time</li>
</ul>
In simple terms, a MER proves that a combination can complete the level safely and competitively across all three phases.
The Final is held at CCI4*-L level, which is a longer format competition and a true championship test at one of the best eventing venues in the country.
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Where is the US Equestrian Open Final of Eventing held?</h3>
The US Equestrian Open Eventing Final takes place at Morven Park. The 2026 Final will be held on the 8th-11th of October, continuing its role as the championship destination for the Series.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f0ade7a4-b840-450b-a877-2cbe2e3fb60e.jpg?width=2704&amp;height=2134" alt="Img 5414 (2)">
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<h3 dir="ltr">How can I watch the US Equestrian Open live?</h3>
Fans can follow the US Equestrian Open in several ways:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">USEF Network: Many qualifiers and the Final are streamed live and for free on the <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/usef" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USEF Network.</a></li>
<li dir="ltr">Local Event Streaming: Some venues provide their own livestream coverage</li>
</ul>
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<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>What other resources are available to follow along?</h3>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/magazines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Official Fan Guides:</a> Each qualifier has a dedicated US Equestrian Open Fan Guide available on the Open website. These guides highlight key storylines, leading contenders, and relevant numbers to help fans understand what&rsquo;s at stake.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Weekly Articles:</a> A new article is published on this website every week, covering previews, reviews, leaderboard movement, and standout performances across the Series.
Social Media:&nbsp;Follow the US Equestrian Open<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram</a> and<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Facebook</a> page for event images, live updates, and season highlights.
<a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The US Equestrian Open Podcast</a> Stay up to date with preview and review episodes for every qualifier, plus interviews with leading contenders and top competitors throughout the Series.
This week's episode:
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40068020/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/28427a/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
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<h3 dir="ltr">Can I attend a qualifier or the final in person?</h3>
Yes! Attending in person gives you the opportunity to watch all three phases up close and experience the horses and riders at ground level.
Check the event&rsquo;s official website for daily schedules and ticket information. Most qualifiers do not require tickets, but it&rsquo;s always worth confirming in advance so you can plan ahead.
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<h3 dir="ltr">Do I need to understand all of eventing to follow the Open?</h3>
No. Even experienced equestrian fans may be new to the Open format. The series is designed to make the sport easier to follow by:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Tracking points</li>
<li dir="ltr">Creating a leaderboard</li>
<li dir="ltr">Highlighting contenders</li>
<li dir="ltr">Building toward a defined final</li>
</ul>
If you are new, start with the Fan Guide. If you are experienced, follow the podcast and deep dive articles.
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<h3 dir="ltr">Why should I follow the US Equestrian Open?</h3>
Because it turns standalone events into one season-long championship race.
You can follow who&rsquo;s climbing the leaderboard, who needs points, and who will qualify for the final at Morven Park. Real-time standings create clear storylines, and the $200,000 finale&mdash;broadcasted on ESPN and the USEF Network&mdash;brings added stakes and visibility.
It&rsquo;s elite competition, on home soil, with a narrative you can follow from start to finish.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-first-wef-5-dressage-momentum-and-bouckaert-takes-shape" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a>

Horse and Rider Trotting Beside The US Equestrian Open Sign 

A First-Timers Guide to the US Equestrian Open of Eventing

Five combinations from four nations contest this week&rsquo;s qualifier, but only one rider looks poised for first.
Julio Mendoza Loor enters this week&rsquo;s Grand Prix Freestyle at WEC Ocala operating in a scoring range the rest of the field hasn&rsquo;t seen. Recent qualifiers have largely been decided in the low-70s band, so when a combination can reliably produce 75% or better, the predictions become obvious. The spotlight focuses. It becomes that rider&rsquo;s class to lose, and they don&rsquo;t need a miracle to win it.
<h2 dir="ltr">A Tier of His Own</h2>
This week, Mendoza Loor is that rider.&nbsp;
He and Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike average 77%, with a personal best of 84.230%. You don&rsquo;t hit those numbers by accident. That requires repetition, and lots of it.
The pair have 16 FEI freestyles together. They have repeatedly scored 78&ndash;80% across venues and seasons, including two Series wins last year and a victory at WEC last March. This is an established partnership with Olympic mileage and a long scoring record at the top end. An easy favorite.
No other combination in this field averages above 73%.
That separation is not subtle. In recent qualifiers, winning scores have frequently landed in the low 70s. A pair capable of delivering a high-70 test does not need to stretch for a personal best to control this class. Mendoza Loor&rsquo;s average already sits where most of this field&rsquo;s peak ambitions lie.
Could someone produce an outlier performance? Of course. But the rest of the field will need to find something remarkable to pull off an upset.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-BSvns" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: WEC Ocala February Dressage" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/BSvns/1/" height="528" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Ride for Second</h2>
The remaining combinations operate inside a narrow scoring window where the order can shift with a slightly more uphill extended trot or a more settled collected walk. Across this group, the separation between second and fifth sits within roughly three percentage points.
By the averages, Claire Darnell and Harrold S should be the clear pick for second. They average 72.9% together and have reached 77% once in the past. But here's the problem with this scoring band: the data doesn't always hold. Two weeks ago in Ocala, they finished second on 70.5%&mdash;just 0.2% behind Charlotte Osborne and Fruhlingszauber, who won with a 70.775% personal best.
When most of the field lives between 70 and 73%, small variations matter more than long-term trends. A couple of points below average is enough to reshuffle the entire podium. One slightly tense walk transition, one loss of rhythm in a pirouette, and second becomes fourth.
That scoring compression has been a consistent feature of recent qualifiers. Several combinations who regularly score above 75% have focused more heavily on the Special this season. The result is that many freestyle podiums are being decided inside that low-70s band. This is not a commentary on quality. It simply reflects what the top-end talent is choosing to prioritize this season.
But when an established high-scoring combination does enter a freestyle, none of that volatility matters. The predictions become immediately clear.
This week, Mendoza Loor and Jewel's Goldstrike take that role.
If they perform to their established average&mdash;and there is no indication that they won't&mdash;"Goldy" will be cantering with a blue sash on Saturday. If they somehow do not, well&hellip; we'll have a lot to unpack next week.

Julio Mendoza Loor rides Goldy in a winner's lap around the arena at the Pan American Games

Jewel in the Crown: Goldstrike Set to Shine

Isabell Werth is in Wellington.&nbsp;
I could, frankly, end the preview there. Place your bets on the German "Queen of Dressage" &mdash; World No. 2, the most decorated Olympic equestrian athlete of all time, holder of 14 Olympic medals across seven Games, eight of them gold. That&rsquo;s a pretty safe bet, right?
It is, but it comes with a small caveat. Werth has not arrived on an Olympic-tested mount. If she had, the preview would end here and the story would write itself. Instead, she rides Special Blend 3 who is making his FEI Grand Prix Freestyle debut this week. What we know of their potential comes from a single German national freestyle in 2025: 79.850%.&nbsp;
Because Werth is campaigning Special Blend 3, the "Isabell Factor" is less a guaranteed victory and more a legendary bomb dropped into an already volatile field.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Rest of the Field</h2>
The field itself would be notable without Werth in it. All 11 horses have scored over 70% in the Grand Prix Freestyle at least once. Two have cleared 80%: Jewel's Goldstrike with Julio Mendoza Loor (PB: 84.230%) and Harmony's Giulilanta with Susan Pape (PB: 81.745%). Three more are within one percent of that line &mdash; Bellena with Benjamin Ebeling (79.930%), Duenensee with Kevin Kohmann (79.240%), and Special Blend 3 (79.850%, national competition). Five combinations have reached ten or more Grand Prix Freestyle starts.&nbsp;
The predictions this week are, to be direct about it, a genuine mess.
Who wins depends on which metric you trust most. By averages, it's Pape. By ceiling, it's Mendoza Loor. By starts and venue familiarity, it's Kohmann. By rider experience, it's Werth. And none of that has touched the reigning US Equestrian Open of Dressage champion, Benjamin Ebeling. While his December performance was below average, his trajectory since last June has been consistently upward. Writing them off because of a December result would be a mistake.
That's five legitimate arguments for five different winners. In the same class.&nbsp;
And that's before we get to Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu and Caroline Darcourt, who are perfectly capable of making Friday's podium more complicated.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Case for Each</h2>
Susan Pape and Harmony's Giulilanta lead the field on averages &mdash; just under 80% in the freestyle &mdash; and Pape holds the US Equestrian Open of Dressage record score outright: 81.745%, set at AGDF 3 in January. Her freestyle body of work with this horse is small (three starts), but the direction of travel is unmistakable: 78.290% in November, 79.805% in December, 81.745% in January. The pair are technically very strong, and in freestyle, that's the best position to be in. The choreography bonuses are there to reward good work, not paper over bad.
Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel's Goldstrike have the highest personal best in the field &mdash; 84.230% &mdash; which is nearly two and a half points above anyone else's personal best. His average of 77.6% sits below Pape's, but his ceiling is a reminder that averages don't always determine outcomes.&nbsp;
Kevin Kohmann and Duenensee bring 20 starts together, the most of any combination entered. Twenty starts is a kind of knowledge that doesn't show up in raw data. That&rsquo;s experience, mileage, and familiarity with atmosphere. They average 75.4% &mdash; lower than the leaders &mdash; with a PB of 79.240%, and Kohmann knows this horse and this venue as well as anyone in the ring.
Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena are the defending champions. Ignoring their outing in December, they&rsquo;ve been on a consistent upward trajectory since last June. Their average is 76%, their PB is 79.930%, and their partnership isn&rsquo;t yet a year old.&nbsp;
Then there is Isabell Werth and Special Blend 3. The pair have no prior freestyle data at the FEI level which means no average to anchor the prediction &mdash; just a national score of 79.850%, a partnership that is clearly still developing, and one of the most accomplished riders in the history of the sport. They do, however, have a body of four FEI Grand Prix Specials, the test unequivocally known to be the most difficult test of the dressage discipline. Horses and riders consistently score below their Grand Prix average in the test. Isabell and Special Blend 3 average 71.3% in the Grand Prix. The Special? 72.4%. A full percentage point higher than the basic Grand Prix test. If that&rsquo;s what they can do with a test of technical landmines, imagine what they can do when they can choreograph the moves to the horse&rsquo;s strengths.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">A Personal Pick</h2>
From a strictly data-driven standpoint, you can argue this class five different ways. So who the heck is the pick for favorite?
If I have to pick a name, I&rsquo;m giving the nod to Susan Pape. The averages are hers, as is the momentum.
The 81.745% personal best is both the highest recent score in the field and backed by a clear progression: 78% in Germany in November, 79% in Britain in December, then 81% in Wellington less than a month ago. Her Grand Prix scores consistently land in the 70s providing the technical foundation needed to let the freestyle choreography shine. And her Grand Prix Special scores, too, trend slightly above the Grand Prix.&nbsp;
Whether she can keep her momentum &mdash; and whether I've just made the most moronic prediction in equestrian sport &mdash; with the "Queen of Dressage" breathing down her neck is a question for Friday night.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Watch the Action</h2>
Watch all Friday Night Stars action on <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/18412/adequan-global-dressage-festival-vii">USEF Network</a>. The freestyles begin Friday at 7:00 ET. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Sign up for free</a> as a fan to stream the action.

A black horse in a dressage bridle with US Equestrian Open branding

Werth is in Wellington — Here's Why It's Not a Foregone Conclusion

The Winter Equestrian Festival is at its halfway point. Tonight brings the second CSI5* 160 Grand Prix of the season to the International Arena, and while the spotlight is firmly on this evening's class, the bigger picture is already coming into focus. Five weeks from now, the Rolex US Equestrian Open Final of Jumping will take centre stage in Week 12. For the athletes lining up tonight, every round between now and then is a building block.
<h2>What to expect tonight</h2>
This is one of the toughest five-star tracks on the global circuit. The Round 1 average clear rate here is just 16% - compared to 28-35% at many other CSI5* 1.60m shows worldwide. From a field of 32 combinations tonight, EquiRatings is predicting just six clear rounds. Once riders make the jump-off, the picture improves. Historically, 58% of those who qualify go on to jump clear. But getting there is the challenge.
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">So which US riders are making a case?</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr">McLain Ward &amp; High Star Hero</h3>
Three time winner of this class, McLain Ward has chosen High Star Hero as his weapon of choice tonight. They carry a 71% jump-off clear rate with three wins from seven jump-off appearances.&nbsp;
Ward's predicted clear chance tonight sits at 33%, with a 4% win chance. Those numbers are modest on paper, but once he's in a second round, the conversion is ruthless -&nbsp; nearly a 50% win rate in jump-offs tells you everything about how this pair handles pressure.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Lillie Keenan &amp; Fasther</h3>
Keenan has been quietly assembling one of the most consistent five-star profiles for Team USA. Fasther carries a 50% clear rate across 12 CSI5* 1.60m rounds in the past 12 months. Her predicted clear chance is 40%, with a 6% win chance.&nbsp;
The jump-off record makes for even better reading: six clears from ten jump-offs, six podium finishes. When this pair reaches a second round, they land on the podium.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Katie Dinan &amp; Out Of The Blue SCF</h3>
Dinan and Out Of The Blue SCF carry a 30% clear chance tonight and a 3% win chance &mdash; sitting at the competitive edge of the field rather than among the headline names. But that's often where Week 12 stories begin. A 5th place finish with a time penalty at the World Cup of Ocala last week shows they are operating at this level and improving. Five weeks is enough time to build.
<h3 dir="ltr">Natalie Dean &amp; Acota M</h3>
Back in five-star competition after a seven-month absence, Dean and Acota M carry a 30% clear chance and a 2% win chance tonight. Having jumped double clear at this venue during WEF Week 5 last year, they may rediscover that form tonight. A name to keep on your radar as the season builds toward the Final.
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">The International Names They'll Have to Beat</h2>
The American riders aren't building toward Week 12 in isolation. Three names in tonight's field are impossible to ignore.
WEF Week 5 winners, Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir, arrive with only four rounds at CSI5* 1.60m. But they have produced four clears. A 100% clear rate. The sample size is small but so is the fault count. Keep an eye out for this ten-year-old tonight.
Runners up in this class last year, Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue enter as the statistical favourites. a 56% predicted clear chance, a 14% win chance, and a 67% clear rate over the past 12 months. They jump last tonight.&nbsp;
Then there's the streak. Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour have cleared 11 consecutive CSI5* 1.60m rounds. They are only the 8th combination since 2010 to manager 11 consecutive clears in a row. EquiRatings gives them a 55% clear chance and a 13% win chance tonight. With top-five finishes in their last nine five-star Grands Prix, this partnership represents the standard every American will need to meet come Week 12.
<a href="https://jumping-prediction-centre.equiratings.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6e5b9121-00b3-4de0-886e-9d63c69f9641.png?width=1228&amp;height=1432" alt="Gg Yej Wef 7 Win Chances "></a>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Bigger Picture</h2>
There are four CSI5* Grand Prix in the WEF season: Weeks 5, 7, 9, and 12. Week 5 is done. Tonight is Week 7. Two more chances to win big before the Final.
In a class where only one in six combinations is expected to go clear in Round 1, the combinations that arrive in Week 12 in contention will be those who have proven they can handle this level consistently, not just occasionally.
Tonight is the next data point. Week 12 is the destination.

Mcclain Ward looking at camera while riding a horse

WEF Week 7: Who's Building Toward the Open Final?

Megan McIver sat down with Annie Bishop on this week's US Equestrian Open podcast to talk horses, risk-taking, and the goal she's finally saying out loud. Find the full episode <a href="https://pod.fo/e/391d1f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a>
<h3 dir="ltr">A California Beginning</h3>
Megan is a California rider through and through. She grew up riding at Webb Ranch in Portola Valley after convincing her dad that she needed to ride horses. Eventually, beach trail rides weren't enough. Lessons followed. Then competition. Then a life built around the sport.
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Like many eventers, she didn't come from a deep equestrian background. What she had was work ethic. In high school, she rode multiple horses a day, then came home to finish homework late into the night. At Cal Poly, she balanced a full-time degree in accounting , a sorority, and worked for former Olympian Gina Miles and Bec Braitling. Megan was Gina&rsquo;s assistant trainer and it was here that she got really serious about the sport.&nbsp;
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<h3 dir="ltr">Building Something of Her Own</h3>
After formative years with Gina Miles, Bec Braitling and Brian Sabo, Megan returned to Northern California to build something of her own. She established McIver Equestrian at the Horse Park at Woodside; a serious base with four-star events on site, world-class facilities and the infrastructure to match her ambitions.
Just 15 minutes away is Eric Duvander, with whom she works and trains full time. The support system is intentional, the set-up is strategic, and her business is growing due to it.
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Igor B: The Risk&nbsp;</h3>
If there's one horse Open fans will recognise, it's Igor B. He is known at home as Rupert but was originally named Cuddles by the breeder's daughter.
However, they are a partnership that almost didn't happen. Megan saw him in the UK while trying a different horse. The video didn't sell her and she couldn't afford him. But when she watched him walk just three steps in person, she knew.
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Buying Igor B meant risk. Loans. Stretching beyond what felt comfortable.
But Megan leaned on the advice of long-time supporters&nbsp;Leo Wang: life is about taking risks and sometimes you have to get uncomfortable to move forward.
So she bought Rupert.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0700936a-24d0-421e-a5d8-08421bf5c3c0.jpeg?width=4000&amp;height=2665" alt="9 F9 A0 E34 6 B38 413 D B68 F A3110 D C141 Ea (1)">
Now, after two full seasons together, which included Megan&rsquo;s first step up to four-star level, a seventh-place finish in the inaugural US Equestrian Open Series of Eventing signals that the foundations are firmly in place. The process is starting to pay off.
The next step? Go faster. When it feels right, be braver against the clock.
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<h3 dir="ltr">Kapitan Sparrow XII: The Journey</h3>
Kapitan Sparrow XII might be the most meaningful horse in the barn. He arrived hot, spooky, running through fences, and definitely not an obvious four-star prospect. But Megan saw something worth the investment.
They've worked through setbacks (including a colic episode en route to competition). They've managed quirks. They've grown up together.&nbsp;Last season saw their step up to four-star where he jumped clear cross-country in both of his two starts at the level.&nbsp;
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Goal on the Wall</h3>
In her tack room, Megan keeps written plans for each horse - two years out, three, five. At the top of her own list sits something bigger.
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For a long time, she kept that quiet. Now she is practising saying it out loud. Because saying it makes it real.
The US Equestrian Open is part of that picture. Not as a stepping stone, but as a championship in its own right. For combinations like Megan and Rupert, it is both opportunity and objective. A structured season to measure progress.
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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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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;
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Image of Megan McIver jumping Igor B cross country

Megan McIver’s Plan to Turn Seventh into Selection

Brooke Burchianti sat down with Annie Bishop on this week's episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast. Find the full episode <a href="https://pod.fo/e/396daa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<h2 dir="ltr">In Her Blood</h2>
Some riders find horses. For Brooke, it was never really a question. Her mother competed through the intermediate and three-star level, producing thoroughbreds up through the levels. Her grandmother rode too. By the time Brooke was three, sitting on her mother's big dressage horse, it was already decided.&nbsp;Pony Club and Welsh ponies led to a single-minded certainty that this was to be Brooke&rsquo;s job and not a phase.
<blockquote>
"Ever since then I was like 'This is this is for me, there's nothing else that I want to do.' Ever since I was a kid, I was like 'I want to ride horses my whole life. That's the job I want. That's it. And that's what I ended up doing.'"
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From there she went to James Madison University, where she studied sports management; a degree that, it turns out, maps almost directly into running an equestrian business. With a degree in her back pocket for if the horses didn&rsquo;t work out, she returned home to Pennsylvania, took over the farm her mother had run, and began building something of her own.
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<h2 dir="ltr">Family Dynamics</h2>
The farm her mother Karin owns is also where Brooke trains which means her first and most important coach is also her mother. That dynamic, as Brooke is quick to admit, has not always been smooth.
<blockquote>
"When I was a kid, I was a bit defiant and I didn't necessarily take instruction super well from her. I take it well from other people."
</blockquote>
The turning point came when Brooke recognised that there weren't many people in the area who had competed to the level her mother had. She decided to stop being a daughter at the barn and start being a student. Brooke has learned to listen to her mother&rsquo;s advice because she knows her, and more to the point, knows Astro, better than anyone.
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<h2 dir="ltr">The Second Choice</h2>
Brooke made the trip to Cooley Farm in Ireland looking for a horse. She had her eye on one horse in particular but horses being horses, that one failed the vetting.
Cooley Space Gray or Astro to his friends, was next on the list. She sat on him twice over two days and they just clicked.
<blockquote>
"I think we just kind of matched each other. I think he knew that I wasn't going to get in his way too much. I was just there to be his friend more than anything and that's honestly what he needs."
</blockquote>
He was only 6 and had come from a show jumping barn meaning he had no eventing experience and Brooke would have to build everything from scratch. But she bought him anyways, brought him home to Pennsylvania, and got to work.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9cc2648a-c6bb-4677-ac8f-dceaea847484.jpeg?width=1600&amp;height=1066" alt="Whats App Image 2026 02 25 at 12.05.34">
Fast forward 7 years and Brooke has produced Astro all the way from his first 2* to their 5* debut at Kentucky last year.
His name came from Brooke's interest in astrology and from the feeling, looking back, that the whole thing was written in the stars. The first horse wasn't meant to be hers. Cooley Space Gray was.
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<h2 dir="ltr">Everything His Way</h2>
Astro is not a complicated horse to ride. He is, however, completely on his own terms.
The mare Brooke had before him was a hot chestnut thoroughbred that she describes as a dragon. Astro is the opposite. He runs in a snaffle across all three phases. Brooke could take a breath and he would slow down. On cross-country, his ears come up, he looks for the next fence, and he goes.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a1839783-2f92-4aae-bb94-a018067c7b46.jpeg?width=1440&amp;height=960" alt="Whats App Image 2026 02 25 at 12.06.00">
What he does not do is take instruction he hasn't agreed to. This extends to basic yard management. One morning this winter, Brooke went to catch him in the field and he simply declined.
<blockquote>
"He's like 'I don't think I want to come in right now - you're not going to catch me,'&nbsp; and so I literally will just open the gate and just be like 'Just come in when you can buddy.'"
</blockquote>
The same quality that makes him hard to catch (occasionally) is what makes him so effective on course. He does not get in his own way. He does not need to be managed into submission. He jumps because he wants to jump and the results show it. Last year, he and Brooke were one of just four combinations to finish on their dressage score at an Open qualifier.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7647d547-5141-4d9f-bc02-a30798b32865.png?width=1748&amp;height=614" alt="W A0 Jf the Four Fod S From the 2025 Series Qualifiers Nbsp ">
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<h2 dir="ltr">The String Behind Brooke</h2>
Brooke doesn't have one type of horse, she has every type.
Cooley Constellation, known as Aries, is the almost-exact opposite of Astro: nearly 17 hands, long, gangly, and in Brooke's words &ldquo;the sweetest horse in the barn&rdquo;. He stepped up to the 3*L at Maryland last season and Brooke believes he has a five-star in him when the time comes.
Then there is KHH Lanesboro or Bart. Also from Ireland, Bart is smaller and more similar to Astro. He is competing at the CCI1* with aims to step up in the spring.
A third Cooley horse is incoming but her name is undecided. It will, Brooke confirms, be on the astrology theme.
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<h2 dir="ltr">The Future</h2>
Astro is on a well-earned break after the season. A few minor strains&mdash;nothing serious, but enough to justify some rest&mdash;mean he&rsquo;ll return this summer, with autumn plans still taking shape.&nbsp;
Aries is aiming for Carolina to kick off the year, with a long-term goal of stepping up to Advanced in the autumn.&nbsp;
Bart is set to move up to 2* in the spring, Virginia is a possibility, though plans remain flexible.
When Brooke first went to Cooley and sat down with Richard Sheane, she nearly kept her biggest goals to herself. But she said it anyway: she wanted to ride at Advanced, and one day at five-star. She&rsquo;s achieved these goals now... so the next chapter is hers to write.
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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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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

Brroke Burchianti and Cooley Space Grey jumping cross country

Family, Fate, and Five-Star: The Brooke Burchianti Story

For the first time in 2026, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage runs coast to coast. Wellington, on the east, hosts one qualifier. Del Mar hosts the other, bringing the Series spotlight back to California and widening the leaderboard race in a single weekend.
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<h2 dir="ltr">Del Mar Dressage Opener</h2>
It&rsquo;s the first West Coast Open qualifier of 2026, giving California-based combinations their first real chance to make a mark this season &mdash; unless, like Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn, they headed east to Wellington to get their campaign underway.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/fc7e0ecc-e947-4379-9704-0a991c05a6d4.png?width=1408&amp;height=1066" alt="Nq I Z0 Grand Prix Freestyle Stats Del Mar Dressage Opener ">
Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and Gino arrive at Del Mar as the clear favourite. Their FEI freestyle average of 74%&nbsp;is five points clear of the next combination in a five-horse field. Their personal best of 76.415% is also the highest entered.
Vaughn and Gino have been together since he was six. They've gone from regional shows to the world stage side by side, and they've done it the hard way - Vaughn is rider, caretaker, groom, and travel companion rolled into one, running a family business in California with her mother.&nbsp;
Vaughn sits fifth on the 2026 leaderboard with 30 points. A win here is worth 20, which would move her to the top of the standings and, if the result follows the data, likely secure a World Cup qualification. Last year marked her first appearance. This weekend could book her second.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/275c4b1f-9268-4fdb-b93c-66c1be8b798b.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Tbu9b Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage ">
Behind Vaughn, the field is closely grouped. Yet, the most intriguing entry is Cyndi Jackson and Florisson, who carry no FEI freestyle record but have averaged 73% across three national freestyle starts with a personal best of 75.600%. National scores carry a different weight, but a combination averaging 73% at any level is capable of making this weekend's contenders uncomfortable.
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<h2 dir="ltr">Palm Beach Dressage Derby</h2>
Wellington's freestyle card is the lighter of the two this weekend, with most of the Grand Prix talent at Global opting for the Special. Three combinations have entered.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6af28d24-406e-47e0-b9bf-4ce9fed24fec.png?width=1408&amp;height=798" alt="F B44p Grand Prix Freestyle Stats Palm Beach Dressage Derby ">
Susan Dutta and Don Design DC are the favourite with a freestyle average of 71.5% and a personal best of 73.950%. Dutta sits just outside the current top 10 on the leaderboard, and a strong result here likely moves her into that bracket.&nbsp;
Michael Klimke and Harmony's Fado enter on a single FEI freestyle result of 71.445%. Klimke's pedigree is impeccable but having only one score makes him relatively difficult to place.&nbsp;
Adriane Alvord and Selfmade carry an FEI average of 67.06%, though a national personal best of 76.750% suggests there's more ceiling there than the international record shows.
In a three-horse field with the Series' smallest points allocation, Dutta has the clearest case for the win. Whether Klimke's experience closes the gap is the question that only Palm Beach can answer.
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Genay Vaughn and Gino cantering with a rug and sash

Coast to Coast: The US Equestrian Open of Dressage Delivers a Double-Header

Two thousand people packed the stands at Wellington on Friday night to see Isabell Werth.&nbsp;
She arrived with Special Blend 3, the youngest horse in the field making his FEI Grand Prix Freestyle debut. They left with an 82.660% &mdash; the highest score in US Equestrian Open of Dressage history. The artistic mark alone was 90.120%, drawing 10s from three judges on music. The freestyle was originally composed for Emilio, Werth's Olympic team gold medal-winning horse, which tells you something about the ambition of the choreography. Special answered it. Twenty-two one-tempis. Strong piaffe with genuine lift. A 9.5 degree of difficulty. For a first Friday night in Wellington, the horse more than delivered and earned his standing ovation.
"This freestyle is really, really difficult and I was not sure what Special would do because he's not experienced in these kinds of atmospheres, but he was very focused," said Werth. "This crowd was so supportive and started to clap, which is something special.&nbsp;
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&ldquo;That end to a test is a feeling I really enjoy, and it's how you know why you're still in the saddle in a competition."
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Werth, who last competed in Wellington 16 years ago, also had something to say about what she found when she returned.
"I'd like to thank the show team because it was pretty impressive here," said the seven-time Olympian. "I didn't expect that it would be like this. There's a huge improvement in the whole environment here &mdash; the horses, the riding &mdash; which is great to see. We have to make dressage more global and for sure here there is a lot of energy and enthusiasm, which I love to see and be a part of. I'm pretty sure that I'll come back next year."
Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu and Jaccardo posted 79.250% for second. At 12, Jaccardo is one of the younger Grand Prix horses in the field, with forward, expressive gaits that suggest the scores will only climb from here. Their freestyle featured seven Britney Spears songs, and Jaccardo played the atmosphere like he's been doing Friday nights his whole life.
"This was Jac's first Friday night, and he'd never been into an atmosphere like this, so I was a bit nervous because there were so many people," said Fraser-Beaulieu. "But he came into the arena and was like, 'Let's go!'"
Third went to Julio Mendoza Loor and the 15-year-old Jewel's Goldstrike, who scored 78.165%. After the final salute, Mendoza Loor wrapped his arms around Goldstrike's neck and wiped a tear from his eye.&nbsp;
"Riding 'Goldie' is a joy every time," said Mendoza Loor. "I paid $20 for this horse, and he's taken me to the Olympics, taken me here, and every time he gives me 100%. He never lets me down, and that's why I cry all the time because this horse has made me who I am.&nbsp;
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&ldquo;There aren't enough words to explain how good he is and how much I love him."
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Isabell Werth riding Special Blend 3 at AGDF 7

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