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

As we look forward to the 2026 season, four US-based combinations have established themselves as serious prospects for this year's US Equestrian Open series. These nine-year-old horses and their riders have built impressive records over the past two years and are ready to make their mark at the highest level.
The Elo is EquiRatings' overall performance rating that measures a horse's performance across all three phases - the higher the number, the stronger the horse. Here are the top-rated US nine-year-olds heading into 2026.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9c092754-1442-430e-806c-811f2979a658.png?width=1472&amp;height=950" alt="N Ty Xq the Highest Rated Us Nine Year Olds Based on the Equiratings Elo ">
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<h3 dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/16cadbb1-e935-45da-aa17-c0cf08e41609.jpg?width=3744&amp;height=2496" alt="Sch 4232 Photo Credit to Sherwood Holmes for Liz Crawley Photography"></h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Cooley Corraghy Diamond &amp; Kimberly Severson (555 Elo)</h3>
At the top of the table is Cooley Corraghy Diamond on an Elo of 555. The nine-year-old gelding has been a model of consistency, never placing outside the top 10 across his international finishes in 2024 and 2025. His jumping record is nearly flawless; he&rsquo;s been clear cross-country every time, with no showjumping round accumulating more than four faults.
The partnership have already tackled four-star competition, with four starts at CCI4*-S level including a runner-up finish at Tryon in May 2025. These impressive results suggest Kim and Cooley Corraghy Diamond are ready for the US Open's demanding tracks.
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<h3 dir="ltr">That's Me Z &amp; Tommy Greengard (516 Elo)</h3>
That's Me Z finished in the top 20 at the Le Lion d'Angers 7-Year-Old World Championships. The gelding backed up that performance with a strong 2025 campaign as an eight-year-old, completing four events at CCI4*-S level and claiming three podium finishes.
Tommy and That&rsquo;s Me Z deliver when it counts. With championship experience and consistent four-star results already on their record, this combination could be one to watch as a nine-year-old in 2026.
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Conner &amp; Isabelle Bosley (496 Elo)</h3>
Conner has yet to step up to four-star, but his three-star resume speaks volumes. The gelding closed out 2025 with a win at Maryland's CCI3*-L, posting the highest HPR of the year (96) at three-star-long on US soil. The 2025 season delivered three international wins and one runner up finish, with clear showjumping rounds every time out.
Isabelle has built a partnership with winning form. If they make the move to four-star in 2026, they'll arrive with a proven track record.
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">MBF Silver Bridge &amp; Caroline Pamukcu (491 Elo)</h3>
Despite a cross-country retirement at their first international event of 2025, MBF Silver Bridge bounced back to finish in the top 10 at every subsequent start. The nine-year-old gelding consistently delivered sub-30 dressage scores and never had more than four showjumping faults across the season.
The horse is in capable hands; Caroline finished third in the US Equestrian Open series last year. While they have yet to tackle four-star, the consistency and quality suggest they could be ready to make that step in 2026.
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<h3 dir="ltr">Looking Ahead</h3>
These four combinations have proven themselves at three-star level and are emerging at four-star. With the horses now in their nine-year-old season, we could potentially see them challenging for US Equestrian Open qualifiers in 2026.
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<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
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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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This Year's 9-Year-Olds on Track for the US Equestrian Open of Eventing

The January CDI3* at Ocala&rsquo;s World Equestrian Center is perhaps not the flashiest stop on the Open calendar, but it has consistently appeared in the early-season plans of riders who go on to have meaningful years. It is also a venue the Series returns to often. This is the seventh Open qualifier held in Ocala across the 2025 and 2026 seasons, making it one of the most frequently used sites in the Series. Only Wellington appears more often.
This year&rsquo;s January competition draws just four combinations, which limits the points on offer. With fewer than five starters, the winner will earn 15 Open points, reflecting the Series&rsquo; lowest points allocation system.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">A Proven Venue for Strong Seasons</h2>
Recent seasons have shown a clear pattern at this venue: riders who score well here tend to build from it. Last year&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/gallagher-and-eckroth-deliver-career-best-rides-at-qualifier-five" target="_blank" rel="noopener">January CDI3* </a>&nbsp;was won by Denielle Gallagher, who returned <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-open-of-dressage-a-three-way-tie-at-the-top" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two weeks later and won again</a>. Those results formed a substantial portion of her early-season scoring and contributed to a ninth-place finish on the 2025 Open leaderboard.
The venue has also featured prominently in campaigns that reached the top of the standings. Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/bellena-dances-to-victory-but-the-leaderboard-holds-its-breath" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won two Open legs here in 2025</a>, using Ocala as an early scoring base before expanding their schedule elsewhere. More recently, Christian Simonson and Indian Rock won the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/simonson-and-indian-rock-start-2026-on-top" target="_blank" rel="noopener">December CDI</a> at this venue, a result that counted toward the current season and marked the first stop on Simonson&rsquo;s World Cup Final qualification run.
<h2 dir="ltr">A Statistical Favorite in a Close Field</h2>
Claire Darnell and Harrold S enter the weekend with the strongest statistical profile in the field. The pair has four freestyle starts, averaging 73.569 percent, with a personal best of 77.015. That high score was earned in a class that included Steffen Peters and Anna Buffini, both of whom went on to score over 80 percent, placing Darnell third in what was, at the time, a top-end domestic field.
While that personal best stands well above the rest of this group, Darnell&rsquo;s average score places her closer to the pack than the headline number alone suggests. She arrives as the most proven combination, but not one insulated from pressure if others deliver clean tests.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-q0M6R" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: WEC - Ocala January CDI3*" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/q0M6R/1/" height="459" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
Behind her, the remaining three combinations are closely grouped on paper. Charlotte Osborne and Fr&uuml;hlingszauber, Jodie Kelly-Baxley with Grayton Beach, and Sylvia Gugler aboard Vulkano 14 all carry freestyle averages within roughly two points of one another. Osborne and Gugler will each be contesting only their second FEI freestyle with their current mounts.
In a four-horse field, any personal best from that trio would likely secure a podium finish, and a particularly clean test could challenge for the win.
<h2 dir="ltr">Tune In</h2>
The freestyle takes place Saturday, January 31 at 7:40 p.m. ET. Catch the action live on <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/18395/cdi3-wec-january-dressage-presented-by-hampton-green-farms">USEF Network</a>, and <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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A dressage rider in a navy tailcoat and white breeches rides a dark horse in collected work, shown from behind, with US Equestrian Open Dressage branding overlaid.

Claire Darnell Enters as Favorite at WEC Ocala CDI3*

After winning both the $1M Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix and the FEI World Cup Final at Fort Worth, the EquiRatings Elo rankings have a new world number one. Greya&nbsp;sits at 787 - two points clear of&nbsp;Point Break&nbsp;and&nbsp;United Touch S, who are both on 785. The best horse in the world right now is&nbsp;Kent Farrington's&nbsp;mare.
<a href="https://www.equiratings.com/top-horses/jumping-current" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7d417a59-af4e-49bc-80dc-d9f08c06de5d.png?width=1434&amp;height=1554" alt="9d Wo1 the Current Top 10 Elo Rated Horses in the World 20 04 2026 "></a>
The climb has been rapid and recent.&nbsp;Greya&nbsp;moved from 777 to 781 after the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix in Wellington. The World Cup Final in Fort Worth pushed her from 781 to 787. Two major wins in the space of three weeks, and a global ranking to show for it.
Toulayna sits fourth in the world on 783 after her role in Thursday's speed class at Fort Worth. Farrington now holds two of the four highest-rated horses globally.
<a href="https://www.equiratings.com/top-horses/jumping-all-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/62ef62a8-848f-482e-a8a7-e1e38ad66462.png?width=1698&amp;height=1662" alt="P1t2o the Top 10 Us Elo Rated Horses of All Time Since 2010 "></a>
It also makes her the highest-rated US horse of all time since EquiRatings began tracking in 2010, clearing the previous US record of 784 held by&nbsp;McLain Ward's&nbsp;HH Azur&nbsp;at her peak in 2018.&nbsp;HH Azur&nbsp;set that bar as a World Cup champion herself, winning on home soil in Omaha in 2017 and claiming multiple WEF five-star Grand Prix including the Week 12 final in 2019. She was the standard for what a US horse could be.&nbsp;Greya&nbsp;has now surpassed it.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-weekend-wins-and-greya-is-officially-the-greatest" 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>
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
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<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>&nbsp;
The Mission of the Open The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US Equestrian sport.
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 vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season. The Series is anchored by core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic entertaining experience onsite.

Greya the Great(est) is now the highest-rated horse in the world

<h3 dir="ltr">Dressage: Osborne Claims Ocala Freestyle</h3>
Next Qualifier: Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival 5 - CDI4* | The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)
The Grand Prix Freestyle at World Equestrian Center&ndash;Ocala drew a three-horse field, limiting the points on offer. The weekend&rsquo;s most notable result came from Charlotte Osborne (GBR) and Fruhlingszauber, who produced the highest score of the class.
Osborne and Fruhlingszauber won on 70.775 percent, setting a new personal best in just the pair&rsquo;s second FEI Grand Prix Freestyle together. They finished narrowly ahead of pre-show favorites Claire Darnell and Harrold S on 70.560 percent. Darnell and Harrold S entered the weekend with the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/claire-darnell-enters-as-favorite-at-wec-ocala-cdi3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strongest statistical profile in the field</a>, averaging 73.569 percent across four freestyle starts with a personal best of 77.015.
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUQxBKYEbuS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c6dea697-f831-41d8-95f9-2a6f9f2343df.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="100+ Club Season Openers Graphics"></a>
Sylvia Gugler and Vulkano 14 completed the podium on 66.600 percent. While the small field capped points, Gugler&rsquo;s second Open appearance of the season was enough to move her from within the top 20 to seventh on the Series leaderboard following her earlier start at Gold Coast.
Next week brings the return of Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and Gino, who will have an opportunity to challenge for the top leaderboard spot with Christian Simonson and Indian Rock not contesting the freestyle.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/68dc7bad-b3e7-4798-a77d-6aeab3c0ada6.png?width=1240&amp;height=806" alt="S Ichi Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage ">
<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 dir="ltr">Eventing: The West Coast Awakens at Galway Downs</h2>
Next Qualifier: Bouckaert Farm | Countdown: 4 Weeks
We are now just one month away from the action returning! While the national season kicked off in Florida two weeks ago, the West Coast officially joined the fray this weekend at Galway Downs. The Temecula tracks provided the first real opportunity of 2026 for California-based Open contenders to shake off the cobwebs and put their off-season homework to the test.
Tamie Smith made an emphatic statement to start her year, campaigning a massive string of seven horses. Of particular interest for the Open is Lillet 3. The 10-year-old mare, who successfully stepped up to the four-star level last year, currently sits as the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-crystal-ball-how-data-predicts-the-next-generation-of-us-superstars">second-highest rated US ten-year-old.</a> Only the recently returned Jaguars Duende (Sharon White) sits higher in that age bracket. Smith and Lillet 3 secured a win in the Open Intermediate division, finishing on a score of 32.4. With six Open Qualifiers on the West Coast in 2026, Lillet 3 is very likely a horse that will secure big points for Smith this season.&nbsp;
Another pair lining up for a big 2026 is Galway Downs-based Erin Kellerhouse and Bon Vivant GWF. After an impressive 2025 campaign that included four podium finishes in five international starts at the 3* level, this pair look primed for a four-star step-up. They won the Intermediate/Preliminary division, finishing on their dressage score of 33.1.
While these results set a high bar for form and fitness, West Coast riders must remain patient until Galway Downs International at the end of March to officially put points on the board when the US Equestrian Open of Eventing finally arrives on the West Coast.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a8c33f23-f4e4-48f0-b943-54753a1eec22.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="E Fens Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Eventing ">
<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">Show Jumping: A big weekend in Desert and a British challenger emerges</h2>
The US Equestrian Open Final: Wellington, Week 12&nbsp; | Countdown: 7 Weeks
At the Desert International Horse Park, the CSI5*-W $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup&trade; Thermal turned into a masterclass for the home nation. In a seven-horse jump-off, American riders locked out the podium. Kyle King claimed the top spot aboard Kayenne Z, followed closely by Karl Cook on the ever-consistent Foxy de la Roque in 2nd. Kaitlin Campbell rounded out the top three with Karius.
Irish riders were again the ones to beat at Wellington International and the leaderboard featured some familiar faces from last year&rsquo;s Open Final. The MARS Equestrian CSI4* Grand Prix win went to Shane Sweetnam (IRL) with a first big win for Coriaan van Klapscheut Z.&nbsp; Bertram Allen (IRL) finished second with Qonquest de Rigo - a combination which finished fifth in last year&rsquo;s final.&nbsp;
Scott Brash (GBR) doesn&rsquo;t often go to Wellington. In fact, it has been over 10 years since we saw him and Hello Sanctos win a 160 Grand Prix there in 2014 during Week 12. All eyes will be on the Kent Farrington v Scott Brash story if we do see an entry emerge. Brash is in remarkable form. He extended his Doha run with victory in Sunday&rsquo;s CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix aboard Hello Jefferson, marking his fifth Grand Prix win of the 2026 season (three at 5* level) and capping a January that simply does not happen in modern show jumping. Backed by a string that includes Hello Jefferson, Hello Folie, Hello Mango and Hello Chadora Lady, Scott Brash sits world number two with real momentum in the rankings race. If he does choose to return to Wellington, it will set up a huge battle to keep the trophy on home 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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<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>
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<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
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<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/39988155/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>

The Open Weekly: Freestyle Wins, West Coast Returns, and Momentum Builds

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">&nbsp;</h3>
<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.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3cc3abfa-71b0-4888-b858-63076c0173ac.jpeg?width=1600&amp;height=1360" alt="Img L8913">
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<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.
 <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3835ff9b-46e5-418c-8cf7-ddb8500270c2.jpeg?width=1600&amp;height=1414" alt="Img L7122">
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<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. 

<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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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<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>.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40144145/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/28427a/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

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

New Flag for the Frontrunner

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">

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