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

With just one California qualifier left on the calendar, Kristina Harrison-Antell and her longtime partner Finley seized their moment in Del Mar. The pair topped Sunday&rsquo;s Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 72.180%, earning Harrison-Antell her first career win in a CDI Grand Prix Freestyle&mdash;and her first Big Tour win of any kind in three years, following a Grand Prix victory the day before.
She and the 15-year-old KWPN gelding have been together from the start. Harrison-Antell purchased Finley as a coming three-year-old and has developed him up the levels herself. For the California native, earning her first freestyle victory at a venue like Del Mar&mdash;one she competed at often in her junior years&mdash;was a full-circle moment.
With this result, Harrison-Antell moves into sixth place on the US Equestrian Open leaderboard with 69 points, likely securing a ticket to the Final in Thermal, California this November.
<h2 dir="ltr">Leaderboard Implications Beyond the Win</h2>
The field in Del Mar was smaller than usual, but still yielded meaningful leaderboard movement. Nadine Schwartsman and Royal Flash R finished second with a personal best of 69.935%, a result that&mdash;while below the typical freestyle benchmark&mdash;adds valuable points to her season total. With consistent appearances across multiple qualifiers, Schwartsman is quietly building a strong case for a Finals berth.
Laura DeCesari and Rossi rounded out the podium in third with a score of 66.845%, just ahead of G&uuml;nter Seidel and Equirelle. While Seidel&rsquo;s freestyle didn&rsquo;t land as hoped, a fourth-place finish in the small field added enough to push him into 15th on the leaderboard with 47 points. That keeps him within the current Finals cutoff, but his position remains vulnerable. A fifth-place or better result at Galway Downs in May would help secure his spot as the leaderboard tightens.
Meanwhile, Anna Buffini and Fiontini&mdash;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/coach-vs-student-round-two-the-del-mar-rematch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">favorites heading into the weekend</a>&mdash;were eliminated during the Grand Prix and did not advance to the freestyle. Buffini later explained on Instagram that while she didn&rsquo;t feel anything wrong in the moment, &ldquo;after reviewing the video, it&rsquo;s clear the judges made the right call.&rdquo; The elimination likely ends her chances of climbing the leaderboard, especially as the remaining qualifiers begin to fan out across the country.
With 16 qualifiers down and <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">just seven remaining</a>, the leaderboard is tightening. The top names have begun to pull away, but the final slots for the $250,000 Final are still very much in play.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Series Continues</h2>
The US Equestrian Open has its first break in qualifiers next week but returns with a dual-coast, double-header on May 1. West Coast riders like Seidel and Harrison-Antell will have a chance to reinforce their leaderboard standing in Temecula, California, at Pacific Coast Dressage, while East Coast contenders such as Karen Lipp, Anna Marek, and Denielle Gallagher head to TerraNova in Myakka City, Florida.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dce51360-5371-41aa-a234-8d5afb25ac10.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Dressageopensched Final">

white horse trotting in a dressage arena and dressage gear

Kristina Harrison-Antell Clinches First Freestyle Victory in Del Mar

In this week&rsquo;s episode, Annie Bishop is joined by Sally Spickard (Eventing Nation), Sinead Maynard, and EquiRatings' Diarm Byrne to break down the field for the Cosequin&reg; Lexington CCI4*-S. From bold predictions to heartfelt dark horse picks, it&rsquo;s your all-access pass to the names, numbers, and narratives that matter most.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36261295/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/0a317e/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="822" data-end="825">
<h3 class="" data-start="827" data-end="858">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="827" data-end="858">🔺 The Big Three at the Top</h3>
Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Blake, Will Coleman &amp; Off The Record, and Alyssa Phillips &amp; Oskar currently dominate the top of the Prediction Centre &mdash; combining for nearly 70% of total win chance. But as Diarm reminds us, this doesn't mean everything. Past years have seen late lead changes, surprise poles, and big names fall short. This is not a field for safe bets.
Blake&rsquo;s star-making turn at Kentucky last year still lingers in Diarm&rsquo;s mind &mdash; not just the numbers, but the visual dominance across country. Can Caroline repeat with more pressure and more eyes this time around?
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="1425" data-end="1428">
<h3 class="" data-start="1430" data-end="1458">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="1430" data-end="1458">🐴 Dark Horses Lining Up</h3>
Sure, the prediction models favor the big names &mdash; but the pundits are keeping close tabs on some serious spoilers. Sally flags No May Moon as her one-to-watch: a gritty little mare with proven form and podium potential if she can stay close after dressage.
Annie&rsquo;s backing Cute Girl to recapture form, while Sinead is excited to see Invictus, That&rsquo;s Me Z, and Possante in action &mdash; all with solid backstories and momentum heading in.
And Diarm? He&rsquo;s still running spreadsheets, but even his data admits: it&rsquo;s wide open.
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="1999" data-end="2002">
<h3 class="" data-start="2004" data-end="2046">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="2004" data-end="2046">🌍 West Coast Energy, East Coast Stage</h3>
There&rsquo;s a buzz around the West Coast riders making the trip: Tommy Greengard and That&rsquo;s Me Z, Taryn Hoffos and Regalla, and Molly Duda with Disco Traveler are among those crossing the country for a shot at this major 4*. With top-level experience overseas, these combos bring freshness &mdash; and fire &mdash; to a field full of veterans.
It&rsquo;s exactly what the US Equestrian Open is built for: mixing regions, highlighting talent, and giving fans a chance to see combinations they might not normally catch in person.
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="2546" data-end="2549">
<h3 class="" data-start="2551" data-end="2592">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="2551" data-end="2592">💻 Podium Picks &amp; Prediction Showdown</h3>
As always, Annie and Diarm close out the episode with their podium predictions &mdash; and the scoring battle between them is heating up. Diarm&rsquo;s going for a head-heart hybrid: Blake to win, Off The Record second, and No May Moon sneaking into third. Annie&rsquo;s betting on Will and Timmy to get it done, with Cute Girl and Possante crashing the party.
Bonus drama? Caroline doesn&rsquo;t even make Annie&rsquo;s podium. Bold.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 class="" data-start="3001" data-end="3018">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="3001" data-end="3018">🎧 Listen Now</h3>
It&rsquo;s all to play for in Kentucky. The Prediction Centre says one thing. The gut says another. And the horses? They&rsquo;ll have the final say.
This is where the leaderboard gets serious. This is why we follow.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 class="" data-start="3988" data-end="4009">📣 Stay Connected</h3>
Explore the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/magazines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fan Guide</a>, check the&nbsp;<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/?hsCtaTracking=907b4987-399b-4b9c-987d-14baa17bbf42%7Cc8942863-dac1-4a71-95b2-ee4f0be07dc6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prediction Center</a>, and follow the series on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen/">Instagram</a>.
Don&rsquo;t miss a second of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event &mdash; streaming live on the USEF Network. All USEF members, including free Fan account holders, can watch the action without any added costs.&nbsp;Join now at <a href="https://www.usef.org/events/kentucky-three-day/?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=slider&amp;utm_campaign=k3de" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usef.org</a>.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36261295/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/0a317e/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

New Podcast: Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Preview Show

<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>As the Ocala International CCI4*-S kicks off, it&rsquo;s clear who&rsquo;s carrying the weight of expectation and who could shake things up. The EquiRatings Prediction Centre has crunched the data, and Caroline Pamukcu heads to Ocala with not one, but two top contenders. Riding HSH Tolan King and Redfield Dexter, she has a 67% chance of winning and subsequently, shaking up the US Equestrian Open Leaderboard.</div>
<div> But this is not just about podiums &mdash; it&rsquo;s about points. The US Equestrian Open Leaderboard is heating up, and Ocala could be the event that flips the whole script.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">&nbsp;</div>
<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/ocala_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0ed32f09-267a-4439-9605-39058351fccb.png?width=1029&amp;height=922" alt="Screenshot 2025 04 15 180755"></a>
&nbsp;
Caroline Pamukcu tops the Prediction Centre with her rides HSH Tolan King and Redfield Dexter combining for a 67% total win chance heading into Ocala.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/jaguars-duende-sharon-white-on-her-rising-star-of-us-eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sharon White </a><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/jaguars-duende-sharon-white-on-her-rising-star-of-us-eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">and</a><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/jaguars-duende-sharon-white-on-her-rising-star-of-us-eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Jaguars Duende</a> are making their long awaited CCI4*-S and US Equestrian Open debut With 12 international starts and 9 podium finishes, she&rsquo;s already proved she belongs in elite company. A 21% win chance at this level, on debut! The Prediction Centre says she&rsquo;s one to take seriously.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2>Double Podium = Double Points</h2>
Here&rsquo;s the kicker: points in the US Open are awarded per horse. So if Pamucku wins with one and finishes second or third with the other? She&rsquo;s not just taking home 40 points &mdash; she&rsquo;s banking up to 75.
Currently 8th on the leaderboard with 60 points, Pamukcu has a real chance to launch into the top 3 while closing in fast on Boyd Martin (135 points) and Phillip Dutton (175 points).
A double-pointed weekend at Ocala would also set Caroline up perfectly for the next event in the Series &mdash; the Kentucky CCI4*-S, where she&rsquo;s expected to line up with&nbsp;HSH Blake, a top contender and fan favourite. When we look back at the overall league standings before we head to the final at Morven, there is a good chance Ocala will be seen as a turning point for Caroline's challenge.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h2>Other Movers to Watch</h2>
Jessica Phoenix, sitting 5th in the current standings with 75 points, is back with two rides. Her predicted win chances are lower (3% and 1%), but her consistent top finishes could still see her lock in key leaderboard points. Jess delivered a rare 1,2 in TerraNova in the last few weeks and another big finish here on one or both will see her pass the 100-point barrier.&nbsp;&nbsp;
And don&rsquo;t count out Zachary Brandt, either. With a 6% win chance and a 36% podium probability aboard Direct Advance, he&rsquo;s right on the edge of this.
We&rsquo;re excited to see how it all unfolds &mdash; from Caroline&rsquo;s double threat to Duende&rsquo;s big debut. Ocala is ready to deliver drama, and the leaderboard is ready to move.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">
<h1 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h1>
&nbsp;
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
<hr>
&nbsp;
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&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
</div>

All Eyes on Ocala

From new personal bests to leaderboard shakeups, the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S delivered a weekend packed with momentum shifts and standout moments. Will Coleman and Off the Record led from the very first phase, but there were big moves happening just behind them as Phillip Dutton, Jessica Phoenix, and Allison Springer made major statements in the US Equestrian Open Series.
The full breakdown is now live on the US Equestrian Open Podcast&mdash;but here&rsquo;s your snapshot of everything that went down in Kentucky, and what it means for the road ahead.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36353425/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/1744d4/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3 data-start="686" data-end="1136">Coleman and Off the Record Lead from Start to Finish</h3>
Will Coleman and&nbsp;Off the Record were the stars of the show. They came out swinging with a 21.8 in the first phase&mdash;Timmy&rsquo;s best ever score at any level&mdash;and never gave up the lead. They added only 7.2 time penalties on cross-country (the fastest of the day) and just added four faults on Sunday in the showjumping, to defend Will's title at the Kentucky 4*-S. From start to finish, it was smooth, stylish, and a perfect example of what this partnership can do when they&rsquo;re on song.
This win wasn&rsquo;t just another notch on the belt&mdash;it was a record-defining moment:
🏆 Will's 16th career CCI4*-S win (15 of them on U.S. soil, plus CHIO Aachen)
🏆 Off The Record&rsquo;s 6th CCI4*-S win
🏆 Will&rsquo;s second win in five runnings of the Kentucky 4*-S
🏆 Enough to move Will into the global top 10 for CCI4*-S wins since 2008
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 data-start="1476" data-end="1937">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1476" data-end="1937">Dutton and Phoenix Secure Key Podium Finishes</h3>
And while Coleman took the win, Phillip Dutton stole the spotlight when it came to the series storyline. He came into Kentucky on top of the US Equestrian Open standings with 175 points&mdash;and both of his rides delivered.&nbsp;Possante finished second, Denim took fourth, and together they helped push his season total to 215 points. That makes Dutton the first rider this year to break the 200-point barrier, and he now sits 30 points clear at the top of the table.
There was some speculation about whether Phillip&rsquo;s horses had the speed to challenge this field&mdash;and while both picked up time penalties, context matters. Off the Record was the fastest with 7.2; Phillip&rsquo;s horses weren&rsquo;t far behind. Possante and Denim both posted top-six cross-country times, proving that when it counts, they can absolutely turn up the heat.
Just behind them, Jessica Phoenix quietly climbed the podium into third place with Freedom GS, adding 40 points and bumping her series total to 185. That makes her the closest challenger to Dutton&rsquo;s lead, and with a few more key results, she&rsquo;s well within striking distance. Her Ocala performance, her podium here&mdash;Jess is on a tear this season and proving she&rsquo;s got the firepower for a serious series run.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 data-start="2308" data-end="2707">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2308" data-end="2707">No May Moon Shines in Kentucky</h3>
But the biggest mover of the weekend? No May Moon. Allison Springer and her crowd-favorite mare delivered one of the standout performances of the competition. They started in 25th after dressage, then rocketed up to finish fifth. It was one of the fastest cross-country rounds on the day, followed by a clear jumping round. This wasn&rsquo;t a fluke&mdash;this was a star stepping fully into the spotlight. With a string of strong recent performances, No May Moon could be the sleeper pick for the finale.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 data-start="3242" data-end="3639">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="3242" data-end="3639">Leaderboard Update: It&rsquo;s Still All to Play For</h3>
The <a href="https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leaderboard</a> looks different now, and it&rsquo;s shaping into a real race. Phillip leads on 215, Jess follows with 185, and James Alliston holds third with 145. Riders like Caroline Pamukcu, Ema Klugman, and Allison Springer are still in the hunt, especially as we head into the second half of the series. The full top ten is here&mdash;and it&rsquo;s tight enough to expect fireworks over the coming qualifiers:
<a href="https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/bd3f74f7-7a71-401e-939c-d2d10ce477ce.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Kentucky Recap"></a>
So what&rsquo;s next? More qualifiers, more movement, and all eyes on Morven Park, where the $200K showdown will bring the best back together. With Off the Record in this kind of form, Phillip pushing the pace, and Jess quietly stacking points, it&rsquo;s anyone&rsquo;s game.
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
<h3 data-start="3732" data-end="4026">🎙️ Listen Now: The Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Review&nbsp;</h3>
Dive deeper into the wins, surprises, and leaderboard drama on the latest&nbsp;US Equestrian Open Podcast.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36353425/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/1744d4/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h1 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h1>
<hr>
<h1 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h1>
<h1 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h1>
&nbsp;
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
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&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

New Podcast: Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Review Show

Since January, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage has crisscrossed the country with 16 qualifiers scheduled&mdash;including two doubleheader weekends. That leaves six qualifiers and seven freestyle classes to go before we reach the Final in Thermal, California. Only the top 18 combinations will qualify&mdash;and only their top six scores count.&nbsp;
Right now, Anna Marek leads with 88 points, but Evelyn Eger is close behind at 85. Karen Lipp has quietly climbed into third, and Eline Eckroth is following closely on fourth. The cutoff line is crowded, and one strong ride could still change everything.
<h2 dir="ltr">7 Moments That Shaped the Series So Far</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">1. The 80% Club</h3>
Adrienne Lyle and Helix&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-helix-soar-to-five-star-victory">delivered a masterclass</a> under the lights at the CDI5* in Wellington, earning a career best of 80.600%. It&rsquo;s one of only two scores to break the 80 barrier so far. The other one? Also earned by Lyle and Helix at AGDF Week 5.
<h3>2. Double Trouble</h3>
Week 7&rsquo;s East/West <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-open-of-dressage-a-three-way-tie-at-the-top">doubleheader made history</a>: Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and Denielle Gallagher became the series&rsquo; first two-time winners on opposite coasts, both securing top spots on the leaderboard in the same weekend.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">3. Comeback Queen</h3>
P.J. Rizvi&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-marek-and-rizvi-deliver-a-thrilling-night-of-freestyle-dressage">returned to the CDI arena after a six-year break</a>, piloting Vanilla Ice to a 76.585% in their first freestyle&mdash;complete with a cameo by the real Vanilla Ice.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">4. The Heartstopper</h3>
At WEC March, Julio Mendoza Loor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/down-to-the-decimal-mendoza-loor-wins-closest-finish-in-series-history">edged out</a> Anna Marek by just 0.04%&mdash;the narrowest margin of the series. Mendoza scored 75.860%, Marek 75.820%. That&rsquo;s the definition of a photo finish.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">5. The Consistency Climber</h3>
Without a win to her name, Karen Lipp has used&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/unpredictable-but-pivotal-why-wec-could-reshape-the-leaderboard">a string of steady top-10s</a> to earn 77 points and climb to third overall. Call it the long game, and she&rsquo;s playing it well.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">6. The Spoiler Threat</h3>
Kevin Kohmann and D&uuml;nensee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/a-cool-breeze-a-fiery-freestyle-kohmann-and-dnee-shine-in-wellington">delivered a show-stopping 79.240%</a> to win AGDF 9&mdash;and punch their ticket to Basel for the World Cup Final. They&rsquo;ve only shown twice, but both rides were class.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">7. Breakout Pair</h3>
Eline Eckroth and Daphne only debuted at Grand Prix in November. Fast forward five months, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/nichols-claims-first-senior-freestyle-victory-at-terranova">they&rsquo;re sitting fourth</a> on the leaderboard with three podium finishes and a new personal best of 71.055%.
<h2 dir="ltr">On the Edge: Who&rsquo;s Climbing, Who&rsquo;s Slipping</h2>
The riders between 15th and 25th are in precarious territory. Some have just enough to squeak into Thermal. Others need one more shot to qualify&mdash;or risk missing the cut. Here&rsquo;s where things stand:
<h3 dir="ltr">In (for now)</h3>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Devon Kane (42 pts, 17th) &ndash; Three starts, solid scores, and Florida-based. She&rsquo;s likely to show again&mdash;and just one more decent result could lock her in.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n (42 pts, 17th) &ndash; Also on three starts, but now back in Europe. Unless she makes a return stateside (unlikely), she&rsquo;s at serious risk of being overtaken.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Out (but not far)</h3>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn (40 pts, 19th) &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/genay-vaughn-gino-clinch-grand-prix-freestyle-win-with-new-personal-best">One of only three riders with two wins</a>. But she hasn&rsquo;t been seen since February Del Mar, and the leaderboard&rsquo;s catching up fast.</li>
<li>Julio Mendoza Loor (37 pts, 20th) &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/marek-takes-aim-at-series-lead-in-ocala-showdown">A consistent contender</a>, but reportedly off to Europe for the summer. If he&rsquo;s gone, he&rsquo;s likely done with the series.</li>
<li>Charlotte Jorst (35 pts, 21st) &ndash; <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-equestrian-open-welcomes-one-of-the-countrys-top-amateur-riders">Winner at Gold Coast Opener</a> and fourth in Ocala. A top 5 finish at any of the remaining qualifiers could sneak her back into the top 18.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Kasey Perry-Glass (30 pts, 24th) &ndash; Two starts. Two huge scores (76.290% and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/perry-glass-closes-agdf-with-a-win-on-heartbeat">75.915%</a>). If she rides again and lands even a modest third score, she&rsquo;ll be a real Finals threat.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Benjamin Ebeling (20 pts, 30th) &ndash; He&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/bellena-dances-to-victory-but-the-leaderboard-holds-its-breath">won his debut Grand Prix Freestyle</a>. But he&rsquo;s only got one score. He likely needs two more starts&mdash;and strong ones&mdash;to qualify. If he shows up, he could really shake things up. He&rsquo;s got the talent and horsepower to make a Finals podium play.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2>On the Horizon</h2>
Competition resumes this weekend for the series' second dual-coast doubleheader. In Florida, Benjamin Ebeling, Kasey Perry-Glass, and Charlotte Jorst all have a chance to add a much-needed twenty points to their overall score. In the West, Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn returns to competition fresh off the World Cup Finals.&nbsp;
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/dce51360-5371-41aa-a234-8d5afb25ac10.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Dressageopensched Final">

Kevin Kohmann and Dünensee walk out of the dressage arena in Wellington

The Final Stretch: Seven Classes Remain in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage

Charlotte Jorst and Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn each claimed victory in this week&rsquo;s doubleheader at Qualifier 17. Both riders, who began the week outside the top 18 cutoff for a Finals berth, are now comfortably inside the qualifying cutoff. With the final spring qualifiers approaching, every point now carries weight.
<h2 dir="ltr">TerraNova: A Nail-Biter Finish</h2>
At TerraNova, Jorst and Zhaplin Langholt topped the Grand Prix Freestyle with a 74.085%&mdash;just shy of their personal best and nearly three percentage points above their season average. The polished, confident ride earned the highest individual judge&rsquo;s mark of the day from the judge at B. Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena narrowly missed the win with a 73.985%, making this one of the closest finishes in series history. Devon Kane and Vamos secured third place with a 72.705%.
<h2 dir="ltr">Pacific Coast: Vaughn Makes History</h2>
On the West Coast at Pacific Coast Dressage, Vaughn and Gino returned from their World Cup Finals debut to win with a 74.040%. The pair has now won all three of their series starts&mdash;the first rider in the series to win three legs&mdash;and extended their California winning streak to eight. G&uuml;nter Seidel and Jack took second with a combination-best 73.510%, and Kristina Harrison-Antell and Finley placed third on 72.715%.
<h2 dir="ltr">Leaderboard Shifts as Vaughn Climbs Ten Places</h2>
Kristina Harrison-Antell climbed from sixth to second overall with 86 points after another consistent top-three finish. She displaced Germany&rsquo;s Evelyn Eger, who had held onto second place for weeks. However, the biggest positional jump this week belongs to Vaughn, who rose ten places&mdash;from 19th to ninth&mdash;after her Pacific Coast win.
G&uuml;nter Seidel moved into a tie for seventh with 64 points, rising eight places. His combination-best performance with Jack helped secure his Finals position within the top 18.
Vaughn&rsquo;s jump into ninth (60 points) now puts her solidly inside the Finals cutoff after beginning the week outside the qualifying zone. Devon Kane also moved up, now sitting 10th with 59 points following her TerraNova podium finish. Charlotte Jorst advanced from outside the cutoff to 12th place with 55 points, creating a comfortable margin above the line that should hold through the season.
Benjamin Ebeling remains just outside the cutoff but could clinch a Finals berth with another podium finish at WEC in two weeks.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Road Ahead</h2>
Only two qualifiers remain this spring: the Mid Atlantic Dressage Festival in Lexington, Kentucky (May 15), and the Ginny Rattner Memorial Dressage in Oregon (May 29). After that, the series pauses until late September. The remaining schedule favors East Coast riders, especially those based in Florida, offering more scoring opportunities for competitors like Ebeling, Kane, and Jorst. Riders near the cutoff&mdash;or those aiming to improve their prize money standings&mdash;will need to capitalize on the final spring starts before the Finals in November.
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/dce51360-5371-41aa-a234-8d5afb25ac10.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Dressageopensched Final">

Jorst and Vaughn Vault Into Finals Contention with Coastal Wins

Virginia&rsquo;s Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival this weekend hosts Qualifier 18 of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage.&nbsp;Our entries for Saturday&rsquo;s Qualifier <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">&ndash; the Grand Prix Freestyle <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">&ndash; bring a few new faces to the Series and one key contender who could earn Final qualification this weekend.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/710aecfe-4503-4c40-bad4-30f3b625a885.png?width=1296&amp;height=1434" alt="Table showing the Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for entries in the 2025 Mid Atlantic Dressage Festival (Qualifier 18)">
Laine Ashker and Zeppelin made their Grand Prix (GP) Freestyle debut at last year&rsquo;s Dressage at Devon and have yet to contest another one&hellip;until now. Though among this field&rsquo;s least-experienced pairs, their sole GP Freestyle score (70.845%) is among this Qualifier&rsquo;s highest personal bests, showing potential for an impactful Series debut.
Though making her first Series appearance, a spot in the $200,000 Final is within reach for Ashker if she can produce three strong results. The current cutoff for the top 18 &ndash; who qualify for the Final &ndash; &nbsp;is 49 points. Getting to 49 is still a big ask for a Series debutant, but it&rsquo;s not impossible.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a62eb734-525e-474a-bfed-7fcd1d7ed159.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="How points are earned at the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Qualifiers">
Meanwhile, Adriane Alvord and Selfmade are the most-experienced pair in the field and they come into the weekend with the best proven scoring potential, having scored a personal best GP Freestyle score of 76.750% at Dressage at Rose Mount 2023. In their several GP Freestyles since that winning performance, most of Alvord and Selfmade&rsquo;s scores have been in the high 60s, leaving the door open for their&nbsp;#MADFest2025 competitors. But, if Alvord &amp; Selfmade do secure the win on Saturday, Alvord will have 40 total series points and a Final qualification will be within touching distance.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Ticket to the Final?</h2>
Of our entries for Qualifier 18,&nbsp;Micaela Mabraga&ntilde;a is the highest-placed rider in the series, sitting 24th with 32 Series points. This is key because if Mabraga&ntilde;a and Belatrix RH place 2nd or 3rd on Saturday (earning 17 points), they will be right on the bubble for Final qualification with the necessary 49 points. With five more qualifiers after MAD, they could be knocked out but, for now, 49 points earns a critical top-18 spot (P.S. <a href="https://inside.fei.org/sites/default/files/Dressage%20US%20Equestrian%20Open%20Series%20Effective%201%20January%202025%20Updated%2010%20November%202024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">everyone tied for 18th at the end of the Series does qualify for the Final</a>). Of course, the 20 points earned for a win would place Mabraga&ntilde;a more-securely in the top 18 with a bit more wiggle room.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">How to Follow</h2>
The Grand Prix Freestyle (Qualifier 18) is this Saturday at MADFest:
<ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.midatlanticdressagefestival.com/">https://www.midatlanticdressagefestival.com/</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Live Scores: <a href="https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/show/254865/competition/dressage/7241700" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/show/254865/competition/dressage/7241700</a></li>
</ul>
And Friday's classes at MADFest can be livestreamed on the USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV. Watch for free with a <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free USEF Fan Membership</a>.&nbsp;
<h2>Series Leaders Heading into Qualifier 18 at MADFest</h2>
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/ee725d73-81e9-45b6-95f4-fdf5513b60a3.png?width=617&amp;height=828" alt="Us Equestrian Open of Dressage Leaderboard Before Qualifier 18">
Stay updated on news and standings for the US Equestrian Open Series on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram.</a>&nbsp;Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/22433326-f7d7-4286-930b-62c3a1ba80f2.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Show calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage"> 
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"></div>
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;

Image from overhead of a male dressage rider approaching the competition arena on a dark bay horse.

Vying for the Final at #MADFest

<h3 data-start="541" data-end="595">Tryon's Podium</h3>
The young mare Jaguars Duende continued her upward trajectory at the Tryon leg of the US Equestrian Open of Eventing taking the win in the CCI4*-S class. It marked back-to-back CCI4*-S podium finishes for this pair, following a second place on debut at the level.
It was their speed cross country that set her ahead of the field that included established names like Tsetserleg and Direct Advance. Sharon White and Jags&nbsp;picked up 4.4 time faults, the fastest in the field, while the average for the class was 16 penalties. Kim Severson and Cooley Corraghy Diamond delivered a strong performance to secure second place, while rising stars Cole Horn and MBF Cooley Permission To Land rounded out the podium in third. Remarkably, it was only the pair&rsquo;s second CCI4*-S start together - and their first completion at the level - making the result a major milestone in their young partnership.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 data-start="541" data-end="595"> Jaguars Duende's International Wins</h3>
Their victory at Tryon CCI4*-S marked Jaguars Duende&rsquo;s fifth international win. That win follows up their 2nd place at Ocala for their four-star debut and a 5th at Carolina this spring - adding to a record that already included four other major wins :
<ul>
<li data-start="846" data-end="878">Maryland 5 Star CCI3*-L (2024)</li>
<li data-start="846" data-end="878">Tryon CCI3*-L (2024)</li>
<li data-start="846" data-end="878">Carolina CCI3*-S (2024)</li>
<li data-start="846" data-end="878">Virginia CCI2*-S (2022)</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a539dc4c-e4da-4705-9cbc-d80da46e794b.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="James Alliston (4)">
Across 14 international starts, they&rsquo;ve finished on the podium 9 times, showing their impressive consistency and form.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7695e7c7-80e7-40de-8969-29921fcd6037.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Tryon Recap (4)">
<hr data-start="1165" data-end="1168">
<h2 data-start="1170" data-end="1221">&nbsp;</h2>
<h3 data-start="1170" data-end="1221">📈 The Rise in Numbers: Elo and What It Tells Us</h3>
A standout marker of their form? Jaguars Duende&rsquo;s Elo rating has surged from 338 to 625 since her international debut. Unlike most horses whose ratings fluctuate, Jags has only moved in one direction - up.
Elo is a performance rating system used by EquiRatings to track the strength of combinations over time. It goes beyond simple results &mdash; taking into account:
<ul>
<li data-start="1723" data-end="1751">The level of competition</li>
<li data-start="1723" data-end="1751">The&nbsp;strength of the field</li>
<li data-start="1723" data-end="1751">How&nbsp;consistently a horse finishes ahead of top-class rivals</li>
</ul>
The higher the rating, the more proven the horse is in big fields. And big jumps in Elo suggest a combination is trending in the right direction - fast.
Elo is not just a stat - it is a story of steady improvement and strong performances against increasingly tough competition. For Jaguars Duende, a rise of nearly 300 points since 2022 confirms what fans and selectors alike are noticing: this horse is exceptional. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dec1cb6b-32c5-4046-818c-869addfa3f5c.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Tryon Recap (8)"> 
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
<h3 data-start="0" data-end="306">What is next for Jaguars Duende?</h3>
At just 9 years old, Jags is on the brink of breaking into the top 25 Elo-rated horses in the USA, with her current score sitting just below Hallie Coon&rsquo;s Cute Girl (630 Elo). Based on her sharp upward trend and consistent form, we expect her to move into that elite tier at her very next outing.
What makes this even more remarkable is the age gap &mdash; the average age of the top 25 Elo horses is 14. If Jags breaks through, she&rsquo;ll be the youngest in the group. She&rsquo;s climbing fast, and doing it years ahead of schedule.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/bd664257-cba0-4e2c-9d65-3cbf266cbce7.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="James Alliston (5)">
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
&nbsp;
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

Jaguars Duende is Climbing to the Top

Annie and Diarm sat down with James Alliston on the US Equestrian Open podcast&mdash;and it&rsquo;s a good one. From his record-breaking weekend at Twin Rivers to the horses in his string and the road to Morven Park, James shares it all.&nbsp; Listen to the full episode or keep reading for the highlights, stats, and standout storylines.
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36590375/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/002180/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 class="" data-start="94" data-end="128">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="94" data-end="128">Twin Rivers and Teamwork</h3>
James turned heads at Twin Rivers with a standout performance: four horses finishing in the top five, including first, second, third, and fifth. He became just the fifth rider in 17 years to achieve this rare feat.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0c280dbb-c751-47c3-8077-0ee3c4e5745c.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Untitled Design (9)">
That success hasn&rsquo;t come in isolation&mdash;it&rsquo;s the result of a hardworking team behind the scenes. His wife, Helen, plays a pivotal role in the daily training and development of their horses, having produced several of James' horses up to three-star level herself. Their staff and students are essential in maintaining fitness programs and managing the chaos of show-day logistics, especially when multiple horses are competing in the same class. Even event organizers have played a part, adjusting schedules to help James juggle it all.
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="722" data-end="725">
<h3 class="" data-start="727" data-end="768">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="727" data-end="768">Karma: Speed, Spark, and Star Power</h3>
Karma has become a fan favorite&mdash;and deservedly so. Karma brings serious energy both at home and in the ring. Dressage was tricky early on for the pair, but she&rsquo;s settled with experience and now shines at the top level. Looking ahead, James has his eye on Aachen if selected, with Montana and Morven Park also in the mix.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b83a5eb7-97e4-4f78-8f1e-55269fb7cf06.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="She Is a Fantastic Horse an Incredible Athlete, so Fast and an Amazing Jumper. I'm Hoping With Time and Mileage, We Can Just Take a Little Bit of the Edge off the Hotness. but It's Partly That Tha">
James&rsquo;s win at Twin Rivers with Karma wasn&rsquo;t just a highlight of the season&mdash;it marked a major career milestone. It was his 10th international four-star win since 2008, a number achieved by only seven U.S. riders in history.
What makes that stat even more impressive is the efficiency behind it. James has reached that milestone with fewer than 50 runs at the level&mdash;giving him the highest four-star win rate of any U.S. rider on the list, at 22%. Quietly consistent, deeply competitive, and now statistically elite.
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="1380" data-end="1383">
<h3 class="" data-start="1385" data-end="1417">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="1385" data-end="1417">A Deep and Balanced String</h3>
There's Nemesis, making a strong comeback after injury, Paper Jam &mdash;a seasoned four-star veteran&mdash; and promising talents like Cora and Irish Pop who performed well at Twin Rivers.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/709bc7dd-7dc2-4cbd-9eca-68c3c3761632.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="James Alliston">
Events like Rebecca Farm and Montana feature in his summer calendar as James positions his team for a final push toward the Open finale.
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
<h3 class="" data-start="107" data-end="135">Learning from a Legend</h3>
James reflects on his journey in the U.S. that began with a gap year and turned into a career-defining chapter under Bruce Davidson Sr. Working on a farm full of young horses, racehorses, and elite-level talent, he absorbed everything&mdash;from horsemanship and fitness to feel and finesse.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/af037b8a-4057-4809-abd2-79317a7bad5f.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="James Alliston (1)">
Bruce&rsquo;s style wasn&rsquo;t built on structured lessons but on immersion: ride, watch, learn, repeat. That intense, hands-on environment shaped James&rsquo;s foundation as a rider.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 class="" data-start="641" data-end="665">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="641" data-end="665">All In on the Open</h3>
James was immediately intrigued when the U.S. Equestrian Open launched&mdash;especially the idea of serious prize money. For horses not yet ready for five-star, it offers a real purpose and a clear target. Now sitting third on the leaderboard, James plans to contest as many qualifiers as possible and is eyeing a trip to Morven Park for the final. It&rsquo;s a competitive challenge&mdash;and one he&rsquo;s fully committed to.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f611e1de-723f-45e0-80df-da1c4db95b81.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="James Alliston (2)">
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>US Equestrian Open Leaderboard&nbsp;</h3>
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a37f0405-f149-414e-a21d-f585ccec3d83.png?width=733&amp;height=532" alt="Screenshot 2025 05 16 162737">
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>🎙️&nbsp;Listen Now: James Alliston &amp; The Road to Morven</h3>
From Twin Rivers to leaderboard goals&mdash;James talks Karma, the Open, and what&rsquo;s next.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36590375/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/002180/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
&nbsp;
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

New Podcast: James Alliston and The Road to Morven Park

With a personal best score, Laine Ashker and Zeppelin earned a decisive win at the Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival. Just behind them, Micaela Mabraga&ntilde;a and Belatrix RH delivered when it counted &mdash; their runner-up finish was enough to secure a spot in the US Equestrian Open Final (for now).&nbsp;
<h2 class="MsoNormal">A convincing win for a dual-discipline athlete</h2>
Two Grand Prix (GP) Freestyles, two 70+ scores. This weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival, in only their second GP Freestyle, Laine Ashker and the 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding Zeppelin won with a 73.015% and were the only pair to break into the 70s. It was a personal best for them as Ashker and Zeppy outdid their previous GP Freestyle result of 70.845% from last year&rsquo;s Dressage at Devon. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJxhRecSGTb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">Ashker and Zeppelin have been together since Zeppy was just four years old</a>, making their convincing win even sweeter. The pair won this weekend&rsquo;s Qualifier by 4.390 percentage points over the second-placed pair Micaela Mabraga&ntilde;a &amp; Belatrix RH. That is one of the largest winning margins in the US Equestrian Open so far.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2a28d693-7966-4b7e-8803-158c2a247e7d.png?width=1368&amp;height=2432" alt="The Winning Margins of All Qualifiers to Date. US Equestrian Open of Dressage.">
Ashker is well known in eventing circles, having formed one of those famous five-star eventing partnerships with her beloved, and now retired, Anthony Patch. On any given day on Instagram, you&rsquo;ll see her training the likes of Zeppelin for dressage or the up-and-comer Lovedance for eventing, a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how Lainey pursues excellence in both disciplines.&nbsp;
<h2 class="MsoNormal">A finalist added! (for now)</h2>
Coming into this Qualifier with 32 Series points, Micaela Mabraga&ntilde;a needed to finish third or higher to secure a place in the Final. She met the brief. With&nbsp;Belatrix RH, Micaela finished second and brought her points tally to 49. That puts her in equal-18th place on the Series leaderboard and&hellip;well&hellip;that is right on the bubble: only the top&nbsp;18 riders&nbsp;at the end of the Series earn a ticket to the&nbsp;$200,000 Final&nbsp;in November.
How Micaela got to 49:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Gold Coast Opener (Qualifier 3) - 2nd with Belatrix RH:&nbsp;17 points</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>WEC Ocala Dressage II (Qualifier 7 East) - 5th with Belatrix RH: 15 points</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival (Qualifier 18) - 2nd with Belatrix RH: 17 points</li>
</ul>
With five more Qualifiers still to go &ndash; and only four on the east coast &ndash; there will be opportunities for Micaela to solidify her Final qualification with added points. &nbsp;But there will also be opportunities for others to bump her out of the top 18&hellip; That next threat comes this weekend at the WEC Ocala May dressage show which hosts Qualifier 19.
<h2>Who's Qualified for the Final so Far (after Qualifier 18 of 23)</h2>
The top 18 riders at the end of the Series are eligible for the $200,000 Final. All riders tied for 17th right now make up the 17th, 18th and 19th athletes and sit in qualifying positions (everyone tied for 18th does qualify). See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier, <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
&nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8c6f6c8c-f528-4aee-b66b-e90534e91944.png?width=700&amp;height=1363" alt="Who Is Qualified for the Final so Far. The Us Equestrian Open of Dressage .">
<h2 class="MsoNormal">What's Coming Up</h2>
Stay updated on news and standings for the US Equestrian Open Series on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram.</a>&nbsp;Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/22433326-f7d7-4286-930b-62c3a1ba80f2.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Show calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage"> 
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"></div>
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;

Color image of Laine Ashker and the chestnut horse Zeppelin on a victory lap in a dressage arena

Archive