<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>As the only CDI5* in Wellington&rsquo;s winter circuit&mdash;and the only 5-star qualifier in the Series&mdash;Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10 promises a night of top-tier competition, featuring a star-studded cast of horses and riders. The staggering $150,000 prize pool has drawn competitors from around the globe, with nearly every entry boasting an international championship appearance on their r&eacute;sum&eacute;.</p>
<p>With a stacked field, we could see some of the highest scores and narrowest margins of the season so far.</p>
<h2>The Midseason Leaderboard Battle</h2>
<p>With four qualifiers behind her, <strong>Anna Marek</strong> holds a comfortable 11-point lead as the Series reaches its midway mark. She has a solid margin, but it&rsquo;s not untouchable. German riders <strong>Evelyn Eger</strong> and <strong>Felicitas Hendricks</strong> have a chance to overtake her this weekend, but everything would have to go right for them&mdash;and very wrong for Marek. If either of them wins the class and Marek finishes outside the top ten, they would overtake her lead&mdash;an unlikely but not impossible scenario. After all, Marek and <strong>Fayvel</strong> <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/qualifier-5-preview-a-wide-open-field" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retired from Qualifier 5</a> back in January.</p>
<p>Still, Marek has been the most consistent rider in the series, placing first or second in all four of her qualifier performances. Her lead is likely safe this weekend, but the gap could shrink dramatically if she finishes outside the top five.</p>
<h2>Breaking 80%: The Riders on the Brink</h2>
<p><strong>Adrienne Lyle</strong> and <strong>Helix</strong> are the only pair to <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-marek-and-rizvi-deliver-a-thrilling-night-of-freestyle-dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">score above 80%</a> in a freestyle this year. That result came in <strong>Qualifier 6</strong>, when Lyle won with 80.325%. While <strong>Julio Mendoza Loor</strong> is the only other rider in this field who has hit that mark in the past, four more combinations are knocking on the door:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Kevin Kohmann</strong> (PB 79.240%)</li>
<li><strong>Felicitas Hendricks</strong> (PB 79.105%)</li>
<li><strong>Anna Marek</strong> (PB 78.995%)</li>
<li><strong>Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n</strong> (PB 78.080%)</li>
</ul>
<p>With so many riders on the cusp of 80%, expect at least one new PB this weekend.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d0eae42e-7469-4067-99d5-6832a5341b33.png?width=1372&amp;height=2104" alt="Table showing the personal best and average scores for all horses in the field this week."></p>
<h2>Momentum, Pressure, and the Fight for a Repeat Win</h2>
<p>A win this weekend would make Mendoza Loor the first rider to claim back-to-back victories in the series&mdash;a feat no one has achieved in 11 qualifiers. His <strong>84% personal best</strong> makes him the statistical frontrunner, and after outscoring Marek in Ocala last week, he has momentum on his side.</p>
<p>But Mendoza Loor isn&rsquo;t the only one peaking at the right time. <strong>Kevin Kohmann</strong>, fresh off securing his World Cup Final ticket, is another major contender. His win in AGDF 8 showcased his ability to deliver under pressure, and with a <strong>79.240% PB</strong>, he has the scoring power to challenge for another podium.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Eger has been a Wellington fixture, competing in each qualifier at this venue. The Friday Night Stars atmosphere can be electric, with lights, music, and a high-energy crowd. Both she and <strong>Tabledance 3</strong> are well-adjusted to these conditions, which could give her an advantage over series newcomer <strong>Pablo Gomez Molina</strong>.</p>
<p>So far, five riders have won here this season&mdash;proof that no single competitor dominates Wellington. That trend could continue, or we could see the season&rsquo;s first repeat winner.</p>
<h2>Every Tenth Counts</h2>
<p>One thing is certain&mdash;nothing at Wellington comes easy. Every win is earned. Nothing is guaranteed, and the fight for the top is relentless.</p>
<p>The data says Mendoza Loor is the frontrunner, but as we learned in <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/qualifier-8-recap-when-the-numbers-dont-tell-the-whole-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Week 8</a>, sometimes the numbers don&rsquo;t tell the whole story.</p>
<p>With 13 combinations in the Freestyle and so many clustered in the high 70s, every tenth of a percent is going to matter. Watch Friday Night Stars live at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on the USEF Network&mdash;<a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">sign up for free</a> as a fan to stream the action.</p>

Anna Marek in her show attire smiling during a dressage test

Clash of the Titans

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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>How it began</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><em>&ldquo;We started this conversation two and a half years ago, Bill Moroney and Tom [O'Mara] basically put a little bit of a mission in here and said, we need to have this thing called a BIG initiative&mdash;about creating something that would be beneficial to the sports.&rdquo;</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>The board took inspiration from, amongst things, the FedEx Cup in golf. The goal was to create a structured competition that fans could follow throughout the year, leading to a major final. <em>&ldquo;We could see that in tennis or you could see that in golf or you see that in racing, you know, in Formula One. How do you follow somebody and become a fan?&rdquo;</em> he asked. <em>&ldquo;That was the basis of the thought process&mdash;creating a series that somebody could follow over time that would lead to a final, that would lead to something.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p><em><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/fe942f9d-2b05-4939-8909-450b97c216da.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Doc Quopote 1"></em></p>
<h3>Is there an event you <em>have</em> to win?</h3>
<p>Unlike one-off competitions like Badminton, Burghley, or Aachen, the Open aims to bring continuity to the sport. <em>&ldquo;Jumping ended up being a little bit different because there are so many other series. The question that I got asked that I asked was, is there an event in the United States that you have to win and you have to have it on your resume if you want to feel like you are one of those players?</em>&rdquo; O&rsquo;Connor explained.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Historically, major show jumping events in the U.S. revolved around Madison Square Garden, Toronto, and Washington. With the Open, the focus has shifted to Week 12 in Wellington. <em>&ldquo;We decided to really try to invest in that week and make that really the one</em>,&rdquo; he said.</p>
<p>For eventing, Morven Park was chosen as the final venue because of its rich history and accessibility. <em>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s gorgeous,&rdquo; </em>O&rsquo;Connor noted.<em> &ldquo;But also, it&rsquo;s got history in the sport of eventing.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p><em><video controls="controls" width="1080" height="1920"><source src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b6dd2173-5d5e-4285-b4e0-dc33bb605e3d" type="video/mp4"></video></em></p>
<h3>The Power of Storytelling</h3>
<p>Looking back on his career, he noted that what stays with athletes the most are not just the victories, but the stories of struggle and success. <em>&ldquo;The stories actually become the powerful thing that you become part of your life and that you end up trying to express.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p>By structuring the competition as a series, the Open allows for narratives to unfold over time, rather than being confined to a single weekend. <em>&ldquo;We should talk about it just like other sports do,&rdquo;</em> O&rsquo;Connor said. <em>&ldquo;That type of drive and thought process and competitive intelligence is a big part of being able to win something that is going to be as prestigious as what the Open is going to be.&rdquo;</em></p>
<h3>Bringing More Fans Into the Sport</h3>
<p>One of the Open&rsquo;s long-term objectives is to engage a broader audience. O&rsquo;Connor believes this starts with creating an emotional connection between fans and the sport. &ldquo;In the end, the unusual thing about this is that there are two stories and, always those two stories in the relationship are happening at the same time.&rdquo; he explained. <em>&ldquo;You have the person's technical ambition, and then you have this horse story, and then you have this relationship story between them.</em>&rdquo;</p>
<p>That human-horse relationship, he argues, is key to capturing interest. <em>&ldquo;If we can open that door and crack that door open, people will understand it. And we have to find a way to explain it.&rdquo;<br><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/64b6a6da-4e33-4816-af23-cbe3b6424d3c.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="2"><br></em></p>
<h3>Communication: The Core of Equestrian Sport</h3>
<blockquote>
<p>Beyond competition, O&rsquo;Connor believes equestrian sport is fundamentally about communication. <br><br>&ldquo;<em>When you get down to it, I believe, when you talk about horse-human relationships, it's a story and it's a study of communication. Right? So how do we communicate? And how do we communicate with not just amongst each other, you know, even situations like this, how do we communicate with human to human? And how do we communicate with something that doesn't speak human?&rdquo;</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>He noted that the sport&rsquo;s emphasis on nonverbal communication, body language, and empathy makes it fascinating even to those outside the horse world. <em>&ldquo;If we can talk about what that side is, we can bring in more people who might otherwise say, &lsquo;I don&rsquo;t ride a horse, so why would I be interested?&rsquo;&rdquo;<br><br><a href="https://www.greatamericaninsurancegroup.com/about-us/business-operations/contacts/equine-mortality?utm_source=Paid+Social&amp;utm_medium=Sponsorship&amp;utm_campaign=4328-CO&amp;utm_content=USEF" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4def42c5-5a3c-4d2d-a9c5-7b6f757148ec.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Great American Advert"></a><br></em></p>
<h3>The Future of the Open</h3>
<p>As the Open continues to develop, O&rsquo;Connor sees its influence growing. <br><br><em>&ldquo;It is becoming already, I would say, a catchphrase, right? People are talking about the Open and the other sports are talking about, 'Okay, I'm going to prepare for the Open. I'm going to get ready for the Open. I'm going to, that's going to be my target for the year.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p>Ultimately, O&rsquo;Connor hopes the Open will establish itself as the pinnacle of U.S. equestrian sport. <br><br><em>&ldquo;When whoever wins that knows that they've won something, right? Not just competed on the weekend, but they know they have won something, which is very important because it makes it more important to the athlete.&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Where the athletes know they had to play the game at the top level in order to be successful.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p>With major support from USEF and a growing audience, the US Equestrian Open is on track to redefine how fans engage with the sport&mdash;and create lasting stories that will be told for generations.<br><br>The Jumping Final is now just days away. Action continues in the qualifiers in both Eventing and Dressage.&nbsp;<br><br>Stay connected with the US Equestrian Open on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the USEF Network for live event updates, stories, and results. Use #USEquestrianOpen to share your own experiences and connect with fellow fans.<br><br><br></p>

New Podcast: David O'Connor on Changing The Game for Horse Sports

<p dir="ltr">In their first competition since last summer&rsquo;s European circuit, <strong>Anna Buffini</strong> and <strong>Fiontini</strong> clinched the Grand Prix Freestyle win at the Del Mar Dressage Affaire with a score of 73.235%. A narrow margin separated Buffini from her longtime coach, <strong>G&uuml;nter Seidel</strong>&mdash;just 0.155%.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Smooth Return for Dressage&rsquo;s Favorite &lsquo;-inis&rsquo;</h2>
<p dir="ltr">It was a quiet class in sunny Southern California, with only four combinations entered in the freestyle. While eight riders completed the Grand Prix this weekend, the field split between Special and Freestyle divisions. This marks Buffini&rsquo;s first appearance in a US Equestrian Open of Dressage qualifier, and her win earns her 20 points&mdash;putting her alongside three other riders tied in the standings. With only two West Coast qualifiers remaining, Buffini could still climb the leaderboard&mdash;but unless she plans to head East for additional shows, her path to the Finals may be limited.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Their final score of 73.235% this weekend marked a steady, if not spectacular, return. Although Fiontini boasts one of the highest personal bests in the field&mdash;an 83.410% earned earlier in her career under a previous rider&mdash;Buffini is still forging her own path with the 15-year-old Danish Warmblood mare.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Buffini acquired Fiontini in late 2021 but kept the mare largely out of the spotlight for the first two years of their partnership, focusing instead on building trust and fine-tuning the basics. It wasn&rsquo;t until February 2024 that the pair made their international debut at the CDI3* in Del Mar, where they finished second in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special . The mare, a triple World Young Horse Champion, has passed through the hands of some of Europe&rsquo;s most prolific male riders. In Buffini&rsquo;s program, she&rsquo;s found a quieter cadence&mdash;one that prioritizes partnership over pressure.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Sunday&rsquo;s result gives them a strong foundation to build from this season. The test wasn&rsquo;t without its quirks&mdash;most notably, a wide spread in the scoring for their extended canter. One judge awarded an 8, while others gave 5s and even 4s, suggesting a possible miscommunication or moment of misinterpretation. Still, the performance was enough for the win.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Seidel Shows His Hand</h2>
<p dir="ltr">G&uuml;nter Seidel and <strong>Equirelle </strong>posted a 73.080%, a marked improvement from their last US Equestrian Open outing, where they earned a 68.695%. This time, two judges&mdash;at H and C&mdash;actually placed Seidel in first, awarding him 74.200% and 75.175%, respectively. Those were the highest individual scores given in the class.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Their test was clean and cohesive, with no major weak spots. The 16-year-old KWPN mare looked relaxed and rideable, and the pair&rsquo;s degree of difficulty averaged 9.16&mdash;just edging out Buffini&rsquo;s 9.12&mdash;making a strong case that Seidel delivered the more technically ambitious ride of the day.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Standings Update</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Canada&rsquo;s <strong>Brittney Simpson</strong> and her mount <strong>Kartsevo Goldfinch</strong> placed third on a 72.010%, while <strong>Kristina Harrison-Antell</strong> and <strong>Finley </strong>rounded out the field with a 68.140%. The result brings both Simpson and Harrison-Antell to a tie for ninth place in the overall US Equestrian Open of Dressage standings, each sitting on 49 points.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/bfa610aa-0a22-4f19-8ee2-f7bed19800bc.png?width=491&amp;height=609" alt="Screenshot of the leaderboard as of march 24, 2025"></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">What&rsquo;s Next</h2>
<p dir="ltr">While this weekend didn&rsquo;t dramatically shake up the leaderboard, Seidel&rsquo;s upward trajectory is one to watch. With only two more West Coast qualifiers remaining, his path to the Finals may require a few cross-country miles&mdash;but if he wins another qualifier and picks up additional points out East, he could position himself for a return trip to Thermal this fall.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Qualifier 13 takes place this Friday in Wellington, Florida, during the final week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Tune in live to the USEF Network to watch the action unfold.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/22433326-f7d7-4286-930b-62c3a1ba80f2.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Show calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage"></p>

Horse and rider pictured from above entering a competition arena

Buffini Returns, Seidel Surges: A Tight Finish at the Del Mar Affaire 

<p dir="ltr">Super Bowl week is a big one.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Even if you don&rsquo;t follow football all year, you still feel it. The build-up. The noise. The Half-time Show (Its Bad Bunny this year). The tribalism. The sense that this one game is bigger than the game. It&rsquo;s where we hope to get the Open to.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">So this week, the US Equestrian Open podcast did something we don&rsquo;t normally do.&nbsp;We stepped outside equestrian sport.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Not because we want to become a football channel, but because the Super Bowl is one of the best examples on the planet of how to turn sport into a fan experience.<br><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dec69256-85d0-4058-aa1b-d8d1fb507147.png?width=1449&amp;height=1108" alt="Superbowl 60"></p>
<p dir="ltr">We brought in four of the US Equestrian of Open of Eventing biggest voices to share their take:</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Aspen Farms (Qualifier 13) organizer <strong>Jonathan Elliott&nbsp;</strong></li>
<li dir="ltr">Terranova (Qualifier 2 and 5), Carolina (Qualifier 4) organizer <strong>Max Corcoran&nbsp;</strong></li>
<li dir="ltr">Aiken's <strong>Joanie Morris</strong></li>
<li dir="ltr">Course designer <strong>Morgan Rowsell</strong></li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr">Listen to the full episode <a href="https://pod.fo/e/387c28" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a></p>
<p><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></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 1: Fans don&rsquo;t fall in love with sport. They fall in love with stories.</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Sure, we all loved <strong>Joe Montana </strong>but <strong>Tom Brady </strong>is generally considered the GOAT. When the group starts talking about <strong>Tom Brad</strong>y (and those Patriots fans love talking about<strong> Tom Brady</strong>) it&rsquo;s not the stats that make it interesting. It&rsquo;s the story.</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Joanie Morris</strong> puts it simply:&nbsp;<em>&ldquo;The best thing for me about Tom Brady is where he came from, right?&rdquo;</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">Joanie follows it with the part that matters most for fandom:<em>&nbsp;&ldquo;He wasn&rsquo;t born a star, everyone thinking that he was gonna be this guy.&rdquo;</em></p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Max Corcoran </strong>adds the part every sport needs more of:&nbsp;<em>&ldquo;He was back up, running, riding the bench and just worked hard and just, and studied it and was ready to go when he was tapped.&rdquo;</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s not just football. That&rsquo;s sport. We have seen plenty of people wait for their chance in the Open and go for it.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 2: Big sports don&rsquo;t create one storyline. They create 100.</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Morgan Rowsell </strong>makes the point that the NFL is always doing the work for you. It never lets the story die.</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><em>&ldquo;What a lot of these other larger, more well-funded sports do, especially in football, is that there&rsquo;s just a constant story and there&rsquo;s constant buildup. There&rsquo;s, you know,&nbsp;Drake Maye&rsquo;s shoulder. So let&rsquo;s talk about that for three news cycles.&rdquo;</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s the machine. And it&rsquo;s a reminder: the NFL doesn&rsquo;t just have fans because it&rsquo;s big. It&rsquo;s big because it keeps giving fans something to follow. Our job with the Open is to keep creating the stories. Our sports aren&rsquo;t short on them.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 3: Access is everything</h2>
<p dir="ltr">A big part of the Open is access.<strong> Joanie Morris</strong> raised something we have talked a lot about as part of our 2026 planning. Modern sports bring us fans even closer to the action - and not just to the sport.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><em>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s feeling like you&rsquo;re right there, right. It&rsquo;s the sideline mics. It&rsquo;s the guys mic&rsquo;d up. It&rsquo;s the cameras are so close to the players and the coaches and the emotions are, you know, so you&rsquo;re living the emotions in real time in those big games.&rdquo;</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s something we will work on for the Open. We want to capture more behind the scenes action, more stable chat, more families and friends helping us shape the stories.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Access is what turns <em>&ldquo;watching&rdquo;</em> into <em>&ldquo;caring.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 4: Jeopardy is what makes sport addictive</h2>
<p dir="ltr">EquiRatings&rsquo; <strong>Diarmuid Byrne</strong> talks about the importance of sport mattering. Not every qualifier will be a Super Bowl of course but within each class there will be an angle. It matters to someone, in some way - you have to find it.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><em>&ldquo;It has to feel like every competition has to feel like it means something to somebody.&rdquo;</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s the Open in one sentence.&nbsp;And it&rsquo;s also why Super Bowl week works.&nbsp;Because everyone knows the stakes.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 5: Tribalism is not a problem. It&rsquo;s the engine.</h2>
<p dir="ltr">One of the most entertaining parts of the episode is that the trash talk starts immediately.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Joanie Morris, </strong>right out of the gate:&nbsp;<em>&ldquo;I feel like we&rsquo;re in for a good game and Elliot&rsquo;s gonna be sad again.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Morgan Rowsell </strong>is even more direct:&nbsp;<em>&ldquo;I like that he&rsquo;s gonna be sad.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Max Corcoran </strong>sums up what it feels like to be a Patriots fan:&nbsp;<em>&ldquo;Everybody hates the Patriots.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">And then the conversation turns into something genuinely useful.&nbsp;Joanie asks whether equestrian sport could build more local identity:</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><em>&ldquo;Is there a way with some of these riders and horses and stories to tie them geographically a little bit more locally to build a more local fan base?&rdquo;</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">We love this and we want to lean in more this year. We want to start referencing more where people come from and who they represent. Identity is so important and we want to lean in more to things which help fans connect.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 6: Fans want to wear the sport</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Max Corcoran</strong> gives the most practical example of something equestrian sport is missing.&nbsp;She talks about a sports fan parent who found it strange that equestrian fans can&rsquo;t buy anything that represents who they love.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Max says:&nbsp;<em>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s really interesting, most of the time, if you go to a baseball game, a basketball game, anything, you can buy your favorite player&rsquo;s jersey or you can buy your favorite player&rsquo;s anything. But in the equestrian world, you can&rsquo;t do that because they don&rsquo;t have it.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Boyd Martin,</strong> last years Series and Final winner is an exception to this.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>&ldquo;Boyd is the first person I think that I know of, in equestrian that has actually bridged that gap and you can buy his, his, you know, rugby shirts now.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">It&rsquo;s not just &ldquo;merch.&rdquo; It&rsquo;s identity.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 7: Our sport is spectacular. We should be prouder.&nbsp;</h2>
<p data-start="493" data-end="576">This is where Diarm hits the most &ldquo;US Equestrian Open&rdquo; point of the entire episode.</p>
<p data-start="578" data-end="722">He explains that equestrian sport already has all the raw ingredients. The stories, the personalities, the jeopardy, the partnership, the drama.</p>
<p data-start="724" data-end="813">&ldquo;When you think of the depth of the backstories that are in our sport, we could do that.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="815" data-end="1107">And then he makes the bigger point: <strong data-start="851" data-end="904">we should stop being shy about how special it is.</strong> We are one of the few sports in the world that can genuinely say we lead with care. We don&rsquo;t just talk about horse welfare, we champion it globally. We show it. We invest in it. We hold ourselves to it.</p>
<p data-start="1109" data-end="1171">So instead of dialling things down, we should do the opposite.</p>
<p data-start="1173" data-end="1261">We should be proud of the sport. Proud of the people in it. Proud of what it stands for.</p>
<p data-start="1263" data-end="1366">Because when you look at how other sports present themselves, they never apologise for their spectacle.</p>
<p data-start="1368" data-end="1477">&ldquo;And then you look at, say, college game day in the US&hellip; and then you feel like there&rsquo;s no need to calm down.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="1479" data-end="1511">That&rsquo;s the Open&rsquo;s whole mission.</p>
<p data-start="1513" data-end="1604">Make it feel like it matters.<br data-start="1542" data-end="1545">Make it feel like sport.<br data-start="1569" data-end="1572">Make it feel like entertainment.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Bonus: The Super Bowl 60 predictions (and the confidence levels)</h2>
<p dir="ltr">We couldn&rsquo;t do a Super Bowl preview episode without forcing everyone to put their money where their mouth is.&nbsp;And the range of predictions is&hellip; wide.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Morgan Rowsell</strong> goes for a defensive grind:&nbsp;<em>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s gonna be a low-scoring game. I think it&rsquo;s gonna be 17-14, the Patriots.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Max Corcoran </strong>is also on the Patriots, but sees a little more scoring:&nbsp;<em>&ldquo;I was going 21-24 Patriots.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Joanie Morris</strong> sticks with her original gut call:&nbsp;<em>&ldquo;I was going 17-13 Patriots&hellip; but that feels too close to Morgan. I&rsquo;m gonna go... no I&rsquo;m sticking with it.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">And <strong>Jonathan Elliott,</strong> the lone Seahawks supporter on the panel, comes in with the boldest prediction of the entire episode:&nbsp;<em>&ldquo;31-10 Hawks, they take it convincingly. Convincingly.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Final Thoughts (and a Super Bowl-sized disclaimer)</h2>
<p dir="ltr">This episode is a Super Bowl preview.&nbsp;But it&rsquo;s also something more useful.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It&rsquo;s four of the Open&rsquo;s biggest voices, plus Diarm and Annie, describing the gap between equestrian sport and the biggest fan machine on earth, and spelling out what we can steal.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>More story.&nbsp;More access.&nbsp;More repetition.&nbsp;More jeopardy.&nbsp;More identity.&nbsp;And definitely more enthusiasm.</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Because if football has taught us anything, it&rsquo;s that people don&rsquo;t fall in love with &ldquo;results.&rdquo;&nbsp;They fall in love with what the results mean.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Listen to the full episode <a href="https://pod.fo/e/387c28" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></p>
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<p><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></p>
<p>&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>
<p>&nbsp;</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>

US Equestrian Open CrossOver with Superbowl

The Open X Super Bowl LX: 7 Lessons

<p dir="ltr">Only four horses are entered in this week&rsquo;s qualifier, but don&rsquo;t let the numbers fool you. &ldquo;Small field&rdquo; does not equal &ldquo;small story.&rdquo; From a US Equestrian Open of Dressage leaderboard perspective, this show won&rsquo;t be the most consequential event of the season. But it will, however, feature one of the most celebrated horses in the entire Series: <strong>Fiontini</strong>.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Living Legend</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The 15-year-old Danish Warmblood mare has one of the most consistent records in the sport. In 15 Grand Prix starts, she&rsquo;s dipped below 69% just twice. In the freestyle, she consistently scores in the mid-70s to 80s, no matter the rider. A Triple World Young Horse Champion (2015&ndash;2017), Fiontini isn&rsquo;t just good; she&rsquo;s reliably brilliant.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Over the course of her career, she&rsquo;s been ridden by some of Europe&rsquo;s top male riders: Severo Jurado L&oacute;pez, Andreas Helgstrand, and Patrik Kittel. Now, she&rsquo;s owned and ridden by 30-year-old US team rider <strong>Anna Buffini</strong>&mdash;one of the youngest athletes to represent the US at a World Championship in recent years. After purchasing the mare, Buffini joked that it was time to turn Fiontini into a &ldquo;lady&rsquo;s ride.&rdquo;</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-Bh1Wn" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Fiontini's Grand Prix Freestyle Scores" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Bh1Wn/1/" height="646" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Interactive line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">A New Chapter</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Buffini first saw Fiontini competing with Kittel at Aachen. It only took one test ride for her to fall in love with the mare&rsquo;s big heart and immense talent. But transitioning Fiontini to Buffini&rsquo;s lighter riding style became a project of patience and tact. She was used to stronger leg aids and, at first, would shake her sides like she had flies on them when Buffini applied pressure.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So began the process of teaching her to respond to subtler cues&mdash;a new language for horse and rider. With the help of her longtime coach <strong>G&uuml;nter Seidel</strong> (also entered in this weekend's class), they opted for a long runway: two full years out of the spotlight, focused on trust, softness, and feel.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Buffini, who has a large social media following, chose to keep Fiontini&rsquo;s training private. Fans were eager to see the mare return to competition, but Buffini stayed steady in her approach.</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;When she&rsquo;s ready, we&rsquo;ll come out.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Measured Return</h2>
<p dir="ltr">That moment came 11 months ago&mdash;at this very venue. They scored 72% in the Grand Prix and 72.447% in the Grand Prix Special, a notoriously difficult test. In both, they placed second to decorated U.S. Olympian Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper. The Special was particularly close: four of the five judges placed Buffini ahead of Peters, who won by a razor-thin 72.766%.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Buffini and Fiontini debuted their freestyle the following month, again in Del Mar, earning a 76.210%. Judges rewarded the mare&rsquo;s expressive, expansive gaits with 8s for extended walk, trot, and canter. Their floor plan earned a 9.16 average degree of difficulty. The question now: in the year since we&rsquo;ve seen them perform this freestyle, have they dialed that difficulty up even further?</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Delicate Dance</h2>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-xKbdJ" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats:&nbsp;Del Mar Dressage Affaire&nbsp;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/xKbdJ/1/" height="459" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<p>With only four riders in Sunday&rsquo;s freestyle class, Buffini and Fiontini are the clear favorites. This is a chance to polish the freestyle, push the degree of difficulty, and test Fiontini&rsquo;s firepower. Seidel is the only one who could realistically challenge her. <strong>Equirelle</strong>&rsquo;s personal best&mdash;76.615%&mdash;actually edges out Buffini&rsquo;s PB on Fiontini (76.210%), but Seidel&rsquo;s last outing suggests they&rsquo;re still shaking off some freestyle rust.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Still, Seidel is a veteran, and you can never fully count him out.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Under Buffini, Fiontini is no longer just a powerhouse. She&rsquo;s expressive, responsive, and joyful in the ring. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s really become my horse,&rdquo; Buffini said after their debut. This weekend, Del Mar gets to see that magic in action.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For the West Coast, it&rsquo;s a reminder that top sport lives here too&mdash;even with smaller fields. Fiontini&rsquo;s presence brings eyes and gravitas to the Series. And for fans, it&rsquo;s a rare chance to see one of the most celebrated dressage mares of the modern era compete on home turf.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Fiontini might not be &ldquo;on the comeback&rdquo;&mdash;she never really left. But Del Mar might be where we see her new era begin.</p>
<p>Watch Buffini and Fiontini&rsquo;s return to the freestyle arena this Sunday&ndash;stream it live on the USEF Network. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Sign up for free</a> as a fan to catch the action.<strong id="docs-internal-guid-5bc7fdf0-7fff-0373-7ea8-282f6cafdbfe"><br></strong></p>

Anna Buffini riding Fiontini in the extended trot

A Quiet Stage, A Legendary Mare

<p>The $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open CSI5* Grand Prix is set to deliver one of the most exciting show jumping spectacles of the year. As part of the prestigious Rolex Series, this marquee event draws the sport&rsquo;s elite to the spotlight with a huge prize fund, a technical course, and career-defining prestige. But who has the edge heading into Saturday night?&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/64858650/">View Fan Guide</a></strong>&nbsp;|<strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://wellingtoninternational.com/showgrounds/classes/detail?cid=200005338&amp;sid=200000013">Start List</a></strong>&nbsp;|<a href="mailto:https://wellingtoninternational.com/showgrounds/classes/detail?cid=200005338&amp;sid=200000013?cid=200005338&amp;sid=200000013">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://wellingtoninternational.com/showgrounds/classes/detail?cid=200005338&amp;sid=200000013"><strong>Results</strong></a></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a68b111e-50d9-45b5-a37b-63a69937686b.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Jumping   Us Equestrian Open Final Graphics (5)"></p>
<h2>Kent Farrington &amp; Greya</h2>
<p>Kent Farrington &amp; Greya will be among the favourites flying the US flag in the Rolex Grand Prix of Wellington. The pair have already made history this WEF season, with Greya becoming the first horse ever to win two five-star Grands Prix in a single Wellington season. They&rsquo;ve started 2025 with a flawless five-star 160 record &ndash; 2 clears from 2 starts, both wins &ndash; and Greya ranks inside the Top 10 rated horses in the world. They top the prediction model this week with a 12% win chance and a 60% chance of jumping clear.<br><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e72f829f-dd8d-41d5-92e2-4ffb64954c1b.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Kent Greya Web"></p>
<h2>Ben Maher &amp; Dallas Vegas Batilly&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Set to go last on Saturday night after a win in the WEF Challenge Round 12, Ben Maher brings Olympic mount Dallas Vegas Batilly to the US Equestrian Open Jumping Final. This pair has jumped clear in their last two five-star Grand Prix appearances at WEF and were instrumental in helping Team GB secure Olympic Team Gold last summer in Paris. Their 7% win chance places them firmly among the top contenders.</p>
<h2>Henrik von Eckermann &amp; King Edward</h2>
<p>Henrik von Eckermann has been the World #1 for 32 consecutive months and arrives with the best-rated horse in the world: King Edward. On a staggering Elo of 814, King Edward is unmatched, and their 2025 form speaks for itself &ndash; Top 5 in all three five-star Grands Prix they've contested this year, maintaining a perfect five-star 160 record in 2025. In 2024, they jumped 19 clears from 26 rounds at 160 level (73%). A position as favorite this week is no surprise.</p>
<p><strong>Latest Podcast Preview:&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/35917800/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/1a305b/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2>Karl Cook &amp; Caracole de la Roque&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Karl Cook &amp; Caracole de la Roque were breakout stars in 2024, capturing wins in the Rolex Grand Prix of Rome and World Cup of Arcadia. Key to the U.S. Team Silver in Paris, they&rsquo;ve returned to the top level after a brief break. Cook was on the podium here last year with a different mount &ndash; and has a 6% chance to improve on that result this weekend.</p>
<h2>Christian Kukuk &amp; Checker 47</h2>
<p>The reigning Olympic Champions return to Wellington, the site of one of their greatest wins just 12 months ago. Since then, they&rsquo;ve taken the LGCT Grand Prix of Madrid and Olympic Individual Gold in Paris. They&rsquo;ve already notched a Grand Prix win here this season and hold a 6% win chance with a 49% chance of making the jump-off.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.greatamericaninsurancegroup.com/about-us/business-operations/contacts/equine-morta[&hellip;]m=Sponsorship&amp;utm_campaign=4328-CO&amp;utm_content=USEF" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4def42c5-5a3c-4d2d-a9c5-7b6f757148ec.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Great American Advert"></a></p>
<h2>McLain Ward &amp; Ilex&nbsp;</h2>
<p>A legend at WEF, McLain Ward has over 60 international victories at this venue. Partnered with Olympic mount Ilex, they were key to the U.S. Team Silver in Paris and recently jumped a double clear to help the U.S. win the Longines League of Nations in Ocala. They are among the favourites for the home nation on Saturday night.</p>
<h2>Laura Kraut &amp; Bisquetta</h2>
<p>Laura Kraut rides Bisquetta, a combination that jumped to eighth in last year&rsquo;s Rolex Grand Prix of Wellington. Bisquetta has been incredibly reliable, jumping nine rounds at 150 level or above in top company without touching a pole. They're a potential surprise package this weekend.</p>
<p>Tune in to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/15330/csi5-wef-week-12-rolex-us-equestrian-open-qualifiers-and-grand-prix-a-rolex-series-event">USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorseTV</a>&nbsp;to watch all of the action live with a free fan membership.<br><br>Learn more about the US Equestrian Open by visiting the&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://usef-website-gold.vercel.app/">US Equestrian Open microsite, powered by EquiRatings,</a>&nbsp;to follow all of the qualifying and story-telling action throughout the year.<br><br><br><strong>Stay Connected</strong><br>For the most&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide">up-to-date series calendar</a>,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open">latest standings,</a>&nbsp;podcasts, original content and more, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usequestrianopen.org/">www.usequestrianopen.org</a>.<br><br>Stay connected with the latest news and standings on&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen">Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian">Facebook,</a>&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://x.com/usequestrian">X</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.<br><br><strong>US Equestrian Open Technology &amp; Content Partners</strong><br>The US Equestrian Open Series is proudly supported by industry-leading technology, utilizing data-driven insights and real-time results to enhance the fan experience. In collaboration with&nbsp;<a title="https://www.equiratings.com/" href="https://www.equiratings.com/">EquiRatings</a>, the premier data and analytics firm in the industry, and&nbsp;<a title="https://blackhorse-one.com/" href="https://blackhorse-one.com/">Black Horse One</a>, one of the pre-eminent technology and scoring providers across the equestrian disciplines, the US Equestrian Open is revolutionizing the way audiences view, interact with, and follow equestrian sport.</p>
<hr>
<p><br>There are plenty of other top names and rising stars in the field, each with a story worth knowing. Check out the <a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/64858650/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fan Guide</a> &ndash; your go-to resource for stats, stories, and insights on every combination in the class. Whether you&rsquo;re a die-hard fan or just getting into the sport, it&rsquo;s the perfect way to follow all the action.</p>
<p>Check out the entire Prediction Centre <a href="https://jumping-prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/458" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Who Will Win the $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix? 

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Rolex US Equestrian Open Final |</strong> Wellington, Week 12 <strong>| Countdown:</strong> 4 Weeks</p>
<p dir="ltr">Four weeks out from the Rolex US Equestrian Open Final and the 2026 challengers are becoming more clear. High Star Hero produced yet another McLain Ward Wellington win in what has been a difficult week after the loss of Imperial HBF.<br><br><em>"My team has rallied and put their heads down - it's been a grind, and I'm proud of them, proud of the horse, and proud to bring this home tonight."</em><br><br>The Winter Equestrian Festival has now crossed its halfway point and Saturday night's CSI5* $500,000 Modon Grand Prix helped sharpen the focus around the key challengers for the final.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Only five combinations made it through to the jump-off. The spread of nations they represented&mdash;USA, Colombia, Ireland, Germany, France&mdash;told its own story about the international character of Week 7 at WEF.&nbsp; The US Equestrian Open of Dressage the night before was won by Germany&rsquo;s<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/isabell-werth-sets-new-us-equestrian-open-of-dressage-record-in-wellington" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Isabell Werth</strong></a> and the top six placings were shared across six different nations.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>The Winner: McLain Ward &amp; High Star Hero<br><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/81f507dd-c992-4a37-a315-1274112ff517.jpeg?width=1600&amp;height=1326" alt="Img L7339"><br><br></h3>
<p dir="ltr">Ward went first in the jump-off, set the target, and nobody caught him. His time of 39.14 seconds proved untouchable despite the best efforts of four who followed. He took an extra stride to the final fence and still won which bodes well for US fans hoping to see <strong>High Star Hero's</strong> raw footspeed in a month.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>"You always feel pressure, and all these guys are super-fast riders with very fast horses &mdash; I knew they were going to risk everything to win," </em>said Ward afterwards.<em> "I had to do what I thought was the winning plan, and the horse responded beautifully."</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">This was the fourth time Ward has won the WEF Week 7 Grand Prix &mdash; his previous three victories all came with <strong>HH Azur</strong> (2016, 2017, 2020). (Note:<strong> HH Azur </strong>remains the highest rated horse over the last 15 years in the US - they reached a peak Elo of 784 aged 12 in 2018. <strong>Greya</strong> is closing in on this). <br><br>McLain attributed his pattern of strong Week 7 results to a deliberate seasonal strategy:&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d7a13cc3-1db5-40bd-8b22-bc1fa1542c60.png?width=2000&amp;height=2000" alt="Example 1a. Front"></p>
<p dir="ltr">The man with more top level Wellington wins than any other rider will arrive at Week 12 with momentum, with a number of his horses in form, at a venue that he knows how to win. He will be one of the main hopes of keeping the Open title on home soil.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Mark Bluman &amp; Landon de Nyze</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Second place went to a pair with no 5* 1.60m jump-off record - because Saturday night was their first 5* Grand Prix together. Bluman and Landon only became a combination in December, less than two months ago, and this was already their third top-three finish (two wins at 155 level since taking over the ride from Daniel).&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">They came within half a second of Ward.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e547760a-f4ca-4358-aa24-749cb9d2cfa7.png?width=2000&amp;height=2000" alt="Example 1a. Front (1)"></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Landon de Nyze</strong>&mdash;a 13-year-old son of <strong>Comilfo Plus Z</strong> x <strong>Quadrillo</strong>&mdash;was previously ridden by his brother <strong>Daniel Bluman </strong>and before than <strong>Kent Farrington</strong> (with whom he won team gold and individual silver at the 2023 Pan American Games for the USA).&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>"I've never ridden a horse like this one in my life,</em>" said Bluman. <em>"I come from Colombia, and it's not a country with a horse background, so to be sitting here with people that I grew up watching riding horses, it means the world."</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">Very few 160 partnership debuts produce results this quickly. He has two wins at 155 level (4* and 5*). Nothing about Saturday night suggested this 160 debut was a ceiling.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Shane Sweetnam &amp; James Kann Cruz</h3>
<p dir="ltr">A podium felt almost routine for the Kentucky-based, Irish combination. Their jump-off conversion borders on statistical anomaly: 18 clears from 21 rounds (86%), translating into 19 podium finishes from those jump-off appearances. Lets that sink in - 21 jump offs at 5*160 level and now 19 podium finishes.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse (<strong>Kannan</strong> x <strong>Cruising</strong>) is in impressive form. "<em>He hasn't knocked a fence in a Grand Prix since Dublin (August), and that's ridiculous,"</em> said Sweetnam. <em>"I'm blessed to have a horse that good - he really loves his job."</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">Like Bluman, he was disappointed not to win. He was candid about his own role:&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7f74b363-44d9-4b99-8c57-3fadea74f785.png?width=2000&amp;height=2000" alt="Example 1a. Front (2)"></em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Shane Sweetnam</strong> is loved in Ireland as a reliable, humble, and supremely talented, rider. There is huge belief that he knows exactly where to find more for the final. When this pair make it to a jump-off at this level, a top-three finish has become the expectation. Now, time for the win.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Dont Miss: Richard Vogel &amp; Gangster Montdesir</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Vogel and <strong>Gangster Montdesir</strong> posted the fastest jump-off time of the night (37.34 seconds) but had four faults to go with it.They finished fourth. They won the season's opening 5* Grand Prix at Week 5 - the $500,000 Fidelity Investments CSI5*.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gangster is only just turned 10. Their 5* 160 record now reads: five starts, five clear rounds, two wins (the first coming in Lyon last October).&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Vogel also expressed exactly why this venue matters to his preparation: <em>"Wellington is our home in the winter months. It's my fifth circuit here, and it has always been good to us, good to our horses. Every year, we can step up a couple of new, younger, exciting horses, and Gangster is the one this year."</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">History says that riders who win the Week 5 Grand Prix at WEF have historically gone on to exceptional seasons - Farrington and Greya's 2025 victory preceded a nine-win year; Fuchs and Clooney used their 2019 success as a springboard to seven 5* Grand Prix. The pattern around this class is hard to ignore, and Vogel has backed up the Week 5 trend this weekend.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Nina Mallevaey &amp; Dynastie De Beaufour</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Mallevaey finished fifth in the Grand Prix with four faults in the jump-off at 39.53 seconds. <br>The top-ranked u25 rider in the world and the breakout star of 2025 has continued an unbelievable run of form with <strong>Dynastie De Beaufour.</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">This was their TWELFTH consecutive clear jumping round at CSI5* 1.60m, becoming only the fifth horse since 2010 to reach this run of consecutive clears. If she is clear next time out, she joins<strong> Big Star</strong> who made it to 13 in-a-row.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/38556da7-03fd-4132-8572-4e8f26aacaf6.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Us Open Dressage Grid Post"></p>
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<p dir="ltr">The absence of last year&rsquo;s winner <strong>Kent Farrington</strong> from the Grand Prix start list this week is also significant. Farrington, the world No. 2, is a name whose entry will reshape the complexion of any field they enter. If Farrington and <strong>Greya</strong> canter into the ring at Week 12, they will be carrying the weight of their elite record on their shoulders.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The broader point is this: the US field for Week 12 is not Ward and a supporting cast. It is Ward, Farrington, Kraut, Keenan, and a bench of depth that few nations will match. The international field will arrive with serious credentials. So will the Americans.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>The Rolex US Equestrian Open Final takes place during WEF Week 12, Wellington, Florida. Four weeks remain.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><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></em></p>

Ward Wins in Wellington (Again)

<p><strong>Benjamin Ebeling</strong> and <strong>Bellena</strong> closed out the WEC spring season with authority, scoring a 76.190&mdash;their best ride to date, and the mare&rsquo;s all-time high. The win marked their second US Equestrian Open of Dressage victory, but this one felt different. The performance was bold, clean, and confident, set to a girl-power-themed freestyle featuring tracks like <em>Femininomenon</em>, <em>Rich Girl</em>, <em>Maneater</em>, and <em>Perfect</em>. The message was clear: this pair is Finals-ready.</p>
<p>This result solidifies Ebeling&rsquo;s position inside the top 18. He now sits tied for 12th with 57 points, and with just four qualifiers remaining&mdash;and one of them (TerraNova) right in his Florida backyard&mdash;it would take a significant shake-up to knock him out of Finals contention. More importantly, the performance suggests he won&rsquo;t just be making up the numbers in Thermal. He&rsquo;s proving he can win big classes against full fields, and he&rsquo;s done it twice this season. If this momentum carries into the fall, Ebeling could be a serious podium threat when the series wraps in California.</p>
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<p>Ben Ebeling talks family, freestyle, and the future of US dressage in a new podcast&mdash;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/ben-ebeling-family-freestyle-future-of-US-dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listen now</a>.</p>
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<h2><strong>Marek Crosses 100</strong></h2>
<p>Finishing second on the weekend with a score of 75.620, <strong>Anna Marek</strong> officially became the first&mdash;and so far, only&mdash;rider to break 100 points in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage. Her total now sits at 105, with all six of her qualifying rides complete. It&rsquo;s a landmark number, one that reflects the consistency and composure she&rsquo;s shown across multiple venues, multiple horses, and nearly every type of pressure.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e91b3c29-9936-47e1-a729-842436e6ae70.jpeg?width=993&amp;height=723" alt="Screenshot of the leaderboard with Anna Marek in first place on 105 points."></p>
<p>This ride didn&rsquo;t add a win to her tally, but it did reinforce Marek&rsquo;s position as the most successful rider in the series to date. That said, the gap is beginning to narrow. Ebeling&rsquo;s score this weekend topped hers, and while Marek remains the clear front-runner heading into the Finals, she&rsquo;s no longer operating in a vacuum. With just one series win under her belt, the question becomes: can she log another when it counts? Are these second-place finishes part of a deliberate training strategy, or the first signs of pressure peeking through? There&rsquo;s still every reason to believe Marek has what it takes to be the series&rsquo; inaugural champion, but for the first time, there&rsquo;s reason to ask. She now has two world-class Grand Prix horses to choose from heading into Thermal&mdash;depth no other rider in the field can match. Even so, the path to the title feels a little less certain than it did a month ago.</p>
<h2>A Debut Worth Watching</h2>
<p><strong>Christian Simonson</strong> and <strong>Fleau De Baian </strong>made their CDI freestyle debut this weekend and walked away with third on a score of 72.330%. Their test was composed and confident, especially impressive in a ten-rider field that included both seasoned competitors and emerging international talent. While several riders in the class were chasing Finals points, Simonson was riding to show he belongs in the conversation.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Already a decorated young rider with a European Tour bronze medal and mentorship under <strong>Adrienne Lyle</strong>, Simonson&rsquo;s transition into senior-level CDI competition is clearly well underway. With a podium finish on debut, he and Fleau De Baian are a pair to watch in future Series stops, even if this year&rsquo;s Finals are likely out of reach.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>The Middle Gets Messy</h2>
<p><strong>Charlotte Jorst</strong> brought <strong>GPF&rsquo;s S-Express</strong> into the Grand Prix Freestyle spotlight this weekend for the gelding&rsquo;s debut at the level. The 10-year-old Westphalian gelding scored a 64.990. Not a headline-making number, but also not the point. Bringing a horse to the Grand Prix level and debuting a freestyle in a series of this caliber speaks to the depth of Jorst&rsquo;s program. She remains in 7th overall with 65 points and will likely head to the Finals aboard <strong>Zhaplin Langholt</strong>, a more experienced partner who has carried her to podium positions before.</p>
<p><strong>Eline Eckroth</strong> had a tougher weekend. After placing fifth in the Grand Prix, she dropped to 10th in the freestyle with a 62.535&mdash;her lowest score of the season. While shifts between the two phases are common, a five-place drop is unusual. Still, her leaderboard position is strong. She now sits in a tie for second with 86 points, a result of strategic entries in smaller fields earlier this season. Her leaderboard position reflects a season of smart scheduling and consistent entries, particularly in smaller fields. Whether that translates to success at the Finals is another question.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>The Final Push Begins</strong></h2>
<p>The window for Finals qualification is closing. <strong>Nadine</strong> <strong>Schwartsman</strong>, <strong>Micaela</strong> <strong>Mabragana</strong>, and <strong>Brittney</strong> <strong>Simpson</strong> are locked in a three-way tie for 18th place, but with Schwartsman scheduled to ride in next week&rsquo;s qualifier, she&rsquo;s got the first shot to break from the pack. That Oregon qualifier marks the final stop before a long summer break, with the series resuming September 23 at Dressage at Devon.</p>
<p>Personal bests, photo finishes, and podium drama usually grab the headlines. But with limited chances left for anyone still chasing the cutoff, the narrative shifts. It&rsquo;s not about who&rsquo;s winning. It&rsquo;s about who&rsquo;s still in the fight.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/fade3f77-cbac-402e-9d26-e7c84a8fc0fc.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="US Equestrian Open of Dressage Schedule"></p>

WEC Belongs to Ebeling 

<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The US Equestrian Open rolls into Rebecca Farm this weekend with a field headlined by <strong>Tamie Smith </strong>and her superstar <strong>Mai Baum.&nbsp;</strong>Mai Baum arrives with a huge win chance for what could be a fairytale finish to their top-level career. They will very likely lead the first phase, but with finishing on your dressage score at Rebecca Farm proving nearly impossible and several fast horses in the field, this competition is far from a foregone conclusion.</p>
<p data-start="303" data-end="528" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">It also marks a key moment in the season: the <strong data-start="349" data-end="411">last US Equestrian Open qualifier before an almost two-month break. There will be</strong>&nbsp;<strong data-start="423" data-end="457">five more qualifiers remaining</strong> in the Series after this weekend, before riders return to Morven Park for a big-money final in early October.&nbsp; <strong data-start="218" data-end="236">James Alliston</strong> is entered with Paper Jam and prove the biggest threat to a Tamie fairytale. Provided they complete, it looks likely that they will overtake Caroline Pamukcu and sit in the Series top-three going into the final stretch.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Listen to the 'Rebecca Farm Preview Show' on US Equestrian Open Podcast now.</em></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37402990/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/0a317e/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
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<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5"><strong>The Mai Baum Factor</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">There should be <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/mai-baum-returns-to-rebecca-farm-for-his-farewell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a lot of coverage of Mai Baum</a> this weekend, regardless of the result. The horse that ended the long wait for a home-nation Kentucky winner, a horse that has helped bring home medals and a horse that took us all on a journey of the highest highs and lowest lows.<a href="https://pod.fo/e/2fb864" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> You can listen to Tamie, Alex, Eric and Ellen discuss their journey here.&nbsp;</a><br><br>They now return to Rebecca Farm for one final top-level appearance together, a decade after claiming their first CCI4* victory at this very event&mdash;in only their second four-star as a partnership.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">They will surely lead the first phase, perhaps by some margin. Looking at their last six international runs as a guide, they have an outstanding <strong>EquiRatings 6 Run Average (6RA) of 24.3</strong>. And Tamie&rsquo;s track record at Rebecca Farm speaks volumes &mdash; she holds four of the top 10 dressage scores at this venue, each delivered on a different horse, including Mai Baum. It would not be a shock for them to set the venue record.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3 class="cgHgbA nxe3IQ Xp24Nw PanoWQ"><strong><span class="OYPEnA">The top 10 </span><span class="OYPEnA">dressage scores a</span><span class="OYPEnA">t the last 10 Rebecca Farm CCI4*-S</span></strong></h3>
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<p data-start="0" data-end="426" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">It is very possible that Tamie is in a 1-2 position after dressage. She will also have<strong> Jutopia</strong> - a ride Tamie is progressing while Molly Duda is on the US Development Tour.&nbsp; Tommy Greengard's That's Me Z is also one to watch for a high twenties (projected within the top 4 starting scores).&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5"><strong>The (Near) Impossibility of Finishing on Your Dressage Score</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">When you have an almost certain strong leader in the first phase, we begin to seek out a key element of what makes sport so special: jeopardy.&nbsp;<br><br>Let's start with Mai Baum. Tamie Smith and Mai Baum&rsquo;s record at the 4*-S level suggests some penalties will be added. They have never made the time together at this level &mdash; likely a strategic choice rather than a limitation in speed &mdash; but it leaves the door wide open for faster rivals.<br><br>Here's a statistic:&nbsp;<strong>Half of the last 10 winners were leading after dressage</strong> - which means half weren't. The winning range at Rebecca Farm spans from 30.7 to 58.3, with an average winning score of 40.6.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9884f1b7-ef9f-4360-b565-9d0bc0bc2bd3.png?width=1080&amp;height=626" alt="Portrait Usef Blog Covers   Ev &amp; Dr (3)"></p>
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<p data-start="0" data-end="345" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">Since 2008, 235 riders have taken on the CCI4*-S at Rebecca Farm &mdash; and only one has ever finished on their dressage score. That standout performance came from <strong>Karen O'Connor</strong> and <strong>Mandiba</strong> in 2010, when they held onto their dressage score of 29.5 from start to finish, winning by a remarkable 9.8 marks. It&rsquo;s a reminder that even if Tamie and Mai Baum deliver a low score in the first phase, this win won&rsquo;t be handed to them &mdash; Rebecca Farm doesn&rsquo;t make it easy.</p>
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<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5"><strong>Speed Horses to Watch</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The cross-country phase has been historically influential, with just 60% of riders achieving a clear round over the last 10 years. More tellingly, only 3% manage to finish inside the optimum time - making time penalties almost inevitable for most of the field.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e8986802-36e2-4a3f-80d0-d2ede483ee26.png?width=1080&amp;height=752" alt="Portrait Usef Blog Covers   Ev &amp; Dr (4)"><br>Can anyone make the time? Probably one person. <strong>James Alliston </strong>has an outstanding record of making the time at this level. Their clear rate at CCI4*-S level is an incredible 31%. For context, Tamie Smith's is 8%.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Tommy Greengard</strong> may be new to this level with just five 4*-S starts, but he&rsquo;s already delivered a clear inside the time, albeit with <strong>Joshuay MBF.</strong> Greengard has shown he has the pace and precision to be a contender. Not so long ago, <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/tommy-greengard-the-west-coast-contender-who-could-win-it-all" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diarm suggested he could win the entire series</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 class="cgHgbA nxe3IQ Xp24Nw PanoWQ"><strong><span class="OYPEnA">The fastest cross country horses in the field&nbsp;</span></strong></h3>
<p><em><strong><span class="OYPEnA">Based on EquiRatings Top Speed Percentage</span></strong></em></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7867fa07-c874-49ef-906d-658d84873b25.png?width=660&amp;height=1056" alt="Speed Horses"></p>
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<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5"><strong>The Final Phase Factor</strong></h2>
<p data-start="28" data-end="360">Show jumping on Sunday has played a decisive role at Rebecca Farm in recent years &mdash; but not always in the way you&rsquo;d expect. Over the last 10 runnings, only 20% of riders have delivered a clear round in the final phase. Yet a perfect round isn&rsquo;t essential for victory &mdash; 7 of the last 10 winners had at least one rail on the final day.</p>
<p data-start="362" data-end="555">Two combinations to keep an eye on this Sunday are <strong data-start="413" data-end="452">Lizzie Hoff </strong>and <strong data-start="413" data-end="452">HSH Limited Edition</strong> and <strong data-start="457" data-end="496">Jack Curtis </strong>with<strong data-start="457" data-end="496"> Luska Candy Clover</strong>, both arriving with good jumping records at the level below.&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 class="cgHgbA nxe3IQ Xp24Nw PanoWQ"><span class="OYPEnA">The most reliable&nbsp;</span><span class="OYPEnA">show </span><span class="OYPEnA">jumpers&nbsp;</span><span class="OYPEnA">in the field</span></h2>
<p><em><strong><span class="OYPEnA">Based on the adjusted average of their SJ penalties</span></strong></em></p>
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<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5"><strong>Who wins?</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">According to the<strong>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/rebecca_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>EquiRatings Prediction Centre</strong></a>,<strong> Tamie Smith</strong> enters on 61% win chance and an 85% shot at the podium. She sits far ahead of the next most-likely winners <strong>James Alliston</strong> and <strong>Paper Jam</strong> on 13% and <strong>Rebecca Braitling </strong>with <strong>Caravaggio </strong>on 6%. <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/rebecca_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5d449b0a-7598-4910-91ee-8a5e2b259911.png?width=720&amp;height=820" alt="Screenshot 2025 07 14 125127 (1)"></a></p>
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<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words">Want to know more about Rebecca Farm?</h2>
<p>We've crunched all the numbers, analyzed every stat, and uncovered the key storylines you need to know before Rebecca Farm kicks off this weekend. From dressage averages to cross-country clear rates, speed percentages to show jumping reliability - it's all in our comprehensive form guide.<strong> </strong>Check it out <strong><a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/rebeccafarm2025/#who-wins-more" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a></strong></p>
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<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words">When and where to watch?</h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Competition begins Thursday with dressage across two days, cross-country will be on Saturday afternoon, and show jumping on Sunday. In a sport where anything can happen, Rebecca Farm's challenging track record suggests we're in for another thrilling finish.<br><br>You can catch all the action <strong data-start="29" data-end="84">live on the USEF Network, powered by ClipMyHorse.TV</strong>, streaming free with a <strong data-start="108" data-end="131">USEF Fan Membership</strong> &mdash; check it out<strong> <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/16709?utm_campaign=main_slider_content&amp;utm_medium=cmh_content_slider&amp;utm_source=clipmyhorse&amp;utm_term=2025%2BOcala%2BSummer%2BSeries%2BII%2BCSI3%252A" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a></strong></p>
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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 dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing"></p>
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<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>

Rebecca Farm CCI4*-S Preview

<p>For the first time this season, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage splits in two, with qualifiers unfolding on both coasts this weekend. Riders will face off in Ocala and Del Mar, marking the first West Coast qualifier since opening weekend. Below are six key storylines to follow as the competition unfolds.</p>
<h3>1. This weekend marks the series&rsquo; first doubleheader</h3>
<p>With two qualifiers happening simultaneously, competitors on both coasts are fighting for valuable series points. The World Equestrian Center in Ocala hosts&nbsp;<em>Qualifier 7 - East</em>, while Del Mar Horse Park in California sees the return of West Coast action for <em>Qualifier 7 - West</em>&mdash;the first in the region since opening weekend.<br><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/17bb66f7-85cb-46de-8eb4-c41f72005e04?width=1364&amp;height=1326" alt="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for WEC Ocala "></p>
<h3>2. Familiar names and new entrants are in the mix</h3>
<p>Week One winner <strong>Genay Vaughn</strong> is competing again on&nbsp;<strong>Gino </strong>in Del Mar, and Week Five winner <strong>Denielle Gallagher</strong> is returning with&nbsp;<strong>Come Back de Massa</strong> in Ocala. Both riders have a chance to become the <strong>first double winner of the series</strong>&mdash;and if either of them succeeds, they will tie <strong>Evelyn Eger</strong> for first place in the standings.&nbsp;<br><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b18f60dc-0ca7-49ef-84fd-a0c82902406b?width=1364&amp;height=1280" alt="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for Del Mar Dressage Opener"></p>
<h3>3. Vaughn and Gino are on an upward trajectory.</h3>
<p>Although the pair are technically third based on averages, their consistent scoring improvements put them in strong contention for first place this weekend. If they achieve a new combination best, they will be well within reach of challenger&nbsp;<strong>G&uuml;nter Seidel&rsquo;s</strong> averages. Vaughn and Gino won Qualifier One on a score of 75.150%, while Seidel and <strong>Equirelle&rsquo;s</strong> average freestyle score sits at 75.423%&mdash;putting Vaughn within striking range of a victory.<br><br></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8af5861b-1a9c-4343-9358-1dafb929a37f?width=1204&amp;height=912" alt="Qn Ybw Genay Vaughn Gino S Freestyle Scores"></p>
<h3>4. Three-time Olympian G&uuml;nter Seidel enters the series competition on Equirelle</h3>
<p>The pair last competed at the FEI level in November 2024, when Seidel piloted Equirelle to first place in the Grand Prix Special. However, before that, they had not appeared in an FEI arena since 2021, which was also the last time they completed a freestyle. At that event, they finished second with a score of 76.615%, their combination-best. While they may be shaking off some rust this weekend, it&rsquo;s hard to count them out as podium contenders. With the highest average in the field (75.423%) and Seidel&rsquo;s decades of experience, they are well-positioned to impress this weekend<br><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d6d0d51a-e05e-4433-b601-00fcd93fa2ba?width=1204&amp;height=1472" alt="A table examining G&uuml;nter Seidel's career highlights"></p>
<h3>5. The East Coast qualifier is wide open, with the top three entrants separated by less than one percentage point.&nbsp;</h3>
<p><strong>&bull; Hatsjie B (James Koford) </strong>&ndash; 71.808%<br><strong>&bull; Dee Clair (Caroline Stevenson)&nbsp;</strong>&ndash; 71.378%.<br><strong>&bull; Come Back de Massa (Denielle Gallagher)&nbsp;</strong>&ndash; 70.748%</p>
<p>Although&nbsp;<strong>Dee Clair&rsquo;s</strong> personal best is 76.100%, that score came with rider <strong>Anna Marek</strong> in 2021. This will be Stevenson&rsquo;s first FEI freestyle aboard Dee Clair, though they have completed four freestyles at the national level.</p>
<h3>6. Three horses are making their FEI Grand Prix Freestyle debut this weekend</h3>
<p>On the East Coast, <strong>Etanga </strong>(ridden by <strong>Alexandra Dominguez Thomas</strong>), and on the West Coast, <strong>Flower-power </strong>and <strong>Iniesto</strong> (both ridden by<strong> Laura de Cesari</strong>) will make their first appearances.</p>
<p dir="ltr">With two qualifiers running simultaneously for the first time, this weekend&rsquo;s competition could have a major impact on the series standings. With top contenders looking to solidify their positions and new faces entering the mix, both coasts promise an exciting showdown as the road to the US Equestrian Open Finals continues to unfold. Both freestyle classes take place Saturday, February 15. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Become a USEF Network Fan for free</a> to stream the upcoming qualifiers live!&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
<p dir="ltr">For the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most up-to-date series calendar</a> and <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest standings</a>, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/">usequestrianopen.org</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4bcc5e89-799b-4ab1-85d0-23b457ed5fa2?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 Us Equestrian Open of Dressage Series"></p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <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 <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>.&nbsp;</em></p>

Picture of horse and rider from above as they enter the arena. They are dressed in gear for Dressage.

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