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

This week&rsquo;s qualifier brings a five-entry Grand Prix Freestyle field that&rsquo;s intimate, but not predictable. Devon Kane, Michael Klimke, and Susan Dutta arrive with averages and personal bests just close enough to keep us guessing, even if one combination enters as a narrow statistical favorite.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-ny6DN" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: AGDF 5" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ny6DN/1/" height="542" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">Kane: The Narrow Favorite</h2>
Devon Kane and Vamos enter with the strongest numbers in the class, carrying a 72% average across nine FEI freestyles and a personal best of 75.305%. Friday marks their first freestyle of the season after a summer spent competing in Europe and rolling out a reworked floorplan.
Their average comes with a pesky asterisk, however. A single mid-60s score from Hagen last summer &mdash; the result of a missed element in their first outing with the new choreography &mdash; is dragging down their average more than their form would suggest. Without that mix-up, Kane and Vamos are sitting on an average closer to 73%, which is far more in line with what they typically deliver.
That puts them in the precarious position of &ldquo;favorite.&rdquo; It does not, however, give them much room to be casual about it.
<h2 dir="ltr">Klimke &amp; Dutta: Not Far Behind</h2>
Michael Klimke and Susan Dutta are the two riders most capable of keeping Kane from a casual romp in the Wellington area this weekend.
Klimke is contesting his third of four counting legs in the Open, which means any finish improves his leaderboard position, while a win would move him into a tie with Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn. Klimke and Harmony&rsquo;s Fado debuted their FEI freestyle earlier this season with a 71.445%. It&rsquo;s only one score, but it places them right alongside Kane and Dutta on raw numbers, even without a long freestyle resume behind it. And, as most dressage fans know, it&rsquo;s rarely wise to count out a Klimke.
Dutta and Don Design DC return for their second Open appearance of the year, currently ranked 21st with seven points. While they sit just outside the finals cutoff line, any finish this weekend would move them into that range, but their scoring ability keeps them firmly in the podium discussion.
Dutta&rsquo;s personal best of 73.950% sits comfortably within reach of Kane. Her average trails both Kane and Klimke slightly, but not by a margin that removes first place from the equation. A ride near, or just beyond, that personal best would be enough to topple the statistical order.
<h3 dir="ltr">Tune In</h3>
With Kane, Klimke, and Dutta clustered tightly on averages and personal bests, this shapes up as a competitive podium for such a small field. Kane carries the edge on depth of results, but the numbers leave little room for error.&nbsp;
The freestyles begin Friday at 8:15 ET, live on the <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/18401/adequan-global-dressage-festival-v">USEF Network</a>. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Sign up for free</a> as a fan to stream the action.
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Susan Dutta rides Don Design DC during a Grand Prix dressage test, wearing U.S. colors in the arena.

No Margin for Error for Devon Kane in This Week’s Freestyle

The CSI5* $500,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix has become a big springboard to successful seasons over the last decade. Last year, this class was won by Kent Farrington and Greya. Kent went on to rewrite the record books with nine five-star victories in a single season, seven with Greya. He had won the class with Gazelle back in 2017 - and would set the pre-2015 benchmark of 8 Grand Prix/World Cup wins in a single season. Martin Fuchs&rsquo; 2019 campaign - after a win here with Clooney was similar.&nbsp;
With Cloudio and United Touch already in the string, this weekend&rsquo;s victory for Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir could well be the set up for a superstar season.&nbsp;
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<h3 dir="ltr">1. Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir Will Be Contenders</h3>
We had a German winner of last year&rsquo;s Open and on this evidence, we could well have another. Before the class, the EquiRatings numbers gave Gangster Montdesir just a 38% chance of going clear - a caution born from limited mileage, not lack of quality. Under the Saturday night lights, the ten-year-old delivered again, producing his fourth consecutive clear in CSI5* Grand Prix competition from four starts. He then went fastest in the jump-off in 42.65 seconds to take his second win at 5* Grand Prix.
"I couldn't wish for anything more and I&rsquo;m just thrilled with how he jumped tonight and how he was fighting for me," Richard Vogel said in the press conference.
"Wellington is really our home in the winter months. It&rsquo;s my fifth circuit here. It has always been good to us, good to our horses. Every year we are able to step up a couple of new, younger, exciting horses and Gangster is one of them this year."
The Lesson: A 100% clear rate across four starts at 160 is a meaningful signal. We can begin to discard the small-sample caution now. If Gangster Montdesir is at the Open Final, he will be a genuine contender.
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<h3 dir="ltr">2. Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour Are Writing History</h3>
Third place on Saturday told only part of the story. The number that mattered was their 11th consecutive clear round at CSI5* 160 - a streak achieved by only eight combinations in modern history (since 2010).
"She (Dyanastie de Beaufour) is so amazing in every way. Since the first one (5* Grand Prix), she felt like she could do anything, she felt like she had done it for her whole life. I think she&rsquo;s incredible,smart, scopey, fast&hellip; she is an amazing horse."
Nina Mallevaey has competed at WEF Week 12 only twice before&mdash;2025 and 2023&mdash;watch to see if she makes it three.
The Lesson:&nbsp;Reliability is a competitive weapon. The top-ranked U25 rider in the world, the top ranked female in the sport, Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour had a breakout season last year winning Brussels and are emerging as a major contender for the non-US riders hoping to take the title off home soil.&nbsp;
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<h3 dir="ltr">3. Lillie Keenan&rsquo;s Home Soil Threat</h3>
Lillie Keenan and Argan de Beliard jumped double clear and finished fourth, 2.64 seconds off the podium. We have been highlighting here in recent weeks how the addition of Highway TN to an already top string could be the tipping point and she goes to the next level. This weekend was a reminder of her strength in depth. Earlier during WEF she won the NetJets CSI4* Grand Prix with&nbsp;Fasther and claimed victory on Highway TN in their first show together. Three horses winning across multiple levels over the past few weeks - Lillie Keenan will have lots of choices when it comes to the Final.&nbsp;
The Lesson: The US home advantage is real and backed by form. Keenan enters the next five weeks as one of the riders to watch and a leading US contender to keep the trophy on American soil.&nbsp;
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<h3 dir="ltr">4. Kent Farrington and Greya Are Still the Ones to Beat</h3>
The defending champions and the pre-competition favorites, they did not win on Saturday, but they posted the fastest jump-off time of the night and only the final rail cost them the win. Their CSI5* 160 jump-off record remains exceptional, with nine wins and 11 podium finishes from now 15 jump-off appearances. Greya&rsquo;s conversion rate of Jump Off appearances to wins is unmatched at this level. Their round 1 rail last year cost them a place in the Jump Off but if they make it in Week 12, they will be favorites to win it.&nbsp;
While Saturday did not convert, Kent Farrington&rsquo;s response is likely to be even more determined push for the win.
The Lesson: Do not be distracted by a single rail. Farrington and Greya remain the favorite for the US Equestrian Open of Jumping Final as things stand and the combination to beat until proven otherwise.
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">5. The Track Will Be Unforgiving - And Watch the Time</h3>
Gregory Bodo, who designed the Paris 2024 Olympic course, built Saturday's track. Only eight of the 39 starters jumped clear in Round 1. The resulting 20% clear rate sits just below the already demanding 10-year average of 23%, and is notably tougher than many global CSI5* 160 classes, where clear rates of 28&ndash;35% are not unusual.
But there is another statistic that deserves equal attention. 16 of the 39 riders collected time penalties meaning over 40% of the field was caught out by the clock. The Lesson: The Final will reward horses and riders who are simultaneously accurate and fast. Pairs who struggle with time allowed under pressure are flagged.
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Five weeks out, the picture is starting to sharpen. The contenders are emerging, momentum is building, and history suggests what works in Wellington early on tends to hold. When the Rolex US Equestrian Open of Jumping Final rolls around on March 28 (WEF Week 12), the lessons from Week 5 are likely to be big storylines.

Lillie Keenan and Argan de Beliard at WEF Week 5

Countdown to the Final: Five Lessons From the First Five-Star Weekend in Wellington. 

The Grand Prix Freestyle at WEC Ocala this week has three legitimate contenders and no obvious favorite. Jennifer Williams and Joppe K, Ashley Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana, and Claire Darnell and Harrold S are separated by less than a percentage point in career average. Their personal bests span barely more than a point.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-cL7DH" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: WEC Ocala April CDI3*" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/cL7DH/1/" height="666" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Top 3</h2>
If you need to hand someone the slight edge, recent form points to Williams. She&rsquo;s logged back-to-back 75.455s with a last-three average just above 75% and a scoring range of just over a point. That's a pair executing consistently near the top of what they've shown. But "slight edge" is more of an educated shrug than a full-blown prediction.&nbsp;
Darnell and Harrold S, meanwhile, are trending sharply upward. Their last three scores &mdash; 73.450, 74.315, 74.365 &mdash; form a tight, rising sequence, with their most recent result the best of the bunch. The issue is simple arithmetic: that 74.365 is essentially Williams's recent floor. For Darnell to win, she'd not only need to put in a personal-best-level performance, but would also need Williams to have an off day. Now granted, Darnell&rsquo;s personal best with this horse is a 77.015%, but that score was posted more than three years ago. Her current form is a more honest read of where the pair sits.&nbsp;
Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana are the wildcard. Their recent scores span from 73.555 to 75.290. That two-point spread means Holzer can beat anyone in this field on the right day, or lose to the other favorites on the wrong one. Hawtins has yet to win a Grand Prix Freestyle, which remains true after eight starts together. A sharp ride this weekend could break that curse. But that's the thing about a wide-open field: a career first is on the table, and so is third place.
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<h2 dir="ltr">A Race Within A Race</h2>
The more interesting story this weekend may not even be who wins the class. It's what Holzer and Darnell do to each other on the leaderboard.
Wandres currently leads the Series, but he's not competing this weekend. Whether he's still leading when scores post depends entirely on how Holzer and Darnell finish &mdash; and relative to each other, not just the field. Darnell sits just behind Wandres. Holzer is close behind her. If both place in the top three, Wandres loses the lead, and whoever places higher between the two of them takes it. The only scenario where Wandres holds on requires Darnell to fall outside the top three, and even then, only if Holzer also doesn't finish first or second.
That makes this a race within a race, and given how close these two score, it runs through every movement of both freestyles.
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WEC Preview: Wandres Could Lose the Lead And He’s Not Even There

<h2 dir="ltr">Show Jumping: A First 5* 160 Win Puts Mimi Gochman in the Open Spotlight</h2>
The US Equestrian Open Final: Wellington, Week 12 | Countdown: 5 Weeks
The $300,000 Longines FEI World Cup&trade; qualifier at the World Equestrian Center, Ocala saw the 21-year-old rising star Mimi Gochman out-jump a field of Olympic veterans. In a high-pressure jump-off, Gochman delivered the performance of her career aboard Iron Maiden, jumping the only double clear to win her first-ever 5* 160 Grand Prix/World Cup. The victory was a massive statement for the home nation, with Gochman beating Brazil&rsquo;s Eduardo Pereira de Menezes and Ireland&rsquo;s Cian O&rsquo;Connor.
Gochman&rsquo;s dominance in Ocala isn't a flash in the pan but rather the continuation of a red-hot 2026 run. Just nine days prior, she claimed the CSI5* WEF Challenge Cup with Inclen BH. With two horses in winning form and confidence clearly building, she has moved firmly into contention for the US Equestrian Open title. With just six weeks until the Rolex finale in Wellington, the question now is whether she can sustain that momentum against the likes of World Number One Scott Brash and home-turf hero Kent Farrington.
<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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<h2 dir="ltr">Eventing: Heavy Hitters Headline Bouckaert</h2>
Next Qualifier: Bouckaert Equestrian | Countdown: 2 Weeks
The road to the 2026 Series heads to Georgia, with entries closing today for the first qualifier of the new year. Last week we looked at the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-first-wef-5-dressage-momentum-and-bouckaert-takes-shape" target="_blank" rel="noopener">early names on the list</a>, and since then the field has grown to 26 confirmed combinations in the CCI4*-S - meaning the winner will walk away with a full 50 points.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ec2bc08c-7c88-4dc3-a5e7-4fd9617950fd.png?width=3204&amp;height=2600" alt="Qualifiers With More Than 25 Starters (1) (1) (1)"> It&rsquo;s a serious field to open 2026 - the kind that sets the tone for the season ahead. Here are a few standout names on the list.
Lucienne Bellissimo: The current Series leader arrives for the first time&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/new-flag-for-the-frontrunner">officially flying the American flag</a>. Bellissimo brings a two horses to the 4* with Kitsch Couture HPK and Easter Star WM, who makes her move up to the level. Her October winner, Dyri, will contest the Open Intermediate alongside Qatar M as she builds her depth for the 2026 title race.
Waylon Roberts: Currently third in the series standings, the Canadian veteran brings forward Chevalier. The new ride for Roberts in 2025 (previously campaigned by Karl Slezak) finished in the top four in all four of their international starts. This streak includes a victory in the CCI3*-S at The Fork at Tryon last September.
Buck Davidson: Currently sitting in fifth place on the Series leaderboard, Buck returns with Cooley Candyman and Cerafino D. Cerafino D already has a podium finish at this venue from October&rsquo;s opening qualifier, making him a proven competitor on this track.
Caroline Pamukcu: A top-three finisher in last year&rsquo;s series, Pamukcu brings three contenders including the notoriously fast HSH Double Sixteen. The thoroughbred was one of only two horses to win multiple qualifiers during the 2025 series. As the defending champion of this exact event, he returns to the venue where he secured victory last March by recording the fastest cross country time of the day. Pamukcu also brings HSH Connor and King&rsquo;s Especiale.
Boyd Martin: The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/reigning-us-open-of-eventing-champion-boyd-martin-named-2025-usef-international-equestrian-of-the-year">2025 Series and Final winner</a> is leaving nothing to chance, arriving with four entries. His string includes 5* superstar and previous qualifier winner Commando 3, and Cooley Nutcracker, fresh off a 3rd place finish at Pau 5*. Keep an eye on his 4* debutants Fetiche Des Rouges and Kolbeinn; both horses jumped double clear at every international start last season, with Kolbeinn winning the 3*-L at Bromont.
With two weeks to go, Bouckaert is shaping up to be a pivotal qualifier. Lucienne Bellissimo arrives with the series lead but Caroline Pamukcu and Boyd Martin bring depth, experience, and serious firepower. If she wants to extend her advantage, she&rsquo;ll have to earn it.
<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 dir="ltr">Dressage: Davis Capitalizes as Mendoza Loor Withdraws</h2>
Next Qualifier: Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival 7 | The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9d63989b-5f1c-4c8a-a6b8-f7d4d31a3eaa.png?width=697&amp;height=850" alt="Screenshot 2026 02 17 130211">
A four-horse Grand Prix Freestyle at World Equestrian Center&ndash;Ocala shifted before it even began when pre-show favorite Julio Mendoza Loor withdrew. No reason was given, though he is entered to compete in Wellington this week, suggesting a possible change in target. His absence left the door open, and Meagan Davis stepped through it.
Davis and Toronto Lightfoot won on a new personal best of 73.685%, narrowly ahead of Claire Darnell and Harrold S. Darnell improved nearly three percentage points from her previous outing at this venue&mdash;an unusually large gain at this level&mdash;and finished just 0.2 percentage points behind Davis. Two of the five judges had Darnell in first place.&nbsp;
For Davis, it was her first Series appearance since finishing third at Dressage at Devon last September. The progression with Toronto Lightfoot has been steady. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re just checking off goals left and right with Toronto,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Getting the personal best up there on the screen&mdash;that&rsquo;s what I&rsquo;m looking for.&rdquo; She noted a mistake in the one-tempis but pointed to stronger second ones and twos on the line. The focus, she said, is continued improvement with an eye toward Europe later this year.
Charlotte Osborne, last month&rsquo;s WEC winner, finished fourth this time. Even so, her second appearance of the season moves her into fifth on the overall Series leaderboard with 21 points. Darnell now sits tied for seventh on 20.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a4c58000-e0fd-49b4-9d9d-af592ae7ed6c.png?width=1240&amp;height=806" alt="H Y6 Nq Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage (1)">
<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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<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;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a> 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>.
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Open Weekly Graphic with Mimi Gochman jumping

The Open Weekly: Breakthrough Wins at WEC and a Stacked Bouckaert Field

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."
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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">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9dfe039-3b02-415d-b513-c5bd87d85dae.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar">
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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
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New Flag for the Frontrunner

The Open Weekly graphic featuring an image of Boyd Martin on his horse. 

The Open Weekly: This Week’s Results, Leaderboard Moves, and What’s Next

It was a big day on the Kentucky Horse Park cross-country course with a 62% clear rate and an average of 11.2 time penalties, 2.7 more than expected from this class. The course asked questions (mainly at the influential corner), and not everyone had the answers. But the below riders did.
Tamra Smith &amp; Lillet 3 proved the metrics right. Coming in as the fastest horse in the field by <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/kentucky4s2026/cross-country" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top Speed Percentage</a> at 95%, they delivered &mdash; picking up just 1.6 time penalties to move into the lead with a combined score of 31.3. Smith goes into the final phase with a 90% win chance on the prediction centre. A win would add 50 points to her series tally and hand her the Series lead, with a 20 point gap to Caroline Pamukcu. The&nbsp;<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leaderboard </a>implications are significant.
<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/kentucky_4s_2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ae835a41-976b-41c6-89e8-e70fc6263be8.png?width=964&amp;height=655" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 25 173650"></a>
Will Coleman &amp; Very Dignified, or Dora to those who know her, put in a smashing round, picking up just 4.4 time penalties to sit second. Coleman has spoken warmly about this mare throughout the season, and it is easy to see why. She jumped clear (and inside the time!) at the US Equestrian Open Final and she jumped clear again today. The prediction centre gives her just a 9% win chance but with a 93% top-three chance, a podium looks likely.&nbsp;
Mia Farley &amp; Invictus sit third after a strong round with just 5.6 time penalties. This combination has historically carried significant time penalties &mdash; often into double figures &mdash; but they have been getting faster, and today showed that progress clearly.&nbsp;
The breakout round of the day, though, belonged to Isabelle Cook. Tina Cook's daughter, competing as part of the GB Rising Lions programme, was the fastest combination on course for a spell &mdash; until Smith came out late in the order &mdash; posting just 3.2 time penalties to climb 28 places from 36th to 8th. A remarkable ride that will turn heads.
Tomorrow, show jumping decides it. Lillet 3 leads with a pole in hand. Very Dignified is 4.4 penalties behind. The <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/kentucky_4s_2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a> has made its call.
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/334c046f-d772-4b4d-b0e6-1da2cc765efb.png?width=873&amp;height=670" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 25 174450">

Tamie Smith is set to take the Series lead 

<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">&nbsp;</h3>
<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">&nbsp;</h3>
<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>.
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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:
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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

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