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<h3><a href="https://pod.fo/e/2afa9a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">You can listen to the interview here</a> The Early move to Florida</h3>
Anna&rsquo;s journey began in Michigan, where her childhood was filled with dreams of horses and riding. In the show, she talks about her parents sacrifice to get her and her brother access to great education - and of their unwavering support for a road less travelled when the opportunity to ride presented itself.&nbsp;
 <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/77982306-f0e9-490c-9f89-3ca2487fd584?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="&ldquo;i Had Been a Working Student for Belinda Nairn a Couple Summers When I Was in High School. and Then She Offered&hellip; She Had an Injury Where She Had to Stop Riding. and so She Offered Me a Job to Com"> A pivotal moment in her career came when she made the decision to move to Florida to work with Belinda Nairn, an opportunity that allowed her to ride a variety of horses and immerse herself in the sport at a high level. Though it meant stepping away from traditional education, it provided her with the experience that would later shape her into a top competitor.
Anna&rsquo;s father played a crucial role in her journey, serving as a mentor, supporter, and even a &ldquo;dressage dad&rdquo; who follows her results as closely as any dedicated sports fan. His background as a competitive athlete himself has given him an eye for detail and an understanding of the dedication it takes to succeed in sports. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0b3717b6-75b1-4892-b19b-dde43853f6ee?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Anna 2">
<h3><a href="https://pod.fo/e/2afa9a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">You can listen to the interview here</a></h3>
<h3>Family Support and Balancing Parenthood</h3>
Beyond her personal ambition, Anna credits her success to the support system around her. As a mother, she faces the challenge of balancing her professional career with her deep attachment to her children. She acknowledges that her family&rsquo;s unwavering support allows her to focus on competing at the highest level without feeling the guilt of time spent away from home. It&rsquo;s this deep-rooted sense of family and connection that resonates with so many equestrian fans and makes her story relatable.
<h3>Fire Fly: A Teacher in Patience</h3>
One of Anna&rsquo;s standout horses, Firefly, and <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-riders-marek-and-kohmann-dominate-a-chilly-night-in-wellington" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the winner of a leg in this series already</a>, did not arrive in her barn as a finished Grand Prix competitor. He was talented but faced mental roadblocks, particularly in the piaffe. Rather than pushing too hard, Anna took a measured approach, allowing Fire Fly to progress at his own pace.
&ldquo;He has taught me more than any other horse about patience and when to slow down,&rdquo; she says. Her strategy involved treating him as though he was learning from scratch, allowing him to rebuild his confidence. That methodical patience paid off, as Firefly has since delivered some of the highest scores in the US Equestrian Open, earning over 80% from one of the judges this year.
<h3>Fayvel: A Rising Star</h3>
If Firefly represents a lesson in patience, then Fayvel is Anna&rsquo;s chance to be bold. Originally owned and competed by&nbsp;Cynthia Davila, Fayvel transitioned into Anna&rsquo;s competitive string when Cynthia&rsquo;s injury took her out of the saddle. Despite coming onto the international stage slightly later than intended, Fayvel is proving to be a powerhouse, taking Anna to the the World Cup&trade; Final in Riyadh in April 2024. His rideability allows Anna to take more risks, particularly in the freestyle where she can push for every point.
<h3>The Power of Freestyle and Music Selection</h3>
One of the most exciting elements of dressage for fans is the freestyle to music, where riders choreograph performances to music that enhances their horse&rsquo;s movements. For Fire Fly, Anna and his owner wanted something dramatic&mdash;the theme from Stranger Things became the perfect fit. Working with a top freestyle designer, Anna and her team built a routine that matches Fire Fly&rsquo;s strengths, adding an extra dimension to their performances.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e76d51e9-7df7-47ac-9463-a4cccef31e74?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Anna 3">
<h3>The US Equestrian Open and Building Fan Connection</h3>
One of the key goals of the US Equestrian Open is to make the sport more accessible and relatable to fans. For Anna, this initiative is helping to bridge the gap between riders and spectators.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;When you feel like you know someone, you&rsquo;re more likely to cheer for them. Our sport needs that&mdash;positivity and connection.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
With the Open currently in a run of week-to-week shows taking us through almost directly to late April, fans now have the opportunity to watch leaderboards shift and follow riders like Anna on their journey. Seeing their stories unfold week after week transforms names on a leaderboard into athletes with a narrative&mdash;one that fans can invest in, just like any other sport.
<h3>Looking to the Future</h3>
As Anna continues to compete at the highest level, she also has her eyes on the next generation of top horses. One name to watch is Lareau D.E. , or &ldquo;Larry&rdquo;, a young talent that she believes could be a future international star. With a natural ability for piaffe and passage, Larry&rsquo;s progress will be one to follow closely - Check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/phylbot07/">@phylbot07 on Instagram.&nbsp;</a>
<h3>A Season of Excitement</h3>
The US Equestrian Open is providing a platform for our US superstars like Anna Marek to share their journey, bringing fans into the sport in a deeper way. As she continues to compete and inspire, one thing is clear&mdash;Anna&rsquo;s story is one of passion, patience, and perseverance, and she is just getting started. <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2afa9a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">You can listen to the interview here</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">What&rsquo;s Next?</h2>
The qualifiers continue in Wellington next weekend for Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival 7, where two key contenders in the US Open of Dressage standings will be in action&mdash;Evelyn Eger (GER), who currently shares the lead, and&nbsp;Felicitas Hendricks (GER), winner of Week Two&rsquo;s qualifier. With standings this competitive, next weekend's results could once again reshape the leaderboard. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6abfec54-c7a7-4701-b7d4-b6f08629db57?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 Us Equestrian Open of Dressage Series">
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
For the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most up-to-date series calendar</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<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">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen">&nbsp;Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

New Podcast: Anna Marek on Passion, Patience, and Performance

Since Week One, US riders have been attempting to reclaim the top spot on the US Open of Dressage leaderboard. Now, Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn, who won the season&rsquo;s opening qualifier, is back at the top, though this time she shares first place in a three-way tie with Canada&rsquo;s Denielle Gallagher and Germany&rsquo;s Evelyn Eger.
This weekend marks the first time in series history that a rider has won two qualifiers, and remarkably, it happened twice. Vaughn took the victory on the West Coast at the HITS Del Mar Dressage Opener, while Gallagher did the same in Florida at the WEC-Ocala CDI3*.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0523ea96-9b13-4bf7-b8ce-aa3f8824a3af?width=490&amp;height=767" alt="The US Open of Dressage leaderboard as of Feb 16, 2025 showing Denielle, Evelyn and Genay at the top, tied for first place.">
<h2 dir="ltr">West Coast Triumph: Vaughn Secures Repeat Victory</h2>
Vaughn continued her reign on the West Coast, delivering a dominant performance and securing the win with a score of 74.370%. Her Grand Prix test the day before set the tone for the weekend with a solid 70.739%, far outpacing the rest of the field.
This marks Vaughn&rsquo;s sixth consecutive victory with Gino, establishing her as an undeniable force in the region. Vaughn had posted personal bests in her last three outings, and though a few minor mistakes in her tempi changes may have kept her from another PB this weekend, the rest of her test was strong and well-executed. Her growing consistency is a testament to her partnership with Gino, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding. Purchased by Vaughn&rsquo;s mother when he was six, Gino showed raw potential from the start.
<blockquote>
"She knew right away; even though he wasn&rsquo;t like he is now, she could see the potential that he had," Vaughn told Chronicle of the Horse last year.
</blockquote>
With this result, Vaughn is now officially qualified for the World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland, where she will join fellow American Adrienne Lyle and Helix in representing the US.
Kristina Harrison-Antell (USA) and 15-year-old KWPN gelding Finley delivered a strong performance to finish second with a score of 70.910%. This marks her second runner-up finish of the season, having also placed second at the Thermal opener. Harrison-Antell&rsquo;s test featured standout moments, particularly in the extended trot, which was fluid and expressive. The halt work was another highlight, earning 8s from four out of five judges for its precision and balance.
<h2 dir="ltr">East Coast Brilliance: Gallagher Joins the Double-Win Club</h2>
On the East Coast, Denielle Gallagher claimed victory with a personal best score of 72.940%, besting her previous high, which was also set at this venue just weeks ago. She also won the Grand Prix the day before, further cementing her partnership with 13-year-old Lusitano gelding, Come Back de Massa.
The pair&rsquo;s freestyle is an ode to horse lovers worldwide. Set to the nostalgic soundtrack from Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, the instantly recognizable melodies from Bryan Adams and Hans Zimmer deeply resonated with the audience.
<blockquote>
"The &lsquo;Spirit&rsquo; soundtrack is emotional," Gallagher said. "I heard people in the crowd talking about crying when I started out. I either want people dancing in their seats or crying. I want to hit them emotionally."
</blockquote>
With this win, Gallagher extends her international win streak to four and now finds herself in a three-way tie for first in the US Open of Dressage standings.
Gallagher wasn't the only rider celebrating a personal best this weekend. Eline Eckroth also continued her upward trajectory with a first-ever score in the 70s. Her 71.055% was enough for second place&mdash;an impressive achievement considering she and her 14-year-old Oldenburg mare, Daphne, moved up to Grand Prix just three months ago. The pair also posted a personal best in the Grand Prix the day before.
<h2 dir="ltr">What&rsquo;s Next?</h2>
The qualifiers continue in Wellington next weekend for Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival 7, where two key contenders in the US Open of Dressage standings will be in action&mdash;Evelyn Eger (GER), who currently shares the lead, and Felicitas Hendricks (GER), winner of Week Two&rsquo;s qualifier. With standings this competitive, next weekend's results could once again reshape the leaderboard.
<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/b0ba4a7e-31a4-4a11-a147-7faa41ac9f1d.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage">
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

Close up of a dressage rider in the saddle showing their legs, hands and part of the horse's neck. They're wearing a shadbelly coat and the horse has a white saddle pad with an American flag.

US Open of Dressage: A Three-Way Tie at the Top

For the first time this season, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage splits in two, with qualifiers unfolding on both coasts this weekend. Riders will face off in Ocala and Del Mar, marking the first West Coast qualifier since opening weekend. Below are six key storylines to follow as the competition unfolds.
<h3>1. This weekend marks the series&rsquo; first doubleheader</h3>
With two qualifiers happening simultaneously, competitors on both coasts are fighting for valuable series points. The World Equestrian Center in Ocala hosts&nbsp;Qualifier 7 - East, while Del Mar Horse Park in California sees the return of West Coast action for Qualifier 7 - West&mdash;the first in the region since opening weekend. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/17bb66f7-85cb-46de-8eb4-c41f72005e04?width=1364&amp;height=1326" alt="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for WEC Ocala ">
<h3>2. Familiar names and new entrants are in the mix</h3>
Week One winner Genay Vaughn is competing again on&nbsp;Gino in Del Mar, and Week Five winner Denielle Gallagher is returning with&nbsp;Come Back de Massa in Ocala. Both riders have a chance to become the first double winner of the series&mdash;and if either of them succeeds, they will tie Evelyn Eger for first place in the standings.&nbsp; <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b18f60dc-0ca7-49ef-84fd-a0c82902406b?width=1364&amp;height=1280" alt="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for Del Mar Dressage Opener">
<h3>3. Vaughn and Gino are on an upward trajectory.</h3>
Although the pair are technically third based on averages, their consistent scoring improvements put them in strong contention for first place this weekend. If they achieve a new combination best, they will be well within reach of challenger&nbsp;G&uuml;nter Seidel&rsquo;s averages. Vaughn and Gino won Qualifier One on a score of 75.150%, while Seidel and Equirelle&rsquo;s average freestyle score sits at 75.423%&mdash;putting Vaughn within striking range of a victory. 
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8af5861b-1a9c-4343-9358-1dafb929a37f?width=1204&amp;height=912" alt="Qn Ybw Genay Vaughn Gino S Freestyle Scores">
<h3>4. Three-time Olympian G&uuml;nter Seidel enters the series competition on Equirelle</h3>
The pair last competed at the FEI level in November 2024, when Seidel piloted Equirelle to first place in the Grand Prix Special. However, before that, they had not appeared in an FEI arena since 2021, which was also the last time they completed a freestyle. At that event, they finished second with a score of 76.615%, their combination-best. While they may be shaking off some rust this weekend, it&rsquo;s hard to count them out as podium contenders. With the highest average in the field (75.423%) and Seidel&rsquo;s decades of experience, they are well-positioned to impress this weekend <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d6d0d51a-e05e-4433-b601-00fcd93fa2ba?width=1204&amp;height=1472" alt="A table examining G&uuml;nter Seidel's career highlights">
<h3>5. The East Coast qualifier is wide open, with the top three entrants separated by less than one percentage point.&nbsp;</h3>
&bull; Hatsjie B (James Koford) &ndash; 71.808% &bull; Dee Clair (Caroline Stevenson)&nbsp;&ndash; 71.378%. &bull; Come Back de Massa (Denielle Gallagher)&nbsp;&ndash; 70.748%
Although&nbsp;Dee Clair&rsquo;s personal best is 76.100%, that score came with rider Anna Marek in 2021. This will be Stevenson&rsquo;s first FEI freestyle aboard Dee Clair, though they have completed four freestyles at the national level.
<h3>6. Three horses are making their FEI Grand Prix Freestyle debut this weekend</h3>
On the East Coast, Etanga (ridden by Alexandra Dominguez Thomas), and on the West Coast, Flower-power and Iniesto (both ridden by Laura de Cesari) will make their first appearances.
With two qualifiers running simultaneously for the first time, this weekend&rsquo;s competition could have a major impact on the series standings. With top contenders looking to solidify their positions and new faces entering the mix, both coasts promise an exciting showdown as the road to the US Equestrian Open Finals continues to unfold. Both freestyle classes take place Saturday, February 15. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Become a USEF Network Fan for free</a> to stream the upcoming qualifiers live!&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
For the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most up-to-date series calendar</a> and <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest standings</a>, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/">usequestrianopen.org</a>.
Stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4bcc5e89-799b-4ab1-85d0-23b457ed5fa2?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;

Picture of horse and rider from above as they enter the arena. They are dressed in gear for Dressage.

6 Key Things to Know About Qualifier 7's Doubleheader

Personal bests, high scores, and a celebrity cameo made for an electric night at the Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival&rsquo;s Friday Night Stars. Under the warm Florida evening sky, Adrienne Lyle and Helix delivered a stunning performance, earning a career-best 80.325% to claim victory. Anna Marek and Fayvel followed closely in second, while P.J. Rizvi rounded out the podium in an inspiring comeback ride aboard her non-warmblood mount, Vanilla Ice.
<h2 dir="ltr">Adrienne Lyle &amp; Helix &mdash; A Combination-Best Performance</h2>
Lyle and Zen Elite Equestrian Center&rsquo;s Helix put on a masterclass under the lights. Their winning score of 80.325% &mdash; a combination best &mdash; marked a three-point improvement from <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/Hendricks-Drombusch-OLD-Remain-Undefeated-in-Wellington-Freestyles">their last outing at this same venue</a>, where they scored 77.280%. The Paris 2024 pair looked more composed than ever, with their freestyle victory coming on the heels of a strong Grand Prix win the day before.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I am just so thrilled with him. That is hands down the best feeling he&rsquo;s ever given me,&rdquo; Lyle said. &ldquo;He just felt so effortless. I felt like I didn&rsquo;t have to push for anything.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<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=12936977&amp;utm_source=clipmyhorse&amp;utm_medium=cmh_content_lane&amp;utm_campaign=event_highlights&amp;utm_term=Adrienne%2BLyle%2B%252B%2BHelix%2BON%2BTOP%2521&amp;utm_content=f65e779cf2cf3ccfeb2ff9611372132e">Performing to a nostalgic mix</a> featuring &ldquo;Stand By Me,&rdquo; &ldquo;The Way You Move,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Sweet Child O&rsquo; Mine&rdquo;, Lyle and Helix delivered a freestyle packed with technical and artistic brilliance. Their degree of difficulty averaged 9.18, and their piaffe-passage transitions&mdash;an area of focus this season&mdash;earned a 9 from one judge.
It&rsquo;s not often you see a perfect 10 in dressage, but Lyle did just that, with the Judge at B awarding a 10 for music and interpretation.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Anna Marek &amp; Fayvel&mdash;A Strong Second Place</h2>
After withdrawing from competition just a week ago in Ocala, Marek and Cynthia Davila&rsquo;s Fayvel returned in top form, earning a 78.785%&mdash;just shy of their personal best (78.995%). Their freestyle was electric, set to a soundtrack featuring &ldquo;BOOM&rdquo; by X Ambassadors and &ldquo;Coincidance&rdquo; by Handsome Driver.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I can take risks, and we made this freestyle with so many combinations in a row. As difficult as it is, he&rsquo;s still so easy to ride,&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Marek, a Paris Olympic shortlist rider, took risks with a challenging floor plan, including a half-circle of two-time changes straight into one-time changes. Fayvel&rsquo;s power surged in the final extended trot, leading to a slight bobble that cost them a few marks, but it didn&rsquo;t overshadow an otherwise stellar performance.
&ldquo;I can take risks, and we made this freestyle with so many combinations in a row. As difficult as it is, he&rsquo;s still so easy to ride,&rdquo; Marek explained. &ldquo;I ride the brake a little bit and say, &lsquo;Not so much, buddy!&rsquo;&rdquo;
With this performance, both Marek and Lyle remain firmly in contention for a US team spot at the World Cup Final in April.
<h2 dir="ltr">P.J. Rizvi &amp; Vanilla Ice &mdash; A Comeback Story for the Books</h2>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;My goal was to prove to myself that I could get back on a horse..."
</blockquote>
In perhaps the most wholesome moment of the night, P.J. Rizvi and Vanilla Ice finished third in their first-ever CDI together, scoring 76.585%. The result was emotional in more ways than one &mdash; this was Rizvi&rsquo;s first CDI in six years after a life-altering accident, one that left her being told she&rsquo;d never ride, walk, or drive again. Simply getting back in the saddle was the goal &mdash; third place was just the cherry on top.
&ldquo;My goal was to prove to myself that I could get back on a horse, and he&rsquo;s a complete confidence builder,&rdquo; Rizvi said. &ldquo;I really pushed hard for this, and I honestly did it for pure fun. It was our first CDI and my personal best score. I&rsquo;m in shock. I heard a lot of clapping and screaming; this was so much fun.&rdquo;
Their icy freestyle music featured &ldquo;Cold as Ice&rdquo; by Foreigner and &ldquo;Ice Ice Baby&rdquo; by Vanilla Ice (Robert van Winkle)&mdash;who was <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFy82_budDv/?hl=en">in attendance</a> as a personal friend of Rizvi&rsquo;s and also helped to present awards.
As the final ride of the night, the crowd was already buzzing, but their energy only intensified for Rizvi. Her freestyle had spectators on their feet, clapping and cheering &mdash; a rare sight in the traditionally reserved sport of dressage.
<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">Watch their full performance here.</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Night to Remember</h2>
<blockquote>
"Tonight was awesome.&rdquo; - Judge Debbie Rodriguez
</blockquote>
Qualifier Six delivered everything fans could hope for &mdash; career-best performances, emotional comebacks, and leaderboard drama. With US riders sweeping the top four spots, the competition has never been tighter. But in a major leaderboard shakeup, Germany&rsquo;s Evelyn Edger now leads with 40 points, while Marek, Lyle, and Felicitas Hendricks sit in a three-way tie for second.
<h3>Top 10 Placings on the Series Leaderboard after Qualifier 6:</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/8306e922-979c-4e5d-a345-fa15c958e3d4?width=493&amp;height=962" alt="The Top 10 Placings on the US Equestrian Open Dressage Leaderboard After Qualifier 6 (AGDF 5)">
"I couldn&rsquo;t have asked for a better class,&rdquo; said Judge at C, Debbie Rodriguez. &ldquo;Seeing Helix relax as he walked by me before the test was awesome. You knew the test was going to be good, and it didn&rsquo;t disappoint. Watching Anna come in and have that confident partnership with her horse, that was a treat, too. Then P.J. came in to finish the night and it was sheer fun; whether you&rsquo;re a dressage person or not, it made everyone clap. Tonight was awesome.&rdquo;
<h2 dir="ltr">What&rsquo;s Next?</h2>
The leaderboard battle continues as the US Equestrian Open shifts to the West Coast for the Del Mar Opener in historic Del Mar, California. This is a critical opportunity for West Coast riders to shake up the standings and make their mark.
<a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Become a USEF Network Fan for free</a>&nbsp;to stream the upcoming legs live!
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>.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/fcad386e-3e1c-4ac0-8c47-efcc188f58bd?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage Series">
<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.
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.
&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;

Adrienne Lyle entering the dressage arena of the Paris 2024 Olympics riding the liver chestnut horse Helix. The image is taken from directly in front of them with the Palace of Versailles in the background. Adrienne smiles. Helix has pleasant expression.

Lyle, Marek, and Rizvi Deliver a Thrilling Night of Freestyle Dressage

The race for the US Equestrian Open series lead heats up in Wellington as the Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival 5 brings another high-stakes Grand Prix Freestyle. With just 0.076 percentage points separating the top contenders, American riders Adrienne Lyle and Anna Marek have a golden opportunity to put the US flag back on top of the standings.
A victory here would not only mark a key World Cup qualifier win but could also signal a power shift in the series, bringing the US level with Germany&rsquo;s Felicitas Hendricks at the top of the leaderboard. Under the lights on Friday night, the stage is set for a must-watch showdown &mdash; can USA take control of the series once again?
<h2 dir="ltr">The Battle at the Top: Lyle vs. Marek</h2>
The duel between American riders Adrienne Lyle and Anna Marek is a must-watch storyline. Both are in strong form &mdash; Lyle and her 13-year-old Helix average 75.276% in the Freestyle, while Marek and 15-year-old Fayvel are nearly identical at 75.200%. Their personal bests show similar parity, with Helix at 77.610% and Fayvel at 78.995%. Both riders are familiar with the atmosphere at Global, both riders were shortlisted for the Paris Olympics (with Lyle and Helix making the team), and both riders are inside the FEI World Dressage Top 35 (Lyle at No. 23, Marek at No. 33).
Either could walk away with the winner&rsquo;s cooler Friday night.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5fb69ac0-f09b-4787-96f5-22af9218719c?width=1500&amp;height=1124" alt="Line Graph Showing Helix and Fayvel's Grand Prix Freestyle Scores">
Lyle and Helix <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/Hendricks-Drombusch-OLD-Remain-Undefeated-in-Wellington-Freestyles">started their season</a> strong at AGDF 1, scoring 77.280% for second place. Marek, meanwhile, <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-riders-marek-and-kohmann-dominate-a-chilly-night-in-wellington">topped the podium</a> in Wellington just two weeks ago with her Olympic Shortlist mount, Fire Fly, scoring 77.755%.&nbsp;
With only 0.076 percentage points separating their Freestyle averages, the top step of the podium is truly up for grabs. If Marek claims victory, it will mark the first time since Week One that an American leads the US Equestrian Open of Dressage. If Lyle wins, the US will once again top the leaderboard, but in a tie with Germany&rsquo;s Felicitas Hendricks.
<h2 dir="ltr">Who Else Could Challenge?</h2>
While Lyle and Marek are the favorites, they may have company in the fight for the win. The field is deep, with six of the ten entrants currently ranked in the top 100 of the FEI World Rankings.
<h3 dir="ltr">The Consistent Contender: Jan Ebeling</h3>
German-American rider Jan Ebeling, who represented the U.S. at the 2012 London Olympics, brings Jubi&rsquo;s Tenacity into the mix. Ebeling and &ldquo;Jubi&rdquo; are models of consistency, averaging 73.909% in the Freestyle. While they sit just outside the leading duo&rsquo;s range, a strong performance could put them in contention. Especially since their personal best of 75.720% sits comfortably amongst Lyle and Marek&rsquo;s averages.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">The Potential Upset: Evelyn Eger</h3>
Germany&rsquo;s Evelyn Eger and Tabledance 3 are a real threat to the American riders reclaiming the leaderboard. A regular at the venue, Eger has competed in all three Wellington shows so far in 2025. She and Tabledance 3 are also quite consistent, averaging 73.739%, with a PB of 77.085%. If she can replicate that peak score this weekend, she could shake up the standings &ndash; even overtaking Hendricks for the number one spot.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/fead2ca8-bac3-4db3-bf18-a81179645094?width=1324&amp;height=1706" alt="Table showing the Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for the Qualifier 6 Entries in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage">
<h2 dir="ltr">A Tight Field</h2>
The top four riders are separated by just 1.54 percentage points on average and 3.28 points on PBs. Eger and Tabledance 3 have logged the most Grand Prix Freestyle performances at eight, while Lyle and Helix maintain the highest average (75.267%). Lyle and Marek consistently score above 75, while Ebeling and Eger trend closer to 73-74.
In short? It&rsquo;s going to be a battle you won&rsquo;t want to miss. Tune in to the <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/15333/adequan-global-dressage-festival-5">USEF Network</a> on Friday night to watch the Grand Prix Freestyle unfold live at 6 p.m. Eastern.&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/f6e0e709-5258-4b22-bc15-952868998329?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage Series (7)">
<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;

Image of Anna Marek riding a horse in her dressage attire. She is smiling broadly.

Battle for the US Equestrian Open Lead

Qualifier Five <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/qualifier-5-preview-a-wide-open-field">took an unexpected turn</a> after both frontrunners withdrew on Friday. To advance to the Grand Prix Freestyle, riders must first complete the Grand Prix test&mdash;but neither Anna Marek nor Caroline Stevenson managed to do so, leaving the field wide open for someone else to step up.
The unpredictability continued into Saturday when Nora Batchelder was forced to retire Nova mid-test, clearing the way for Canadian rider Denielle Gallagher to take the win. Gallagher and Come Back de Massa posted a personal best of 71.475%, securing victory and adding her name to the growing list of riders with 20 points on the US Equestrian Open of Dressage leaderboard.
<h3>Top 10 Riders on the Series Leaderboard after Qualifier 5 at WEC Dressage VIII:</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/7457f76c-f79f-468c-9597-78fb76d37702?width=496&amp;height=753" alt="Leaderboard for the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage as of 3 Feb 2025 (after Qualifier 5)">
Eline Eckroth and 14-year-old Oldenburg mare, Daphne, also rode a personal best today with a final score of 69.325%. The pair are still gaining experience at Grand Prix, having only debuted at the level in November 2024, but their steady improvement makes them a combination to watch this season.
Next week, competition returns to Wellington for the Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival 5, the third World Cup Qualifier at the venue. A stacked entry list includes Adrienne Lyle and Helix, Anna Marek and Fayvel, and Evelyn Edger and Tabledance 3. The field is competitive. Six of the ten entrants are currently ranked in the top 100 on the FEI World Rankings. If Marek can secure the win, she&rsquo;ll take the top spot on the US Equestrian Open leaderboard.
<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/022853c1-4e27-46ef-9daa-21626e82e688?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;

Black & white image of a rider patting her dark bay horse on the neck as she leans toward the horse's face. The rider is in her dressage competition attire. The image is a side-on close-up. The top of the rider's helmet is seen but not her face.

Gallagher and Eckroth Deliver Career-Best Rides at Qualifier Five

The U.S. Open of Dressage has taken some unexpected turns this season, but Qualifier 5 may be the biggest shake-up yet. With Anna Marek retiring and Caroline Stevenson eliminated, two of the strongest contenders never made it past the Grand Prix qualifier. That leaves the Freestyle wide open&mdash;but two riders, Denielle Gallagher (CAN) and Nora Batchelder (USA), stand out as potentially the ones to watch. Missing the Freestyle is a blow for Anna Marek <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-riders-marek-and-kohmann-dominate-a-chilly-night-in-wellington">who won last weekend</a> at the Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival on her Olympic shortlist mount, Fire Fly. She was due to ride the 14-year-old KWPN gelding Fayvel and was expected to make it back-to-back qualifier wins and return the&nbsp;US flag back on top of the leaderboard for the first time since Week 1. The main challenger, we expected was going to be Caroline Stevenson, a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist, riding Dee Clair&mdash;one of Marek&rsquo;s former rides. An unfortunate elimination in the Grand Prix qualifier means&nbsp;others will get the opportunity to step into the limelight. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/87c9eb12-1d92-48bf-8109-84b356970de1?width=1248&amp;height=1650" alt="The table showing the Top 10 Grand Prix Freestyle Scores at the World Equestrian Center Ocala All Time " loading="lazy">
<h3 dir="ltr">Two Top Contenders, But No Clear Favorite</h3>
Denielle Gallagher, riding 13-year-old gelding Come Back De Massa, brings the strongest credentials. She holds the highest personal best in the field (73.750%) and a solid average (70.377%). She also won today&rsquo;s Grand Prix qualifier with a 65.739%, showing consistency at this venue.
Nora Batchelder enters the ring on Nova, a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare, with the highest freestyle average (71.775%)&mdash;but with a catch. That one Grand Prix Freestyle score is also their only one. Batchelder&rsquo;s personal best (73.360%) came on another horse, FARO SQF, making her a bit of a wildcard in the field.
<h3 dir="ltr">The Other Two Contenders Aren&rsquo;t Far Behind</h3>
 Eline Eckroth (Daphne) has a PB of 73.275% and an average of 70.246%, putting her right alongside Denielle in potential. However, her Grand Prix qualifier score this weekend (63.522%) was the lowest in the field.
Anna Merritt (Fox Creek&rsquo;s Censational) has the lowest freestyle average (68.377%) but outscored Eline in the Grand Prix qualifier (64.087%).&nbsp;
With less than three and a half percentage points separating the competitors, the race for victory is anyone&rsquo;s to claim.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6a2613f5-5eed-4007-8b6f-9a897700cc2c?width=1364&amp;height=940" alt="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for the Qualifier 5 Entries Nbsp ">
<h3 dir="ltr">Don't Miss the Action</h3>
Qualifier 5 takes place Saturday, 6 p.m. Eastern in the Indoor Arena at the World Equestrian Center. WEC, the largest equestrian complex in the US, was named one of TIME&rsquo;s 2024 World&rsquo;s Greatest Places, making it a fitting stage for the next chapter of this series. With the top two riders bringing very different strengths&mdash;Denielle&rsquo;s experience vs. Nora&rsquo;s high-scoring potential&mdash;and the field separated by just a few points, the competition is wide open. Whoever delivers their best ride when it counts will take home the win. The only things we can be sure of is that there will be first time Open winner and that Felicitas Hendricks will remain the series leader for another week.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/15415" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch here.</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.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7b6743ec-9b80-4b07-a3e4-d3fbefb160d9?width=1080&amp;height=1350" 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 5 Preview: A Wide Open Field as Favorites Drop Out 

A strong field of 15 riders took to the stage in Wellington this weekend on a chilly, windy night. Despite temperatures in the 40s, the competition was fierce, with 13 pairs scoring above 70% and the US Open of Dressage leaderboard finally breaking out of a three-way tie.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;They were a high standard. I didn&rsquo;t even feel the cold anymore because I was so excited.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Monique Peutz-Vegter, the Judge at C, praised the evening&rsquo;s performances, saying, &ldquo;They were a high standard. I didn&rsquo;t even feel the cold anymore because I was so excited.&rdquo;
<h2 dir="ltr">Anna Marek and Fire Fly Ignite the Night</h2>
Ocala-based Anna Marek and her 15-year-old KWPN gelding, Fire Fly, eeked out a win with a score of 77.755% for her <a href="https://youtu.be/2q1dqWdPZaI?feature=shared">electrifying performance</a> set to the Stranger Things soundtrack, featuring a cinematic arrangement of Running Up That Hill by Samuel Kim. Marek&rsquo;s routine earned an average degree of difficulty of 9, with a standout 80.075% from the judge at B.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I feel like he&rsquo;d give me his all.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
&ldquo;This freestyle is really fun to ride, and I love the dramatic music,&rdquo; Marek said. &ldquo;This is my favorite freestyle venue; you can feel the atmosphere, and the horses get excited in a really good way.&rdquo; Marek, who&rsquo;s had the ride on Fire Fly for three and a half years, noted that he&rsquo;s a sensitive horse, but now that they&rsquo;re on the same page, she feels like they&rsquo;re unstoppable together. &ldquo;I feel like he&rsquo;d give me his all,&rdquo; she added.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ab0cb692-89ae-48fc-b67b-822eb3a3637a?width=1228&amp;height=1042" alt="Line Graph Showing All of Fire Fly's Grand Prix Freestyle Scores">
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">Kevin Kohmann and D&uuml;nensee Steal the Show</h2>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t our highest score, but it was my best ride on him.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Kevin Kohmann and 16-year-old D&uuml;nensee delivered an innovative test set to Kygo&rsquo;s Stole the Show and Avicii&rsquo;s Wake Me Up. Deviating from tradition, they opened with canter pirouettes after the halt and later performed a piaffe pirouette during the walk section. His crowd-pleasing creativity was rewarded by spectators as he topped the spectator voting with 80.067%. The judges rewarded him with a 77.545% &ndash; just 0.21 percentage points behind Marek.
&ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t our highest score, but it was my best ride on him,&rdquo; Kohmann said. &ldquo;I love riding the freestyle, and I love riding here under the lights.&rdquo; The pair currently sits at the top of the FEI World Cup&trade; North American League rankings, solidifying their status as serious contenders this season.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/bb8dfee3-dc7b-4a96-8d3a-9f0187639d2a?width=1228&amp;height=904" alt="Line Graph Showing All of Dunensee's Grand Prix Freestyle Scores">
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">Felicitas Hendricks Rounds Out the Podium</h2>
Felicitas Hendricks and Drombusch OLD claimed third with 76.365%, despite the evening chill taking its toll. &ldquo;I think the cold got to us a little today,&rdquo; she admitted. &ldquo;There was some spiciness that I didn&rsquo;t expect, so I had to back off a bit, which made me maybe a little too shy with my aids and led to a couple of mistakes.&rdquo; Still, Hendricks sits firmly on top of the U.S. Open Leaderboard with 37 points, trailed by Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n at 32 points.
<h3>The Series Standings after Qualifier 4 at the AGDF3:</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/6723feb9-290b-4fc7-a906-d4bbf1dd515e?width=492&amp;height=971" alt="The US Equestrian Open of Dressage Leaderboard After Qualifier 4">
<h2 dir="ltr">What&rsquo;s Ahead</h2>
The series heads to Ocala next weekend, with freestyles set to begin at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 1.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8515c854-3a81-4e41-b18a-538257868f0b?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 Us Equestrian Open of Dressage Series">
For continual 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"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
<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;

Rider Kevin Kohmann rides the dark bay horse Dünensee on a loose rein as they exit the arena after a dressage test. Kevin smiles broadly and waves to the crowd while Dünensee's ears are pricked forward in a pleasant expression.

U.S. Riders Marek and Kohmann Dominate a Chilly Night in Wellington

The Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival is back this week, bringing familiar faces like Felicitas Hendricks and Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n to the arena. For the first time in the series, we&rsquo;re seeing repeat competitors, meaning the leaderboard could shift significantly as riders battle to move ahead in the standings.&nbsp;
 Global is bound to deliver excitement no matter how you slice it, but the real intrigue centers on who will lead the U.S. Open of Dressage after Friday night. A clear frontrunner could emerge, or we could see a four-way tie at the top of the leaderboard. With an undefeated freestyle competitor in Hendricks, a seven-time Olympian in Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n, and two formidable Americans in Anna Marek and Kevin Kohmann, the stage is set for an unforgettable competition.
 The Contenders
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8af71112-78a2-4398-82d1-b88bcb778045?width=1364&amp;height=2186" alt="Z0f Jz Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for the Qualifier 4 Entries">
<h2> Felicitas Hendricks &amp; Drombusch OLD</h2>
Undefeated in freestyle at Wellington, Florida&rsquo;s Felicitas Hendricks leads the field with an impressive average score of 77.60% and a personal best of 79.11%. Known for her high degree of difficulty and consistent technical execution, Hendricks has proven to be a clear favorite. Another win this weekend would further solidify her as the one to beat.
<h2>Anna Marek &amp; Fire Fly</h2>
Anna Marek and her Dutch Warmblood gelding, Fire Fly, have demonstrated remarkable growth, averaging 75.11% with a high score of 78.31%. The pair&rsquo;s partnership helped the U.S. earn Pan American team gold. Marek, shortlisted for the Paris Olympics, could keep the U.S. Open leaderboard wide open by forcing a tie with a victory on Friday night.
<h2>Kevin Kohmann &amp; D&uuml;nensee</h2>
Kevin Kohmann has steadily climbed the ranks with his Hanoverian gelding, D&uuml;nensee. The pair averages 74.65% in the freestyle, with a career-best score of 77.72% earned during their first freestyle victory in 2023 at the World Equestrian Center. Kohmann&rsquo;s adaptability and D&uuml;nensee&rsquo;s continued development make them strong contenders for a podium finish&mdash;and possibly a spot at the top of the leaderboard with a win.
<h2>Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n &amp; Devanto</h2>
The seven-time Olympian from Sweden brings a wealth of experience to the competition with her 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Devanto. Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n averages 75.47% with a personal best of 78.08%, putting her among the top scorers in the competition. If she wins and Hendricks places second, their scores would tie at the top of the U.S. Open leaderboard, showcasing the unique dynamics of the series&rsquo; scoring system.
<h2>Charlotte Jorst &amp; Zhaplin Langholt</h2>
While perhaps unlikely to win, Charlotte Jorst could still play a spoiler role in the leaderboard race. A surprise victory would catapult her into the lead on the U.S. Open of Dressage leaderboard, making her a wildcard to watch in Friday&rsquo;s freestyle.
<h2>Scenarios and Stakes</h2>
<h3>The Series Standings after Qualifier 3 at the Gold Coast Opener:</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/f9c9653c-66ec-450c-8cb2-02cc98a2f746?width=496&amp;height=788" alt="Table Showing the Current Leaderboard (after the Gold Coast Opener) of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage 2025">
Currently, three riders share the lead on a congested leaderboard with 20 points each: Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn, Felicitas Hendricks, and Charlotte Jorst. Of the three riders tied at the top, Vaughn is the only one not competing this weekend.
The U.S. Open of Dressage awards 20 points for first place, 17 for second and third, 15 for fourth and fifth, and 10 for places six through ten. This scoring system allows for several intriguing scenarios.
The most likely outcome is that Hendricks&rsquo; pulls ahead with an undefeated freestyle record at Wellington. Another victory would establish her as the definitive frontrunner. If Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n wins and Hendricks places second or third, the two would tie for the top spot.&nbsp;Marek and Kohmann are the main US contenders aiming to challenge at the top of the leaderboard this Friday, looking to join Vaughn on 20 points.
So, who will rise to the top of the U.S. Open leaderboard after Friday night? Can Hendricks maintain her undefeated streak? Could Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n play spoiler?
Tune in to the USEF Network on Friday night to watch the Grand Prix Freestyle unfold live and see who emerges victorious.
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
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.
<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">
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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

Week Four Brings Potential Shake-Up to the U.S. Equestrian Open Leaderboard

Charlotte Jorst and Zhaplin Langholt added another win to their record this weekend at the 2025 Gold Coast Opener, securing the top spot in the Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 73.985%. The performance earned Jorst 20 points on the US Open of Dressage leaderboard, which is now split in a three-way tie with Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn (USA) and Felicitas Hendricks (GER).&nbsp;
<h3>The Series Standings after Qualifier 3 at the Gold Coast Opener:</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/f9c9653c-66ec-450c-8cb2-02cc98a2f746?width=496&amp;height=788" alt="Table Showing the Current Leaderboard (after the Gold Coast Opener) of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage 2025">
The freestyle class had just two entries this weekend, with second place going to Argentina&rsquo;s Micaela Mabraga&ntilde;a and her horse, Belatrix RH, who scored 67.665%. Earlier in the weekend, Mabraga&ntilde;a edged out Jorst in the Grand Prix test with a score of 64.587%, compared to Jorst&rsquo;s 64.022% on her other mount, 13-year-old Danish Warmblood, Atterupgaards Botticelli.&nbsp;
For Jorst, this victory comes full circle&mdash;she and Zhaplin debuted at the Big Tour at this very venue just one year ago.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">The Road Ahead in the U.S. Open</h2>
Next week&rsquo;s Adequan Global Dressage Festival 3 should break the tie at the top of the leaderboard. Both Jorst and Hendricks are entered in the Grand Prix Freestyle, and a win by either rider would crown a new leader. However, Sweden&rsquo;s Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n could join the race for the top spot. If Tinne delivers a performance similar to her test two weeks ago and claims first place (20 points), she could reach 37 points&mdash;tying for first, assuming Charlotte or Felicitas finish second or third (17 points each). With a field of 15, compelling stories are bound to unfold at Wellington International.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
For the full calendar of events and standings updates, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at <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"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d35d5aa9-5dcf-4eb2-b1fa-746c463761a5?width=1080&amp;height=1350" 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;

A front-on image of Jennifer Williams performing a dressage salute during competition on the chestnut horse Joppe K. Jennifer smiles and Joppe K's ears are pricked forward in a pleasant expression. Elements of US Open branding decorate the color photo.

Dressage