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<p dir="ltr">Rain soaked through show coats on Saturday night as freestyles began in the Dixon Oval. Polished boots and plaited manes became waterlogged as the evening wore on. The storm didn&rsquo;t deter spectators, though. Enthusiastic fans packed Devon&rsquo;s pale blue grandstands and clapped along to familiar tunes.&nbsp;</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Bellena&rsquo;s Big Step</h1>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Benjamin Ebeling</strong> and Ann Romney&rsquo;s 15-year-old Hanoverian mare, <strong>Bellena</strong>, earned a combination-best of 77.665% to secure the win. The atmosphere didn&rsquo;t seem to faze Bellena, perhaps thanks to her stint in Europe over the summer. The pair has been on a steady climb since their freestyle debut in April, notching multiple wins and consistently raising their scores. With this result, Ebeling moves to a tie for sixth on 77 points, momentum that comes at a pivotal moment with Finals just six weeks away.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no place like Dressage at Devon,&rdquo; Ebeling said. &ldquo;This was a big step in getting my horse acclimated in big environments in an arena like this.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Kohmann Climbs, Bergeron Learns, Marek Falters</h1>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Kevin Kohmann</strong> and <strong>D&uuml;nenesee </strong>placed second with 77.005%, a performance that launched them eight places up the leaderboard into ninth on 69 points. With only two qualifiers left, Kohmann is now comfortably positioned for a Finals berth. True to form, the freestyle was steady and lyrical, with D&uuml;nenesee&rsquo;s calm presence making the rain-soaked Dixon Oval look easy.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;It feels like a big show in Europe. I love it here,&rdquo; Kohmann said. &ldquo;This was the show where I rode this freestyle the first time and I&rsquo;m here one year later to ride it again.&rdquo;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Canada&rsquo;s <strong>Camille Carier Bergeron</strong> looked set for a podium finish, but an error proved costly. Riding ahead of her music, she over rotated a pirouette &mdash; a violation of FEI rules that slashed her degree of difficulty score and left her with 68.450%. Even so, Bergeron&rsquo;s ninth-place finish earned her 10 leaderboard points, moving her into 13th overall. Her climb adds another layer of pressure for riders heading to the Final.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Saturday was not <strong>Anna Marek</strong> and <strong>Fire Fly&rsquo;s</strong> night. Whether it was the rain or the unfamiliar arena, the 15-year-old KWPN gelding never settled fully into the test. The pair earned 72.790% for fourth place, a respectable score but several points below their average of 75.683% and well off their last freestyle outing. That&rsquo;s the tricky thing about sensitive horses. They can deliver brilliance at their best, but that same sensitivity can also unravel under pressure.<strong><br></strong></p>
<h1 dir="ltr">The Title Picture Shifts</h1>
<p dir="ltr">Marek and Fire Fly have proven themselves in Wellington as regulars at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. But the Finals will be held at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, CA, a venue Fire Fly has experienced. Devon provided a preview of what that challenge could look like: a charged atmosphere outside their comfort zone. Fire Fly&rsquo;s personal best came at the Pan American Games in Santiago, proof that the potential is there, but consistency in new environments remains the question.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That decision is complicated further as the title fight is no longer only between Marek and Kohmann. Ebeling is charging into contention, Bergeron is climbing, and <strong>Genay Vaughn</strong> &mdash; undefeated queen of the West Coast &mdash; awaits them all on her home turf in Thermal.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Next Stops: TerraNova and Tryon</h1>
<p>With Devon behind us, attention now turns to the final two qualifiers: TerraNova in early October and Tryon, South Carolina, just two weeks before the Final. Every ride left on the calendar has the potential to shape who arrives in Thermal as a favorite. And, who doesn&rsquo;t.&nbsp;</p>
<p>For the full calendar of events and standings updates, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usequestrianopen.org</a>. 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</a>, and 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>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d35d5aa9-5dcf-4eb2-b1fa-746c463761a5?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage Series"></p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

15-year-old Hanoverian mare, Bellena, in the Dixon Oval against the background of the pale blue grandstands

Devon Delivers Drama as Finals Near

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Dressage at Devon</strong> has always been a prestigious stop on the calendar, but as a qualifier in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage, it takes on a new identity. For the first time this season, the Grand Prix is more than just a warm-up. With 17 entries, only 15 will advance to the freestyle (and from there, just 10 earn Series points). The math makes Friday matter.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As the inaugural Final approaches, leaderboard pressure is at an all-time high. The Top 18 secure their ticket, but leaderboard placing also dictates the payout. Thousands of dollars hinge on who climbs and who slips. With the largest field of the season, Devon is set to be the most consequential qualifier yet.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dc686f53-1d70-4561-86e2-c5911c577b2d.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Graphic showing first place earns 20 points, 2nd and 3rd earn 17, 4th and 5th earn 15, and 6th through 10th earn 10 points."></p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Devon&rsquo;s Math Problem</h1>
<p dir="ltr">Wellington&rsquo;s fields were often large and packed with talent, but even their biggest qualifier (AGDF 3) topped out at 15 riders, which meant everyone advanced to the freestyle. Not so in the Dixon Oval. Here, the Grand Prix does more than seed the freestyle &mdash; it&rsquo;s a filter. With 17 starters, two combinations will be cut before Saturday night. And once the freestyle begins, only the top 10 will earn Series points.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-5jpFK" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: Dressage at Devon" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/5jpFK/1/" height="894" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s the first equation. The second is the leaderboard math. Six of the current top 18 are competing this weekend, which guarantees movement in the standings. Riders can climb into new payout tiers&hellip; or slide down them.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Take <strong>Benjamin Ebeling</strong>. He comes in 14th with 57 points, but a podium here would launch him as many as seven spots into the top seven. A win could tie him for 6th. In dollar terms, that&rsquo;s the difference between a $1,000 payout and a $3,000 payout, with another qualifier still to come in his Florida backyard.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ae89e81d-61fa-4edc-9f49-59aff5d5517f.png?width=1080&amp;height=866" alt="A graphic showing how the $50,000 prize money is allocated based on season-end standings. "></p>
<p dir="ltr">But leaderboard math cuts both ways. With a field this deep, it&rsquo;s not just about who climbs. It&rsquo;s also about who siphons points away. Several riders in this week&rsquo;s field sit outside the top 18, meaning they won&rsquo;t qualify for the Finals, but they can still shape the standings by stealing points from those who will. Six combinations are averaging within 1.5 percentage points of one another, a cluster that includes Series number 10 <strong>Charlotte Jorst</strong>. She&rsquo;ll be chasing at least 10 points to solidify her spot, while the likes of Laine Ashker, Meagan Davis, Tiago Ernesto, Mathilde Blais Tetreault, and Allison Carmichael will be looking to disrupt her path.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">The Final Equation</h1>
<p dir="ltr">Series leader <strong>Anna Marek</strong> and runner-up <strong>Eline Eckroth</strong> go head-to-head in Devon with an unusual twist: both have already logged six of six qualifying runs. That means the only way to add to their leaderboard totals is to improve on past results.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Eckroth&rsquo;s path is easier. She still carries two 10-point scores, so a finish of fifth or better would raise her total. Marek, though, faces a tougher equation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">She improves only if she wins. Despite leading the Series by nearly twenty points, she has just one victory to her name. With second and third both worth 17 points, only a first place adds to her total. Remarkably, she could also lose the lead this weekend. If Eckroth were to win, Marek&rsquo;s 19-point cushion would vanish. It&rsquo;s statistically unlikely based on averages, but in this sport, certainty is never guaranteed.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">A Few More Combinations to Watch</h1>
<p dir="ltr">With a field this deep, every rider brings a storyline. It would be difficult to tell them all, but here are a few more combinations worth a watch this weekend.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Kevin Kohmann &amp; D&uuml;nensee</h2>
<p>Devon reunites one of Wellington&rsquo;s favorite rivalries: Kohmann&rsquo;s lyrical D&uuml;nensee versus Marek&rsquo;s powerful Fire Fly. The two are often separated by a single percentage point, and Kohmann holds the highest personal best in the field (79.240%). Marek has the winning record against D&uuml;nensee, but if she leaves points on the table, D&uuml;nensee will be there to scoop them up.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Benjamin Ebeling &amp; Bellena</h2>
<p dir="ltr">On the rise since their freestyle debut in April, Ebeling and Bellena set a new personal best of 76.615% in Austria this summer. With a 75%+ average, they&rsquo;re one of Marek&rsquo;s strongest challengers.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu &amp; Jaccardo</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Jaccardo has only one FEI freestyle on record &mdash; a 76.125% &mdash; but that score alone tops the rest of the field&rsquo;s averages. Add Fraser-Beaulieu&rsquo;s Olympic experience and proven freestyle record with All In, and this pair could upset the top five.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Camille Carier Bergeron &amp; Finnlanderin</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Finnlanderin made her freestyle debut at Devon last year and earned a 77.280% personal best. Bergeron has been building steadily since, and another high-70s ride could move her from a top-five lock into podium contention.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Wild Cards</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Several combinations logged summer personal bests at national shows, including Kobus (76.225%), DSP Dauphin (75.113%), Zeppelin (74.925%), Toronto Lightfoot (73.675%), and Don Divino (70.650%). If they can translate that form to a CDI in Devon, they can disrupt the points race. One to watch in particular is <strong>Francine Gentile&rsquo;s</strong> Don Divino, making his first-ever CDI freestyle start. At 70%, he isn&rsquo;t a podium pick, but he could deny leaderboard climbers valuable points.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Looking Ahead</h1>
<p dir="ltr">Dressage at Devon will shape not only who qualifies for the Final but also how much money riders take home at season&rsquo;s end. Winning here is an achievement in its own right, yet this year it doubles as positioning for November. The Grand Prix matters now in the same way it will at the Final, where only the top 15 move on to the freestyle and a $200,000 prize pool awaits. In many ways, this weekend is the dress rehearsal.</p>
<p>Tune in live to<strong> <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/16989" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USEF Network</a> </strong>to watch the Grand Prix action starting Friday night.</p>
<p>For the full calendar of events and standings updates, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usequestrianopen.org</a>. 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</a>, and 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>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d35d5aa9-5dcf-4eb2-b1fa-746c463761a5?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage Series"></p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

Anna Marek and Fire Fly at the final halt salute

Dressage at Devon: The Series Returns

<p dir="ltr">A crisp chill hung in the autumn air as a 14.2-hand Connemara&ndash;Thoroughbred cross trotted into the famed Dixon Oval. Far smaller than his competitors, not that he knew it, Seldom Seen commanded attention. The flashy grey was about to dance his final Grand Prix freestyle. Piloted by Olympian Lendon Gray, the superstar in a pony&rsquo;s body rode to victory, sweeping Devon&rsquo;s top classes that year. He was then honored with a retirement ceremony, stepping away as a crowd darling who proved heart matters as much as size.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">These moments, the ones that become legendary stories, are why <strong>Dressage at Devon</strong> carries a special weight in American dressage. Each autumn, careers are tested, champions are crowned, and Olympic horses are made against the pale blue grandstands of the Dixon Oval.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Dressage at Devon (DAD) was founded in 1975 by the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association (DVCTA). As the show grew in popularity, it began adding breed divisions, exhibitions, and larger classes. The show became a World Cup qualifier in 1990 and quickly became the biggest stage for East Coast dressage.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Turning 50 this year, DAD again hosts a week-long dressage festival, with vendors, masterclasses, and of course, the most elite classes in the sport. This weekend&rsquo;s Performance Division not only kicks off the 2026 World Cup Finals qualifiers, but it also hosts one of the final qualifiers for the U.S. Equestrian Open of Dressage Final.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">This is a destination show, a bucket list item. For U.S. riders, riding Devon&rsquo;s Saturday Night Freestyle is not unlike running cross-country at Kentucky. It&rsquo;s iconic, with the crowds close, the lights hot, and the atmosphere electric. For international riders, it&rsquo;s a chance to experience U.S. dressage at its most iconic. Six-time dressage Olympian Robert Dover called Devon, &ldquo;the standard by which all American horse shows should be judged.&rdquo;</p>
<p dir="ltr">As one of the last three qualifiers in the U.S. Equestrian Open, Saturday&rsquo;s Freestyle will have lasting effects on who makes it to the Final. With 17 riders entered, it is the largest qualifying class we&rsquo;ve seen all season, and the list is stacked. Kevin Kohmann, Charlotte Jorst, Camille Carier Bergeron, Benjamin Ebeling, Eline Eckroth, and of course, series leader Anna Marek on Fire Fly. A big freestyle here could push a rider into qualifying territory&hellip; or knock someone out.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">In the coming days we&rsquo;ll break down the data on the field of competitors. For now, tune into the breed division and get excited because CDIs are back on American soil.</p>

Fifty Years of Dressage at Devon

<p dir="ltr">With just three qualifiers left before the inaugural US Open of Dressage Final, each venue on the calendar becomes part of the unfolding story. From the historic charm of Devon to the modern beauty of TerraNova and the scale of North Carolina&rsquo;s Tryon International, every stop in this final stretch has its own unique magic and offers riders a distinct opportunity. In the latest US Equestrian Open podcast, announcer Noah Rattner joined us to give a venue-by-venue preview of what makes this stretch of the calendar unforgettable.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/38048160/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/4c414c/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Dressage at Devon</h2>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9964d31c-7cca-40bb-b8c2-e02bb0a1a241.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=633" alt="" is=""></p>
<p dir="ltr">If you&rsquo;ve never been to <strong>Dressage at Devon</strong>, this is the year to go. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this US Equestrian Heritage Competition is part elite sporting event, part time capsule. Held at the iconic Devon Horse Show Grounds &mdash; complete with the storied Dixon Oval and charming grandstands tucked into the Philadelphia suburbs &mdash; Devon is where history meets horsepower. The week begins with the world&rsquo;s largest open breed show, then transitions midweek to high-stakes FEI competition. This year, it kicks off the North American League for the 2026 World Cup and serves as a US Open qualifier. With legendary footing upgrades, packed crowds, and freestyles under the lights, Devon is the soul of American dressage.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">TerraNova Equestrian Center</h2>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/66a393f7-35c9-4ac2-a122-a5d76ad56ebb.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=658" alt="" is=""></p>
<p>TerraNova Equestrian Center is one of the newest and most visually striking venues in the sport. Tucked into the palm-lined outskirts of Sarasota, this Florida facility is a purpose-built oasis: six all-weather arenas, horse-first infrastructure, lakeside competition rings, and a modern pavilion that spans the Grand Prix arenas. TerraNova is breathtakingly beautiful. Its layout mirrors many elements of the Final&rsquo;s venue in California, giving riders a chance to fine-tune in familiar surroundings. With top-tier accommodations and a production team among the best in the sport, it&rsquo;s more than a tune-up show. As the penultimate qualifier, it&rsquo;s a critical stop for those navigating the late-season schedule with intent and precision.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Tryon International Equestrian Center</h2>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e74e2fcd-a95c-4ba1-8f7d-f2fc064edbea.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=652" alt="" is=""></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Tryon International Equestrian Center </strong>is no stranger to big moments. It hosted the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games and remains one of the most versatile venues in U.S. equestrian sport. With 1,200 stalls, 12 arenas, and a stadium that lights up the Northern Carolina foothills,Tryon delivers scale, polish, and atmosphere. Dressage riders entering the final qualifier here will feel like they&rsquo;re already on a world stage. Tryon has built a reputation as a finely tuned machine that delivers on logistics and spectacle alike. For riders seeking last-minute points, this is the last opportunity to make the cut. The venue is built to run like a championship, and for athletes who haven&rsquo;t yet competed on a world-stage-sized platform, this is a crucial step. Expect a deep field, tight margins, and a sense of urgency in every performance.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Desert International Horse Park</h3>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/34b4195a-4e0b-4701-872b-03e1cabfce19.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=632" alt="" is=""></p>
<p dir="ltr">And then &mdash; <em>it&rsquo;s California. </em></p>
<p dir="ltr">The <strong>Desert International Horse Park</strong> in Thermal will host the first-ever US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final, and it&rsquo;s hard to imagine a more fitting stage. Nestled between the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains, this massive equestrian complex just outside Palm Springs rises from the desert with Olympic-caliber arenas, luxury infrastructure, and a skyline of mountains and palms. Known as the West Coast capital of show jumping, DIHP has in recent years embraced dressage, and this fall the discipline takes center stage. With $200,000 in prize money on the line and hospitality that feels more like a five-star resort than a horse show, the Final promises both competition and celebration.&nbsp;</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Let the Final Chapter Begin</h1>
<p dir="ltr">We&rsquo;ve followed riders all year through triumphs, setbacks, strategy shifts, and musical reinventions and now we&rsquo;re headed into the most exciting stretch yet. It all begins at Dressage at Devon on September 23rd. Whether you&rsquo;re a die-hard fan or a newcomer drawn in by freestyle soundtracks and world-class sport, now is the time to tune in.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Join us at Devon. Pack your bags for Thermal. The road to the Final starts here.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

A Podcast Tour of Devon, TerraNova, Tryon, and Desert International

<p dir="ltr"><em>Hello, silence, our old friend&hellip;</em>&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The summer stillness drags on as we head into late-August, with the leaderboard dormant and the Series on pause.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Eight of the top ten riders haven&rsquo;t competed in an international competition since May. That means current No. 1 Anna Marek, No. 2 Kristina Harrison-Antell, co-No. 2 Eline Eckroth, No. 5 Genay Vaughn, and others through the top ten haven&rsquo;t stepped foot into a CDI arena. Where have you gone, Anna Marek?</p>
<p dir="ltr">In fairness, FEI competitions on US soil all but vanish in the summer months. This leaves riders the option to stay home and train in their own arenas, travel locally for USEF shows, or fly abroad to test their mettle against international opponents.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Of course, downtime has its value: conditioning, fine-tuning, schooling, and perhaps most importantly, giving horses (and riders) a mental and physical break. Showing is exhausting, with its constant travel, early mornings, disrupted routines, and new atmospheres taxing both horse and human alike. So, save for a few restless travelers, most seem to be sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon this summer.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">But, not everyone has been on pause. Two of the top ten have kept themselves sharp abroad: <strong>Evelyn Eger and Denielle Gallagher.</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Eger &mdash; you&rsquo;ll remember she <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/qualifier-8-recap-when-the-numbers-dont-tell-the-whole-story">led the Series</a> through much of the spring &mdash; has returned to Europe and competed in 14 FEI classes since her last Wellington appearance in March. Her summer string has included younger horses, but most notably her freestyle mount, Tabledance 3. The pair came first in a CDI5* in Munich, where they earned a 76.855% &mdash; a score just shy of their PB (77.235%) and two and a half points above their career average of 74%. A month later, the pair again earned first with an above-average score, this time at a CDIO4* Nations Cup in Sweden, earning 75.335%.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It remains a mystery whether Eger and the 12-year-old mare will return to the US in the fall for the Equestrian Open Final, but if they do, it&rsquo;s clear they will pose a threat to the riders competing on home soil.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gallagher has not been able to capitalize on the same summer success as Eger. She has competed in France twice since we last saw her in Ocala with her 13-year-old Lusitano gelding, Come Back De Massa. Both outings fell below her average of 71.290%. Still, international arena experience is international arena experience. So while her results may not sparkle on paper, every unfamiliar arena adds mileage. That mileage may pay off in November, when the Florida-based pair make their first trip to Thermal, CA, for the Finals.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Outside of the top ten, only a few competitors have ventured quietly into summer competition.</strong> Felicitas Hendricks (No. 11) has one freestyle under her belt &mdash; a very strong 79.340% &mdash; in an under-25 competition in Kronberg. A strong result, yes, but an age-restricted junior division. Devon Kane (No. 13) competed at Hagen&rsquo;s CDI3* in June, but scored well below her average due to an unfortunate <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/new-podcast-devon-kane-on-freestyle-magic-life-on-the-move-and-why-vamos-wasnt-for-sale-after-all">floor plan issue</a> that omitted a required element and resulted in zeroes for the movement.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The rest of the leaderboard has remained muted&hellip; with one inevitable outlier (because of course there&rsquo;s an outlier &mdash; would sport be any fun without one?).</p>
<p dir="ltr">The one outlying pair, singing in an otherwise quiet field, is <strong>Ben Ebeling and Bellena</strong>. Our nation turns its lonely eyes to him.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Since we last saw them in May, Ebeling and Bellena have competed in seven FEI classes, including three Aachen's Nations Cup in June. And while their freestyle score in Aachen was below their average, the pair scored a new combination best of 76.615% at the prestigious Achleiten CDI in Austria this July. It was also a new career-best score for Bellena. Their time has come to shine.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ebeling and Bellena have a freestyle average of 75.310%, a number that has grown steadily throughout their season. They debuted as a freestyle pair back in April and have impressed from the very first halt salute. Their recent win in Austria, topping a field of 12, only reinforced their status as a threat abroad &mdash; and soon, back home, too. At 14th on the leaderboard, Ebeling currently holds a Finals ticket. If he stays above the cutoff for the last three qualifiers, he could walk out of Thermal with a very large check in hand.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Final is still nearly three months away, with qualifiers on hold until the famed Dressage at Devon in late September. But when the Pennsylvania moon rises over an open field, <em>the silence of summer will finally break.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Dressage</strong></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">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>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.</a>&nbsp;Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/22433326-f7d7-4286-930b-62c3a1ba80f2.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Show calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage"></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>

The Sound of Silence

<p data-start="348" data-end="790">From riding bareback in the fields of South Texas to competing on international stages, Devon Kane&rsquo;s journey has been anything but ordinary. In this episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast, she talks about the rise of her freestyle partner Vamos, what it feels like to represent the U.S., and the unique rituals she shares with her husband, fellow Grand Prix rider <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/a-cool-breeze-a-fiery-freestyle-kohmann-and-dnee-shine-in-wellington" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kevin Kohmann</a>, when either of them is about to step into a competition arena.</p>
<p data-start="792" data-end="845">🎧 <em data-start="609" data-end="648">Listen to the full conversation below</em></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37806175/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/1787d4/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="852" data-end="893">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="593" data-end="651">From Backyard Quarter Horses to Grand Prix Freestyle</h3>
<p data-start="652" data-end="1062">Kane grew up in South Texas, where horses were part of daily life but dressage was still a world away.</p>
<p data-start="652" data-end="1062">&ldquo;I grew up riding in a halter bareback in the field,&rdquo; she recalled. &ldquo;Then my best friend started doing hunter-jumpers, and I thought it was the coolest thing.&rdquo; A bad fall ended her jumping career early, but it led her to a dressage barn and to the discipline that fit her &ldquo;Type A&rdquo; personality perfectly.</p>
<p data-start="1064" data-end="1225">Her career has since taken her to the biggest stages in the sport, including representing the U.S. in Nations Cups. She calls it &ldquo;a privilege, not a pressure.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="594" data-end="869" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="1586" data-end="1634">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1482" data-end="1525">A Partnership on Horseback and Beyond</h3>
<p data-start="1526" data-end="1887">Competing at the top level can be isolating, but Kane has the rare experience of sharing the journey with her husband. Kohmann is not only her partner in life but often her first line of support at the barn.&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="1526" data-end="1887"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/30827512-7613-49ff-90b4-feb4dd8d37dd.PNG?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="&ldquo;One of our rituals is that as Kevin&rsquo;s getting on, I give the horse a sugar, the horse gets a kiss, Kevin gets a kiss, then he gets on,&rdquo; she explained."></p>
<p data-start="1889" data-end="2289">When both ride on the same team, that support system shifts. &ldquo;It was different, because I had to get ready, he had to get ready, and we couldn&rsquo;t always watch each other. That was tough, but it was also really special to be doing it together.&rdquo; It is a glimpse into how their relationship balances professional pressure with personal connection, and how that bond strengthens both riders in the ring.</p>
<p data-start="2028" data-end="2184">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="2191" data-end="2232">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1568" data-end="1608">Vamos: The Horse Who Almost Wasn&rsquo;t</h3>
<p data-start="2234" data-end="2405">When Kane bought Vamos, she knew he was talented but not yet ready for the top tier.</p>
<p data-start="2234" data-end="2405">&ldquo;He was skinny and angular, and even Kevin [Kohmann, her husband] told me, &lsquo;I don&rsquo;t know if he has what it takes.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="2234" data-end="2405">She refused to sell, trusting the process. That faith paid off with a 75% freestyle in Wellington that ended the debate.&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="2234" data-end="2405"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d81b58e1-3a22-4b91-992e-ef1a8987fe46.PNG?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="&ldquo;Kevin came out crying and said, &lsquo;You were right. I was wrong. The horse is not for sale.&rsquo;&rdquo;"></p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="2738" data-end="2780">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2740" data-end="2762">Under the Lights</h3>
<p data-start="2782" data-end="3076">Freestyles are Kane&rsquo;s favorite class, and Vamos thrives on them, especially at night.</p>
<p data-start="2782" data-end="3076">&ldquo;He hears the music and the horse just [exhales],&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Those are his most relaxed tests."</p>
<p data-start="2782" data-end="3076"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d998f54c-57f5-49ad-a35b-312b8d3ac6d1.PNG?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="&ldquo;Kevin came out crying and said, &lsquo;You were right. I was wrong. The horse is not for sale.&rsquo;&rdquo;"></p>
<p data-start="2782" data-end="3076">Their newest freestyle blends Enrique Iglesias and&nbsp;<em data-start="3027" data-end="3038">Despacito</em>, a nod to Kane&rsquo;s South Texas roots.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="2782" data-end="3076">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="3083" data-end="3113">Lessons from a Near Miss</h3>
<p data-start="3114" data-end="3357">In Hagen this summer, their debut with the new freestyle looked like a win until Kane learned she had accidentally omitted a required element. &ldquo;Two zeros took me from winning to last place,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="3114" data-end="3357">&ldquo;Lesson learned. It won&rsquo;t happen again.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Dressage</strong></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">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>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.</a>&nbsp;Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/22433326-f7d7-4286-930b-62c3a1ba80f2.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Show calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage"></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>

New Podcast: Devon Kane on Freestyle Magic, Life on the Move, and Why Vamos Wasn’t for Sale After All

<p dir="ltr">The fans reading this article are already part of the fabric of the sport. You know the difference between passage and piaffe. You appreciate the harmony between rider and horse and the years of training distilled into a few minutes in the arena. But the Open isn&rsquo;t just for you&mdash;it's for everyone beyond the arena too.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Broadening the Circle</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The Open was designed not only to celebrate the sport we love, but to grow it. To offer a clear, exciting entry point for people who aren&rsquo;t already immersed in dressage&mdash;those who love horses but haven&rsquo;t yet followed the competitive circuit, or those with friends and family who do, and are looking for a way to understand and connect.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Dressage can be a complex world. &ldquo;Rhythm and relaxation&rdquo; might be fundamental, but they&rsquo;re not the easiest gateway for new viewers. A leaderboard, however, is. The concept of climbing the rankings or defending the top spot is universally understood. The Open takes something beautifully nuanced and packages it with structure and stakes&mdash;making it easier to access without diluting its depth.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Narrative First, Nuance Later</h3>
<p dir="ltr">We believe in starting with the narrative and growing into the nuance.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The intricacies of dressage&mdash;the half-halts, the straightness, the technical precision&mdash;are the sport&rsquo;s precious gems. But gems need to be discovered. What draws people in is the why. Why does this moment matter? What&rsquo;s at stake? Who&rsquo;s climbing the series leaderboard? Who&rsquo;s being chased? Who just made history?</p>
<p dir="ltr">If there's no broader story&mdash;no implication beyond a single win&mdash;it becomes harder to connect. But if we know that this win puts Marek back in the series lead, suddenly there&rsquo;s momentum. There&rsquo;s clarity. There&rsquo;s a hook.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Why Stories Matter</h3>
<p dir="ltr">We live in a world of finite attention. Every weekend, editors and producers make decisions about what stories get told and which athletes make headlines. &ldquo;Anna Marek wins today&rdquo; might not break through. But &ldquo;Marek&rsquo;s victory puts the US flag back on top of the leaderboard&rdquo; does.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s what the US Equestrian Open brings: context, connection, and consequence. It gives our dressage athletes and their achievements a broader stage&mdash;one with emotional resonance and public relevance.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">A Shared Vision</h3>
<p dir="ltr">USEF&rsquo;s mission is to bring the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible. The US Equestrian Open is a strategic initiative that serves this vision. It enhances the experience for our loyal fans&mdash;but more importantly, it opens the door to new ones. It gives sports editors a reason to feature our athletes. It gives casual viewers a reason to keep watching. And it gives all of us a shared story to tell.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As we prepare for the next leg in the Open series, let&rsquo;s not just look forward to who wins next. Let&rsquo;s remember why it matters that they do.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Why the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Matters

<p>By nearly every metric, <strong>Anna Marek</strong> wins the inaugural $200,000 US Equestrian Open of Dressage Finals.&nbsp;</p>
<p>And fortunately for her, Marek has options when it comes to vying for the title. She&rsquo;s the only rider in the Series with two serious Finals horses. That gives her a rare question: <strong>Who should she bring?</strong></p>
<p>Scores and stats matter, sure, but this decision goes beyond math &mdash; live sport doesn&rsquo;t always respect the numbers (which is why we love it, right?).</p>
<p>So the question is:</p>
<p><strong>Which horse gives Marek the best shot at top prize?</strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6c6461f5-1739-4197-b8d6-5f1c41714991.png?width=1380&amp;height=688" alt="C Ox Sa Anna Marek S Options Fire Fly Vs Fayvel"></strong></p>
<h2><strong>Fayvel &ndash; A Premium Ride with Predictable Returns</strong></h2>
<p>If <strong>Fayvel </strong>were a vehicle, he&rsquo;d be a Lexus RX. Utterly dependable. Subtly sophisticated. Always smooth. Always simple to handle. The ride may not blow your hair back, but it&rsquo;ll get you there in comfort and style, every time.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Fayvel has a strong record both in the series and out. When he trots into the arena, you know what you&rsquo;re going to get: 75-77 percent, clean, technical execution, and a fighting shot at a podium. He&rsquo;s even logged international mileage with a World Cup Finals appearance in 2024. He is probably the safest choice &mdash; but not the most dangerous. When you stack up the numbers, his personal best trails Fire Fly&rsquo;s, but his career average edges him out.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Fire Fly &ndash; A Turbo Engine with Temperamental Timing</strong></h2>
<p>If Fayvel is Anna&rsquo;s reliable premium ride, then <strong>Fire Fly</strong> is her Maserati GranTurismo &mdash; built for power, stunning to watch, but demanding to handle. When he&rsquo;s dialed in, he&rsquo;ll blow past anything. But if you miss a gear, he&rsquo;ll stutter along at a pedestrian pace.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Fire Fly holds the highest personal best of the two &mdash; an 81.305% earned at the 2023 Pan American Games. He also leads Fayvel in Series average, but his lower career mark reflects a volatility that still shadows him.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/new-podcast-anna-marek-on-passion-patience-and-performance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">As Marek explained earlier this year</a>, he didn&rsquo;t arrive in her barn as a finished Grand Prix horse. Despite his immense talent, he faced mental roadblocks &mdash; particularly in the piaffe, which happens to be the one movement where Fayvel scores higher. So Marek has had to adapt, finding a communication style that works specifically for him. As a sensitive horse, the atmosphere of the Final could work against Anna.&nbsp;</p>
<p>He&rsquo;s not a sure bet, but he does have the best scoring power. When he&rsquo;s on, he flies. When he&rsquo;s off, he falters.</p>
<h2><strong>Either Way, It&rsquo;s No Done Deal</strong></h2>
<p>Stats don&rsquo;t always hold. Predictions fall apart. <em>Especially </em>in horse sports. Challenging Marek will be the likes of Kevin Kohmann and D&uuml;nensee. Marek has a winning record against D&uuml;nensee with both her horses. But Fayvel is the more consistent scorer and he holds the stronger freestyle head-to-head. If the Final turns into a reliability contest, Fayvel may be the one who carries her to a win.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The last time Fayvel and D&uuml;nensee shared a Finals stage &mdash; at the 2024 World Cup &mdash; Marek placed 8th, Kohmann 13th.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Still, the strategy under this scenario is not without risk. Fayvel might not lay down a convincingly field-topping score while, if Fire Fly stays on the rails, he could not only win, but win big. His scoring power and proven ability to deliver under pressure could give him the edge.&nbsp;<br><br><strong>So for Marek, it comes down to this: Reliability or flash. Which will it be?</strong></p>

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

Reliability or Flash: Which Will Marek Choose?

<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s the case with the top 10 Grand Prix Freestyle scores of the 2025 Equestrian Open season so far. Look closely, and a pattern emerges&mdash;one that goes beyond individual performances and starts to show us something bigger.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Adrienne Lyle</strong>, <strong>Anna Marek</strong>, and <strong>Kevin Kohmann</strong> have delivered 8 of the 10 best freestyle scores of the year. Even more striking? All 10 of the top scores by American riders belong to them. These aren&rsquo;t just one-off wins. They&rsquo;re a data-backed show of dominance and a window into why these riders are leading the conversation as the US Equestrian Open of Dressage barrels toward its Final.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Message Behind the 'Top Ten' Metric</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In sports, a <em>stat </em>tells you what happened. A <em>metric </em>tells you what matters.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The top 10 scores are a stat. Alone, they don&rsquo;t guarantee anything. But when we zoom out&mdash;looking at the names, the consistency, the progression&mdash;they begin to function like a performance metric. And the message they&rsquo;re sending is clear: when it comes to the biggest moments under the brightest lights, Lyle, Marek, and Kohmann are delivering the highest-level performances we&rsquo;ve seen on U.S. soil this season.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Take Adrienne Lyle and Helix. They own the top two scores, both breaking the 80% barrier. Lyle is the only American to do so this season. Her 80.600% at AGDF 10 wasn&rsquo;t just a combination best; it was a statement that her Paris Olympic mount is just getting started.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Marek and Kohmann, meanwhile, have carved out their own stretch of real estate on the leaderboard. Between them, they hold another six of the ten best scores, ranging from Kohmann&rsquo;s 79.240% at the Palm Beach Derby to Marek&rsquo;s 77.755% with Fire Fly back in January. These rides reflect more than isolated talent. They're part of a multi-show arc building toward bigger goals: World Cups, the US Equestrian Open Finals, LA 2028.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-HSoyu" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Top Tests: 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/HSoyu/1/" height="707" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Holding the Top Spot on Home Turf</h2>
<p dir="ltr">All ten of the highest-scoring American freestyles this season also belong to Lyle, Marek, or Kohmann. It&rsquo;s easy to overlook how rare that is, especially at a venue like Wellington, where every weekend sees Olympians and international stars take the stage.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Germany&rsquo;s Felicitas Hendricks and Evelyn Eger have reminded American riders that even on home soil, nothing is guaranteed. In Wellington, where the home crowd and familiar footing should offer an edge, they&rsquo;ve shown up and won anyway. Ecuador&rsquo;s Julio Mendoza Loor remains a wildcard threat with the ability to shake up any podium.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">But what Lyle, Marek, and Kohmann have done is deliver repeatedly in those same fields, under that same pressure, and still emerged with the season&rsquo;s top scores.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It&rsquo;s a sign that American dressage is entering a new chapter&mdash;one that&rsquo;s penned with competitive intent and inked with momentum. These performances don&rsquo;t close the gap with Europe just yet, but they&rsquo;re proof that the U.S. is building a future that could. The road to LA 2028 starts here.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">What It All Means</h2>
<p dir="ltr">With only a few qualifiers left, the leaderboard is crowded and unstable. One big ride can still vault a rider into the Final. One no-show could knock someone out. Kohmann sits in a precarious 17th. Lyle looks safe enough in 14th, probably. Marek is comfortably booked on a first-class seat to the Final.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4fd42b30-420d-4f94-b8c6-317e3ddd7b44.png?width=492&amp;height=327" alt="Current leaderboard bubble: Riders ranked 14&ndash;23. Top 18 qualify for the Final."><br><em>Current leaderboard bubble: Riders ranked 14&ndash;23. Top 18 qualify for the Final.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s what makes this top 10 so telling. A blockbuster ride&mdash;or even a collection of them&mdash;doesn&rsquo;t guarantee a spot in the Final. Brilliance matters. Consistent brilliance matters more. But the only real ticket is a mix of timing, strategy, and follow-through. And by those metrics, only one rider has nailed the formula:</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Anna Marek.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">She looks poised to earn the $12,500 bonus for the leaderboard&rsquo;s top point-earner, but once she arrives in Thermal, the leaderboard is irrelevant. The $200,000 prize is based on one ride, one score, one shot. All that consistency? It gets you to the arena. But it won&rsquo;t win you the check.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Want to Dig Deeper?</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Watch the top rides from these three on USEF Network. Follow their progress toward the Final at<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/"> usequestrianopen.org</a>. And keep an eye on the leaderboard because when one of these three steps into the arena, history tends to follow.</p>

dressage horse graphic with black and white background and in color horse trotting away from camera

The Trio at the Top: What the Top 10 Freestyles Say About This Season

<p dir="ltr">To make this list, strong averages alone weren&rsquo;t enough. We also factored in leaderboard standing, qualification status, and whether a rider is realistically expected to attend. That means a few impressive combinations didn&rsquo;t make the cut due to international residency or uncertain participation (see &ldquo;Who&rsquo;s Missing and Why?&rdquo; below). These five, though? They&rsquo;ve proven themselves, they&rsquo;re eligible, and they&rsquo;re on track to deliver in Thermal.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">1. Adrienne Lyle &amp; Helix</h2>
<p dir="ltr">No surprise here&mdash;Adrienne Lyle and Helix are leading nearly every statistical category. They&rsquo;ve posted the two highest scores of the season and average nearly 80%. Even their &ldquo;off day&rdquo; at the World Cup Finals landed them a 71.255%. To put that number in perspective, 71 percent is higher than the average scores for four of the riders in the top 18, and it&rsquo;s higher than the averages of 34 riders who have competed in at least one Series qualifier.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That said, Helix is a sensitive type, and all of his standout tests came at Wellington. The Final will be held at Thermal, a venue he&rsquo;s never seen. It&rsquo;s a small question mark for an otherwise dominant pair.<br><br></p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Series Avg</strong>: 79.402% |<strong> Series PB</strong>: 80.600%<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Why she&rsquo;s in</strong>: Tied for 14th with 57 points, already qualified. World Cup Finals and Paris Olympic partnership.</li>
</ul>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-2YSPE" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Adrienne &amp;amp; Helix's Career Freestyle Scores" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/2YSPE/1/" height="423" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Interactive line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">2. Kevin Kohmann &amp; D&uuml;enensee</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Kohmann and the 16-year-old D&uuml;enensee have been a model of consistency all season, often going head-to-head with Anna Marek. They peaked at the Palm Beach Derby, posting a career-best 79.240% under pressure to clinch the final World Cup Finals ticket, where they went on to become the highest-placed American pair.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Their freestyle is creative and technically ambitious, including unexpected choreography like piaffe pirouettes during the walk section. They&rsquo;ll test their international mettle again next week as part of Team USA at CHIO Aachen.<br><br></p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Series Avg</strong>: 77.917% |<strong> Series PB</strong>: 79.240%<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Why they&rsquo;re in</strong>: World Cup Finals appearances, top scores, and a record of peaking at the right time.</li>
</ul>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-gFfFi" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Kevin Kohmann &amp;amp; Duenensee's Career Freestyle Scores" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/gFfFi/1/" height="423" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Interactive line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">3. Anna Marek &amp; Fire Fly / Fayvel</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Anna Marek leads the series, and she&rsquo;s done it with two different horses. Between Fire Fly and Fayvel, she&rsquo;s consistently posted top-five scores and podium finishes. Her average across both horses ranks just behind Lyle and Kohmann, and both are individually capable of winning the Final.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The only question left: which one will she bring to Thermal?<br><br></p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Series Avg</strong> (across both horses): 77.130%<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Fire Fly Series PB</strong>: 77.755%</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Fayvel Series PB</strong>: 78.785%<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Why she&rsquo;s in</strong>: Series leader, multiple wins, and qualified on two different mounts.</li>
</ul>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-IjXn7" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Anna Marek's 2025 Freestyle Scores" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/IjXn7/1/" height="430" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Interactive line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">4. Benjamin Ebeling &amp; Bellena</h3>
<p dir="ltr">A late arrival to the series, Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena made an instant impression with a win on debut and a new personal best just six weeks later when they beat Series leader Marek in a head-to-head competition.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Still young and trending upward, Ebeling will join Team USA at CHIO Aachen next week in his first major international appearance with Bellena. It&rsquo;ll be an important pressure test ahead of November&rsquo;s Final.<br><br></p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Series Avg</strong>: 75.305% | <strong>Series PB</strong>: 76.190%<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Why he&rsquo;s in</strong>: Three scores above 75%, rapid rise into contention, and confirmed qualification.</li>
</ul>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-MYm9P" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Benjamin Ebeling's Freestyle Scores" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/MYm9P/2/" height="423" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Interactive line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">5. Genay Vaughn &amp; Gino</h2>
<p dir="ltr">No rider has been more dominant on the West Coast than Genay Vaughn. With four wins in four outings, she&rsquo;s the only undefeated rider in the Series. Her lowest score? 73.765% earned at the World Cup Finals in Basel, where she made her debut on the international stage.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gino, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding, has been with Vaughn since he was six. Their long partnership shows in their polish and trust. And with the Final taking place in their home state, this pair has both the record and the venue advantage.<br><br></p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Series Avg</strong>: 74.859% | <strong>Series PB</strong>: 75.875%<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Why she&rsquo;s in</strong>: Four-time qualifier winner, confirmed for the Final, and has a homefield advantage.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-6sQB2" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Ge&ntilde;ay &amp;amp; Gino's Career Freestyle Scores" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/6sQB2/2/" height="424" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Interactive line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Who&rsquo;s Missing and Why?</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Four series riders have higher averages than some on this list, but they&rsquo;ve been excluded due to to qualification or likelihood of attendance:<br><br></p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Julio Mendoza Loor &amp; Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike</strong> &ndash; Third by average (77.190%) but ranked just 25th on the leaderboard. Not currently qualified.<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Felicitas Hendricks &amp; Drombusch OLD</strong> &ndash; 11th overall with a 76.533% average, but no confirmation that she&rsquo;ll return from Germany for the Final.<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Kasey Perry-Glass &amp; Heartbeat W.P. </strong>&ndash; A brilliant pair with a strong PB, but sitting 27th in the standings. She&rsquo;d need two more appearances to break into the top 18 which is unlikely at this stage. They will, however, represent the US in Aachen next week.<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Evelyn Eger &amp; Tabledance 3</strong> &ndash; 4th on the leaderboard and sixth by average, but like Hendricks, her status for the Final is unclear.</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr">Next Up: CHIO Aachen</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Next week, we&rsquo;ll preview CHIO Aachen. Although the competition won&rsquo;t affect the Series standings, all four of the American team members&mdash;Kevin Kohmann, Benjamin Ebeling, Kasey Perry-Glass, and Jennifer Williams&mdash;have made an impact on the US Equestrian Open. Their results next week may just predict how they&rsquo;re likely to perform on a Final&rsquo;s stage.</p>

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