<p>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.</p>

Main

<p dir="ltr">When the Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final lights up the International Arena on Saturday night, fans are likely to be watching the most powerful Grand Prix fields ever assembled at Wellington International and one of the best 20 rated fields of the last 15 years.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">EquiRatings&rsquo; ELO model rates every horse based on how it performs round‑by‑round against the quality of opposition, updating after every result. In simple terms, the higher the ELO, the more consistently that horse is beating strong fields; horses in the 770+ range are operating right at the top of the sport.​</p>
<p dir="ltr">To measure the quality of a Grand Prix line‑up, EquiRatings uses a field‑strength rating: the average current ELO of the top 25 horses on the start list.​<br><br>Every big name that makes it through Thursday and Friday&rsquo;s qualifiers can move that field‑strength number significantly.​</p>
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<p dir="ltr">When Checker 47 and Christian Kukuk claimed the Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final last year, they did it against what was&mdash;at the time&mdash;the strongest Grand Prix field Wellington had ever seen, with a field‑strength rating of 730.​</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/66ff2db6-86fb-4112-b0c1-2951572a8ea7.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Field Stength"><br><br>That number was boosted by the presence of King Edward, the highest rated horse in the world at the time. He hasn&rsquo;t jumped at the top level since that weekend last year. <br><br>This year, though, the story is about depth rather than a single outlier: qualifier‑dependent, the 2026 line‑up is on track to deliver the strongest top‑25 Wellington has ever seen, and potentially the highest‑rated Grand Prix field in the venue&rsquo;s history.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Last year&rsquo;s field was rated 730, a WEF record. The best 25 horses on this year&rsquo;s long list currently averages closer to 748, a difference that comes from the sheer number of horses clustered in that high‑760/770 band.<br><br><strong>On current ratings, if the strongest combinations make it into Saturday night&rsquo;s final, the projected field‑strength average for the top 25 could land in the 735&ndash;745 range.​</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Those numbers matter in a global context. Since 2010, the 2024 Geneva Grand Prix (field‑strength 759) and the 2025 Dutch Masters (754) are the top fields. If we see a rating above 730 on Saturday, we will be watching the best ever here. If it clears 740, it would sit inside the top ten strongest rated Grand Prix fields anywhere in the world since 2010; even a rating of 735+ would secure a place inside the all‑time top twenty.​<br>​<br>Whatever the final number, the 2026 Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final is on track to be both one of the best ever Wellington fields and one of the highest‑rated Grand Prix classes anywhere in the world.<br><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5a51bc0d-7044-42fe-9533-48dc36749820.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Field Strength All Wef"></p>

Stand by for the Strongest Ever Wellington Grand Prix?

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<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The US Equestrian Open Eventing Series heads into its first of three double-headers of the 2026 season this weekend. The Event at TerraNova will see the Florida contingent tackle the 4*-S, while Galway Downs in California offers a first look at a West Coast field.&nbsp;<br><br>Last weekend reshuffled the Series leaderboard, with Caroline Pamukcu moving into the lead ahead of Boyd Martin and Will Coleman, who moved into a tie for second. None of the three are fielding horses this weekend - leaving the door right open for the chasing pack.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 data-pm-slice="1 1 []">The Event at TerraNova</h2>
<p>TerraNova returns for its sixth consecutive year as a CCI4*, having first run at this level in 2021. With two editions held in both 2024 and 2025, this weekend will crown the eighth winner of the class.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s a venue known for testing jumping phases with only two combinations having ever finished on their dressage score and both came last year.<strong> Jessica Phoenix </strong>and <strong>Fluorescent Adolescent </strong>did it to win in March 2025 and return here to defend, as well as <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/family-fate-and-five-star" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brooke Burchianti </strong>and <strong>Cooley Space Grey.</strong></a></p>
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<h3 data-start="293" data-end="582"><strong>Who wins?</strong></h3>
<p data-start="293" data-end="582"><strong>Monica Spencer</strong> and <strong>Artist </strong>lead the pre-event predictions on 24% win chance on the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/terranova_4s_march2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a>, and it's easy to see why. The New Zealand combination are making their 2026 Series debut this weekend, their last run being a landmark second place at the Maryland five-star last autumn. <strong>Artist </strong>carries the second best dressage average in the field (a 26.9 6RA) and is known for his speed cross country. While people may doubt his show jumping, <strong>Artist </strong>has actually jumped far more clears than not at the 4*-S level (5 from 8).</p>
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<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/terranova_4s_march2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/350a6592-f07c-47be-b9a3-afd52cf754e1.png?width=1114&amp;height=817" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 25 171344"></a></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Dan Kreitl&nbsp;</strong>and <strong>Carmango </strong>sit second on 21%. The combination previously finished second here back in 2023, posting what remains the second-best finishing score the class has ever seen. They missed the entire 2025 international season, so TerraNova marks their return to the level and therefore, their first time competing in a US Equestrian Open qualifier. On the strength of their history here, though, they'll carry plenty of confidence back onto familiar ground.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8ed9a2d6-b673-49d9-9511-853655172672.JPG?width=3203&amp;height=2176" alt="06.30.23 Kreitl Carmango"><em>Dan Kreitl &amp;&nbsp;Carmango at CHIO Aachen in 2023</em></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Canada's <strong>Colleen Loach</strong> and <strong>FE Golden Eye</strong> come in third on 17%, and they represent one of the most compelling storylines in the field. Like <strong>Carmango</strong>, the combination sat out 2025 but they made a statement return at Bouckaert earlier this year, winning the 3*-S. Their show jumping record is extraordinary: <strong>FE Golden Eye </strong>has not knocked a rail at international level since April 2022, a streak that now stands at 17 consecutive clear rounds. Loach and<strong> FE Golden Eye</strong> were part of Canada's gold-medal team at the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games, and finished 6th individually. Their class is not in question but a return from a break at the top-level is.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Alyssa Phillips</strong> and <strong>Rockett 19</strong> are worth watching closely at 16% win chance. At just 11 years old, Rockett 19 arrives on the back of three consecutive podium finishes, including a second at the Maryland 3*-L last October. He is one of the highest rated US 11-year-old's on the EquiRatings Elo - sitting ahead of Series regulars like <strong>HSH Double Sixteen </strong>and <strong>King's Especiale. </strong>This is the horse's first 4*-S, and how he handles the step up in level will be worth watching.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/123fab0c-4f0f-4157-94de-117494559e6f.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="Img L4011"></strong><em>Alyssa Phillips &amp; Rockett 19</em></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Galway Downs International</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">California's Galway Downs will be our first proper look at this year's West Coast contenders. It is also a reminder of a broader dynamic within the series. West Coast qualifiers are likely to always carry 40 points rather than 50, but with six legs on the western side of the country, the gap is far from insurmountable.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Read more on whether a west-coast contender could win the whole Series:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/is-the-us-equestrian-open-winnable-from-the-west-coast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/is-the-us-equestrian-open-winnable-from-the-west-coast</a><br><br>Additionally, this is one of only two CCI4*-S competitions on the West Coast before athletes will head east for Kentucky. It makes it a key prep run for combinations targeting the major spring events and an early read on form.</p>
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Who wins?</h3>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Tommy Greengard</strong> leads the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/galwaydowns_4s_march2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a> on 33% with <strong>That's Me Z.</strong> The nine-year-old is already proving himself at the level: last year, the pair were second at this venue on their 4*-S debut, and have since added two more podium finishes at the level. Greengard knows what it takes to win a series qualifier &mdash; he took Aspen Farm last year with <strong>Joshuay MBF </strong>&mdash; and at only nine, <strong>That's Me Z</strong> is an exciting horse to follow this weekend.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/galwaydowns_4s_march2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1e037f7b-6081-4cae-a4d1-a8cab86794a4.png?width=1254&amp;height=607" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 25 174834"></a></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Greengard also brings <strong>Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad </strong>on a 23% win chance. This will be the 11-year-old's 4* debut, but his international record gives every reason for optimism: six international starts, five podiums - two of which are wins. On these six starts, they have never once knocked a showjumping pole.&nbsp; A debut at the short format feels well within their capabilities.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Karen O'Neal a</strong>nd <strong>Clooney 14 c</strong>ome in third on 17%. This is an experienced combination with wins at both 4*-L and 4*-S level. They are proven winners at the top of the game, and not to be underestimated.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Megan McIver</strong> and <strong>Igor B</strong> sit behind on 13%. If you haven't read about how McIver came to partner with <strong>Igor B, </strong>and the journey they've been on since, check it out here: <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/seventh-into-selection" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/seventh-into-selection</a></p>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/seventh-into-selection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b3ecc5e8-b420-4d87-bd6b-fc24c87828dd.jpeg?width=4000&amp;height=2667" alt="7 Fcbbbdb 4012 4 A5 B A10 F 9 F7 B6 F16283 D (1)"></a></div>
<div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"><em>Megan McIver &amp;&nbsp;Igor B | Photo: Atalya Boytner Photography</em></div>
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<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">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.</p>
<p dir="ltr">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;</p>
<p><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"></p>
<p dir="ltr"><br><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>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;</em></p>
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Dan Kreitl and Carmango and Tommy Greengard and That's Me Z

A Tale of Two Coasts: TerraNova and Galway Downs Deliver a Double-Header Weekend

<p dir="ltr">There wasn&rsquo;t much time to catch a breath after <strong>Boyd Martin</strong> lifted the trophy at Morven Park. Just two weeks later, the 2026 US Equestrian Open of Eventing Series was already underway, with two qualifiers completed before the winter break.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">As the Series resumes at Bouckaert International on March 5, now is the perfect moment to catch up on the story so far.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Qualifier 1: Bouckaert International (October 24, 2025)</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The 2026 Series opened at Bouckaert Farm in Fairburn, Georgia, with nine combinations chasing a maximum 40 points. This venue is one of the toughest time tracks on the calendar. In 13 years of the CCI4*, only four combinations had ever made the cross-country time (just 2% of all starters).</p>
<p dir="ltr">After a difficult start to 2025 for<strong> Lucienne Bellissimo </strong>and <strong>Dyri</strong>, with two unlucky runs prompting a tactical step back, Bellissimo rebuilt Dyri&rsquo;s confidence at lower levels. Four consecutive wins at 2* and 3* followed. Bouckaert marked their return to 4*, and they delivered.</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">A 33.0 put them in the dressage lead</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">A clear show jumping round kept them there</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">A clear cross country round to add 8.0 time penalties - the fastest of the day</li>
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<p dir="ltr">It was their <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/bellissimo-and-dyri-make-it-five-in-a-row-at-bouckaert" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fifth consecutive international victory</a> and Bellissimo&rsquo;s eighth win of 2025. That win made her the British rider with the most international wins this year, ahead of Paris Olympian's <strong>Laura Collett, Ros Canter, </strong>and <strong>Tom McEwen </strong>(more on Bellissimo&rsquo;s British flag later!)</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast/episode/a3215b228cb986aba67a1ffed04560f1a7a9da59" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kate Sand </strong>and <strong>Top Shelf</strong></a> finished second with a double clear while <strong>Bruce Davidson Jr. and Cerafino D</strong> completed the podium in third.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Qualifier 2: The Event at TerraNova (November 14, 2025)</h2>
<p dir="ltr">TerraNova served as both the second qualifier of the series and final FEI eventing competition in the US for 2025. The headline arrival was <strong>Will Coleman</strong> and <strong>Diabolo</strong> -&nbsp; the star combination returning to 4* competition after injury had kept them out of the Paris Olympics and most of the 2025 season.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d738f3c8-578c-4542-ad5f-abfb66e1a7b2.jpeg?width=1600&amp;height=1388" alt="Copy of C E5 A8393"></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Diabolo </strong>returned to the level with a dressage score of 26.1 which tied the second-best test ever recorded at the venue - beaten only by Coleman's own <strong>Chin Tonic HS</strong> in 2023. A double clear across the remaining two phases <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/terranova-closes-the-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">maintained their lead from start to finish.</a>&nbsp;It was<strong> Diabolo's</strong> third 4* win in a row, following victories at Cosequin Kentucky and Plantation Field (both in 2024). Coleman finished the event with 60 series points thanks to an additional fifth place with <strong>Fahrenheit Addict.</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Lucienne Bellissimo </strong>and&nbsp;<strong>Dyri </strong>came second and <strong>Kitsch Couture HPK</strong> finished 8th to add an additional 40 points to her score to maintain the lead.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Waylon Roberts </strong>and <strong>Fernhill Salt Lake</strong> completed the podium in third. Roberts had entered with the highest EquiRatings Top Speed Percentage (TSP) in the field, and Fernhill Salt Lake proved the stats right. He produced the fastest cross-country round of the weekend and he was the only horse to make the time. It was also the first completion at four-star level for the pair after two previous starts at the level.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The other standout story of the weekend was <strong>Meg Pellegrini, </strong>who made her four-star debut with three horses. <strong>Dondante</strong> finished 7th with a double clear, <strong>Falcon Crown Z </strong>delivered the second-best dressage test in the field (26.9) before finishing 9th, and<strong> Cooley Wish Upon a Star</strong> added a 12th. Pellegrini and her string of horses will almost certainly be a story to follow as the season unfolds.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">A New Flag at the Top</h2>
<p dir="ltr">After TerraNova, the Series paused for the winter break. While competition was quiet, the leaderboard still saw a significant change at the top of the standings.</p>
<p dir="ltr">After officially becoming a United States citizen in late 2025,<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/new-flag-for-the-frontrunner" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <strong>Lucienne Bellissimo</strong> now represents Team USA</a>. Bellissimo had opened the Series as a British rider. She will resume it in 2026 as an American: still leading the standings, but under a new flag.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><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></p>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">What's Next: Bouckaert International (March 5, 2026)</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The Series resumes at Bouckaert Farm next week for Qualifier 3, and the field is shaping up to be one of the venue&rsquo;s strongest so far. Bellissimo leads the standings, but several big names are set to line up. The added twist? This will be the first qualifier of the 2026 Series to attract 25 or more combinations, unlocking the higher points allocation.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Read more about the key contenders in last week&rsquo;s edition of The Open Weekly &rarr; </strong><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-werth-breaks-records-while-ward-wins-at-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-werth-breaks-records-while-ward-wins-at-wef</a></em></p>
<p dir="ltr">With 18 qualifiers to go and the final at Morven Park on October 8-11, 2026, there is still everything to play for.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-werth-breaks-records-while-ward-wins-at-wef" 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></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">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.</p>
<p dir="ltr">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;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p><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"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>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;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

A collage of photos from the US Equestrian Open of Eventing

The Story So Far of the US Equestrian Open of Eventing

<h2 dir="ltr">Dressage: Werth Rewrites the Record Books in Wellington</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Next Qualifier:</strong> Palm Beach Derby 2/25 + Del Mar Dressage Opener 2/26 | <strong>The Final:</strong> Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Isabell Werth </strong>returned to Wellington for the first time in 16 years and immediately rewrote the record books. The World No. 2 and<strong> Special Blend 3</strong> scored 82.660% &mdash; the highest mark in US Equestrian Open of Dressage history &mdash; on the partnership's FEI Grand Prix Freestyle debut, backed by a 90.120% artistic score and 10s from three judges for music.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8d90e1c0-c60c-404d-b125-e3c0f01ccc41.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Snap Insta.to 640935575 17936794482171204 7782157409439030159 N"></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu</strong> and <strong>Jaccardo</strong> earned second on 79.250% in the 12-year-old's first Friday night, and <strong>Julio Mendoza Loor</strong> and <strong>Jewel's Goldstrike</strong> rounded out the podium at 78.165%.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>"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,"</em> said Werth. <em>"This crowd was so supportive and started to clap, which is something special. 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."</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Read the full AGDF 7 recap &rarr;</strong> <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/isabell-werth-sets-new-us-equestrian-open-of-dressage-record-in-wellington">https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/isabell-werth-sets-new-us-equestrian-open-of-dressage-record-in-wellington</a>&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><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 "></a></p>
<p><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></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Show Jumping: McLain Ward and High Star Hero Light Up WEF Week 7</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>The US Equestrian Open Final: </strong>Wellington, Week 12 | <strong>Countdown:</strong> 4 Weeks</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) has passed its halfway point, and the picture at the top of the sport is coming into sharper focus. Saturday night's CSI5* $500,000 Modon Grand Prix produced a winner who needs no introduction on home soil and results that will echo all the way to Week 12.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>McLain Ward &amp; High Star Hero&nbsp;</strong></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>McLain Ward </strong>claimed the Week 7 Grand Prix aboard<strong> High Star Hero,</strong> a result that lands him in rare company even by his own exceptional standards. This is the fourth time Ward has won this exact Grand Prix with his previous three victories all coming with the iconic <strong>HH Azur </strong>(2016, 2017, and 2020). As a combination, this was Ward and <strong>High Star Hero&rsquo;s</strong> fourth CSI5* 1.60m win together, following previous victories at the World Cup of Arcada and two Grand Prix Qualifiers in the Hamptons.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c3eee625-2e89-4d77-bc2d-c701ab0ef05e.jpeg?width=1600&amp;height=1326" alt="Img L7339"></p>
<p dir="ltr">With just over four weeks until the Rolex US Equestrian Open Final, Ward will be defending momentum and arriving with a horse in form. Home advantage, a proven track record at this event, and a clear jump-off performance on Friday night: this combination are going to be major contenders for a home win.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Mark Bluman &amp; Landon de Nyze</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Second place went to <strong>Mark Bluman</strong> and <strong>Landon de Nyze</strong> and the story behind it makes the podium even more impressive. Bluman and Landon only became a combination in December, less than two months ago. They have already won two 1.55m classes together. Friday night was their first 5* Grand Prix together, and they walked away with a podium finish.</p>
<p dir="ltr">New partnerships at the 5* level rarely produce results this quickly. The jump from building a partnership to landing a top-two finish in a Grand Prix of this calibre in under two months warrants close attention heading into the back half of the WEF season.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Shane Sweetnam &amp; James Kann Cruz</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The bronze position went to <strong>Shane Sweetnam </strong>and <strong>James Kann Cru</strong>z. Friday&rsquo;s result was their 20th individual 5* 1.60m podium finish together, with eight of those arriving in the past twelve months alone.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Their jump-off record borders on the extraordinary: 18 clears from 21 rounds at the 5* 1.60m level (86%), translating to 19 podium finishes from those jump-off appearances. When Sweetnam and<strong> James Kann Cruz</strong> make it to a jump-off at this level, a top-three finish has become the expectation rather than the exception.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Bigger Picture</h3>
<p dir="ltr">There are four CSI5* Grand Prix during the WEF season: Weeks 5, 7, 9, and 12. With Weeks 5 and 7 now complete, there are just two more chances to win big before the Final. Saturday night marked another pit stop but Week 12 remains the ultimate destination.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a></strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Eventing: The Countdown to Bouckaert Begins</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Next Qualifier:</strong> Bouckaert Equestrian |<strong> Countdown:</strong> 1 Week</p>
<p dir="ltr">The first qualifier of the 2026 US Equestrian Open of Eventing is one week away, and the anticipation building around the CCI4*-S at Bouckaert Farm is well earned. The entry list has been confirmed<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> (check out our deep dive in last week Open Weekly)</a> and with 28 combinations set to line up in Georgia, this is already shaping up to be one of the stronger editions of this event.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Bouckaert Farm has been hosting the CCI4*-S since 2013. Across 15 previous runnings of the class, exactly 280 horses have started. That means the venue is set to welcome its 300th (and beyond) CCI4*-S starter in the coming days. For an event that describes horses as being at its heart, it is a milestone worth marking.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The 28-entry field clears the 25-combination threshold required for a high-scoring qualifier and provides some cushion against the inevitable pre-event withdrawals. Last year&rsquo;s running of this event drew 19 starters, which means this year the field is deeper and the stakes are correspondingly higher.</p>
<p dir="ltr">No name carries more significance into this weekend than <strong><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/new-flag-for-the-frontrunner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lucienne Bellissimo.</a></strong> The Series leader arrives at Bouckaert with two horses and a lead to defend.&nbsp;Bellissimo brings <strong>Kitsch Couture HPK </strong>and four-star debutant <strong>Qatar M.</strong> It is a debut that Bellissimo herself has been building toward, and her excitement ahead of the run has been visible.&nbsp;</p>
<div style="max-width: 540px; margin: 1rem auto;"><iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVCKJupkVIN/embed" width="100%" height="780" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen">

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<div style="max-width: 540px; margin: 0 auto; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">
<p><strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lucienne_bellissimo?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@lucienne_bellissimo </a>'</strong>Qatar M' gearing up for his first run of the season this week, looking forward to trying to get him to his first <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@usequestrianopen</a> this April.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<p dir="ltr">Just over one week out, and the road to the 2026 US Equestrian Open of Eventing Series title picks up speed from here.</p>
<p><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></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 data-path-to-node="4">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-path-to-node="4"><strong data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="0">Stay in the Loop with The Open Weekly</strong></h2>
<p data-path-to-node="5">Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="72"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a>&nbsp;</strong>drops on this site <strong data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="124">every Tuesday.</strong></p>
<h3 data-path-to-node="9"><strong data-path-to-node="9" data-index-in-node="0">Join the Conversation</strong></h3>
<p data-path-to-node="10">Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="77"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a></strong>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="89"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a></strong>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="100"><a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a></strong></p>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6"><strong data-path-to-node="6" data-index-in-node="4">Go Beyond the Article</strong></h3>
<p data-path-to-node="7">Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="7" data-index-in-node="78"><a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a></strong>.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40223065/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></p>

Open Weekly Promo Graphic of Isabel Werth and  Special Blend 3

The Open Weekly: Werth Breaks Records While Ward Wins at WEF

<p>Some partnerships feel instant. Others take time to understand. Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan van de Donkhoeve are a bit of both.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3hS9O_pQ1sI" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>
<p>The Open Road follows their journey from that first connection &mdash; a horse she believed could jump anything &mdash; to the pressure, setbacks, and breakthroughs that shaped an Olympic partnership.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s a story of trust built over time, and the confidence that comes from knowing what your horse is capable of. Because sometimes, the right horse doesn&rsquo;t just deliver results, they make you believe you belong there.</p>
<p>Watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hS9O_pQ1sI&amp;list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2&amp;index=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">full episode now </a>and go inside the partnership.</p>

Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan van de Donkhoeve filming for the Open Road

Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan van de Donkhoeve | The Open Road

<h2 dir="ltr">Jumping: The $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix is Set to Break a Wellington Record.</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>The Rolex US Equestrian Open Final:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday, March 28th | Wellington, Week 12&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Twelve weeks of competition in Wellington. Three CSI5* Grand Prixes completed and the the biggest night of them all awaits.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix takes center stage this Saturday. <em>The coverage won&rsquo;t be light - a fan guide later this week, a special preview <a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">podcast</a> on Friday, and daily articles across the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">microsite.</a></em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Two episodes of The Open Road are already live, featuring&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_60FqMTTwTE&amp;list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2&amp;index=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Karl Cook</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hS9O_pQ1sI&amp;list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2&amp;index=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jessica Springsteen</a></strong> Saturday night. Tune in before the weekend.<br></em></p>
<p dir="ltr">When the Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final lights up the International Arena on Saturday night, fans are likely to be watching the most powerful Grand Prix field ever assembled at Wellington International and one of the best 20 rated fields of the last 15 years.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The EquiRatings&rsquo; ELO model rates every horse based on how it performs round‑by‑round against the quality of opposition, updating after every result. In simple terms, the higher the ELO, the more consistently that horse is beating strong fields; horses in the 770+ range are operating right at the top of the sport.​</p>
<p dir="ltr">To measure the quality of a Grand Prix line‑up, EquiRatings uses a field‑strength rating: the average current ELO of the top 25 horses on the start list.​ Every big name that makes it through Thursday and Friday&rsquo;s qualifiers can move that field‑strength number significantly.​</p>
<p dir="ltr">When <strong>Checker 47</strong> and&nbsp;<span style="font-weight: bold;">Christian Kukuk</span>&nbsp;claimed the Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final last year, they did it against what was, at the time, the strongest Grand Prix field Wellington had ever seen, with a field‑strength rating of 730.​</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/66ff2db6-86fb-4112-b0c1-2951572a8ea7.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Field Stength"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Last year&rsquo;s field was rated 730, a WEF record. The best 25 horses on this year&rsquo;s long list currently averages closer to 748, a difference that comes from the sheer number of horses clustered in that high‑760/770 band. In a global context the 2024 Geneva Grand Prix (field‑strength 759) and the 2025 Dutch Masters (754) are the top fields. If we see a rating above 730 on Saturday, we will be watching the best ever here. If it clears 740, it would sit inside the top ten strongest rated Grand Prix fields anywhere in the world since 2010; even a rating of 735+ would secure a place inside the all‑time top twenty.​</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><strong id="docs-internal-guid-9fc52465-7fff-5c06-7172-257d67f86f4a">All of that turns this week&rsquo;s qualifiers into more than just a route to our Saturday night final. These qualifiers will decide if we all get to see a new Wellington record.&nbsp;<br><br></strong></em></p>
<p><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a></p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Eventing: Smith Sweeps Carolina as Pamukcu Takes the Series Lead</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Next Qualifiers: </strong>TerraNova, Florida &amp; Galway Downs, California<strong> | The Final: Morven Park,</strong> Virginia (October)</p>
<p dir="ltr">Carolina International was the fourth qualifier of the 2026 series and the first with over 25 starters, meaning expanded points were on the table. The leaderboard that emerged looks significantly different from the one that went in.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Winners</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The win went to <strong>Tamie Smith</strong> and <strong>Lillet 3</strong> who came closest to the cross country time, picking up just 1.2 time penalties to move from fifth to first. It was their fifth win together as a combination and their second at the four-star level, following their Galway Downs CCI4*-L victory.</p>
<p dir="ltr">And it didn&rsquo;t stop there. Smith swept the weekend, adding wins in the CCI3*-S with <strong>Spiro P</strong> and the CCI2*-S on <strong>Solaguayre Cantata.</strong> A three-level clean sweep that speaks to both her depth and her current form.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5b0cb64b-8068-48b4-999a-c15a2fc2b2c2.jpg?width=4000&amp;height=2667" alt="Tamie Smith Lillet 3 05449"></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Photo Credit: Sally Spickard/Eventing Nation.&nbsp;</em></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Leaderboard</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Second place went to <strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong> and <strong>HSH Blake </strong>and that result, combined with<strong> She's The One</strong> finishing seventh, added 65 points to her series tally in a single weekend. Pamukcu moves to 145 points and takes the series lead outright, 50 points clear of the chasing pack.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7bdc5f2f-5420-4cb0-9349-f60304cdc28b.png?width=658&amp;height=1111" alt="Bouckaert Review 2 (1)"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Behind her, the leaderboard tightened. <strong>Will Coleman</strong> and<strong> Boyd Martin </strong>both finished inside the top five and now sit joint second, firmly within striking distance.<strong> Lucienne Bellissimo</strong> slips to fourth after moving <strong>Kitsch Couture HPK </strong>into the 3* division, while<strong> Jennie Brannigan&rsquo;s </strong>third-place finish moves her into the top ten for the first time.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">What's Next</h3>
<p dir="ltr">This weekend brings the first doubleheader of the 2026 series with qualifiers running simultaneously on the east and west coasts at TerraNova and Galway Downs.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Full previews, and predictions form guides are coming. As usual, the weekly US Equestrian Open podcast episode previews both events.</em></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40613490/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></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e6b627a3-4fce-4bbf-8314-5c8c2402cd3e.png?width=1080&amp;height=158" alt="Read More Eventing"></a></em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Dressage: A triple header sees Wandres lead the series while Jackson surprises at Del Mar</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Next Qualifier:</strong> Dressage at TerraNova<strong> | Coundown:</strong> 1 week</p>
<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/equiratings_eventing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/bb3a37f0-4091-4a31-b0c4-5c6b384318c6.png?width=1920&amp;height=840" alt="Carolina Winner"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Frederic Wandres</strong> and <strong>Verrenberg </strong>won the Modon FEI Nations Cup at AGDF 11 with 77.000%. This is their fourth straight freestyle improvement since their debut together last June, and another combination best. <strong>Ashley Holzer </strong>and <strong>Hawtins San Floriana</strong> took second at 74.350%, and<strong> Emma Caecilia Lienert</strong> and Windermere <strong>J'Obei W</strong> rounded out the podium at 73.105%. The result moves Wandres to 49 points and first overall. Holzer lands at 44 and third.</p>
<p><a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/dressage/708" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7f133541-2f05-4cb8-bf74-a4bf3096ea5f.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="I Il7 a Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage "></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">The surprise of the weekend came from Del Mar, where <strong>Cyndi Jackson</strong> and <strong>Florisson</strong> won the CDI3* freestyle with a personal best of 70.915%. Jackson has produced<strong> Florisson</strong> from the start. Their first show together was a USEF Training Level test in March 2017. By 2020 they were competing at Prix St. Georges, debuted at Grand Prix in 2024, and worked through their freestyle at national shows last year before making their CDI freestyle debut at Del Mar in February. Sunday&rsquo;s win was the payoff. <strong>Nadine Schwartsman</strong> and <strong>Royal Flash R </strong>finished second with a combination best of 70.835%, only the second time the pair have broken 70% in freestyle - the last being a ninth-place finish at the US Equestrian Open Final</p>
<p dir="ltr">In the CDI3*, also held at AGDF 11, <strong>Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n</strong> and <strong>Hyatt</strong> won with 76.640%. <strong>Jennifer Williams</strong> and <strong>Joppe K</strong> took second at 75.455%&nbsp; with <strong>P.J. Rizvi</strong> and<strong> Vanilla Ice</strong> third at 73.500%. The win moves Tinne to 35 points and into a three-way tie for sixth.</p>
<p><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></p>
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<h2 data-path-to-node="4"><strong data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="0">Stay in the Loop with The Open Weekly</strong></h2>
<p data-path-to-node="5">Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="72"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a>&nbsp;</strong>drops on the site&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="124">every Tuesday.</strong></p>
<h3 data-path-to-node="9"><strong data-path-to-node="9" data-index-in-node="0">Join the Conversation</strong></h3>
<p data-path-to-node="10">Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="77"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a></strong>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="89"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a></strong>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="100"><a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a></strong></p>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6"><strong data-path-to-node="6" data-index-in-node="4">Go Beyond the Article</strong></h3>
<p data-path-to-node="7">Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="7" data-index-in-node="78"><a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a></strong>.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40613490/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></p>

The Open Weekly graphic with Tamie Smith and Lillet 3

The Open Weekly: Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix Week Arrives as New Series Leaders Emerge

<p dir="ltr">Kent Farrington and Greya stopped the timers in 42.99 seconds before a sold-out crowd of more than 10,000 fans to take the $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix CSI5*, the highest-rated Grand Prix in Wellington International history.<a href="https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/farrington-hoists-trophy-in-1000000-rolex-us"> </a>It was a home win in every sense -- the first American to take the Rolex Finale Grand Prix in seven years, delivered in front of a crowd that knew exactly what they were watching.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4a7faa5f-aee0-4706-906f-74d269da1821.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="Aw Jumping Final 379" loading="lazy"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Ben Maher and Enjeu de Grisien finished second. Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir rounded out the top three. Vogel, the reigning European Champion, stopped the clock in 42.87 seconds but had a rail at the last fence. After months of build up, two days of qualifying and two hours of jumping, for the champion to be decided with the final fence felt fitting.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Course and the Jump-Off</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Course designer Guilherme Jorge set an 18-effort track that demanded accuracy, scope, and tremendous athleticism from the 40 qualified combinations.<a href="https://horsesdaily.com/article/kent-farrington-hoists-trophy-in-1000000-rolex-us-equestrian-open-grand-prix-csi5/"> </a>The average clear rate at Wellington in this final week is just 18% over the last 10 runnings. We expected beforehand that we might see 7 make the jump off. When the defending champion of the Open Christian Kukuk crashed through the wall early in the course, and early on the night, we knew a major chance for a US win was on.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3dacbede-8910-49bb-a8d0-1d7637c89e46.png?width=5037&amp;height=3502" alt="Greyaears" loading="lazy">&nbsp;<br><br>Five combinations produced clear rounds to make it to the jump-off, a number Farrington called exactly right. "If you under build the course even a little bit, you could easily see 20 clears," he said. "It's very possible to jump clear, and I think that is what this level of competition should be about."</p>
<p dir="ltr">The first to jump of the five was Ben Maher with Enjeu de Grisien. They were clear and fast and the time was set. This horse has now jumped in 6 CSI5* 160 jump-offs, jumped clear in all six and been on the podium every time. They have only won one, in London back in December 2023.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Going third in the jump-off order, Farrington and Greya took on the eight-fence track with precision.<a href="https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/farrington-hoists-trophy-in-1000000-rolex-us"> </a>The fastest clear of the first round had already signaled where this evening was headed but the tension was incredible. Their clear round was met with huge hometown excitement but nobody was brave enough to call the win at this stage.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d9ca34dd-8028-47d6-9ed3-62693f76d276.jpg?width=4338&amp;height=5423" alt="C E5 A4907"></p>
<p dir="ltr">German riders had won four of the last five runnings of this competition, including Richard Vogel himself with Cepano Baloubet in 2023. He has found a new superstar in Gangster Montdesir. This horse was already a five star winner at Wellington this season (Week 5) and the rider is the most in-form rider in the sport. They arrived at the last fence faster than Greya but added a stride and had it down. While US fans will celebrate the win here, there is no doubt now that Vogel will be a major threat to Kent Farrington and Scott Brash in both the world rankings and in this summer&rsquo;s World Championships.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Greya the Great</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Farrington and Greya were competing in their 16th CSI5* 1.60m jump-off together, with a 60% win rate from those jump-offs.<a href="https://horsesdaily.com/article/kent-farrington-hoists-trophy-in-1000000-rolex-us-equestrian-open-grand-prix-csi5/"> </a>Saturday's victory marked Greya's 10th CSI5* Grand Prix win. Farrington has described her as a once-in-a-career horse, and he didn't shy away from it after the win. "<em>You do this for a long time, and you have some good horses, maybe some great horses, and then you have horses that are an outlier athlete like I believe Greya is. She can do everything. She's fast, she's careful, she's scopey, and she's rideable.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Three words, though? "My favorite horse."</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e70132fe-5e3f-4d82-a285-136f18dbe278.jpg?width=5710&amp;height=5464" alt="C E5 A5909"></em></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Field. The Record.</h3>
<p dir="ltr">We told you last week this was shaping up to be something historic. The field was confirmed as the best Grand Prix field ever assembled at Wellington International and one of the top 20 rated fields globally over the last 15 years.<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/1-million-rolex-us-equestrian-103046665.html">&nbsp;</a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ff0e9aa4-9a7a-4539-90ac-7431ebe4e9d8.png?width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="Top Rated Wellington Fields"></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">What the Open Is Becoming</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Farrington was asked about the US Equestrian Open series and what it can build toward. His answer cut to the core of what the series is trying to do. "People start to understand. They start to follow, they start to know who the riders are, and they know who the horses are. I think that's really what our sport becomes about. It starts with a community here knowing what to cheer for."</p>
<p>Wellington International President Michael Stone called the evening mind-blowing. "The fact that the crowd silenced when the riders and horses were on course -- you could hear a pin drop -- and then as they came down to the last fence, everyone was cheering."<strong id="docs-internal-guid-76aedf0b-7fff-3495-78c0-fdf294a2582c"><a href="https://horsesdaily.com/article/kent-farrington-hoists-trophy-in-1000000-rolex-us-equestrian-open-grand-prix-csi5/"> </a></strong></p>
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<p><em><strong>The Mission of the Open&nbsp;<br></strong></em></p>
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<p id="p-rc_105a8c8be553e988-103" data-path-to-node="0"><span data-path-to-node="0,1"><span class="citation-261"><em>The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic </em><strong data-path-to-node="0,1" data-index-in-node="87"><em> </em></strong><em>Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US </em><em>Equestrian sport</em></span><em>. </em><span class="citation-260"><em>Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines.&nbsp; With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the</em></span><span class="citation-259"><em>&nbsp;vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season.</em></span><em>&nbsp;</em><span class="citation-258"><em>The series is anchored by&nbsp;core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a d</em><em>ynamic</em><em> </em><em>entertaining experience onsite</em><em>&nbsp;</em></span><em>.</em></span></p>
<p id="p-rc_105a8c8be553e988-104" data-path-to-node="1"><span data-path-to-node="1,0"><em>The&nbsp;</em><span class="citation-261"><em>US Equestrian Open</em></span><em> spans the three Olympic disciplines&mdash;Jumping, Eventing, and Dressage&mdash;with USEF contributing $200,000 in prize money to each final to ensure high-stakes competitive integrity. The Jumping Final took place at Wellington International from </em><em><span tabindex="0" data-date-isostring="2026-03-24">March 24</span></em><em>&ndash;29, 2026. Next stop will be&nbsp; the Eventing Final at Morven Park from </em><em><span tabindex="0" data-date-isostring="2026-10-08">October 8</span></em><em>&ndash;11, 2026. </em><span class="citation-256"><em>The season concludes with the Dressage Final at the Desert International Horse Park from </em><em><span tabindex="0" data-date-isostring="2026-11-11">November 11</span></em><em>&ndash;15, 2026</em></span><em>. You can follow along with the qualifiers, the unfolding stories and sport updates at </em><a href="http://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>www.<wbr>usequestrianopen.<wbr>org</em></a><em>, on our video series </em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The </em><em>Open</em><em>&nbsp;Road</em></a><em>, and on our <a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weekly podcast</a>.&nbsp;</em></span></p>
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<p><em><strong><br><br></strong></em><br>&nbsp;</p>

Kent Farrington and Greya holding the Open trophy

 A Record Field. A Home Win. A US Champion.

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<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Finally the day is here. The first of two qualifiers which lead us into the US Equestrian Open of Jumping Final.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h2 id="how-todays-qualifier-works" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">How today&rsquo;s qualifier works</h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Sixty horses and riders come forward in the CSI5* $116,100 Adequan WEF Challenge Cup, the first official qualifier for the US Equestrian Open Jumping Final.&nbsp;<br><br><strong>The competition runs over two rounds: every combination jumps Round 1, then the top 12 on faults and time come back for Round 2</strong> to decide today&rsquo;s prize money and ranking.</p>
<h2 id="how-to-qualify-for-saturday" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">How to qualify for Saturday</h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Thirty of today&rsquo;s 60 starters will book their ticket to the Final: the 12 who jump again in Round 2, plus the next 18 best-placed combinations from Round 1 who do not return.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Tomorrow night offers a second chance: another qualifier will add 10 more spots to complete the 40‑strong Final line‑up alongside any pre‑qualified riders.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">That means some horses we see today are here purely to secure qualification; riders may swap to a different top horse for the Grand Prix itself once they are safely through.</p>
<h2 id="stars-to-watch" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">Stars to watch</h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">There is still plenty of star power on show: Laura Kraut brings the ultra‑consistent Bisquetta, Nina Mallevaey lines up with in‑form Dynastie de Beaufor, and Karl Cook partners the electric Caracole de la Roque.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">These combinations arrive with strong recent CSI5* form and high Elo ratings in 1.55m classes, marking them out as serious threats for both today&rsquo;s win and Saturday night&rsquo;s spotlight.</p>
<h2 id="follow-along" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">Follow along</h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">For the full picture on every horse and rider, <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/fanguide-jumpingqualifier1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out the detailed Fan Guide</a> for today&rsquo;s qualifier on the US Equestrian Open site:</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">You can also dive into the <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/fanguide-jumpingqualifier1/the-startlist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">complete start list and running order here</a>.&nbsp;</p>
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Qualifier 1: From 60 to 30

<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The US Equestrian Open of Eventing begins! The action begins in Bouckaert this weekend and with it comes a maximum points opportunity: more than 25 horses are entered at the CCI4*-S, meaning 50 points are on offer for the winner.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide &mdash; How to Follow</a></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The dressage phase kicks off <strong data-start="258" data-end="281">Friday at 8:30 a.m.</strong>, with show jumping later that afternoon<strong data-start="288" data-end="338"> </strong>at <strong data-start="288" data-end="338">1:15 p.m.</strong> Cross-country takes place <strong data-start="365" data-end="391">Saturday at 12:10 p.m </strong>(All times are EST).</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Fans can follow all the action live and for free on the <strong data-start="440" data-end="467">USEF Network livestream</strong>.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</p>
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<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h3>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Dressage</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-&lt;div style="><img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 16px 24px; width: 340px; height: auto;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/05520aa7-6bab-471e-ab3d-cc369e18abfb.png?width=784&amp;height=1308" alt="Bouckaert Spring 2026"></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Based on EquiRatings' 6RA (the average of a horse's last six FEI dressage scores) <strong>Isabelle Bosley's Conner</strong> heads the entire field with a 6RA of <strong>24.9</strong>. In <strong>Conner's</strong> eight international starts, he has never scored above 30.0 in dressage. His most recent outing was a win at the CCI3*-L at Maryland in October, where he posted a 24.8. He is only nine years old and is moving up to the four-star short level for the first time this weekend.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">That step up matters. The CCI4*-S test introduces greater complexity and difficulty, including flying changes, which <strong>Conner</strong> has not been asked to perform in international competition before. Whether he can carry his exceptional dressage form into a harder test is one of the key questions of Friday morning. The potential is clearly there. And if he does delivers, the venue record could be under threat. The best score ever recorded here is a 25.1 from <strong>Buck Davidson</strong> and <strong>Carlevo</strong> in 2022.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Boyd Martin</strong> enters four horses in the field, and his <strong>Commando 3</strong> ranks second in dressage with a 6RA of 27.6. <strong>Commando 3</strong> finished on the podium twice at five-star level last year and is a known quantity at this level. Martin and <strong>Commando 3</strong> carry a 20% win chance heading into the weekend, the highest in the field.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Just three of the last 10 Bouckaert winners were leading after dressage. The course here has consistently exerted itself in the jumping phases. In fact, only one combination in the entire history of the Bouckaert CCI4*-S, across 280 starters, has ever finished on their dressage score. That was <strong>Jacob Fletcher</strong> and <strong>Atlantic Domino</strong> in 2018, who set the Bouckaert record finishing score of 30.0. A record that still stands.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2700730d-9a02-48ad-9508-3dc6877c0239.png?width=1080&amp;height=614" alt=" Bouckaert Spring 2026 Insta Size (2)"></p>
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<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h3>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Show Jumping</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Show jumping follows immediately after dressage on Friday afternoon.<br><br>To find the best showjumpers in the field, each horse is ranked using three numbers. First, each horse&rsquo;s average jumping penalties from their last six FEI runs. That figure is then compared to the average penalties recorded by all competitors over those same courses, to reflect how difficult the tracks were. The final number adjusts the horse&rsquo;s average against the course average. The lower the figure, the better. It shows a horse jumping better than the overall level of difficulty would suggest.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/efa0d720-d373-4960-b8cc-82528926dbcc.png?width=949&amp;height=1154" alt=" Bouckaert Spring 2026 Insta Size (3)"></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Based on this, the top-ranked show jumper in the field is <strong>Zachary Brandt</strong> and <strong>Direct Advance,</strong> with an adjusted SJ average of -3.9. <strong>Direct Advance</strong> has been among the most consistent performers having not&nbsp; knocked a rail since 2023, and even then it was a single pole. He is likely to sit back from the dressage standings, meaning a demanding show jumping course is exactly what he'll be hoping for.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Caroline Pamukcu </strong>and <strong>HSH Connor</strong> rank second at -3.6, and <strong>HSH Connor </strong>brings the longest incoming clear streak in the field: eight consecutive international show jumping rounds without a pole. This partnership also carry a 10% win chance, second only to <strong>Boyd Martin.</strong>&nbsp;</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The historical clear rate at Bouckaert is 35%. 94 of 268 starters have gone clear with no jump or time faults. However, it can vary by year: 2021 saw 15 combinations go clear, while 2016 produced none. Show jumping here is not a formality. Of the last eight show jumping leaders, four went on to win, suggesting it is a significant but not decisive lead indicator.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide &mdash; How to Follow</a></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-bouckaert-opens-vaughn-takes-the-lead-and-cook-shines-at-wef" 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></p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">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.</p>
<p dir="ltr">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;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p><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"></p>
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<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>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;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
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Bouckaert Begins: Who to Watch on Friday

<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The dressage and show jumping phases are done. Now comes the part that defines Bouckaert.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Historically, this course rewards the bold. Just 67% of Bouckaert's 247 starters have jumped cross-country clear, all time, and only 2% have done so inside the time. Saturday will separate the serious competitors from the field.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide</a></p>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>The Most Consistent Cross Country Jumpers</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">At the top of EquiRatings' cross-country rankings sits <strong>Boyd Martin</strong> and <strong>Commando 3</strong>, who also leads the pre-event predictions with a 20% win chance - the highest in the field. His adjusted XC figure of +33% is the standout number among the jumpers, reflecting a horse who consistently clears more than the courses he faces would suggest.<strong> </strong>Last year,<strong> Commando 3</strong> had to podiums at the five-star level and is a known quantity at the sharp end of big events.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/54aa9698-d765-4307-af12-f1160e6c57fc.png?width=1021&amp;height=1322" alt=" Bouckaert Spring 2026 Insta Size (4)"></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Second in the rankings is <strong>Phelps and Mia Farley</strong>, whose adjusted figure of +31% trails only <strong>Commando 3.</strong> In 20 international starts, Phelps has only ever picked up cross country penalties once. He has jumped clear on some of the toughest courses in the sport; Morven Park 4*L, Maryland 5*, Kentucky 5*, and many more.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Third in the rankings is <strong>Lainey Ashker </strong>and <strong>Lovedance</strong>, with an adjusted figure of +30%. The caveat is that those numbers are built largely on their 3* record as the pair have only contested one CCI4*-S together, which ended in elimination. However, with two wins and two third-place finishes across three years of international competition, the talent is clear. The question now is whether they can translate that form into a clean four-star run at Bouckaert today.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Fourth in the rankings is <strong>Ali Kuhn </strong>and<strong> Little Hail</strong>, with an adjusted figure of +27%. The 15.1hh OTTB, who is instantly recognisable in their signature pink cross-country colours, captured hearts at last year's Kentucky 4* with a clear round, and this weekend they contest their second four-star at Bouckaert.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>The Fastest Horses in the Field</strong></h2>
<div style="overflow: hidden;"><img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 16px 24px; width: 340px; height: auto;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7886516b-dd2c-49fb-8b3d-8e1d7352c6de.png?width=643&amp;height=1350" alt="Bouckaert Spring 2026">
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Topping the speed rankings are <strong>Phelps</strong> and <strong>Mia Farley</strong> and <strong>HSH Double Sixteen</strong> ridden by <strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong>, both with a Top Speed Percentage of 94%.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Few horses in eventing carry the reputation <strong>Phelps</strong> does on a cross country course. The iconic thoroughbred announced himself to the wider world at the Maryland 5* in 2023 as the only horse inside the time, a result that placed him in the top 10. The last time this combination contested Bouckaert (2024), Mia used the event as a prep run for Kentucky, carrying 22 time penalties in a deliberately measured round. Whether their plan is to go fast or slow, it is always a pleasure to see a fan favourite like <strong>Phelps</strong> back out on a cross-country course.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>HSH Double Sixteen's</strong> speed credentials come with impressive records behind them. The pair were clear inside the time at Stable View's CCI4*-S last September, becoming just the second combination in the past five years to achieve it at that event. That performance helped secure the win, making <strong>HSH Double Sixteen</strong> one of only two horses to record two qualifier victories in the 2025 Series - the first coming at this very event exactly 12 months ago. They proved their speed again at the US Equestrian Open Final at Morven Park, where they were the first combination of the day to finish inside the time.</p>
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>The Numbers Behind Saturday</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Of the last ten Bouckaert winners, the cross country phase has been the decisive factor. Just 2% of all starters have ever gone clear and inside the time here, a stark reminder of what the course asks.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The historical XC clear rate sits at 67%, meaning roughly one in three starters will pick up cross-country jumping faults. Whether the leaders from Friday hold their positions,&nbsp; or whether the course reshuffles the deck entirely, is the story of Saturday.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The action begins at 12:10 p.m. EST. Watch live and free on the USEF Network.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide</a></p>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-bouckaert-opens-vaughn-takes-the-lead-and-cook-shines-at-wef" 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></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">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.</p>
<p dir="ltr">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;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p><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"></p>
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<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>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;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
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