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

For the first time in four years, an American rider stood atop the podium at the only CDI5* dressage competition in the Western Hemisphere. Adrienne Lyle and Helix delivered a career-best 80.600% in the Grand Prix Freestyle at Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10, securing a decisive victory ahead of their upcoming World Cup Final appearance in Basel, Switzerland in April.
With a technically demanding freestyle that emphasized precision and harmony, Lyle and the 13-year-old KWPN gelding (by Apache x Jazz) rose to the occasion, besting a field that included some of the biggest names in the sport. Judge William Warren (USA), who presided over the competition from C, praised Lyle&rsquo;s ride for its harmony and effortless execution.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;It felt easy, which is exactly what I was hoping for,&rdquo; Lyle said.
</blockquote>
&ldquo;I wanted one more chance to get in an environment like this before we head to the World Cup. My main goal was to have a quiet, harmonious ride, and he felt like he did the whole thing effortlessly&mdash;didn&rsquo;t even break a sweat&mdash;and walked calmly back to his stall.&rdquo;
Despite their dominant performance, Lyle and Helix are still a relatively new partnership, having made their Big Tour debut just under a year ago before representing the United States at the Paris Olympics last summer.&nbsp;
<h2>Mendoza Loor Takes Second in Second Outing</h2>
Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike continued their strong return to competition, finishing second on 78.520%. The 12-year-old KWPN gelding (by Bretton Woods x Watermill Scandic), affectionately known as &ldquo;Goldie,&rdquo; is fresh off a win in Ocala last weekend, making this just his second show since the Paris Olympics last year.
Mendoza Loor, known for his infectious enthusiasm, was thrilled with the result.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m always happy. If I have to lose against somebody, I&rsquo;m happy to lose to Adrienne,&rdquo; he said.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m so grateful to be competing in the five-star with mega riders and horses.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Goldie, once deemed too difficult to ride, was purchased by Mendoza Loor for just $20 as an eight-year-old. The key to unlocking his potential? 24/7 turnout, which has transformed him into the powerful, expressive competitor seen in the arena today.
<h2>Marek Podiums, Stays Atop the Leaderboard</h2>
Anna Marek and Fayvel claimed third place with a 77.135%, further solidifying Marek&rsquo;s dominance in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Series. With 88 points, she remains firmly in first place, having now collected scores across six qualifiers.
While Marek is a regular at Friday Night Stars, this week still carried a different kind of pressure. &ldquo;I usually come in and I don&rsquo;t look at the crowd after doing so many Friday night freestyles, but this was exciting,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;The really great thing about Fayvel is that he&rsquo;s the same, and I can trust him to go in any atmosphere. I know that I can have a clean test on him now at the Grand Prix, but now that he is mature and strong, we&rsquo;re working on the details of making everything just a little bit better.&rdquo;
Marek, who has been splitting her scores across Fayvel and Fire Fly, is one of the busiest riders in the Series, having competed in half of the East Coast qualifiers so far.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a5c8894b-1fda-4afb-857a-692db83abe82.jpeg?width=990&amp;height=1102" alt="US Equestrian Open of Dressage Standings as of March 17, 2025">
<h2>Eger &amp; Kohmann Climb the Standings</h2>
With her fifth-place finish (76.755%), Evelyn Eger remains second in the Series standings with 75 points, keeping the pressure on Marek as the season progresses. Unlike Marek, Eger has relied solely on Tabledance 3 for her scores, making her one of the most consistent competitors in the series.
Felicitas Hendricks also remains in contention, finishing sixth on 76.435%, keeping her in third place overall (64 points).
Meanwhile, Kevin Kohmann delivered a crowd-favorite performance, finishing fourth on 76.965% with D&uuml;nensee. Spectators judged their test the highest of the night, showing just how popular their freestyle has become. With this performance, Kohmann continues to climb the US Equestrian Open standings, now sitting seventh with 52 points.
Lyle, despite competing in just three qualifiers, has already moved into a tie for fifth (57 points) alongside Denielle Gallagher&mdash;a testament to the strength of her performances.
<h2>Next Stop Del Mar</h2>
Next week, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage heads back to the West Coast for the Del Mar Dressage Affaire, marking the first qualifier on the West Coast since Week 7.
With the season now past its midway point, the pressure is on for riders looking to solidify their Series standings. Watch it all unfold as the Series shifts to Del Mar.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4d17c7b1-a53e-4de7-89f7-670b5abd23fa.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Schedule of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage qualifiers">

Adrienne Lyle and Helix entering the arena at the Paris Olympics

Lyle & Helix Soar to Five-Star Victory

Carolina CCI4*-S first ran in 2014 and every winner since 2015 (nine consecutive winners)&nbsp;has won from a dressage score in the 20s. This year, the pre-competition favorite on the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a> is the only combination in the field with a dressage 6RA (six-run average) in the 20s. They enter on a 23% win chance.
So will it be that simple? Can Boyd Martin and new partner Cooley Nutcracker lead Qualifier 5 of the US Equestrian Open from start to finish and continue the trend? It just might not be quite that simple.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5958a4ec-0ce3-4f95-a44b-05ab4a22e6fa.png?width=908&amp;height=1718" alt="Table showing the Best Dressage Horses in the Carolina Cci4 S Field According to the Equiratings 6ra">
<h2 dir="ltr">A &ldquo;True Honor&rdquo;</h2>
Boyd Martin sits in a familiar position as the highest ranked US eventer in the FEI World Rankings, currently ranked #10. But he&rsquo;s a rider that will sacrifice a short-term win for a longer-term plan and that may just be the case in this instance. They say eventing is the greatest test of horse and human partnership, but creating that partnership takes time. Boyd takes over the reins from a recovering Liz Halliday, and his sights are set on future targets:
<blockquote>
&ldquo;This will be my and Cooley Nutcracker's first FEI event together. My plan is to use it as a competition to build our partnership and gain a qualification towards Tryon 4L. In short, I will be coasting around not taking any chances.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
On taking over the reins from his Olympic teammate, Boyd couldn&rsquo;t have said a kinder word:
<blockquote>
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a true honor and privilege to campaign Liz&rsquo;s top horses whilst she is working hard at her recovery.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7bbdc92c-3e98-41f2-8ad9-f3adc8f2545e.jpg?width=5392&amp;height=3592" alt="Liz Halliday fist pumping toward the audience as she rides the dark bay horse Cooley Nutcracker after their dressage test at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Palace of Versaille looms large in the background as the pair are still in the arena.">
Cooley Nutcracker with Liz Halliday at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
<h2 dir="ltr">Wide Open</h2>
Top level eventing isn&rsquo;t always an open affair, but this edition looks to be exactly that. Those who shine in the first phase can often build a lead that is insurmountable. Five of the ten previous Carolina 4*-S winners have led the dressage phase. However, with the likely dressage leader (Boyd &amp; Cooley Nutcracker) taking their time on the cross-country, the obvious starting point for a likely winner is last week&rsquo;s Qualifier 4 victor, Caroline Pamukcu.&nbsp;
Pamukcu only needed 5 weeks to recover from the birth of her first child when winning Bouckaert on HSH Double Sixteen, so don&rsquo;t expect the five-day turnaround between series qualifiers to present any challenge to the winning-most international eventer of the past two seasons.
She is double-handed near the top of the EquiRatings Prediction Centre with both King&rsquo;s Especiale and She&rsquo;s The One likely to feature at the top of the final leaderboard.&nbsp;
<h2>US versus the rest&hellip;</h2>
For Pamukcu to make it back-to-back wins, we'd expect her to have to climb the leaderboard as she did last week. Her strongest challenger is most likely to come from outside the home nation, as US-based New Zealander Monica Spencer will start with a strong first phase aboard her long-term partner Artist.
Spencer has contested 18 four-star shorts, withdrawn from two, and finished in the top eight on every other occasion. That remarkable consistency spans four different horses and goes back as far as 2012. However, her only win came at Matamata on home soil back in 2022 with her partner for this weekend.&nbsp;
With Spencer likely to start strong and Pamukcu looking to chase her down, other notable combinations include Will Faudree aboard the experienced PFun. If this combination can jump clear through the cross-country obstacles, then we expect them to sit alongside, if not surpass, the main contenders of this wide open qualifier.&nbsp;
&nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/470cec83-cf63-4c17-ae6e-7b618b2c3f4f.jpg?width=1600&amp;height=1068" alt="Photo of Will Faudree and the grey horse Pfun clearing a cross country obstacle. photo by Leslie Mintz">
Will Faudree and Pfun. Photo by Leslie Mintz.
<h2 dir="ltr">All the facts, stats and key contenders</h2>
The reality of this sport and this qualifier is that nothing will be easy or even simple when it comes to taking the top spot. For all the key insights, past trends, facts and stats around who wins and who looks strongest in each phase, <a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/1020318388/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out the official fan guide here</a>.&nbsp;
Guides for the Open series are always accessible in the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/magazines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fan Guide</a> section of this site.
<h2 dir="ltr">What's Next</h2>
After Carolina, the US Equestrian Open heads to The Event at TerraNova at the end of March.&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">
<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.
&nbsp;
<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;
&nbsp;

Image of Monica Spencer and the bay horse Artist after their show jumping round in a competition. Monica smiles at the camera.

Carolina is Set to Upset the Trends

As a sports writer, some of the best stories come when you&rsquo;re wrong. They force you to ask: why? Was the data off? Was there an environmental factor we didn&rsquo;t account for? Did we overlook something? Or&mdash;perhaps&mdash;is the reason our predictions were off the same reason sport is so thrilling to watch?
The human element.
People aren&rsquo;t bound by their own performance metrics. They have good days and bad days. And sometimes, they do extraordinary things.
So, did we misjudge Felicitas Hendricks because our data was off? Did an impromptu Florida rain shower roll in at just the wrong time? Did a rogue plastic bag float into the arena at the worst possible moment? Perhaps, Hendricks just had a rare off day?
Or did Evelyn Eger simply perform?
I&rsquo;m inclined to think it was the latter.
Hendricks&rsquo; test on Friday night was far from poor&mdash;a 75.130% is a score many riders would kill for. It just happens to be two percent below her average (77.491%). A small mistake in the final piaffe cost her a few marks, but it wasn&rsquo;t a disaster. Horses, after all, aren&rsquo;t machines any more than riders are. Hendricks smiled through the moment and finished unfazed.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I was happy with a lot of things. He&rsquo;s a very sensitive horse, which makes him great for a freestyle. But first I didn&rsquo;t ask for enough, then I asked for too much, which caused a little explosion. So that was unfortunate, but again, he&rsquo;s a sensitive boy and I love that about him. That makes him very special.&rdquo; &mdash; Felicitas Hendricks
</blockquote>
Rather than dwelling on a rider who didn&rsquo;t quite match expectations, let&rsquo;s talk about one who exceeded them.
Evelyn Eger has been a staple at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival this season, improving steadily across her appearances. She placed sixth with a 73.275% in early January, then climbed to fourth (75.340%) two weeks later. After another strong showing in early February (74.030%, fifth place), she broke through for her first win on Friday night with a 77.235%. The 28-year-old German rider is quickly making a name for herself in Wellington&mdash;and giving the Americans a run for their money in the U.S. Equestrian Open of Dressage standings.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;The mare came today in the warm-up and told me, &lsquo;I want to win.&rsquo; She was so relaxed, already in the warm-up fighting for me. So yeah, I could enjoy the music, I could enjoy the audience, and yeah, it was a perfect feeling today.&rdquo; &mdash; Evelyn Eger
</blockquote>
For a brief moment, US rider Karen Lipp held the sole lead in the Series after her win in the smaller-field CDI3*. But by the end of the CDIO3* Nations Cup Freestyle, Eger and Hendricks vaulted back to the top of the leaderboard. Eger now holds first place with 60 points, Hendricks sits in second with 54, and Lipp holds third with 50.
<h3>Top 10 Placings on the Series Leaderboard after Qualifier 8:</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/c9a6973d-0e59-444f-9a03-ae38add92f9b.png?width=499&amp;height=753" alt="Screenshot of the top 10 rider rankings in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage.">
The competition stays on the East Coast for the next two weeks before heading back to Del Mar in March, giving the West Coast riders another shot at climbing the leaderboard. Next up: the Palm Beach Derby, one of Florida&rsquo;s oldest and longest-running dressage competitions.&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.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2e1ff556-4bde-479a-be2b-e4fc716475d2.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 Us Equestrian Open of Dressage Series">
<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;

Qualifier 8 Recap: When the Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story

This week&rsquo;s qualifier takes place at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, one of Wellington&rsquo;s most historic competitions. The Derby was created in 1983 at a time when dressage had little presence in South Florida &mdash; a prospect that&rsquo;s hard to fathom today. What started as one of Florida&rsquo;s first major dressage competitions is now a key stop on the winter circuit.&nbsp;
This week also marks the final North American qualifier for the FEI Dressage World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland. Anna Marek and Kevin Kohmann are the last two riders in contention for a World Cup Finals berth, but only one will earn the ticket to Basel.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/27eb162f-cc44-448f-b15a-72f615396533.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="Front-on image of Kevin Kohmann and the dark bay horse Duenensee after a dressage test. Kevin smiles and waves to the crowd. Duenensee looks content and relaxed.s 10">
Kevin Kohmann &amp; D&uuml;nensee
<h2 dir="ltr">Marek vs. Kohmann: A Ticket to Basel</h2>
The last time Anna Marek and Kevin Kohmann met, it came down to the slimmest of margins &mdash; just 0.21 percentage points separated them in Week 4&rsquo;s freestyle, with Marek taking the win.
Marek returns on Fire Fly, her 15-year-old KWPN gelding and Olympic-shortlist mount, looking for her second US Equestrian Open victory of the season. She took top honors in Week 4 and followed it up with a second-place finish in Week 6, that time aboard her up-and-coming horse, Fayvel.
As Marek said in a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/new-podcast-anna-marek-on-passion-patience-and-performance">US Equestrian Open Podcast:</a>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;[Fire Fly] has taught me more than any other horse about patience and when to slow down&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Fire Fly wasn&rsquo;t a finished Grand Prix horse when he arrived in her barn &mdash; he had the talent but needed time to overcome mental roadblocks. Instead of pushing too hard, Marek took a measured, long-term approach, allowing him to develop at his own pace.
That patience has paid off. Fire Fly has earned some of the highest scores in the Series so far. A win this week would put Marek within reach of Series leader Evelyn Eger as the second half of the season unfolds.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/42f8cd4d-c3ee-41c6-b529-f5683eb8c240.png?width=1328&amp;height=2104" alt="Table showing the Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for entries in the 2025 Palm Beach Dressage Derby at AGDF 8">
Kohmann&rsquo;s average (74.825%) is just below Marek&rsquo;s (75.438%), but his personal best of 77.720% shows he has the scoring power to take the win. He and D&uuml;nensee, a 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding, have broken the 77% barrier in two of their last four outings &mdash; meaning another down-to-the-wire showdown is entirely possible.
<h2 dir="ltr">P.J. Rizvi: Can She Keep the Momentum?</h2>
Few riders have made a debut as memorable as P.J. Rizvi. Aboard her Lusitano stallion, Vanilla Ice, she delivered a standout first Grand Prix Freestyle performance &mdash; <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/ondemand/event/15333/competition/320656/adequan-global-dressage-festival-5/fei-world-cup-grand-prix-freestyle?start_at=12937046" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a crowd favorite set to the &ldquo;Ice Ice Baby.&rdquo;</a>&nbsp;
Now, the question is: Can she do it again?
It&rsquo;s not uncommon for riders to deliver a strong first impression in their debut, but maintaining that performance takes another level of skill. While Rizvi isn&rsquo;t in contention for a World Cup Finals spot, she could shake up the Series standings. Another top-three finish would earn her 17 points &mdash; potentially disrupting the leaderboard race for riders like Karen Lipp, who have been steadily accumulating scores all season.
<h2 dir="ltr">Karen Lipp: The Power of Showing Up</h2>
It&rsquo;s not always about having the highest scores &mdash; sometimes, it&rsquo;s about consistently showing up.
Karen Lipp has been one of the most active riders at AGDF this season. That steady participation has placed her third in the Series with 50 points, fresh off a win in the CDI3* last weekend.
Lipp doesn&rsquo;t have the highest average in the field (71.863%), but her commitment to competing regularly has put her in a strong position. A top-10 finish this week would move her into a tie for first in the Series standings, while a top-five finish would guarantee her the sole lead.
It&rsquo;s a different approach from someone like Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn, who sits on 40 points despite only competing twice &mdash; proving that fewer starts can work, but only if you win big.
This trend isn&rsquo;t unique to Lipp &mdash; Series leader Evelyn Eger has also followed a high start-volume strategy, and it&rsquo;s kept her in control of the leaderboard. But with Eger taking a break this week, Lipp has a clear path to the top.
Is consistency the underrated key to success, or will this strategy fade as we move into the second half of the season?
<h2 dir="ltr">What&rsquo;s on the line this weekend?</h2>
<h3>Top 10 Placings on the Series Leaderboard Coming into 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/5ecf37bb-098b-4b7e-b7c9-4bd9351a9484.png?width=620&amp;height=1001" alt="Leaderboard for the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage as of 28 Feb 2025 (after Qualifier 8)">
Marek and Kohmann are battling for a World Cup Finals spot, but every ride also carries major implications for the US Equestrian Open leaderboard. With the Series leader absent, Lipp has a chance to take over, and Rizvi could shake things up once again.
But not every rider in Wellington is chasing leaderboard points. For some, just getting to these events is a victory of its own &mdash; something Adriane Alvord knows well. A few weeks ago, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFTkn5Ev6DF/?igsh=NDVmZGh6MTVlc2Vv">she posted</a> about her three-mile walk home with her horse after the show &mdash; a reminder that not everyone in Wellington has six-figure horses and luxury trailers. In a sport often associated with deep-pocketed sponsors, her story struck a chord. It&rsquo;s a different kind of perseverance, but just as real.
No matter what&rsquo;s on the line &mdash; World Cup Finals qualification, Series points, or simply the chance to compete &mdash; every rider has something to fight for this weekend.
<a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_EU/events/15335" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tune in Friday night</a> to watch the US Equestrian Open Freestyle Qualifier at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby where history, rivalries, and leaderboard shake-ups are all in play.
You can livestream it all with a <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free USEF Network Fan membership!</a>
<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.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dce51360-5371-41aa-a234-8d5afb25ac10.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Dressageopensched Final">
<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;
&nbsp;

Anna Marek and the dark bay horse Fire Fly during a dressage competition.

Rivalries, Rankings, and One Last Shot at Basel

This weekend's Bouckaert CCI4*-S marks the latest battleground in the US Equestrian Open of Eventing, a series designed to push the sport&rsquo;s top competitors to new heights. With Phillip Dutton currently leading the Open series, the stakes couldn&rsquo;t be higher as this fourth leg kicks off, picking up from last year's autumn qualifiers.&nbsp;
This time last year, Dutton and Jewelent were the Bouckaert 4*-S runners up. This weekend, he no doubt arrives on a mission to go one better and secure his first Bouckaert CCI4*-S victory. If he can achieve the top spot, he&rsquo;ll soar past the 100-point threshold, solidifying his grip on the&nbsp;$50,000 series leaderboard and putting himself in a commanding position for the remainder of the 2025 qualifiers.
<h3>Series Standings Coming into Qualifier 4 this weekend:</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/d85de2e9-4a7d-4cdc-9eb6-538d9de32553?width=1080&amp;height=1682" alt="Table Showing the Top 10 Athletes on the Us Open of Eventing Leaderboard as of the End of 2024">
But there&rsquo;s a fresh challenge in the mix. Boyd Martin &mdash; another of eventing&rsquo;s biggest names &mdash; is making his Bouckaert four-star debut, bringing&nbsp;Luke 140&nbsp;into the fray. While Martin has yet to register on the Open leaderboard, his presence alone shifts the landscape, and he enters the weekend as the pre-competition favorite.
The numbers tell the story of Bouckaert&rsquo;s challenge. Of the 251 starters&nbsp;in this venue&rsquo;s feature competition,&nbsp;only one has ever finished on their dressage score &mdash; Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino&rsquo;s winning 30.0 performance in 2018. That&rsquo;s also the&nbsp;record score to beat, and if we see anything sub-30, history will be made.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/11bdcc43-d5c5-4bea-9358-ed74c2f0ed88.jpg?width=765&amp;height=1080" alt="Photo by Shannon Brinkman of Jacob Fletcher and the grey horse Atlantic Domino clearing a cross country jump during competition">
Jacob Fletcher &amp; Atlantic Domino. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
The Bouckaert CCI4*-S is more than a qualifier &mdash; it&rsquo;s an early-season&nbsp;defining moment. With big names, fierce competition, and the&nbsp;US Open series crown&nbsp;on the line, this weekend is set to deliver eventing at its very best.
For all the essential facts and insights, be sure to check out the Official Form Guide, and follow the&nbsp;US Equestrian Open series via the official microsite to stay up to date with all the action.
<h2>More Stats &amp; Stories</h2>
<a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/306031364/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check out our free, stat-driven guide to Bouckaert 4*-S</a> for this weekend's predictions and ones to watch in each phase. Guides for the Open series are always accessible in the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/magazines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fan Guide</a> section of this site!
<h2 dir="ltr">What's Next</h2>
Next week, the qualifiers will continue with the Carolina CCI4*-S which always brings a star-studded field.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6d91f2af-a0f6-44aa-b503-1751f1d6726b.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Event Calendar for the 2024-2025 Us Equestrian Open of Eventing Series">
<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.
&nbsp;
<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;

Side-on, close-up image of Phillip Dutton riding a grey horse during a dressage test in competition.

The Jewelent in Dutton's Crown?

Since 2010, the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) has hosted 59 five-star Grands Prix, drawing the best showjumpers in the world to Wellington, Florida. These elite competitions serve as key battlegrounds for top riders, offering a preview of Olympic, World Championship, and Nations Cup success. EquiRatings' Elo Field Strength metric, which averages the top 25 Elo ratings in a competition, provides a unique insight into just how tough each of these Grands Prix have been. The data reveals that some of the fiercest battles in WEF history have taken place in the past few seasons&mdash;including multiple events from 2025 making it into the top 10.
So, which competitions had the most stacked fields? And who emerged victorious against the toughest opposition?
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/64e1a0e5-2cee-458a-873d-4db785a7b948.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Usef Jumping Graphics 2025 (1)">
<h1>2025: A Year for the Record Books</h1>
Out of the 59 five-star Grands Prix at WEF since 2010, three from the 2025 season have already made the top 10 based on Elo Field Strength, solidifying this year as one of the most competitive in Wellington history.
<h3>Emilie Conter &amp; Portobella Van de Fruitkorf Stun a Star-Studded Field</h3>
Last weekend&rsquo;s CSI5 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix (WEF 9)* reached an Elo Field Strength of 716, ranking it among the top three toughest Wellington competitions on record. The entry list read like a who&rsquo;s who of showjumping, featuring:
<ul>
<li>Reigning World Champions Henrik von Eckermann &amp; King Edward (810)</li>
<li>Reigning Olympic Champions Christian Kukuk &amp; Checker 47 (760)</li>
<li>US Olympic Team Silver Medalists McLain Ward &amp; Ilex (731)</li>
</ul>
Yet, it was U25 rider Emilie Conter and her 10-year-old mare Portobella Van de Fruitkorf who stole the show, claiming their first-ever five-star Grand Prix victory in one of the toughest fields ever recorded at WEF.
<blockquote>
"It hasn't sunk in yet; I'm super happy with my horse and my team for making this happen," a beaming Conter said post-victory. "I saw a really long [distance] to the last oxer, and I heard Helena [Stormanns] scream 'go get it!', so I took it. I didn&rsquo;t think it was going to be enough to beat these other riders, but I looked up and saw that I was in first.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
The moment was made even more special with Conter&rsquo;s grandparents in the crowd, and her groom, Lisa Sorg, earning the Double H Farm Grooms Award for her exceptional care of Portobella Van de Fruitkorf.
&nbsp;
<h3>Kent Farrington &amp; Greya: The Dynamic Duo</h3>
US star Kent Farrington and Greya have been rewriting WEF history in 2025. Both of their five-star Grand Prix victories this season made the list of highest Field Strengths ever recorded at Wellington, proving just how dominant they have been.
With these wins, Farrington became only the second rider to secure multiple five-star Grand Prix victories in a single WEF season. Meanwhile, Greya became the first horse to achieve this feat&mdash;cementing her status as one of the circuit&rsquo;s most formidable competitors.
&nbsp;
<h1>The Rolex Grand Prix: Where the Best Meet the Best</h1>
The CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix consistently draws the strongest fields of the WEF season.
2024&rsquo;s edition was the highest-rated five-star Grand Prix at WEF since 2010 with an Elo Field Strength of 718. It was Christian Kukuk &amp; Checker 47 who took the win in this class and later went on to win individual gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The previous year, it was also a German combination that took top honours in the Rolex Grand Prix at the Wellington International. Richard Vogel rode the then only 9-year-old Cepano Baloubet to victory in challenging weather conditions to beat out the competition with an Elo Field Strength of 714.
<h1>An Underdog Victory in a Field of Champions</h1>
2021&rsquo;s WEF 5 Grand Prix was another showdown of champions with an Elo Field Strength of 717, the second-highest ever-recorded at the Wellington International.&nbsp;
The start list included Ben Maher&rsquo;s Explosion W, who would later claim Olympic gold in Tokyo, and Martin Fuchs &amp; Clooney 51, the reigning European Champions at the time. Despite the depth of talent, it was Shane Sweetnam &amp; Alejandro who took the win, entering this class as the 16th rated combination of the field.
<h1> What&rsquo;s Next at Wellington International?</h1>
With the CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix, US Equestrian Open Final just around the corner, all eyes are on Wellington International to see if 2025 will continue its trend of setting new records for competitiveness.
Can Kent Farrington &amp; Greya make it a third victory? Will another young star emerge, as Emilie Conter did? Or will a proven champion like Christian Kukuk defend their dominance?
<hr>
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.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1ba79d22-0b13-4687-b1e5-5dc0cd708aee?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="P. 4 Jumping">
For sponsorship and media inquiries, please contact:
Carly Weilminster: cweilminster@usef.org Layson Griffin: lgriffin@usef.org

The Toughest Five-Star Grands Prix at WEF & Who Won Them

In a recent episode of the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Podcast, Annie Bishop sat down with eventing star Sharon White and EquiRatings' Diarmuid Byrne to discuss one of the most exciting horses in the sport today &mdash; Jaguars Duende.&nbsp; The US Equestrian Open Podcast is available <a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on all podcast channels here</a> and you can check out Sharon's <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2ac78a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">episode here.&nbsp;</a>
<h2 class="p-rich_text_section">A Mare with Confidence and Character</h2>
Sharon White describes Jaguars Duende as fiercely independent and confident, traits she believes are essential for success.
<blockquote>
"She shows up to work every day. She likes her job, she likes doing things well, and she goes along with my motto: If you're going to do something, do it well. That&rsquo;s what makes her so special &mdash; she finds enjoyment in working hard." 
</blockquote>
Her determination is evident not only in competition but also in training. Sharon enjoys that Jaguars Duende isn&rsquo;t afraid to express herself, even if it means bucking her off every now and then!
<blockquote>
"I like that she has enough confidence to try and tell me to go fly a kite sometimes."
"If you&rsquo;re gonna do something, do it well, otherwise don&rsquo;t bother to do it. Which includes bucking me off, by the way! That&rsquo;s one of her favorite things too &mdash; which I love, right? Because I like that she has enough confidence to try and tell me to go fly a kite sometimes."
</blockquote>
<h2><video controls="controls" width="600" height="300"><source src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c66e89fb-6000-4eed-9ed9-9ef123b671cb" type="video/mp4"></video></h2>
<h2>A Remarkable Journey from an Unlikely Start</h2>
<blockquote>
"When I first saw the videos, I was like, 'I wouldn&rsquo;t buy that.'"
</blockquote>
Jaguars Duende&rsquo;s journey began when Sharon purchased her as a three-year-old, sight unseen. However, she admits her first impressions weren&rsquo;t exactly glowing.
"When I first saw the videos, I was like, 'I wouldn&rsquo;t buy that. Just being honest.' And then when she came over, I thought, 'I don&rsquo;t know. I don&rsquo;t know what&rsquo;s going to happen.'"
Despite initial doubts, White recognized that Jaguars Duende needed time and patience. She focused on helping her develop confidence and strength rather than rushing her progress. That patience has certainly paid off, as she has developed into one of the most exciting horses in US eventing today.
<blockquote>
"I&rsquo;ve always thought big picture with her. It&rsquo;s not about the immediacy of what you&rsquo;re going to do this weekend. It&rsquo;s: what am I going to do three years from now? That&rsquo;s what really interests me."
</blockquote>
<h2>A Stellar Competition Record</h2>
Jaguars Duende has quickly become one of the sport&rsquo;s most talked-about rising stars. Diarmuid shared the impressive statistics:
<ul class="p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__bullet p-rich_text_list--nested" data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-list-tree="true" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">11 international starts, nine podium finishes (the other two starts were withdrawals before cross-country)</li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Three wins in her last four competitions</li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">A victory in the Maryland 5 Star CCI3*-L to close out the 2024 season</li>
</ul>
These numbers are staggering, but White admits she rarely focuses on them.
<blockquote>
"It's hard to read the label when you're inside the box. You don't even realize what's happening until you step back and look at that pile of blue ribbons. I was cleaning out the barn and found this pile of ribbons, and I thought, 'Holy moly, they're all Jags!'"
</blockquote>
<h2 class="p-rich_text_section"><video controls="controls" width="600" height="300"><source src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/40daeed9-fdb5-437d-be20-7123a08e2d76" type="video/mp4"></video> The Road Ahead: US Equestrian Open and Beyond</h2>
<blockquote>
"With horses, you never really know. You make a plan, but they tell you what&rsquo;s next."
</blockquote>
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Jaguars Duende is set to make her first appearance at <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/about-the-us-equestrian-open-series" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bouckaert</a>. While the US Equestrian Open remains a possibility, White emphasizes the journey will be dictated by what Jags tells her.
"The US Equestrian Open is exciting because it brings so much fun into the sport. There&rsquo;s so much talk about it, so much anticipation. You look at the calendar and think, &lsquo;Could this be an option?&rsquo; But with horses, you never really know. You make a plan, but they tell you what&rsquo;s next."
White&rsquo;s philosophy remains centered on patience and trusting the process. Every step of Jaguars Duende's career has been carefully planned to ensure she moves up when she&rsquo;s ready. With continued growth and strong performances, her future looks incredibly bright.
&nbsp;
<h2>"My Little Pegasus"</h2>
Jaguars Duende is more than just a top competitor; she&rsquo;s a horse with presence, personality, and a devoted team behind her. Sharon White&rsquo;s dedication to her long-term success is evident, and as she steps into 2025, fans will be eagerly following along to see just how far she can go.
<blockquote>
"She doesn&rsquo;t mind digging deep when she has to, and I love that. That&rsquo;s something you need in a great horse. When she started to give me that feeling, I would call her my little Pegasus, because suddenly, she had wings."
</blockquote>
With a stellar track record and a team committed to her development, Jaguars Duende is a name to remember. As the season unfolds, we&rsquo;ll all be watching to see where her journey takes her.
<h2 dir="ltr">What&rsquo;s Next in the Open?</h2>
Having kicked off in 2024, the US Equestrian Open qualifiers will pick back up in March when the leaderboard battle continues at Bouckaert.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/145ad0e6-6356-4cd4-98f7-394e78b6afdb?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Event Calendar for the 2024-2025 U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series">
For the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide">most up-to-date series calendar</a> and <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open">latest standings</a>, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/">usequestrianopen.org</a>.
<h3>Series Standings at the End of 2024:</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/d85de2e9-4a7d-4cdc-9eb6-538d9de32553?width=1080&amp;height=1682" alt="Table Showing the Top 10 Athletes on the Us Open of Eventing Leaderboard as of the End of 2024">
<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.
&nbsp;
<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;

Photo of Sharon White during an awards ceremony. She is seen from the torso up behind her horse's ears, who she sits on while smiling very broadly, still in her show jumping kit.

Jaguars Duende: Sharon White on Her Rising Star of US Eventing

For the second time this season, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage unfolds on both coasts, with qualifiers at Pacific Coast Dressage in Temecula, California, and TerraNova Equestrian Center in Myakka City, Florida. Only six qualifiers remain before the Finals in November, and leaderboard points are at a premium.
This weekend could bring a pivotal shift in the Series standings. Two-time winner Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn is chasing a historic third victory. Ben Ebeling looks to solidify his Finals contention. Kristina Harrison-Antell and Devon Kane are poised to break into the top ranks. Eline Eckroth&rsquo;s strategy could vault her into third overall. And G&uuml;nter Seidel aims to secure his Finals ticket with a promising new mount.
As the leaderboard&rsquo;s Top 18 cutoff tightens, every percentage point matters.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-Fo3Dv" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Current US Equestrian Open standings - 30th April 2025" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Fo3Dv/2/" height="554" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">Vaughn Chases a Record Third Win</h2>
Two victories earlier this year propelled Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn into a three-way tie for the series lead this spring. She currently sits 19th after missing recent qualifiers, but another strong finish would push her safely into Finals qualification. Since returning from the FEI World Cup Final in Basel &mdash; where Vaughn and Gino earned a respectable 73.765% in their World Cup Finals debut &mdash; she now makes her first US Equestrian Open appearance since February. All eyes will be on the pair&rsquo;s return this weekend.
Because of the small field size, simply completing her freestyle will be enough to move Vaughn into the Top 18 &mdash; displacing another rider from Finals contention. A win at Galway Downs this weekend would also make her the first three-time qualifier winner this season. Gino&rsquo;s current freestyle average stands at 73.051%, with a personal best of 75.150%.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-py3IH" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: Pacific Coast CDI" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/py3IH/1/" height="666" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">Ebeling Targets Another Win</h2>
Ben Ebeling and Bellena made a statement at their only US Equestrian Open outing this season, taking the win with a 75.740%. Though Ebeling sits outside the Top 18 due to limited starts, another high-scoring win at TerraNova would put him within striking distance. One more qualifier after this would make him a serious Finals threat. It&rsquo;s not just about qualifying, either. With scoring power already demonstrated, Ebeling could pose a legitimate challenge to current series leader Anna Marek when the Finals roll around.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-zzV5v" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: TerraNova Dressage 3" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/zzV5v/1/" height="597" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">Leaderboard Movement Mayhem</h2>
On the East Coast, Charlotte Jorst, Devon Kane, and Eline Eckroth are all poised to make leaderboard moves at TerraNova.
Jorst and Zhaplin Langholt return to the entry list this weekend. She has competed in three qualifiers this season, winning at Gold Coast and finishing fourth in the same event where Ebeling claimed victory. Because of the smaller field sizes this week, simply completing her freestyle will earn Jorst enough points to move into the Top 18 &mdash; pushing out one of the current riders.
Devon Kane and Vamos are projected to finish third at TerraNova based on their average of 73.193%. A result in that range would push Kane solidly into the Top 10, a significant jump after spending much of the season hovering around the leaderboard bubble.
Eline Eckroth, who has quietly climbed the standings through tactical scheduling, stands to benefit once again. Though her freestyle averages remain modest at 69.680%, simply completing her ride &mdash; even in last place &mdash; will earn enough points to surpass Karen Lipp and take over third place in the overall standings.
While the East Coast riders aim to solidify or improve their positions, the West Coast lineup is poised for even bigger leaderboard shifts.
Kristina Harrison-Antell, who won the last West Coast qualifier, also returns this weekend. If she finishes third or better, she will move into second overall in the Series standings, ending the long hold Germany&rsquo;s Evelyn Eger has had on the runner-up position since Week 8.
G&uuml;nter Seidel brings a new mount, Jack, to the freestyle arena. While Jack has limited experience at this level, his recent Grand Prix Special results suggest he&rsquo;s ready for the challenge. Seidel is projected to finish fourth this weekend, which would earn him 15 points &mdash; enough to secure a place inside the Top 10 and comfortably above the Top 18 cut line.
Tune in to the USEF Network this weekend for coast-to-coast action as the US Equestrian Open of Dressage continues its thrilling march toward the Finals. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sign up for free</a>!
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
For the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide">most up-to-date series calendar</a> and <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open">latest standings</a>, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at <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.

black dressage horse going into an arena 

Leaderboard Drama Looms at Qualifier 17

In only her second Grand Prix Freestyle as a senior, accomplished 21-year-old Erin Nichols earned her first international freestyle victory at TerraNova, scoring 72.140% aboard her 16-year-old KWPN gelding, Elian Royale. While this marks a new milestone at the senior level, Nichols is no stranger to the spotlight&mdash;she&rsquo;s a former triple gold medalist at the North American Youth Championships and a winner of multiple international U25 classes, including freestyle victories on both sides of the Atlantic.
Nichols placed second in Friday&rsquo;s Grand Prix with a 68.848%, just behind USA&rsquo;s Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena (69.109%). While Ebeling opted to ride in the Grand Prix Special, it was Nichols and Eline Eckroth contesting the Freestyle the next day.
While not an overall personal best, the 72.140% is right in line with Nichols&rsquo; average across her freestyle performances&mdash;most of which came during her successful run in the Under 25 ranks. That makes this weekend&rsquo;s test a senior-level personal best, and an important benchmark as she builds her r&eacute;sum&eacute; at the top level. Although the field was small, the win is a clear milestone for Nichols, who has her sights set on future U.S. team appearances and dreams of representing her country at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
<h2>Eckroth Climbs the Leaderboard</h2>
Eckroth&rsquo;s second-place finish&mdash;earned in a modestly contested class&mdash;was enough to propel her from 11th to 4th in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage standings. She edges out early-season favorite Felicitas Hendricks, who is likely returning to Germany now that the Wellington circuit has wrapped. Like Karen Lipp, currently ranked third overall, Eckroth is gaining ground through consistent 2nd- and 3rd-place finishes at smaller shows. It&rsquo;s a reminder that Series points don&rsquo;t always come from big wins&mdash;smart scheduling can pay off, especially with cash prizes going to the top 18 riders at the end of the qualifiers. The biggest payday, however, will come at the Finals, where those top 18 will face off in Thermal, California, this November.
<h2>Ocala Could Shake Things Up</h2>
The TerraNova weekend may have featured a small field, but it gave Nichols another career milestone to add to her already impressive resume. It also shuffled the standings in favor of Eckroth, who will compete again next weekend against third-place rider Karen Lipp at the World Equestrian Center&rsquo;s CDI4* Freestyle. With the two riders only four points apart, Ocala&rsquo;s outing could significantly reshape the leaderboard&mdash;potentially even knocking Germany&rsquo;s Evelyn Eger out of second place.
Stay connected with the latest news and standings on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen">Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on&nbsp;<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.

Horse and rider trot away from the camera in an upper level dressage test.

Nichols Claims First Senior Freestyle Victory at TerraNova

Kent Farrington has done what only Kent Farrington has ever done before. With victory in the $340,000 CSI5* Grand Prix of Greenwich aboard Toulayna, the world no. 1 secured his eighth five-star Grand Prix/World Cup triumph of 2025, matching the unprecedented tally he first set in 2017.
<h2>History Repeats Itself, With a Twist</h2>
In the modern era of show jumping, consistency at the very top is one of the sport&rsquo;s hardest currencies. Since 2010, no rider other than Farrington has managed to amass eight five-star Grand Prix or World Cup wins in a single calendar year. Martin Fuchs (2019) and McLain Ward (2010) came close, but only Farrington has scaled the summit. Twice.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ea454955-bc3b-41c8-b0b3-aed61501a437.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Usef Jumping Graphics 2025 (21)">
This latest victory in Greenwich, achieved by just three-hundredths of a second over Daniel Bluman and Corbie V.V., was the perfect snapshot of what makes Farrington unstoppable: speed, precision, and the nerve to execute under pressure.
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<h2>Greya Joins the Legends</h2>
It isn&rsquo;t just Farrington rewriting history this year, his superstar mare Greya is doing the same. With her latest Grand Prix win in Williamsburg, the 11-year-old Oldenburg (Colestus x Contender) captured her sixth five-star victory of 2025, matching the legendary record set by Gazelle in 2017. Remarkably, both mares have been guided to these milestone seasons by Farrington, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest championship managers of horses in modern show jumping. With history still unfolding, Greya&rsquo;s campaign could yet surpass Gazelle&rsquo;s benchmark and stand alone at the very top.
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<h2>Rivalries and Records</h2>
Farrington and Bluman have been locked in a season-long battle across Major League Show Jumping and beyond, trading blows in Toronto, Traverse City, and now Greenwich. While Bluman once again pushed him to the limit, Farrington&rsquo;s composure in the jump-off brought his season tally to an extraordinary eight wins.
Behind the stats lies a remarkable storyline: Farrington&rsquo;s triumphs have come aboard multiple horses, led by Greya, with whom he has taken 6 of those wins and Toulayna, the 11-year-old Zangersheide mare co-owned with Rabbit Root Stables. The mares&rsquo; blend of scope and speed has been the cornerstone of Farrington&rsquo;s dominance in 2025.
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<h2>The Making of a Modern Legend</h2>
What sets Farrington apart isn&rsquo;t just his ability to win, it&rsquo;s his ability to do it again, and again, across different arenas, continents, and lineups of the world&rsquo;s best. From Wellington to Traverse City, from Toronto to Greenwich, 2025 has been a masterclass in sustained brilliance.
Eight five-star Grand Prix victories in one year is a number most riders can scarcely imagine. For Kent Farrington, it is not just a record, it is a signature.

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