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

Claire Darnell is the statistical favorite heading into Saturday's qualifier in Ocala. She averages 73% across six FEI starts, and no one else in this field is consistently above 71. A win moves her to 35 points on the season, tying Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu for third overall.
That said, Darnell and Harrold S haven't hit peak form yet this season. Their two 2026 starts came in at 70.560% and 73.450% &mdash; one sitting a full three points below their average, the other just at it. Neither remotely approaching the 77% PB that gives her this much separation from the field. If Saturday is the day they finally start pulling that average back up, it won't be a close class. If it isn't, the placings become considerably more interesting.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-axBwn" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: WEC Ocala March CDI3*" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/axBwn/1/" height="515" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">An Unknown Variable</h2>
This weekend, Shelly Francis makes her FEI freestyle debut with Estero, and it's the most interesting variable on the entry list. Their one USEF score puts them within podium range, of course with the caveat that one national result doesn't tell you much about how the FEI test will score. CDI judging can cut both ways: the panel tends to be sharper, but the atmosphere often brings something out in horses that the scores reflect. Whether Estero is that kind of horse is exactly what Saturday is for.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Supporting Cast</h2>
Leonardo Antonio Godoy and Marques Do Lis are also worth watching. Two starts is a thin sample, but both came this season in the Series and they're averaging 71%, second in this field behind Darnell. Currently sitting ninth on the overall leaderboard, a solid finish Saturday likely moves them into the top five.
Charlotte Osborne and Fruhlingszauber are still early in their freestyle career together, having done their first last November. Osborne's PB of 70.775% came at the January Ocala show &mdash; the same day Darnell had one of her below-average starts &mdash; and she averages just under that across three tests. Third is where the data puts her.
Micaela Mabraga&ntilde;a and Belatrix Rh average 68.2% across three Series starts.

Close up of dressage saddle with rider in it

Darnell Enters WEC as Favorite, With Caveats

<h2 dir="ltr">Eventing: Pamukcu and HSH Connor Win at Bouckaert as the Series Leaderboard Tightens</h2>
Next Qualifier: Carolina International | Countdown: 1 Week
Bouckaert has always been a course that is tight on time. Of 270 cross country starters in the event's history, just 1% have ever beaten the clock and this weekend was no exception. The fastest time of the day belonged to&nbsp;Tamie Smith and Ferrie&rsquo;s Cello, who still added 14.8 time penalties. No one even got close. Although, this may have been partly by design for some combinations - an early-season run to build fitness, test strength, or a steady step on the road to Kentucky.
<h3 dir="ltr">Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Connor</h3>
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Connor took the win of the first 2026 eventing qualifier. Fourth after dressage on 29.8, third after show jumping, and then incrementally faster cross country than the combinations ahead of them. It was a win built on accumulation rather than any single defining moment.
It was HSH Connor's ninth consecutive show jumping clear, a run that stretches back to 2023 without a pole down. It was also their first win at the four-star level together and Pamukcu's eighth CCI4*-S career win, across five different horses.&nbsp;
Pamukcu also finished 4th with HSH Double Sixteen and 6th with King&rsquo;s Especiale, moving her onto 80 points and into a tie with Lucienne Bellissimo who led the Series over the winter break.
<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e5e51b2e-03a5-44a3-819a-0bba7cfa767c.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Vld71 Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Eventing "></a>
<h3 dir="ltr">Boyd Martin &amp; Commando 3&nbsp;</h3>
Boyd Martin and Commando 3 led after dressage on 26.4 and held that position through show jumping, only slipping to second when cross-country time penalties proved costlier than Pamukcu&rsquo;s. It is still a strong result&nbsp; and the start of a season that will likely see them on the road to the World Championships in Aachen. Martin also placed fifth with Cooley Nutcracker and seventh with Fetiche Des Rouges which puts Boyd second in the Series standing.
<h3 dir="ltr">Buck Davidson &amp; Cooley Candyman&nbsp;</h3>
Third place went to Buck Davidson and Cooley Candyman. Their 30.5 dressage score was their standout moment of the weekend, scoring a full three marks better than their 6RA of 33.5. Of Cooley Candyman&rsquo;s 14 top-level starts (CCI4* and CCI5*), this ranks as his joint second-best test. That dressage performance is what kept them in contention on a weekend when the jumping phases offered very little room to gain ground.
Carolina International is only a week away. With over 25 entries, increased Series points are on offer and Bellissimo, Pamukcu and Martin are all in the field. The gap at the top is now zero and it&rsquo;s very unlikely to stay that way.
&nbsp;<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">Jumping: The Final Five-Star Before the Final</h2>
The US Equestrian Open Final: Wellington, Week 12 | Countdown: 2 Weeks
Three CSI5* Grand Prix have now been contested at Wellington this season. Three different winners from three different nations. Germany's Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir opened with a win in Week 5. McLain Ward and High Star Hero won for the US in Week 7. And on Saturday night, Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue claimed Week 9 for Ireland - the last five-star of the WEF season before the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix in Week 12.
<h3 dir="ltr">Darragh Kenny &amp; Eddy Blue</h3>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/33facec0-5c75-4203-945b-6c5d4d5f44c2.jpg?width=3837&amp;height=2558" alt="Darragh Kenny (alamy)">
Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue had been placed at this venue before but Saturday night was their first outright Wellington Grand Prix win together. It was also their second CSI5* Grand Prix victory as a partnership, having won the World Cup of London in 2024.
The jump-off margin was fine: 41.77 seconds against a target of 41.92. Kenny left a stride out in the first line, a calculated risk with a horse he trusts implicitly.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7b945753-f368-4ff7-972a-61cc0a04c2a1.png?width=1080&amp;height=1106" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (1)">
<h3 dir="ltr">A Rare Tie for Second&nbsp;</h3>
The jump-off produced something that almost never happens at this level. Marilyn Little and La Contessa set the target at 41.92 seconds as the pathfinder. Six rounds later, Thaisa Erwin and Hialita B crossed the line in an identical time. A dead heat for second place. It is the first time in nearly four years that a CSI5* Grand Prix produced a tie for second place. The last occasion was Hamburg 2022, where Andr&eacute; Thieme and Michael Pender matched each other in second.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7e4f957d-ea55-4942-83db-776fa4243f8a.jpeg?width=1280&amp;height=902" alt="Iw Wellington Nations Cup 334">
For Marilyn Little and La Contessa, it was a first CSI5* podium together, though the underlying form has been building. This pair have jumped clear in each of their last five five-star Grands Prix.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c2b289e8-b4df-4c02-a925-15825588fc46.png?width=1080&amp;height=1196" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (5)">
For Thaisa Erwin, it was a landmark on two counts. Not only a first five-star podium with&nbsp;Hialita B, but the first time since 2010 that an Australian rider has stood on a WEF five-star Grand Prix podium.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/468a2f18-6c97-45b8-b501-4efce7a80d33.png?width=1080&amp;height=1294" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (6)">
All three competitors who finished on the podium confirmed they are aiming for the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix in Week 12. The form lines are close. The final is just two and a half weeks away.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/20ed7f72-bc2a-44d1-992d-685d98f89829.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (2)">
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Dressage: Darnell and Harrold S Find Their Form at WEC</h2>
Next Qualifier: Wellington AGDF 10 - CDI-W | The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)
Claire Darnell and Harrold S won Saturday's freestyle at WEC in Ocala with a strong showing. Darnell posted 74.315%, topping four of five judges and sitting second only from the judge at B. It's her best result of the season, and the closest she's looked to the 77% version of herself we've been waiting to see this season. The class finished with three combinations after withdrawals in both the Grand Prix and the freestyle, but that doesn't diminish what Darnell and Harrold S put on the board.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d521ae2f-c76b-418c-b329-4e296336d150.png?width=909&amp;height=1102" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 10 120205">
The fight for second and third came down to five hundredths of a point. Leonardo Antonio Godoy and Marques Do Lis took second at 70.390%, with Charlotte Osborne and Fruhlingszauber at 70.340% in third. Osborne's only judge win came at B, where she edged out the rest of the field with a 70.975%. On the leaderboard, Godoy moves to fifth with 33 points, a significant jump for a partnership that now has three of four counting starts. Osborne climbs to a tied eighth on 29 points.
<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0c7d2dc9-3c7c-4fd8-ad69-30ae5af6ce48.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Dnod U Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage "></a>
For Darnell, the win moves her to 35 points on the season, drawing level with Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu for third overall. The Series heads to Wellington next week for the final CDI-W qualifier, where names like Ben Ebeling and Kevin Kohmann are expected on the entry list.
<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>&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>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>.
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Open Weekly Graphic with Caroline Pamukcu

The Open Weekly: Pamukcu, Kenny, and Darnell Take Wins Across the Disciplines

<h2 dir="ltr">Jumping: Greya &amp; Kent Farrington top the strongest WEF Grand Prix field on record to become the 2026 US Equestrian Open Champions</h2>
It looked set to happen and it did - this weekend&rsquo;s $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix attracted the strongest field of horses we&rsquo;ve seen at a WEF Grand Prix.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ff0e9aa4-9a7a-4539-90ac-7431ebe4e9d8.png?width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="Top Rated Wellington Fields"> 
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With such a strong group of horses from around the world packed into a 40-horse field, it&rsquo;s no wonder the pre-show predictions were tightly packed; three combinations entered as joint-favorites to win:
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<li dir="ltr">Greya &amp; Kent Farrington (USA) - 9% win chance</li>
<li dir="ltr">Eddy Blue &amp; Darragh Kenny (IRL) - 9% win chance</li>
<li dir="ltr">James Kann Cruz &amp; Shane Sweetnam (IRL) - 9% win chance</li>
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Double-defending Champions,&nbsp;Checker 47 &amp; Christian Kukuk, entered on a 6% chance of victory which ranked among the top 10 win chances. When they crashed through a wall on a night of drama which saw only 5 proceed to the jump-off, it felt like a magic night for the US might be on.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2bb42226-9e55-4798-94af-e9037c3a31f3.jpg?width=2048&amp;height=1366" alt="2026 Final Podium Useo Jumping">The 2026 US Equestrian Open Final podium (L to R): Ben Maher (GBR), Kent Farrington (USA), Richard Vogel (GER)&nbsp;
Magic it was as home favorites Greya &amp; Kent took glory. They and Enjeu de Grisien with Ben Maher (GBR) were sitting 1-2 as the only combinations to jump clear in the jump-off. Greya had gone 0.73 seconds faster than the British combination, but there was one more pair to go: Gangster Montdesir &amp; Richard Vogel (GER). Gangster &amp; Richie were the fastest of all&hellip;but added a stride at the final fence and had a rail. So Greya &amp; Kent brought the victory home to the US for the first time since&nbsp;HH Azur &amp; McLain Ward won the class in 2019.
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&ldquo;She thrives in that environment of great atmosphere and tough competition.&rdquo; Kent on Greya. Full interview is below:
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<div style="max-width: 540px; margin: 1rem auto;"><iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWe04OKADed/embed" width="100%" height="780" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen">

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Leading up to last year&rsquo;s Open Final,&nbsp;Greya &amp; Kent entered as strong favorites (12% win chance). Earlier in the 2025 WEF season, Greya had become the first horse on record to win two 5* Grand Prix classes in a single WEF season. But on the big night last year, a first-round rail knocked them out of contention. So this year&rsquo;s victory, among a record-breakingly strong field, with a formidable reputation preceding them, and with disappointment behind and pressure ahead, Greya &amp; Kent&rsquo;s win was perfect redemption.&nbsp;
&nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1579e51e-6ba4-436a-b451-8c55d4ead37a.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="Greya &amp; Kent Farrington USEO Final 2026">The 2026 US Equestrian Open Final Champions Greya &amp; Kent Farrington (USA)&nbsp;
Saturday's victory marked Greya's 10th CSI5* Grand Prix win. Farrington has described her as a once-in-a-career horse, and he didn't shy away from it after the win:
"You do this for a long time, and you have some good horses, maybe some great horses, and then you have horses that are an outlier athlete like I believe Greya is. She can do everything. She's fast, she's careful, she's scopey, and she's rideable."
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"Three words, though? My favorite horse."
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<h2>Dressage: Wandres &amp; Verrenberg lead at halfway, but with nine qualifiers to go, the chase pack is closing in</h2>
Sixteen qualifiers down, nine to go. Frederic Wandres and Verrenberg lead the Series at 49 points, with three of their four qualifying slots used. They&rsquo;ve built a strong lead on the back of three consecutive freestyle improvements during their AGDF run this year.&nbsp;
With Wandres heading back to Europe, that lead is unlikely to hold. Caroline Darcourt, who sits tied for fourth at 40 points with all four of her qualifying slots filled, is also headed back to Europe for the summer season. For both riders, the second half of the Series plays out without them. They'll need the points they've already banked to hold their positions as US-based riders keep accumulating. Given that the top 18 qualify for the $200,000 CDI5* Final in November, anyone currently in the top five is in a reasonable position - but reasonable isn't guaranteed, and nine qualifiers is a lot of ground for the riders behind them to cover.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1b5625ee-0199-4f56-9ce5-5bf042f3db26.jpg?width=2048&amp;height=1366" alt="Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn &amp; Gino &copy;centre Line Media 260109 Agd F1 Class501 2">Gino &amp; Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn (USA). Photo: Centre Line Media&nbsp;
Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn is the clearest immediate threat to the standings. She sits second at 45 points with one qualifier slot remaining, and she's one of the west coast riders who still has accessible events in the back half. A win in her next outing - the kind of result she's been delivering - puts her past Wandres. Christian Simonson sits tied with Darcourt at 40 points but has used only two of his four slots. Ashley Holzer, fourth overall at 44 with four out of four qualifiers, has been on an ascending trajectory too - consecutive personal bests with Hawtins San Floriana - and is well-positioned to make the second half count.
The Series returns Friday night with a CDI3* freestyle at Terranova - eight horses entered. We'll have a preview later this week.
<h3 dir="ltr">Current Dressage Series Leaders:</h3>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7b42ff07-4136-4142-a13f-935c247261b3.png?width=728&amp;height=533" alt="Dressage Current Series Leaders">
Next Qualifier: TerraNova Dressage I - CDI3* | The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)
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<h2>Eventing: West Coast represents &amp; Colleen Loach wins on her first ever Open appearance</h2>
This weekend's eventing double-header saw a West Coast Qualifier at Galway Downs and an East Coast Qualifier at TerraNova.&nbsp;
At Galway Downs, Tommy Greengard entered as the favorite to take 1st and 2nd place and earn 75 Series points. That is in fact what happened, but not exactly.
Tommy was favored to win on That&rsquo;s Me Z, the horse who entered the weekend with three 4*-S podiums, including 2nd place at Galway Downs last year. But it was a repeat result for That&rsquo;s Me Z who was Tommy&rsquo;s second-place finisher after activating a pin on XC day. That&rsquo;s Me Z would otherwise have won after a 30.1 dressage score, adding just 0.4 time penalties in the showjumping, and producing the fastest XC round with just 4.0 time penalties.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f723a4bd-9690-42a5-9f3a-4a867986fa31.png?width=1080&amp;height=882" alt="2025 2026 Us Eventing Open Grid Posts">That's Me Z and Tommy Greengard (USA)&nbsp;
Instead, Tommy won with Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad. The four-star debutant added nothing but 9.2 XC time penalties to his 34.0 dressage score. A very steady three-phase performance, particularly for his first time at the level.
Last season, Tommy didn&rsquo;t reach 75 points until June (Aspen Farms) and he still finished in the Series top 10 with a final total of 105 points. This weekend, Tommy earned 75 points right off the bat, in his first Open Qualifier of the new season. With a top 10 finish at Kentucky 4*-S, where he had two entries last year, and repeat consistency across the remaining West Coast qualifiers, Tommy could be in a strong position to one-up his inaugural standing.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5aca14aa-fadf-465d-917f-5d2afeb21f05.png?width=1080&amp;height=1173" alt="Double Header Review 2">
On the East Coast, after a year away from international competition, FE Golden Eye returned this season with a 2 for 2 winning record, taking the Bouckaert 3*-S win and now TerraNova 4*-S victory. Both times adding nothing but a few XC time penalties to his dressage score.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6efe278b-7129-4ba4-9c52-67f224722f81.jpg?width=5472&amp;height=3648" alt="FE Golden Eye and Colleen Loach">FE Golden Eye &amp; Colleen Loach (CAN)&nbsp;
The 50-point result is Colleen Loach&rsquo;s first time on Open leaderboard as she didn&rsquo;t contest any of last year&rsquo;s Qualifiers. And for a very first Open result, it couldn&rsquo;t have gone any better for the Canadian. Firstly, it was a field of 26 entries, meaning there were more points up for grabs. One less starter and Colleen would have earned 40 points for her win instead of 50. Secondly, well&hellip;she won. Last year, 10 points was the difference between $10,000 for third place in the Series and $0 for fourth. So those extra 10 points might come in handy.
Next Qualifier: Stable View, April 3rd | The Final: Morven Park 4*-L, October 8th
<h2>The Fantasy Cards are Released:&nbsp;</h2>
The US Equestrian Open Fantasy Card Collection celebrates the winning partnerships of the first-ever US Equestrian Open. Inspired by classic sports trading cards, each set profiles Open Champions from eventing, dressage, and jumping. Explore the collection and discover the stories behind the sport&rsquo;s top competitors. <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/fantasy-cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">You can find out more here.&nbsp;</a> The first packs were released at Wellington and can next be found in Fort Worth at the FEI World Cup Finals (at the US Equestrian booth). A special pack will also be placed inside every US Open merchandise sale via Shop USEF.&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f98e4f4b-f8f1-4098-ae75-18bb85695c35.JPG?width=3414&amp;height=5120" alt="615a101d 21f8 4ccf 9f94 9c5a0e1e15fe"> &nbsp;
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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>&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast.</a>&nbsp;
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The Mission of the Open&nbsp; 
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The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic&nbsp;Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US&nbsp;Equestrian sport.&nbsp;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&nbsp;vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season.&nbsp;The series is anchored by&nbsp;core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic&nbsp;entertaining experience onsite&nbsp;.
The&nbsp;US Equestrian Open&nbsp;spans the three Olympic disciplines&mdash;Jumping, Eventing, and Dressage&mdash;with USEF contributing $200,000 in prize money to each final to ensure high-stakes competitive integrity. The Jumping Final took place at Wellington International from&nbsp;March 24&ndash;29, 2026. Next stop will be&nbsp; the Eventing Final at Morven Park from&nbsp;October 8&ndash;11, 2026.&nbsp;The season concludes with the Dressage Final at the Desert International Horse Park from&nbsp;November 11&ndash;15, 2026. You can follow along with the qualifiers, the unfolding stories and sport updates at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.usequestrianopen.org</a>, on our video series&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The&nbsp;Open&nbsp;Road</a>, and on our&nbsp;<a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weekly podcast</a>.&nbsp;
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The Open Weekly: Greya & Kent are Champions and two new names join the eventing standings

Claire Darnell could leave TerraNova as the Series leader, and it&rsquo;s not a long shot. She doesn't even need to win. A second-place finish puts her at 50 points, which is enough to bump her past current leader, Frederic Wandres of Germany. She has three qualifiers completed and one to go, which means a strong result here fills out her scoring slots and puts her safely within the top 18 qualifying line for the Final.
Darnell and Harrold S have seven FEI freestyle starts together, averaging 73.229% with a personal best of 77.015%. This season may have started slow with a 70.560%, but they quickly followed it up with a 73.450% and 74.315% in subsequent outings. They&rsquo;ve yet to touch that 77% PB, but the trajectory is pointed in the right direction, and in a six-horse field, a podium is all but expected.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Two Riders Who Won't Make It Easy</h2>
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-hHOwK" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: TerraNova Dressage 1" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/hHOwK/1/" height="583" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
Devon Kane and Vamos arrive with a PB of 75.305 and a 12-start average of 72.35% &mdash; both trailing Darnell's marks, but close enough that a strong Kane performance and a routine Darnell performance produce the same result. Kane's recent form has been variable: 74.235% in February, then 71.900% and 72.120% in her two March starts. She has 26 points on the leaderboard with one qualifier remaining, and even a last-place finish this weekend adds seven points and moves her into the top ten. A podium finish does considerably more. She's currently 15th, and a top-three result this weekend puts her into the top five. Kane has every reason to ride for a placing this weekend, not just a score.&nbsp;
Camille Carier Bergeron and Finnlanderin are the class favorite with an average of 73.485%, and a personal best of 77.280% set at Devon in September 2024. Her average and PB are the highest in the field, albeit only marginally above Darnell&rsquo;s. Perhaps the largest caveat to Carier Bergeron&rsquo;s first place prediction this week is timing. Her last freestyle start was in November 2025. A strong 75.275% showing, but more than four months ago. That's not automatically a problem, but it's the kind of thing that could manifest in a lower showing in a first outing back. If she's sharp, she wins this class. If there's any rust, Darnell is positioned to make her pay for it.
Watch Darnell, Carier Bergeron, Kane, and the rest of the field Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET from one of the most picturesque venues on the dressage calendar. Stream TerraNova Dressage I live on the <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/18558/terranova-dressage-i">USEF Network</a>. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Sign up for free</a> as a fan to stream the action.

A New Series Leader Could Emerge at TerraNova

James Alliston has owned Twin Rivers Ranch like few riders have owned any venue at the four-star level in the US. Back-to-back wins at the California venue &mdash; most recently with HMR Rolan in 2025 &mdash; made him the name synonymous with this event. However, with no entry in the four-star division from Alliston this weekend, for the first time in three years, someone else will take the title.
James Alliston will compete four horses at Twin Rivers this weekend (three nationally and one in the 3*). He most recently won an Advanced class with HMR Rolan &mdash; last year&rsquo;s September winner &mdash; at Ram Tap in March, where he ran five horses across Open Intermediate and Advanced. He&rsquo;s still in top form and as competitive as ever. He just won&rsquo;t be here this weekend.
<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/twinriversapril2026/who-wins--top-scores" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/02dbe48b-8d2d-429a-bcd7-8c1e40e68e1e.png?width=1230&amp;height=1730" alt="D Bfa6 the Last 10 Winners of Twin Rivers 4 S "></a>
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">So who may take the title instead?</h2>
Only three combinations will line up this weekend, but for the first time in years, the door is open. A new name will win here making this qualifier one you can&rsquo;t ignore.
<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/twinriversapril2026/who-wins--top-scores" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/28b53af8-1e49-4510-973b-a6c45b0cd058.png?width=908&amp;height=754" alt="Q Pqo E Who Wins Twin Rivers "></a>
Karen O'Neal &amp; Clooney 14 (59% Win Chance) arrive as the form pick. The 14-year-old has been competing at 4*-S level consistently since 2023, with a win and two second-place finishes at this level &mdash; and a best finishing score of 30.4 at Aspen Farms in June 2025. O'Neal and Clooney 14 will make their CCI5* debut later this month at Kentucky. Cristina Rennie &amp; Flight of the Arabesque (24% Win Chance) will contest only their third start at the four-star level. Flight of the Arabesque is the field's fastest cross-country horse by TSP at 77% having previously made the time at Aspen Farms CCI4*-S last year. Their dressage score may be on the higher end &mdash; a 37.3 at Temecula in March their most recent outing &mdash; but their XC record is the standout and could see them climb on Saturday.
Audrey Sanborn &amp; Lex D (17% Win Chance) will make their four-star&nbsp;debut together this weekend. Both are young &mdash; Audrey just 25 and Lex D only 10 &mdash; but that brings potential, not limitation. Where they could really make a move is in the dressage: Lex D leads the field on a 6RA of 31.3, having scored a personal best of 26.4 in their only international run this season (Galway Downs CCI3*-S)
 One of these three will write their name into Twin Rivers history - ending James Alliston&rsquo;s streak that once felt unbeatable.
Check out the <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/twinriversapril2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free fan guide</a> for more stats, stories, and insights about the US Equestrian Open Qualifier at Twin Rivers this weekend.
<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/twinriversapril2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b8340db6-788f-4df3-b867-268971b4d88c.png?width=499&amp;height=603" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 09 164931"></a>
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<h3 data-path-to-node="4">Stay in the loop with The Open Weekly</h3>
The best way to stay updated on all things US Equestrian Open is by reading&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly </a>which drops on the site 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>&nbsp;
<iframe title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40768525/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/5f9eeb/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>The Mission of the Open&nbsp; </h3>
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The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic&nbsp;Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US&nbsp;Equestrian sport.&nbsp;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&nbsp;vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season.&nbsp;The series is anchored by&nbsp;core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic&nbsp;entertaining experience onsite&nbsp;.
The&nbsp;US Equestrian Open&nbsp;spans the three Olympic disciplines&mdash;Jumping, Eventing, and Dressage&mdash;with USEF contributing $200,000 in prize money to each final to ensure high-stakes competitive integrity. The Jumping Final took place at Wellington International from&nbsp;March 24&ndash;29, 2026. Next stop will be&nbsp; the Eventing Final at Morven Park from&nbsp;October 8&ndash;11, 2026.&nbsp;The season concludes with the Dressage Final at the Desert International Horse Park from&nbsp;November 11&ndash;15, 2026. You can follow along with the qualifiers, the unfolding stories and sport updates at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.usequestrianopen.org</a>, on our video series&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The&nbsp;Open&nbsp;Road</a>, and on our&nbsp;<a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weekly podcast</a>.&nbsp;
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Karen O'Neal & Clooney 14 jumping cross-country

For the first time in three years, Twin Rivers has a new story to tell

🎧 Listen:&nbsp;<a class="reset interactable cursor-pointer decoration-1 underline-offset-1 text-super hover:underline" href="https://pod.fo/e/3c5f03" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Special Preview Podcast</a> 📄&nbsp;Download:&nbsp;<a class="reset interactable cursor-pointer decoration-1 underline-offset-1 text-super hover:underline" href="https://qr.equiratings.com/076d87a2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Printable Start List</a> 📄&nbsp;View: <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/us-open-final-jumping-fan-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Fan Guide</a>
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3d276e5b-d777-4812-91c6-d31617eafed3.png?width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="Open Newsletter Graphics Field Strength">
The last ten editions of this class have seen a&nbsp;first-round clear rate of just 18%, meaning only about seven riders typically make it through to the jump-off. With such elite talent tonight, that number may rise slightly&mdash;but not by much.
Key detail:&nbsp;Riders will start the jump-off in the same order as the first round&rsquo;s draw. That means Germany&rsquo;s&nbsp;Richard Vogel&nbsp;and Ireland&rsquo;s&nbsp;Shane Sweetnam could face times to beat from top US riders if all make it through.&nbsp;
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<h2 id="germanys-dominance-continues" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0">Germany&rsquo;s Dominance Continues?</h2>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9c334106-10a6-4b68-bfa0-bf5cc8e7681d.png?width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="Open Newsletter Graphics Previous Winners">
Germany has long ruled this class.&nbsp;Christian Kukuk&nbsp;returns as the defending champion, having won the last two years with&nbsp;Checker 47, the Olympic champion. The prior year&rsquo;s winner,&nbsp;Richard Vogel, is back too&mdash;this time on&nbsp;Gangster Mondesir, a rising star with a perfect five-for-five clear record at 5* 1.60m level and a recent win over&nbsp;Greya&nbsp;earlier this season.
Keep an eye on these two: their consistency and precision have proven unstoppable in Wellington. Vogel is in incredible form and feels unbeatable. And he is late to go. We want to keep the Open on home soil but this feels ominous.&nbsp;
<h2 id="win-chances-before-the-first-round" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0">Win Chances Before the First Round</h2>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5f5503d4-7932-4424-afc3-2fcdf9258be5.png?width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="Open Newsletter Graphics Win Chances">
Pre-competition probabilities show a&nbsp;three-way tie at 9%&nbsp;between:
Kent Farrington &amp; Greya
Eddy Blue (IRL)
James Kann Cruz (IRL)
You can&rsquo;t win if you don&rsquo;t reach the jump-off. Greya, in particular, shines under pressure&mdash;her jump-off record at this level is exceptional, making her a likely favorite if she posts a first-round clear. Late draw positions could play into some riders&rsquo; hands as well.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/00f85e8c-335d-49bf-8e74-7925a3346707.png?width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="Open Newsletter Graphics Jump Off">
Certain riders are simply&nbsp;built&nbsp;for the jump-off. If these names make it through the first round, expect fireworks:
James Kann Cruz&nbsp;(last to go): 21 jump-offs at 5* 1.60m, 19 podiums. Always dangerous, even if not always the winner.
Ben Maher: A master tactician known for razor-sharp rounds under pressure.
When these two enter the ring, clear rounds come often but are they fast enough to win?
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<h2 id="a-possible-history-making-moment" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0">A Possible History-Making Moment</h2>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c81e47d9-aa1c-4a7f-b823-09ad75f539f4.png?width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="Open Newsletter Graphics History Moment">
Watch closely after the interval.&nbsp;France&rsquo;s Nina Mallevaey, the world&rsquo;s top-rated female rider at just 26, heads in with&nbsp;Dynastie De Beaufour&nbsp;on an incredible run of&nbsp;14 consecutive clears at 5* 1.60m level.
If she delivers again tonight, she&rsquo;ll become one of only two horses to reach 15 consecutive clears, the record is 17 in a row set by Casall ASK in 2017. This could be a moment for the history books if she edges past H&amp;M All In.&nbsp;
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<h2 id="dont-miss-a-second" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0">Don&rsquo;t Miss a Second</h2>
With record field strength, razor-thin margins, and the world&rsquo;s best show jumpers under the lights, tonight&rsquo;s Rolex U.S. Equestrian Open Grand Prix promises drama, data, and possible history in the making.
🎧 Tune in now:&nbsp;<a class="reset interactable cursor-pointer decoration-1 underline-offset-1 text-super hover:underline" href="https://pod.fo/e/3c5f03" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Special Preview Podcast</a> 📄 Print your start list: <a class="reset interactable cursor-pointer decoration-1 underline-offset-1 text-super hover:underline" href="https://qr.equiratings.com/076d87a2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Start List with Data</a>
Watch the action tonight on USEF Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_EU/events/18390/wef-week-12-csi5-rolex-finale-week" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch here</a>
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<h2 id="the-vision-of-the-us-equestrian-open" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">The Vision of the US Equestrian Open</h2>
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 increase awareness and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series. With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season for fan engagement. The series is anchored by core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic entertaining experience onsite, all designed to benefit the family of USEF disciplines and breeds.
The US Equestrian Open spans the three disciplines&mdash;Jumping, Eventing, and Dressage&mdash;with USEF contributing $200,000 in prize money to each final to ensure high-stakes competitive integrity. The Jumping Final returns to Wellington International from March 24&ndash;29, 2026, followed by the Eventing Final at Morven Park from October 8&ndash;11, 2026. The season concludes with the Dressage Final at the Desert International Horse Park from November 11&ndash;15, 2026. You can follow along with the unfolding stories and sport updates at&nbsp;<a class="reset interactable cursor-pointer decoration-1 underline-offset-1 text-super hover:underline" href="http://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.usequestrianopen.org</a>, on our video series&nbsp;The Open Road, and on our weekly podcast.

The Rolex U.S. Equestrian Open Grand Prix: What to Expect Tonight in Wellington

<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Eventing: Bellissimo's big weekend at Stable View&nbsp;</h2>
Next Qualifier: Twin Rivers, April 9th | The Final: Morven Park 4*-L, October 8th
Lucienne Bellissimo &amp; Dyri led the Stable View qualifier from start to finish. A 27.7 dressage score put them ahead on day one, and they never needed to look over their shoulder. They added no penalties across both the jumping phases to become only the fourth combination ever to finish on their dressage (FOD) in the CCI4*-S at Stable View across nearly 400 starters, and the first to do so in the 2026 US Equestrian Open Series.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dbb4be09-d543-44cd-834e-ec92794d477c.png?width=1196&amp;height=800" alt="V V2hy the Four Combinations Which Have Finished on Their Dressage Score Fod at Stable View S Cci4 S ">
It was their third four-star win together and their second at this venue, having previously won here in September 2024. But it was Belissimo's first under the US flag having <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/new-flag-for-the-frontrunner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">changed nationalities earlier in the year.</a> Bellissimo had been clear about her ambitions for this weekend:&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/40abd842-8ab1-48eb-9b04-730e308fe73c.png?width=1080&amp;height=999" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (7)">
One down. One to go.
With Kitsch Couture HPK finishing ninth, Bellissimo collected points across two combinations and moves to second in the Series - just five points behind the leader Caroline Pamukcu.
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWy01KtEQRR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/000b83d7-164a-4044-b877-1919503ecc5b.png?width=907&amp;height=1105" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 07 122810"></a>Photo: Liz Crawley Photography
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Podium</h3>
Second place went to Alexandra Knowles &amp; Montpellier Scais and third went to Waylon Roberts &amp; Fernhill Salt Lake - one of only two combinations to make the cross-country time. Roberts &amp; Fernhill Salt Lake are known for their speed - having also been inside the time at TerraNova in November, the only inside-the-time round of the entire 2026 Series until this weekend.&nbsp;
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Series Picture</h3>
Stable View had been circled as a chance for<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/qualifier-7-one-of-last-years-pivotal-venues-sees-series-leaders-and-2025-winners-go-head-to-head" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Caroline Pamukcu and Boyd Martin to pull clear at the top.</a> Neither left with points. Boyd withdrew both Commando 3 and Cooley Nutcracker before cross-country following a fall in the CCI3*-S. Pamukcu's HSH Double Sixteen was eliminated in the show jumping and HSH Connor had a cross-country refusal.&nbsp;
Bellissimo would have won regardless. her performance never required their misfortune. But a weekend that was supposed to consolidate the top of the leaderboard instead blew it wide open. Pamukcu leads on 145. Bellissimo sits only five points back while Roberts climbs to third. The gap at the top has gone from 50 points to five in a single weekend.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/abc52228-f6c6-4863-96ef-ed8533031ca0.png?width=1046&amp;height=1228" alt="Xtyk1 Series Leaders After Stable View Qualifier 7 "></a>
This weekend, the action moves west to Twin Rivers in California. Stay tuned for a <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/magazines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fan guide</a> later this week!
<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: Kane claims TerraNova with a personal best as Darnell climbs to second overall</h2>
Next Qualifier: Del Mar National Horse Show, April 19th | The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA, November 13th
Devon Kane &amp; Vamos claimed Friday&rsquo;s freestyle at TerraNova with a personal best of 75.465%. The performance, which saw Kane top four of five judges&mdash;including two marks over 77%&mdash;was enough to edge out <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/qualifier-7-one-of-last-years-pivotal-venues-sees-series-leaders-and-2025-winners-go-head-to-head">the field favorite</a> in a tight contest. The victory moves Kane from 15th into third place on the overall leaderboard with 46 points.
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWymf4zkdOY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1a34b58b-8539-42b2-8f82-757fbcff894c.png?width=903&amp;height=1098" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 07 122753"></a>Photo: Jessica Buehler Photography
Camille Carier Bergeron &amp; Finnlanderin followed in second with 75.385%. While Carier Bergeron entered the week as the class favorite, the narrow margin reflected the four-month gap since her last freestyle outing. Claire Darnell &amp; Harrold S rounded out the podium in third with 74.365%. Although the result continues Darnell&rsquo;s upward scoring trajectory, it fell just short of the second-place finish she needed to overtake Germany&rsquo;s Frederic Wandres for the overall Series lead. Darnell now sits second in the standings with 47 points.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/dressage/708" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c3eb7fde-ec87-4e7a-bb3c-8fe5a84eef60.png?width=1240&amp;height=806" alt="Gl Jzk Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage "></a>
Both Darnell and Kane have now completed their four qualifying runs, meaning any future moves up the leaderboard will require them to replace their lowest counting scores with higher marks. The Series takes a break this week as the focus shifts to the World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas. <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/we-warned-you-about-indian-rock">Early Series leader</a> Christian Simonson, currently ranked sixth, headlines the US team alongside&nbsp;Kevin Kohmann and Ben Ebeling.
<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 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Jumping: From Wellington to Fort Worth</h2>
The champagne spray from the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix has barely dried on Kent Farrington's jacket and the World Cup Final is already calling.
Before a sold-out crowd of more than 10,000 fans, <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/a-record-field-a-home-win-a-us-champion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kent Farrington &amp; Greya claimed the $1M Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix</a> to become the first US winner of the Rolex Finale in seven years. Now just over a week later, the spotlight moves to Fort Worth for the FEI Jumping World Cup Finals.
The headline act is the same man who just lit up Wellington. Farrington arrives in Texas as the undisputed form rider of the season. With the two highest-rated horses in the field in Greya and Toulyana, this is essentially his to lose. And here is one storyline that sharpens it further: Farrington has never won the World Cup Final.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1fadfda6-f402-484f-bc55-5b173f200207.png?width=1254&amp;height=1182" alt="4 Mu Mr Stars of the Show 2026 World Cup Finals Fort Worth ">
A horse that could stop him? <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/superstar-gangster" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gangster Montdesir. </a>Ten years old, six rounds at CSI5* 1.60m, six clears - the only horse in the entries with a perfect record at this level. At the Rolex Final, Germany's&nbsp;Richard Vogel put down a faster timer than Farrington in the jump-off but a single mistake on the final fence resulted in 4 faults.&nbsp;He will not need reminding.
The rivalry from Wellington isn't finished yet.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40768525/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>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a>
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<h2>The fantasy cards are released</h2>
The US Equestrian Open Fantasy Card Collection celebrates the winning partnerships of the first-ever US Equestrian Open. Inspired by classic sports trading cards, each set profiles Open Champions from eventing, dressage, and jumping. Explore the collection and discover the stories behind the sport&rsquo;s top competitors.&nbsp;<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/fantasy-cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">You can find out more here.&nbsp;</a> The first packs were released at Wellington and can next be found in Fort Worth at the FEI World Cup Finals (at the US Equestrian booth). A special pack will also be placed inside every US Open merchandise sale via Shop USEF.&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f98e4f4b-f8f1-4098-ae75-18bb85695c35.JPG?width=3414&amp;height=5120" alt="615a101d 21f8 4ccf 9f94 9c5a0e1e15fe">&nbsp;
<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>&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast.</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
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&nbsp;
The Mission of the Open&nbsp; 
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The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic&nbsp;Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US&nbsp;Equestrian sport.&nbsp;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&nbsp;vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season.&nbsp;The Series is anchored by core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic&nbsp;entertaining experience onsite&nbsp;.
The&nbsp;US Equestrian Open&nbsp;spans the three Olympic disciplines&mdash;Jumping, Eventing, and Dressage&mdash;with USEF contributing $200,000 in prize money to each final to ensure high-stakes competitive integrity. The Jumping Final took place at Wellington International from&nbsp;March 24&ndash;29, 2026. Next stop will be&nbsp; the Eventing Final at Morven Park from&nbsp;October 8&ndash;11, 2026.&nbsp;The season concludes with the Dressage Final at the Desert International Horse Park from&nbsp;November 11&ndash;15, 2026. You can follow along with the qualifiers, the unfolding stories and sport updates at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.usequestrianopen.org</a>, on our video series&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The&nbsp;Open&nbsp;Road</a>, and on our&nbsp;<a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weekly podcast</a>.&nbsp;
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The Open Weekly Graphic with Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri 

The Open Weekly: FODs and personal bests for weekend winners Lucienne Bellissimo and Devon Kane

<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Jumping: The Open Champion becomes the World Cup Champion</h2>
The Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix was just two weeks ago. Kent Farrington has since added the a title that had eluded him until this point in his career at the very top of the sport.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d5d2869e-08fa-46dd-9a8a-47e0806619ad.png?width=758&amp;height=745" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 14 112210">
Kent Farrington and Greya won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Fort Worth. He is the first US World Cup champion since Beezie Madden in Paris in 2018. He led from day one, sharing the workload between Toulayna and Greya across the three days before closing out Sunday's double round to seal it.
Katie Dinan and Out of the Blue SCF climbed to third when Steve Guerdat picked up rails on the final day, giving the US two of the top three places on the podium.
For the full breakdown, day by day, number by number, the complete article is live now ⇨ <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-champion-becomes-the-world-cup-champion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-champion-becomes-the-world-cup-champion</a>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Eventing: O'Neal and Clooney 14 end Alliston's Twin Rivers reign</h2>
Next Qualifiers: Ocala, Florida (16 April) &amp; Fair Hill, Maryland (17 April) | The Final:&nbsp;Morven Park 4*-L, October 8th
For three years, <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/for-the-first-time-in-three-years-twin-rivers-has-a-new-story-to-tell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twin Rivers belonged to James Alliston.</a> Back-to-back wins at the California venue had made him the name synonymous with this 4* class. Without an entry in the four-star short this weekend, someone new was always going to write their name into its history and it was Karen O'Neal and Clooney 14 who did it.
O'Neal led from start to finish. A dressage score of 29.2 &mdash; the pair's second-best test at the four-star level, behind only their 28.0 at Aspen Farms last year &mdash; put them ahead and a clear show jumping and cross-country round kept them there. It was Clooney 14's third CCI4* win, following victories of Aspen Farms 4*S and Galway Downs 4*L and a timely one for the Washington-based pair. Next up for the combination is a CCI5* debut at Kentucky.
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Series Picture</h3>
Karen O'Neal enters the <a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leaderboard</a> in joint 12th on 40 points and&nbsp;Audrey Sanborn who finished second joins her in 15th on 35. At the top, Caroline Pamukcu leads on 145, Lucienne Bellissimo sits second on 140, and Waylon Roberts is third on 110.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/874c7c6c-4b1b-421b-a6a8-ea87f282ac96.png?width=1240&amp;height=760" alt="Ksrq T Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Eventing "></a>
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">What's Next</h3>
This weekend brings an east coast double-header with Ocala and Fair Hill running simultaneously. Fair Hill sports big names such as Caroline Pamucku, Boyd Martin, and Sharon White, while Ocala's four-star short field is the largest the event has ever seen, with 23 starters expected to line up if all entries go to post, surpassing the previous high of 21 in 2024.&nbsp;
Full previews, form guides, and predictions are on the way, with both qualifiers also covered on the US Equestrian Open podcast which is out every Wednesday. Don't miss it.
<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>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Dressage: Simonson and Indian Rock put America back on the World Cup podium</h2>
Christian Simonson and Indian Rock finished second at the FEI World Cup Finals in Fort Worth with 83.810% - a personal best for the combination, a record for the horse, and the first time an American has stood on a World Cup podium since 2019.&nbsp;
The previous best score the pair had posted together was 81.445% at Wellington earlier this season. Indian Rock's all-time record &mdash; set at 's-Hertogenbosch in 2024 with Emmelie Scholtens &mdash; was 82.095%. He was the youngest rider in the field and still qualifies for Under 25. This was also his first senior championship. If he and Indian Rock show up at the November Final for their second attempt at a big title, good luck beating them.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/31cc7a4a-be65-484b-811d-293b1876c3ad.jpeg?width=1354&amp;height=1600" alt="Aw Wcf 9">
Becky Moody and Jagerbomb won the class with an astounding 88.330%, one of the highest freestyle scores posted on American soil in recent years. Scores at that level show up in Olympic medal rounds. Moody is not an Open Series rider, but she is one to watch as she builds toward Los Angeles 2028.
Three other Open Series riders made the trip to Fort Worth. Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike finished sixth at 78.645%. He sits 27th on the Open leaderboard, but that placing is a function of having competed in only one qualifier this season, not of what he's capable of producing. Kevin Kohmann, currently 16th in the Series, finished ninth at 76.730%. Benjamin Ebeling, the reigning US Equestrian Open Champion, finished tenth at 74.965%.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/dressage/708" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c3eb7fde-ec87-4e7a-bb3c-8fe5a84eef60.png?width=1240&amp;height=806" alt="Gl Jzk Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage "></a>
The US Equestrian Open resumes next week in Del Mar, where Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn could retake the lead with a fourth qualifier run.
<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>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The fantasy cards are released</h2>
The US Equestrian Open Fantasy Card Collection celebrates the winning partnerships of the first-ever US Equestrian Open. Inspired by classic sports trading cards, each set profiles Open Champions from eventing, dressage, and jumping. Explore the collection and discover the stories behind the sport&rsquo;s top competitors.&nbsp;<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/fantasy-cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">You can find out more here.&nbsp;</a> The first packs were released at Wellington and can next be found in Fort Worth at the FEI World Cup Finals (at the US Equestrian booth). A special pack will also be placed inside every US Open merchandise sale via Shop USEF.&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f98e4f4b-f8f1-4098-ae75-18bb85695c35.JPG?width=3414&amp;height=5120" alt="615a101d 21f8 4ccf 9f94 9c5a0e1e15fe">&nbsp;
<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>&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast.</a>&nbsp;
The Mission of the Open&nbsp; 
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The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic&nbsp;Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US&nbsp;Equestrian sport.&nbsp;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&nbsp;vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season.&nbsp;The Series is anchored by core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic&nbsp;entertaining experience onsite.
The&nbsp;US Equestrian Open&nbsp;spans the three Olympic disciplines&mdash;Jumping, Eventing, and Dressage&mdash;with USEF contributing $200,000 in prize money to each final to ensure high-stakes competitive integrity. The Jumping Final took place at Wellington International from&nbsp;March 24&ndash;29, 2026. Next stop will be&nbsp; the Eventing Final at Morven Park from&nbsp;October 8&ndash;11, 2026.&nbsp;The season concludes with the Dressage Final at the Desert International Horse Park from&nbsp;November 11&ndash;15, 2026. You can follow along with the qualifiers, the unfolding stories and sport updates at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.usequestrianopen.org</a>, on our video series&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The&nbsp;Open&nbsp;Road</a>, and on our&nbsp;<a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weekly podcast</a>.&nbsp;
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Kent and Greya on the Open Weekly Graphic

The Open Weekly: World Cup glory for Farrington and a historic podium for Simonson

Qualifier 7 of the 2026 US Equestrian Open of Eventing heads to Aiken, South Carolina this weekend and Stable View has quietly become one of the most intriguing venues on the calendar. Since the four-star short first ran here in 2018, it has built a consistent record of producing competitive, cross-country-decided results, with a winners list full of names that keep coming back.
Here&rsquo;s a look at the history, the numbers, and who&rsquo;s in the mix this weekend.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Who&rsquo;s Won Here Before?</h2>
Several of this weekend&rsquo;s starters are no strangers to the Stable View podium.
Boyd Martin is the most successful combination in this event&rsquo;s recent history, winning in April 2024 and April 2025, both times with Commando 3. He brings his two-time winner back this weekend, alongside Cooley Nutcracker.
Lucienne Bellissimo won here in September 2024 with Dyri, finishing on a 30.3, and is back with him this weekend alongside Kitsch Couture HPK.
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Double Sixteen won the most recent edition here last September and, crucially, made the optimum time on cross country which is a particularly rare feat at the venue. They were the first pair to do so at Stable View since Will Coleman and Off The Record in April 2022. Pamukcu also brings HSH Connor this weekend.
Three previous winners. Six horses between them. The history at this venue is already loaded before you factor in the rest of the field.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What the Numbers Tell Us</h2>
A few patterns emerge across the 13 editions of this class.
Eight of the 13 previous winners at Stable View were leading after the first phase, and with a field this strong on the flat, that pattern is likely to hold. The dressage horses to watch are Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri (6RA of 27.1), Boyd Martin and Commando 3 (28.2), and Caroline Pamukcu with HSH Connor (27.0). Keep an eye too on Isabelle Bosley and Conner (27.0), only in their second 4* but their dressage record at the level below that suggests they could be in the mix. Nobody is expected to threaten Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous&rsquo;s all-time record of 21.7, but the horses at the top of this list are capable of scores that will put real daylight between themselves and the field.
Show jumping has proven influential at this venue. Nine of the 13 previous winners led after the second phase, but in both 2025 editions the show jumping leader did not win. It is worth keeping in mind on Friday afternoon.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9b0ad4ff-6ab4-4ed9-8a32-ad37d3be0279.jpg?width=5472&amp;height=3648" alt="Imperio Magic &amp; Mary Bess Davis">Imperio Magic (Mary Bess Davis) is one of the best show jumpers in the field. 
Cross country is where it&rsquo;s decided. Only 2% of starters have ever made the optimum time at the 4*-S level here. Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Double Sixteen did it last September, the first pair to do so since Will Coleman and Off The Record in April 2022. At a venue where inside-the-time is this rare, the fastest round of the day carries enormous weight.
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1e69855d-96ea-4953-ade8-4eca92542438.png?width=1080&amp;height=950" alt="Have Jumped Xc Clear and Inside the Time at Stable View 4 S"> 
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Who&rsquo;s in Contention This Weekend?</h2>
Boyd Martin and Commando 3 lead the EquiRatings Prediction Centre at 21%. The combination have won here twice already, including last April, and Commando 3 is one of the strongest dressage horses in the field. Boyd also brings Cooley Nutcracker, meaning he accounts for nearly a third of the total win probability.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4c5073b4-6fdc-4115-943b-21f5d3bbbc8e.png?width=578&amp;height=827" alt="8v N Es Top 10 Win Chances Stable View 4 S Apr 2026 (1)">
Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri sit second at 16%. Bellissimo won this event in September 2024 with Dyri. If the first phase goes to plan, and Dyri&rsquo;s dressage record suggests it should, Bellissimo will be right in the mix heading into cross country. She also has Kitsch Couture HPK in the field.
Waylon Roberts brings three horses this weekend: Fernhill Salt Lake at 9%, Chevalier at 7%, and Slieve Callan Alpha, a new partnership that began at the end of 2025 and will make their 4* debut together here. Roberts finished third at Bouckaert earlier this season and was the only rider to make the optimum time that day.&nbsp;
Caroline Pamukcu also has two rides: HSH Double Sixteen at 8% and HSH Connor at 5%. HSH Double Sixteen is the defending champion at this venue and made the time last September, which at Stable View is about as strong a calling card as you can carry. HSH Connor, meanwhile, has the best dressage average in the field, giving Pamukcu a strong platform in phase one regardless of which horse leads after Friday.
Further down the table, Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic, and Molly Duda and Disco Traveler carry genuine top-ten prospects, a reminder that the depth of this field makes Stable View one of the harder qualifiers to call.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">The Fastest Horses in the Field</h2>
Cross country at Stable View is where results are made and lost. Only 2% of starters in this class have ever made the optimum time and, on average, a clear-jumping round finishes well over the clock. In a field this competitive, the horses that can eat into that gap are the ones to watch on Saturday.
The EquiRatings Top Speed Percentage measures the share of opponents a horse has outpaced across their three fastest runs.
Fernhill Salt Lake (Waylon Roberts) leads the field at 95%, making Roberts not just a cross-country threat with one horse but potentially three, with Chevalier also sitting at 92% on the speed table.
HSH Double Sixteen (Caroline Pamukcu) is right behind at 94%, and carries an added storyline into Saturday. No horse has ever made the time at Stable View twice, but HSH Double Sixteen made it last September and is entered again this weekend. Will &ldquo;Six&rdquo; be the first to repeat the effort?
Mitchell (Kendal Lehari) also sits at 94%, and Conner (Isabelle Bosley), Dyri (Lucienne Bellissimo), and Commando 3 (Boyd Martin) are all clustered at 90%, a reminder that the horses most likely to win this event are also among the fastest in the field.
The broader picture: 70% of the total starters in this class (all time), have jumped a clear cross-country round. Only 2% have done it inside the time. Speed is a genuine differentiator here, and Saturday&rsquo;s leaderboard will almost certainly reflect it.
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<h2 dir="ltr">The Leaderboard Context</h2>
Coming into Stable View, Caroline Pamukcu leads the 2026 Series standings on 145 points, with Boyd Martin (95) and Will Coleman (95) close behind. Pamukcu is on the start list this weekend with two horses; Boyd has two entries too. With Coleman absent, this is a genuine opportunity for the Series leader to extend her advantage, or for Martin to close the gap in a venue where he has form.
Lucienne Bellissimo sits fourth on 80 points, and a strong result with Dyri this weekend would put her right back in the conversation at the top of the standings.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0bd2dd34-7f31-45fe-b669-337e0a72350c.png?width=1080&amp;height=1260" alt="Eventing leaderboard before Stable View (April)">
<hr>
<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>&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast.</a>&nbsp;
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40691855/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 Mission of the Open&nbsp; 
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The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic&nbsp;Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US&nbsp;Equestrian sport.&nbsp;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&nbsp;vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season.&nbsp;The series is anchored by&nbsp;core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic&nbsp;entertaining experience onsite&nbsp;.
The&nbsp;US Equestrian Open&nbsp;spans the three Olympic disciplines&mdash;Jumping, Eventing, and Dressage&mdash;with USEF contributing $200,000 in prize money to each final to ensure high-stakes competitive integrity. The Jumping Final took place at Wellington International from&nbsp;March 24&ndash;29, 2026. Next stop will be&nbsp; the Eventing Final at Morven Park from&nbsp;October 8&ndash;11, 2026.&nbsp;The season concludes with the Dressage Final at the Desert International Horse Park from&nbsp;November 11&ndash;15, 2026. You can follow along with the qualifiers, the unfolding stories and sport updates at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.usequestrianopen.org</a>, on our video series&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The&nbsp;Open&nbsp;Road</a>, and on our&nbsp;<a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weekly podcast</a>.&nbsp;
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Split-screen photo showing Boyd Martin & Commando 3 and Caroline Pamukcu & HSH Double Sixteen. Contains USEO branding logo and elements.

Qualifier 7: One of last year's pivotal venues sees Series leaders (and 2025 winners) go head to head.

On Thursday afternoon in the sun in Wellington, we watched for news as to which of the top 12 would come back to jump in the Round 2. Laura Kraut and Bisquetta would not be back. Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie the same. These are going to be major contenders for the Saturday night final and it felt like a decision to save them. Richie Vogel had chosen Cloudio for the qualifier and he was coming back. He would go on to finish in second place and guarantee himself a late draw for Saturday. The decision to come back also meant something else, we are going to see a different horse on Saturday - and it is an absolute star. The CSI5* Week 5, $500,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix here at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington went to Gangster Montdesir. They jumped double clear and stopped the clock in 42.65 seconds to win against a 715‑Elo field. Widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted riders on the circuit, Vogel looks to have found his next superstar in Gangster, a 10‑year‑old who has already proven he belongs at the very top of the sport.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/66ff2db6-86fb-4112-b0c1-2951572a8ea7.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Field Stength">
Why Richie is on such hot form
Over the past 12 months at 1.55&ndash;1.60m, Vogel and Gangster have multiple CSI5* victories and podiums across Lyon, Barcelona, Thermal, and Wellington, while consistently jumping clear in round one against high field strengths. At Lyon&rsquo;s CSI5*-W Longines Grand Prix in October 2025, they delivered a double clear to win from a 49‑strong field, improving Gangster&rsquo;s top‑level Elo from 590 to 649. That was the first major statement. They were second in the CSI5*-W Longines World Cup qualifier in Arcadia and then of course had the big win in Wellington. Rated 733, this horse is now in the top four 10 year old horses in the world.&nbsp; Of course, United Touch S remains the big name in the stable. A couple of weeks ago they won the &euro;1,000,000 Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters CSI5*, the first Major of the 2026 Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, producing a blazing, clear jump‑off in 39.42 seconds.&nbsp;
The momentum carried straight to Florida. At World Equestrian Center &ndash; Ocala this past weekend, Vogel anchored Team Germany to victory in the $770,000 Longines League of Nations CSIO5*-LLN on Cloudio, delivering crucial clear rounds under maximum pressure as the last rider in the ring. He then capped the week by winning the $65,000 The Dutta Corp. Grand Prix CSI2* with Cardentos and adding podium finishes in the Winning Round class with Quizas van&rsquo;t Hulsbos and Cardentos, turning Ocala into another multi‑horse, multi‑class statement of form. Yesterday in Wellington he won on Michael Jackson and today, was second with Cloudio.&nbsp; Already a Wellington winner with Gangster&ndash; and a former winner of the class with Cepano Baloubet.&nbsp; It will be no surprise if we see another German winner on Saturday night.&nbsp;

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