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.

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Born into an equestrian dynasty, Alex grew up in a house just 100 meters from the barn, with horses as a constant presence. His father, Michael Matz, is a three-time Olympian, World Championship medalist, and Kentucky Derby-winning trainer. His mother, D.D. Matz, is also a Pan American Games medalist with an exceptional eye for talent.
Despite this pedigree, there was no pressure to ride. &ldquo;They never forced me to do it,&rdquo; Alex says. &ldquo;I think the pressure I feel is the pressure I put on myself.&rdquo;
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color">Finding His Own Path in Show Jumping</h3>
Unlike many top juniors who compete intensively from a young age, Alex didn&rsquo;t take the sport seriously until after college. While studying, he watched his friends pursue finance careers in New York City, but the corporate world didn&rsquo;t have the same appeal.
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&ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t as appealing as following my dreams and making a career with horses,&rdquo; he says. 
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After graduation, he fully committed, training with industry greats like John and Beezie Madden and Jos Lansink, learning from their expertise and blending it with the knowledge gained from his parents.
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6ca3d3ca-493a-4faf-bb7b-96319d36df21.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Alex Matz 1"></h3>
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color">Toronto Triumph and a Partnership Built on Trust</h3>
One of Alex&rsquo;s biggest career highlights came at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, where he won three FEI classes&mdash;an achievement he still can&rsquo;t quite believe.
&ldquo;That week was fantastic,&rdquo; he recalls. &ldquo;The crowds are huge, and I don&rsquo;t think I&rsquo;ve ever won three FEI classes at one show before.&rdquo;
One of the horses that took him to victory was Ikigai, a talented gelding owned by the McNeil family, who have been instrumental supporters of Alex&rsquo;s career.
&ldquo;Ikigai had an injury where he was out for close to a year, and they really stayed patient,&rdquo; Alex explains. &ldquo;We had always believed he would win a five-star Grand Prix, and when he did, it was amazing.&rdquo;
With the US Equestrian Open on the horizon, Ikigai is Alex&rsquo;s top contender. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s the most talented horse I&rsquo;ve ever ridden,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;If I do things right, he&rsquo;ll jump clear.&rdquo;
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color">The Hard Work Behind the Success</h3>
A key part of Alex&rsquo;s development has been the daily commitment from his father. Even with a full racing stable to manage, Michael Matz still makes time to train with Alex every day. 
&ldquo;My dad is up at 4:30 AM to go to the racetrack, then comes here, and we have a flat lesson every day,&rdquo; Alex says. &ldquo;Having him and my mom&rsquo;s guidance is the best strategy for me.&rdquo; 
His mother, known for her sharp eye in selecting talent, balances out his father&rsquo;s optimism. &ldquo;My dad thinks every horse can go to the Olympics,&rdquo; Alex laughs. &ldquo;And I like every horse too! But my mom is much more selective.&rdquo;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9d3598e-d999-483c-8997-0c63072dd74f.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Alex Matz 2">
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color">Why the US Equestrian Open Matters</h3>
The US Equestrian Open represents something bigger than just another major event. With Rolex and USEF coming together to create a new, elite series, Alex sees it as a game-changer.
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&ldquo;It brings a lot to the sport&mdash;not just for the riders and owners, but also for the fans,&rdquo; he explains. &ldquo;It brings us all together toward a common goal that will be really good for show jumping.&rdquo; 
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Winning the inaugural US Equestrian Open Jumping Final would be a defining moment.
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&ldquo;We know it&rsquo;s going to be the best horses and riders, so it will be extremely competitive,&rdquo; Alex says. &ldquo;But if it all goes right, it would further prove how incredible Ikigai is, and how strong our partnership has become.&rdquo;
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With Ikigai in top form and his team behind him, there&rsquo;s no doubt that Alex Matz will be one to watch when the US Equestrian Open Final gets underway.
 The Jumping Final is now just days away. Action continues in the qualifiers in both Eventing and Dressage.&nbsp; 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.

New Podcast: Alex Matz – Building a Career, One Round at a Time

The evening air was crisp by Florida standards, dipping into the low 70s as a cool breeze drifted through the showgrounds. The sky burned orange behind a tapestry of palm trees. In the fading light, the first riders entered the warm-up arena, their movements quiet and deliberate. Horses and riders moved in quiet concentration, warming muscles, refining aids, and dissolving any lingering tension as they prepared for their dance under the lights.
<h2 dir="ltr">Under Pressure</h2>
By the time Kevin Kohmann entered the arena at 8:44 p.m., the sky had fully darkened, and the stands were packed with spectators. If he felt nervous about this high-pressure ride, it didn&rsquo;t show. He and 16-year-old D&uuml;nensee looked cool and confident in warm-up, nailing their piaffes and extensions. When &ldquo;D&uuml;nee&rdquo; missed a change, Kevin calmly brought him back to walk, reset, and produced a perfect line of ones on their next attempt.
It paid off &mdash; his test was breathtaking and ultimately secured him the win. Under the lights, the pair looked like they were simply having a late-night schooling session that a couple hundred people happened to be invited to. As their freestyle drew to a close, the audience clapped in time with the music before erupting into cheers at his final salute. As they left the arena, both horse and rider beamed, waiting for the scores.
The judges awarded Kohmann a personal best of 79.240%, with the judge at B scoring him an 80%. His score sheet was littered with 8s, including high marks for the trot half-pass, and one judge gave a 9 for his entrance and halts. With this win, he secured the final North American ticket to Basel for the World Cup Finals.
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&ldquo;He&rsquo;s helping me every day in the ring. I cannot thank the horse enough.&rdquo; &mdash; Kevin Kohmann
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His freestyle victory came on the heels of another personal best in the Grand Prix the day before. &ldquo;I know I said &lsquo;no pressure,&rsquo; but there was a little pressure sitting next to me here right now,&rdquo; Kohmann joked, nodding toward fellow competitor Anna Marek.
<h2 dir="ltr">All In</h2>
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"Following Kevin, I had nothing to lose..."
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7a9d0a78-5e3c-4ab7-817b-69333e8edeb0.jpg?width=3464&amp;height=2309" alt="Anna Marek and the bay horse Fire Fly during a dressage test in competition.">
Anna Marek &amp; Fire Fly. Photo by Shannon Brinkman
Marek and Fire Fly finished second with a score of 77.640%. The pair was electric yet fluid, and Fire Fly is truly a horse to see in person. Flashy and beautiful on the livestream, his animated movement in person is next level. He embodies the &ldquo;floating horse&rdquo; &mdash; his passage so light it looks as though he doesn&rsquo;t touch the ground. For a horse that has struggled with the piaffe in the past, Friday night&rsquo;s performance showed no signs of it. Marek said she feels like she can ask for more now &mdash; and he answers without hesitation.
Their Stranger Things-themed freestyle is a dramatic, high-energy performance that perfectly matches Fire Fly&rsquo;s animated power. Anticipation hung in the air as Marek trotted down the final centerline. Tentative cheers floated on the breeze, hesitant at first, as if the crowd didn&rsquo;t want to disrupt the energy. When Marek hit her salute, the arena erupted in applause.
&ldquo;Following Kevin, I had nothing to lose,&rdquo; Marek explained. &ldquo;So I was just like, &lsquo;I&rsquo;ll just go for it and take some risks I might not normally do on Fire Fly.&rsquo; But today, it all worked. He was really, really good. I was proud of him.&rdquo;
Kohmann and Marek have a friendly rivalry that pushes them to be better every time they step into the ring. It adds pressure &mdash; but the right kind.
&ldquo;I was trying to scare him a little bit yesterday,&rdquo; Marek joked. &ldquo;Oh Kevin, I&rsquo;m coming for you.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Bring it on,&rdquo; Kevin laughed in response.
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Marek&rsquo;s second-place finish makes her first reserve for the World Cup Final in Basel. Now that the World Cup qualifiers are wrapped up, she shifts her focus to the US Equestrian Open of Dressage, with her sights firmly set on the final in Thermal, California, at the end of the year.
<h3>Top 10 Placings on the Series Leaderboard after the Palm Beach Derby:</h3>
See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier,&nbsp;<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/daad2cec-cb26-4933-978d-b062e57337fa.png?width=543&amp;height=948" alt="Leaderboard for the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage as of 3 March (after Qualifier 9)">
The Palm Beach Derby&rsquo;s conclusion shakes up the leaderboard. Karen Lipp&rsquo;s sixth-place finish earned her 10 points, putting her in a tie for the overall lead with Germany&rsquo;s Evelyn Eger. Marek now sits behind them on 54 points, tying her with Felicitas Hendricks. Meanwhile, Camille Cartier Bergeron&rsquo;s third-place finish earned her 17 points, bringing her season total to 37. That result ties her for 10th place alongside Kohmann and Adrienne Lyle.
<h2 dir="ltr">What's Next</h2>
Next week, the qualifiers continue up north in Ocala, FL, at the World Equestrian Center March Dressage Show.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dce51360-5371-41aa-a234-8d5afb25ac10.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Dressageopensched Final">
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
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>.
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.
And stream the action live by becoming a <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USEF Network Fan</a> for free.
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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

Kevin Kohmann & the bay horse Dünensee during a dressage test in competition.

A Cool Breeze, a Fiery Freestyle: Kohmann and Dünee Shine in Wellington 

Galway Downs: West Coast Firepower and Rising Stars

The stage is set on the Atlantic coast as CSIO5* La Baule returns for another electrifying edition. With a &euro;500,000 prize fund and a field stacked with Olympic medalists, world champions, and rising phenoms, all eyes will be on one pair in particular: Kent Farrington and Greya. After making history with their breakout win here in 2024, the American duo returns to defend their title&mdash;this time as one of the most in-form combinations in the world. But with some of the sport&rsquo;s highest-rated talent also lining up, the road to a repeat will be anything but easy.
<h2> All Eyes on Greya</h2>
When Kent Farrington and Greya galloped across the finish line to win the 2024 Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule, they weren&rsquo;t just adding a prestigious title to their record &mdash; they were announcing Greya&rsquo;s arrival as one of the sport&rsquo;s modern greats. Now, as CSIO La Baule 2025 beckons, the pair return to the French coast with one goal in mind: defend their crown.
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<h2>From Breakthrough to Brilliance</h2>
Their 2024 season was nothing short of transformative. From Wellington to Riyadh and then onto Europe, Greya consistently rose to each occasion. After finishing fourth in the five-star Grand Prix at WEF9, she traveled to the FEI World Cup Finals in Riyadh and narrowly missed a podium with another fourth-place finish. But it was in La Baule that her star truly exploded &mdash; outpacing Karl Cook and Caracole de La Roque in a thrilling jump-off to claim her first Rolex Grand Prix title.
The momentum only continued. Their season was capped by a World Cup win in Traverse City and a final Elo rating of 769, among the Top 10 highest ever achieved by a 10-year-old horse since 2010. Greya joined elite company including Olympic legends HH Azur, Big Star, and Explosion W.
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<h2>Making History at Wellington</h2>
2025 began with more history for Farrington and Greya. At the Winter Equestrian Festival, they became the first ever horse-and-rider combination to win two five-star Grand Prix classes in a single WEF season. Their victory in the $500,000 Lugano Grand Prix CSI5* in February marked their second five-star win in just three weeks.
Farrington praised Greya&rsquo;s "foot speed across the middle and her ability to sprint to the next fence," calling her &ldquo;a great modern show jumper.&rdquo; Her Elo rating climbed to 772 by March, making her the highest-rated U.S. horse and eighth in the world &mdash; a staggering feat for a still-young 11-year-old.
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<h2>2025&rsquo;s Field of Stars: Who Can Stop Greya?</h2>
This year&rsquo;s CSIO La Baule Grand Prix reads like a who&rsquo;s who of global show jumping, and the data backs it up. Here are the top-rated combinations expected to challenge Farrington and Greya for the title:
Dynamix de Belheme &amp; Steve Guerdat (Elo 777) The reigning European Champion enters La Baule with the highest Elo rating in the field. Already a legend, Dynamix&rsquo;s blend of scope and experience makes her a serious threat.
Ermitage Kalone &amp; Gilles Thomas (Elo 775) A powerful up-and-coming Belgian pair with an impressive trajectory. Their high CAS (Clear Against Standard) score suggests they often outperform course difficulty.
Leone Jei &amp; Martin Fuchs (Elo 770) A stalwart on the Swiss team, Leone Jei consistently posts strong results. His huge stride and jump-off speed make him ideal for tight Rolex GP battles.
Bond Jamesbond de Hay &amp; Gregory Wathelet (Elo 770) Last year&rsquo;s third-place finishers return with podium momentum. Known for calculated aggression, they&rsquo;ll be aiming for a cleaner, faster round this time.
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<h2>The Legacy on the Line</h2>
For Greya, this week is about more than another title. It&rsquo;s a chance to solidify her status among the greats. To go from a 10-year-old breakthrough in 2024 to a dominant force in 2025. To prove that her legacy &mdash; like HH Azur before her &mdash; is only just beginning.
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CSIO La Baule 2025: Greya Returns to Defend the Crown

This week&rsquo;s US Equestrian Open qualifier at the Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival brings two chances to earn valuable leaderboard points: the CDI Freestyle and the CDIO Freestyle&mdash;the latter doubling as a Nations Cup event, where riders compete for their country rather than just themselves.&nbsp;
With national pride and leaderboard points on the line, the CDIO has drawn the bigger field. And while the battle for top scores should be fierce, realistically, it&rsquo;s a fight for second place. Felicitas Hendricks is in a league of her own.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0797145e-d12f-41a5-b700-72f19876344a.png?width=1332&amp;height=1440" alt="Table showing the Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for entries in the 2025 Fei Nations Cup Cdio3 Adequan Global Dressage Festival 7">
It&rsquo;s not just Hendricks&rsquo; personal best (79.105%) that makes her the overwhelming favorite &mdash; it&rsquo;s her consistency. With an average of 77.491%, she&rsquo;s not just leading; she&rsquo;s doing so with a cushion. For anyone to overtake her, it would take both an above-average, personal-best performance from a competitor and a rare underperformance from Hendricks and 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Drombusch OLD. That&rsquo;s a tough equation to bet against.
The one competitor who could put up a fight is fellow countrywoman Evelyn Eger, a rider who is currently leading the Series in a three-way tie. Eger and 12-year-old Oldenburg mare Tabledance 3 have an average of 73.771%, which is nearly four percentage points behind Hendricks. Their personal best of 77.085%, however, does put them within striking distance. That result came in May of last year, when she came fourth, behind Ingrid Klimke (3rd), Andrina Suter (2nd), and Isabell Werth (1st), the current FEI Dressage World No. 1.
If Eger can pull off an upset, she will outright lead the Series on a score of 60. But if the final results give a Hendricks-Eger 1-2, the leaderboard would again be tied, with both riders at 57.
While the CDIO Freestyle will be a battle for national pride, the smaller CDI 3* class is a different story. With just three entries, US rider Karen Lipp is the clear frontrunner.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b02bf52d-f824-4432-8b29-b72e6dc855bd.png?width=1332&amp;height=772" alt="Table showing the Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for entries in the 2025 Cdi3 Adequan Global Dressage Festival 7">
As a frequent competitor in the Series qualifiers, Lipp has 30 points under her belt, meaning a win would guarantee she&rsquo;s the first rider to break the 50-point threshold. This would also vault her to the top of the leaderboard, where she&rsquo;d have sole possession of the number one spot&mdash;but likely only for a few hours, as the Nations Cup is scheduled to start immediately after the 3* concludes. Unless Hendricks and Eger both have wildly uncharacteristic days, it is unlikely Lipp will remain on top for long.
So, the real question: does anyone shake up the standings? Will Eger deliver a PB? Does Lipp get her moment at the top of the leaderboard &mdash; however brief?
Or are we simply living in a Drombusch world?
The CDI3* is set to start at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, with the FEI Nations Cup immediately following. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Become a USEF Network Fan</a> for free to stream the upcoming qualifiers live!
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
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.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/313059f5-aa3c-4b83-b2e7-8aa565f17d7c.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 Us Equestrian Open of Dressage Series">
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<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

Close-up image of a bay horse's face as it looks into the camera contentedly. The horse wears a dressage bridle with a browband bedazzled in red, white, and blue. A rider in dressage gear sits on the horse's back.

A Fight for Second Place? Hendricks Looks Untouchable in Qualifier 8

Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena 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 Femininomenon, Rich Girl, Maneater, and Perfect. The message was clear: this pair is Finals-ready.
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.
<blockquote>
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>.
</blockquote>
<h2>Marek Crosses 100</h2>
Finishing second on the weekend with a score of 75.620, Anna Marek 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.
<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.">
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.
<h2>A Debut Worth Watching</h2>
Christian Simonson and Fleau De Baian 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;
Already a decorated young rider with a European Tour bronze medal and mentorship under Adrienne Lyle, 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;
<h2>The Middle Gets Messy</h2>
Charlotte Jorst brought GPF&rsquo;s S-Express 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 Zhaplin Langholt, a more experienced partner who has carried her to podium positions before.
Eline Eckroth 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;
<h2>The Final Push Begins</h2>
The window for Finals qualification is closing. Nadine Schwartsman, Micaela Mabragana, and Brittney Simpson 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.
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;
<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">

WEC Belongs to Ebeling 

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;
<a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/64858650/">View Fan Guide</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://wellingtoninternational.com/showgrounds/classes/detail?cid=200005338&amp;sid=200000013">Start List</a>&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">Results</a>
<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)">
<h2>Kent Farrington &amp; Greya</h2>
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. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e72f829f-dd8d-41d5-92e2-4ffb64954c1b.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Kent Greya Web">
<h2>Ben Maher &amp; Dallas Vegas Batilly&nbsp;</h2>
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.
<h2>Henrik von Eckermann &amp; King Edward</h2>
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.
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<h2>Karl Cook &amp; Caracole de la Roque&nbsp;</h2>
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.
<h2>Christian Kukuk &amp; Checker 47</h2>
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.
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<h2>McLain Ward &amp; Ilex&nbsp;</h2>
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.
<h2>Laura Kraut &amp; Bisquetta</h2>
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.
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. 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. Stay Connected 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>. 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. US Equestrian Open Technology &amp; Content Partners 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.
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 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.
Check out the entire Prediction Centre <a href="https://jumping-prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/458" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
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Who Will Win the $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix? 

The German rider and his 11-year-old Westphalian gelding have been nothing short of spectacular over the last 12 months, and as they prepare to defend their title, their record suggests they will be one of the biggest threats under the lights at WEF 12&rsquo;s finale week.
<h2>The Journey to the Top</h2>
Kukuk and Checker 47 have enjoyed a meteoric rise on the international circuit, with a string of top performances that have solidified their place among the sport&rsquo;s elite.
They started 2025 with a statement win in the WEF 3 NetJets CSI4* Grand Prix, setting the tone for what could become an exceptional campaign. Looking back at the past 12 months of their career, one of their biggest triumphs came in March 2024, when they captured the Rolex Grand Prix during WEF 12 at Wellington International. That win not only earned them one of the most coveted titles in North America but also cemented Kukuk&rsquo;s reputation as a master tactician in high-pressure situations. Later in the year, they went on to achieve their biggest career milestone to date&mdash;winning the Individual Olympic Gold Medal in Paris 2024.
Since that career-defining night, Kukuk has strategically managed Checker 47&rsquo;s schedule, ensuring the gelding peaks at the right moments.&nbsp;
<h2> A Champion's Mindset</h2>
Speaking about his approach to WEF 12, Kukuk remains laser-focused on the five-star offerings as he spends his first full season competing in Wellington. "Checker has jumped three Grand Prix events here and three clear rounds. That&rsquo;s a great sign heading into Rolex Finale week," Kukuk stated.
Despite finishing as runner-up to Kent Farrington in a recent Wellington Grand Prix, Kukuk was quick to recognize the strengths of his mount. "My basic instinct told me after I came out that it wasn&rsquo;t enough today, and I knew exactly who was going to beat me," he remarked, acknowledging the competitive depth in Wellington&rsquo;s elite fields.
<h2>Defending the Title at the Rolex US Equestrian Open</h2>
For Kukuk and Checker 47, the mission is clear: to defend their title in the $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Rolex Grand Prix at WEF 12.
As the reigning Olympic Champion, Kukuk will not only be defending his Wellington title but also carrying the pressure of his recent gold medal success.&nbsp;
Kukuk will also be one of the biggest challengers from outside the United States looking to take on the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix. The top American riders, including former winners and rising stars, will be determined to keep the title on home soil, but Kukuk and Checker 47 have already proven they can beat the best in high-stakes environments.
As Wellington prepares to host this groundbreaking championship finale, Kukuk and Checker 47 are positioned to make history once again. Will they rise to the occasion under the Saturday Night Lights, or will a new champion emerge? The answer awaits at Wellington International in April.
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About the Series Born from a commitment by the US Equestrian Board in July 2023, the US Equestrian Open aims to grow the sport's awareness, exposure, and fan engagement. With $1 million in prize money and extensive media coverage on ESPN and the USEF Network, this series is designed to:
<ul>
<li>Provide a structured, prestigious championship format.</li>
<li>Attract a broader audience.</li>
<li>Enhance competition opportunities for athletes.</li>
</ul>
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.
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Kukuk & Checker 47: The Biggest International Threat to the US Equestrian Open Grand Prix

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.
<h3>1. This weekend marks the series&rsquo; first doubleheader</h3>
With two qualifiers happening simultaneously, competitors on both coasts are fighting for valuable series points. The World Equestrian Center in Ocala hosts&nbsp;Qualifier 7 - East, while Del Mar Horse Park in California sees the return of West Coast action for Qualifier 7 - West&mdash;the first in the region since opening weekend. <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 ">
<h3>2. Familiar names and new entrants are in the mix</h3>
Week One winner Genay Vaughn is competing again on&nbsp;Gino in Del Mar, and Week Five winner Denielle Gallagher is returning with&nbsp;Come Back de Massa in Ocala. Both riders have a chance to become the first double winner of the series&mdash;and if either of them succeeds, they will tie Evelyn Eger for first place in the standings.&nbsp; <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">
<h3>3. Vaughn and Gino are on an upward trajectory.</h3>
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;G&uuml;nter Seidel&rsquo;s averages. Vaughn and Gino won Qualifier One on a score of 75.150%, while Seidel and Equirelle&rsquo;s average freestyle score sits at 75.423%&mdash;putting Vaughn within striking range of a victory. 
<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">
<h3>4. Three-time Olympian G&uuml;nter Seidel enters the series competition on Equirelle</h3>
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 <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">
<h3>5. The East Coast qualifier is wide open, with the top three entrants separated by less than one percentage point.&nbsp;</h3>
&bull; Hatsjie B (James Koford) &ndash; 71.808% &bull; Dee Clair (Caroline Stevenson)&nbsp;&ndash; 71.378%. &bull; Come Back de Massa (Denielle Gallagher)&nbsp;&ndash; 70.748%
Although&nbsp;Dee Clair&rsquo;s personal best is 76.100%, that score came with rider Anna Marek in 2021. This will be Stevenson&rsquo;s first FEI freestyle aboard Dee Clair, though they have completed four freestyles at the national level.
<h3>6. Three horses are making their FEI Grand Prix Freestyle debut this weekend</h3>
On the East Coast, Etanga (ridden by Alexandra Dominguez Thomas), and on the West Coast, Flower-power and Iniesto (both ridden by Laura de Cesari) will make their first appearances.
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;
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
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>.
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.
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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;
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Picture of horse and rider from above as they enter the arena. They are dressed in gear for Dressage.

6 Key Things to Know About Qualifier 7's Doubleheader

With the Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) behind us, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage shifts into a new phase. Riders now face geographically dispersed events, a significant mid-year break, and tough decisions around international competition.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c5764cda-d700-4051-93da-8bca9f1c478d.jpg?width=3157&amp;height=2128" alt="Sketch of riders at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival">
From the sketchbook of artist Cheri Isgreen.&nbsp;
<h3>The Geography Game: Moving Beyond the Palm Beach Bubble</h3>
The power of Wellington is hard to overstate. Of the 29 riders who have completed at least two qualifiers&mdash;the minimum needed to be eligible for the Finals&mdash;21 of them have competed in at least one AGDF qualifier. If the series ended today, a large percentage of qualified riders would trace their points directly back to Wellington. That density of opportunity gave early-season competitors a meaningful head start.
Now, with just five of the remaining eleven qualifiers taking place in Florida, the series shifts into a more decentralized phase.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dce51360-5371-41aa-a234-8d5afb25ac10.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Dressageopensched Final">
Current series leader Anna Marek is perfectly poised to capitalize on this. Sitting at 88 points after five qualifiers, Ocala-based Marek is shifting her full focus to the series after missing a World Cup Finals berth. With one more high-performing qualifier, she could become the first rider to surpass 100 points, likely securing her spot as series leader heading into the Finals.
In contrast, Germany&rsquo;s Evelyn Eger (85 points) may see her second-place standing slip as she heads back to Europe. Her points total is now fixed, leaving her vulnerable to riders who remain active domestically.
<h3>The International Gamble: Risks vs. Rewards</h3>
Several prominent contenders&mdash;including Adrienne Lyle (5th in the standings), Kevin Kohmann (8th), and Ge&ntilde;ay&nbsp;Vaughn (16th)&mdash;are currently in Basel for the World Cup Final, kicking off Europe's outdoor dressage season. For riders with aspirations beyond the US Equestrian Open, international competitions in Europe offer prestige and national team opportunities for events like the Pan American Games and the Olympics.
Yet, these benefits come at a cost. Series points can only be earned domestically, placing riders who choose extended European campaigns at significant risk. Vaughn, particularly, faces a pivotal decision: return to the limited West Coast events or potentially miss out on critical qualifying points.
<h3>On the Bubble: Who's Safe and Who's Not?</h3>
The Series Finals in Thermal, California, boasts a significant $200,000 prize pool, reserved for the top 18 riders after qualifying events. While riders like Marek, Eger, and Karen Lipp (70 points) seem securely qualified, several top-scoring riders face uncertainty.
Lyle, despite holding the series' highest freestyle score (80.600%), sits precariously at 57 points with only three qualifiers completed. Similarly, Kohmann (79.240% PB, 52 points) and Vaughn (75.150% PB, 40 points) should comfortably qualify based on their performances so far&mdash;but only if they return home to actively compete in series qualifiers. Without prioritizing stateside events, their impressive resumes alone won't guarantee a spot in the Finals.
Also at risk are Ecuador&rsquo;s Julio Mendoza Loor (78.520% PB, 37 points) and Sweden&rsquo;s Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n (75.515% PB, 42 points), both heading to Europe for the summer season.
<h3>Quiet Weekends, Big Implications</h3>
Qualifier 14 might not feature a star-studded lineup, but its outcome could significantly impact the standings. Eline Eckroth, currently tied 11th with 49 points, can vault into fifth place with a win. Such weekends, quieter on paper, often profoundly influence the final leaderboard.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-aZawz" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: TerraNova Dressage I" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/aZawz/1/" height="390" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
As the US Equestrian Open moves forward, adaptability, strategic insight, and careful planning will distinguish those who thrive from those who falter.
Tune in to Qualifier 14 this weekend&mdash;every point matters as riders navigate this new landscape. Catch all the action Saturday night on the USEF Network.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Sign up for free</a>!
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

black dressage horse wearing a double bridle 

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