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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">1. The strongest field in Carolina history</h2>
This weekend's CCI4*-S carries an Elo Field Strength rating of 615 - the highest ever recorded at Carolina, and the second highest of any CCI4*-S on US soil in the last ten years.
Elo Field Strength is the average Elo rating of the top 20 horses in a competition. It&rsquo;s a way to measure the overall quality of both the field and the competitors.&nbsp;A rating of 615 doesn't happen because one or two world-class horses showed up. It happens because the whole field is elite. Whoever wins this weekend will have beaten some of the best combinations in the country to do it.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2533fea0-270e-467a-8528-203fcf5108af.png?width=1948&amp;height=1640" alt="Sq U34 the Strongest Cci4 S Fields on Us Soil Last 10 Years ">
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">2. Multiple Carolina champions are back</h2>
Three of the last four horses that won Carolina are returning to defend their title.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle, winners here twelve months ago, are back to try and repeat.</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Liz Halliday's Miks Master C, this time with Boyd Martin, won here in 2024.</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Will Coleman and Dondante won in 2022, and Dondante is back, now with Meg Pellegrini.</li>
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On top of that, Phillip Dutton has two in the field while Caroline Pamukcu&nbsp;returns with three rides having won her first major CCI4*-S title at this very venue in 2017.
&nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5d9a6e14-0baa-4c5f-93a3-f26c1b311185.png?width=1278&amp;height=1126" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 18 184240">
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<h2 class="font-claude-response relative leading-[1.65rem] [&amp;_pre&gt;div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&amp;_pre&gt;div]:border-0.5 [&amp;_pre&gt;div]:border-border-400 [&amp;_.ignore-pre-bg&gt;div]:bg-transparent [&amp;_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&amp;_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&amp;_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&amp;_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8">3. The competition is wide open</h2>
The podium conversation stretches across half the start list. Will Coleman (23%) arrives as a three-time winner (on three different horses) but Diabolo is still newly back to competition after an injury. How hard Will presses cross-country will be a major factor for his chances.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a5016d79-da86-4058-ab10-5f3887becabe.png?width=1273&amp;height=955" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 18 193241">
Caroline Pamukcu sits in second on the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/carolina_4s_2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre </a>with&nbsp;her superstar HSH Blake (14%), and with something still to prove ahead of Aachen selection, she may push on when Will doesn't. Phillip Dutton brings two horses for a combined win chance of 12% while FEI World No.2 Boyd Martin's win chance totals 16%.
There is no clear race-away favorite, no obvious result. That's what happens when you put together the deepest Carolina field ever assembled.
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">4. The biggest points haul of the series so far</h2>
Carolina is the fourth qualifier in the US Equestrian Open of Eventing, and for the first time in the 2026 Series, the full points scale is in play. With more than 25 starters, first place is worth 50 points this weekend - compared to a maximum of 40 at the previous qualifiers. That's a significant jump. A 50-point weekend changes things fast.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ec2bc08c-7c88-4dc3-a5e7-4fd9617950fd.png?width=3204&amp;height=2600" alt="Qualifiers With More Than 25 Starters (1) (1) (1)">
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<div class="group relative relative pb-3" data-is-streaming="false">5. The whole Series leaderboard is on the line 
After three qualifiers, Lucienne Bellissimo and Caroline Pamukcu are tied at the top of the Open Series leaderboard. Boyd Martin sits third, Will Coleman fourth. And three of these four are competing this weekend.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1708749e-a16c-47cb-9cbb-1e1fc14a457e.png?width=628&amp;height=952" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 18 200431">
Caroline has three entries at Carolina, Boyd has two, and Will has one, meaning this single event could reshape the entire standings in one afternoon.
Whoever performs best this weekend has a real chance to break clear at the top. Whoever doesn't could find themselves looking up. The leaderboard that greets us on Monday morning will look very different to the one we have now.
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Want to dive deeper into Carolina this weekend?&nbsp;Check out the full&nbsp;<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/carolina2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Form Guide</a> or tune in to this week's episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast <a href="https://pod.fo/e/3af826" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9dfe039-3b02-415d-b513-c5bd87d85dae.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar">
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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>.
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Five Reasons You Can't Miss the Carolina Qualifier This Weekend

<h2 dir="ltr">Dressage: Wandres Wins AGDF 10, Darcourt Holds On</h2>
Germany&rsquo;s Frederic Wandres and Verrenberg won Friday night's Grand Prix Freestyle at AGDF 10 with a new combination best of 76.240%. Verrenberg, the youngest horse in the field at ten years old, looked every bit the emerging force the data hinted at. Wandres rode to a freestyle soundtrack originally built for Bluetooth, his Olympic gold medal partner, and the fit was close enough.
"He's a really promising horse," Wandres said.
<blockquote>
"He's very consistent in the arena to bring these good results already at this young age, which is not so normal."
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d551e242-ce1a-4e66-a035-ffee1a411784.png?width=905&amp;height=1098" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 16 143401">
The win vaults Wandres from outside the top 25 into a tie for eighth at 29 points. With the AGDF season wrapping up next week, Wandres and Verrenberg will likely head back to Europe, which probably ends their Open Series run for now. But keep an eye on this horse regardless. He's shaping up to peak right in time for an LA 2028 appearance.
Kevin Kohmann and Duenensee took second with 75.715%. The high-70s rides are a possibility, but increasingly the exception. A 75 of some flavor is where this pair lives right now, and clearly it&rsquo;s working. The result secured Kohmann's place in April's FEI World Cup Final in Texas&mdash;the third consecutive Finals appearance for this combination.
"This horse made my career; he changed everything," Kohmann said.
<blockquote>
"If you'd told me four years ago that we'd make it to the World Cup Finals three times in a row, I'd have told you you were crazy."
</blockquote>
Pablo G&oacute;mez Molina and Ulises de Ymas took third with 73.715%, moving to 27 points and 13th overall. Ashley Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana finished fourth with 73.555%, and now sit in a crowded eighth on 29 points, alongside four other combinations. Caroline Darcourt and Lord Django finished fifth at 72.570%, leaving her in a tie with Christian Simonson for second on the season at 40 points.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/dressage/708" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/18e9bb9f-0b3b-4d31-bf4c-a3c37f0f35b0.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Pk Xie Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage "></a>
P.J. Rizvi and Vanilla Ice finished sixth on 72.325%, which frankly undersells the energy in the arena. Vanilla Ice is a piaffe machine when he locks in, and he locked in Friday. Rizvi left the arena smiling, still humming the music. By the metric of putting on a show, she wins every time.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/df3afaab-1f25-4fab-a1dc-c46c608169fb.png?width=1080&amp;height=171" alt="Read More Dressage"></a>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Eventing: Carolina International Approaches</h2>
Next Qualifier: Carolina International, North Carolina | The Final: Morven Park, Virginia (October)
With 41 entries confirmed in the CCI4*-S, Carolina International is the largest qualifier of the 2026 series to date and the points on offer reflect that. Cross the 25-starter threshold and the win is worth 50 points rather than 40. Boyd Martin built his 2025 Series title on weekends exactly like this one. The combinations who arrive in form and leave with a result could reshape the leaderboard significantly.
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The latest episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast breaking down the entries is now live, with a full form guide and preview article coming later this week - but before that, here are some of the big names to watch.
<h3 dir="ltr">The Contenders</h3>
Phillip Dutton and Denim arrive in winning form after their victory at the Grand Prix Eventing Showcase in Aiken. They won outright, going inside the time on cross-country - one of only two combinations in the field to do so. Denim finished sixth at last year&rsquo;s US Equestrian Open Final and placed in the top ten in all three qualifiers he contested. They arrive at Carolina as serious contenders.
Will Coleman and Diabolo return carrying momentum of a different kind. Their last four-star outing was <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/terranova-closes-the-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a win at the TerraNova qualifier </a>in November, marking their return from a break. It was Diabolo&rsquo;s third four-star victory in a row, following earlier wins at Kentucky and Plantation in 2024. A 26.1 dressage and a double clear last time out is the kind of form that travels well into a new qualifier.
Kim Severson and Cooley Corraghy Diamond are back and that alone is worth talking about. Cooley Corraghy Diamond has not completed an event since May (withdrawing before cross-country on two occasion) when he placed second in a CCI4*-S in just his second start at the level. The talent has never been in question. With an EquiRatings Elo rating of 555, he is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/9-year-olds-on-track-for-the-us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highest-rated nine-year-old in the US</a> and 13th in the world for his age. This weekend will offer an intriguing first look at where he is now.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e5e51b2e-03a5-44a3-819a-0bba7cfa767c.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Vld71 Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Eventing "></a> 
Caroline Pamukcu arrives with three entries in the four-star short &mdash; HSH Blake, HSH Tolan King, and She&rsquo;s The One &mdash; giving her three separate shots at the expanded points on offer. She currently sits joint first in the Series on 80 points, level with Lucienne Bellissimo, who also makes the trip with Kitsch Couture HPK. Pamukcu earned all 80 of her points at Bouckaert a fortnight ago and Bellissimo will be looking to respond.&nbsp;
Boyd Martin returns with Miks Master C and Shanroe Cooley, the two horses he took to the Final last year, finishing first and fourth. As the reigning Series and Final winner, and currently sitting third on 65 points, a strong weekend here could put him straight into the lead.
The leaderboard is tight. The points are big. The field is the deepest of the 2026 Series so far. Carolina matters.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/254e09dd-d92e-4194-986b-baf0dbd8460b.png?width=1080&amp;height=158" alt="Read More Eventing"></a>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Jumping: Eleven Days to Go</h2>
The US Equestrian Open Final: Wellington, Week 12 | Countdown: 11 Days
The <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/jumping-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix</a> is on March 28th. There is one more weekend of competition before the final, yet most of the serious contenders will be saving their horses for the Final. After weeks of tracking form, watching jump-offs, and reporting on five-big star results from Florida to Doha, the picture is nearly complete. $1,000,000 is on the line, and it is shaping up to be exactly the kind of US versus the rest contest the buildup has promised.
<h3 dir="ltr">Richard Vogel: Winning Elsewhere, Arriving Confident</h3>
The result worth noting from this weekend came not from Wellington but from 's-Hertogenbosch, where the Rolex Grand Prix at the Dutch Masters &mdash; the first Rolex Grand Slam event of 2026 &mdash; went to Richard Vogel and United Touch S. It was their seventh Grand Prix/World Cup win together and their second Rolex Major, following Geneva 2023. Eleven combinations made the jump-off. None came close to Vogel's time.
While Vogel has confirmed he will be there for the Final (likely riding <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/countdown-to-the-final-five-lessons-from-the-first-five-star-weekend-in-wellington" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WEF Weeks 5 Winner Gangster Montdesir)</a>, whether United Touch S&nbsp;makes the trip to Wellington remains to be seen. In many ways, that may be beside the point. Winning a class like this just two weeks before a $750,000 Rolex Grand Prix is the kind of form that travels with a rider.
<h3 dir="ltr">US Contenders on the Road</h3>
Two major US Open contenders made the trip to the Dutch Masters and both will take useful information back to Wellington. Lillie Keenan and Kick On jumped clear in Round 1 and posted the fastest four-fault jump-off round to finish sixth. Competitive, if not quite a podium.
Kent Farrington&nbsp;and Toulayna had the second-fastest jump-off time behind Vogel but had two fences down to finish tenth. Not their day but Farrington will arrive at Week 12 as one of the most dangerous riders in the field regardless. He will be hungry.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a>
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<h2 data-path-to-node="4">Stay in the Loop with The Open Weekly</h2>
Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a>&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>.
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Frederic Wandres & Verrenberg on the Open Weekly Graphic 

The Open Weekly: Wandres and Vogel Win Big, Carolina International on Deck

On Saturday at Bouckaert, Laine Ashker and Lovedance finished 10th in the third qualifier of the 2026 US Equestrian Open Eventing Series. It was the combinations first completion at the top-level, having had previous strong results at the 3* level. With this completion, Laine Ashker is now the first rider to have competed in the US Equestrian Open competitions in both dressage and eventing. While Lovedance carries her eventing ambitions, Zeppelin, is her Grand Prix dressage partner.
Two horses. Two disciplines. One rider doing it all from a farm in Chesterfield, Virginia.
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Born Into the Sport</h2>
Ashker's connection to horses is in her blood. Her mother Valerie competed at the preliminary eventing level until she was seven months pregnant, meaning Laine was practically riding and competing horses before she was born.&nbsp;
Val&rsquo;s influence ran through her daughter&rsquo;s entire career, and nowhere was it clearer than in her love of the off-the-track Thoroughbred. Of the four horses Laine has taken to five-star level, three were OTTBs.
As a teenager, Laine&rsquo;s family relocated from California to Virginia. A move made entirely to support her eventing career.&nbsp;
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Eventing Path</h2>
Laine made her international eventing debut at age 19 with Frodo Baggins, with whom she won a silver medal at the North American Young Rider Championships before later producing him up to the top level. Since then, she has ridden 16 horses in FEI eventing across more than 100 starts, including competing at the highest level of the sport (CCI5*) with four different horses.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/658b5281-1498-410d-b07b-ff95159c900b.jpeg?width=1192&amp;height=1600" alt="Mcnally2 079"> Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch at Kentucky CCI5* in 2010. Laine currently only rides Lovedance internationally. However, she often has another horse running alongside him at national level. Last year it was the five-year-old Supercilious.&nbsp;
Laine has produced Lovedance from his first CCI1* as a six-year-old all the way to a top-10 finish in the US Equestrian Open Qualifier at Bouckaert against some serious competition. Unsurprisingly, Lovedance has had some strong performances in the dressage phase, often scoring sub-30, including at Bouckaert this past weekend.
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Dressage Chapter</h2>
The dressage dimension of Laine's career came about in a very unique way. She posted a Craigslist ad offering riding lessons. A woman named Ann Wilson was the only person to respond. She owned an Andalusian who she wanted trained through the levels. That single reply started a chain of events that would lead Laine to earn her USDF Gold Medal, win Zeppelin&rsquo;s first CDI in May 2023, and eventually compete at Grand Prix on two horses.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0e26b061-b7f6-4638-8eed-40a9bd73c5fb.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="Img L1998">Laine Ashker and Zeppelin at the US Equestrian Open Final of Dressage in November 2025.
In the US Equestrian Open dressage series, Laine Ashker and Zeppelin have built a compelling record across five starts, averaging 70.882% in the Freestyle. Her best performance in the series came at the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lainey-wins-and-micaela-is-on-the-bubble" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival in May 2025</a>, winning with 73.015%.
After competing in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage CDI5* final in the season, Laine became a 5* athlete in both dressage and eventing, a rare achievement for any equestrian. She finished in 12th with a score of 66.260%.
<h2 dir="ltr">Building Toward the Finals</h2>
The Bouckaert CCI4*-S result opens the conversation around whether Laine Ashker and Lovedance will travel to the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final - no small consideration for a ten-year-old still finding its feet at four-star level. With the Dressage Final having been on their calendar last year, the more intriguing question may be whether Laine could become the first rider to compete at both US Equestrian Open Finals in the same season.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-pamukcu-kenny-darnell" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a>

Laine Ashker and Zeppelin winning the Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival in May 2025.

Laine Ashker Becomes the US Equestrian Open’s First Dual-Discipline Athlete

<h2 dir="ltr">Eventing: Pamukcu and HSH Connor Win at Bouckaert as the Series Leaderboard Tightens</h2>
Next Qualifier: Carolina International | Countdown: 1 Week
Bouckaert has always been a course that is tight on time. Of 270 cross country starters in the event's history, just 1% have ever beaten the clock and this weekend was no exception. The fastest time of the day belonged to&nbsp;Tamie Smith and Ferrie&rsquo;s Cello, who still added 14.8 time penalties. No one even got close. Although, this may have been partly by design for some combinations - an early-season run to build fitness, test strength, or a steady step on the road to Kentucky.
<h3 dir="ltr">Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Connor</h3>
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Connor took the win of the first 2026 eventing qualifier. Fourth after dressage on 29.8, third after show jumping, and then incrementally faster cross country than the combinations ahead of them. It was a win built on accumulation rather than any single defining moment.
It was HSH Connor's ninth consecutive show jumping clear, a run that stretches back to 2023 without a pole down. It was also their first win at the four-star level together and Pamukcu's eighth CCI4*-S career win, across five different horses.&nbsp;
Pamukcu also finished 4th with HSH Double Sixteen and 6th with King&rsquo;s Especiale, moving her onto 80 points and into a tie with Lucienne Bellissimo who led the Series over the winter break.
<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e5e51b2e-03a5-44a3-819a-0bba7cfa767c.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Vld71 Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Eventing "></a>
<h3 dir="ltr">Boyd Martin &amp; Commando 3&nbsp;</h3>
Boyd Martin and Commando 3 led after dressage on 26.4 and held that position through show jumping, only slipping to second when cross-country time penalties proved costlier than Pamukcu&rsquo;s. It is still a strong result&nbsp; and the start of a season that will likely see them on the road to the World Championships in Aachen. Martin also placed fifth with Cooley Nutcracker and seventh with Fetiche Des Rouges which puts Boyd second in the Series standing.
<h3 dir="ltr">Buck Davidson &amp; Cooley Candyman&nbsp;</h3>
Third place went to Buck Davidson and Cooley Candyman. Their 30.5 dressage score was their standout moment of the weekend, scoring a full three marks better than their 6RA of 33.5. Of Cooley Candyman&rsquo;s 14 top-level starts (CCI4* and CCI5*), this ranks as his joint second-best test. That dressage performance is what kept them in contention on a weekend when the jumping phases offered very little room to gain ground.
Carolina International is only a week away. With over 25 entries, increased Series points are on offer and Bellissimo, Pamukcu and Martin are all in the field. The gap at the top is now zero and it&rsquo;s very unlikely to stay that way.
&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/254e09dd-d92e-4194-986b-baf0dbd8460b.png?width=1080&amp;height=158" alt="Read More Eventing"></a>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Jumping: The Final Five-Star Before the Final</h2>
The US Equestrian Open Final: Wellington, Week 12 | Countdown: 2 Weeks
Three CSI5* Grand Prix have now been contested at Wellington this season. Three different winners from three different nations. Germany's Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir opened with a win in Week 5. McLain Ward and High Star Hero won for the US in Week 7. And on Saturday night, Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue claimed Week 9 for Ireland - the last five-star of the WEF season before the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix in Week 12.
<h3 dir="ltr">Darragh Kenny &amp; Eddy Blue</h3>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/33facec0-5c75-4203-945b-6c5d4d5f44c2.jpg?width=3837&amp;height=2558" alt="Darragh Kenny (alamy)">
Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue had been placed at this venue before but Saturday night was their first outright Wellington Grand Prix win together. It was also their second CSI5* Grand Prix victory as a partnership, having won the World Cup of London in 2024.
The jump-off margin was fine: 41.77 seconds against a target of 41.92. Kenny left a stride out in the first line, a calculated risk with a horse he trusts implicitly.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7b945753-f368-4ff7-972a-61cc0a04c2a1.png?width=1080&amp;height=1106" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (1)">
<h3 dir="ltr">A Rare Tie for Second&nbsp;</h3>
The jump-off produced something that almost never happens at this level. Marilyn Little and La Contessa set the target at 41.92 seconds as the pathfinder. Six rounds later, Thaisa Erwin and Hialita B crossed the line in an identical time. A dead heat for second place. It is the first time in nearly four years that a CSI5* Grand Prix produced a tie for second place. The last occasion was Hamburg 2022, where Andr&eacute; Thieme and Michael Pender matched each other in second.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7e4f957d-ea55-4942-83db-776fa4243f8a.jpeg?width=1280&amp;height=902" alt="Iw Wellington Nations Cup 334">
For Marilyn Little and La Contessa, it was a first CSI5* podium together, though the underlying form has been building. This pair have jumped clear in each of their last five five-star Grands Prix.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c2b289e8-b4df-4c02-a925-15825588fc46.png?width=1080&amp;height=1196" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (5)">
For Thaisa Erwin, it was a landmark on two counts. Not only a first five-star podium with&nbsp;Hialita B, but the first time since 2010 that an Australian rider has stood on a WEF five-star Grand Prix podium.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/468a2f18-6c97-45b8-b501-4efce7a80d33.png?width=1080&amp;height=1294" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (6)">
All three competitors who finished on the podium confirmed they are aiming for the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix in Week 12. The form lines are close. The final is just two and a half weeks away.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/20ed7f72-bc2a-44d1-992d-685d98f89829.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (2)">
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Dressage: Darnell and Harrold S Find Their Form at WEC</h2>
Next Qualifier: Wellington AGDF 10 - CDI-W | The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)
Claire Darnell and Harrold S won Saturday's freestyle at WEC in Ocala with a strong showing. Darnell posted 74.315%, topping four of five judges and sitting second only from the judge at B. It's her best result of the season, and the closest she's looked to the 77% version of herself we've been waiting to see this season. The class finished with three combinations after withdrawals in both the Grand Prix and the freestyle, but that doesn't diminish what Darnell and Harrold S put on the board.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d521ae2f-c76b-418c-b329-4e296336d150.png?width=909&amp;height=1102" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 10 120205">
The fight for second and third came down to five hundredths of a point. Leonardo Antonio Godoy and Marques Do Lis took second at 70.390%, with Charlotte Osborne and Fruhlingszauber at 70.340% in third. Osborne's only judge win came at B, where she edged out the rest of the field with a 70.975%. On the leaderboard, Godoy moves to fifth with 33 points, a significant jump for a partnership that now has three of four counting starts. Osborne climbs to a tied eighth on 29 points.
<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0c7d2dc9-3c7c-4fd8-ad69-30ae5af6ce48.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Dnod U Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage "></a>
For Darnell, the win moves her to 35 points on the season, drawing level with Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu for third overall. The Series heads to Wellington next week for the final CDI-W qualifier, where names like Ben Ebeling and Kevin Kohmann are expected on the entry list.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/df3afaab-1f25-4fab-a1dc-c46c608169fb.png?width=1080&amp;height=171" alt="Read More Dressage"></a>
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<h2 data-path-to-node="4">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-path-to-node="4">Stay in the Loop with The Open Weekly</h2>
Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a>&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40391430/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/28427a/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

Open Weekly Graphic with Caroline Pamukcu

The Open Weekly: Pamukcu, Kenny, and Darnell Take Wins Across the Disciplines

The dressage and show jumping phases are done. Now comes the part that defines Bouckaert.
Historically, this course rewards the bold. Just 67% of Bouckaert's 247 starters have jumped cross-country clear, all time, and only 2% have done so inside the time. Saturday will separate the serious competitors from the field.
<a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide</a>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Most Consistent Cross Country Jumpers</h2>
At the top of EquiRatings' cross-country rankings sits Boyd Martin and Commando 3, who also leads the pre-event predictions with a 20% win chance - the highest in the field. His adjusted XC figure of +33% is the standout number among the jumpers, reflecting a horse who consistently clears more than the courses he faces would suggest. Last year, Commando 3 had to podiums at the five-star level and is a known quantity at the sharp end of big events.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/54aa9698-d765-4307-af12-f1160e6c57fc.png?width=1021&amp;height=1322" alt=" Bouckaert Spring 2026 Insta Size (4)">
Second in the rankings is Phelps and Mia Farley, whose adjusted figure of +31% trails only Commando 3. In 20 international starts, Phelps has only ever picked up cross country penalties once. He has jumped clear on some of the toughest courses in the sport; Morven Park 4*L, Maryland 5*, Kentucky 5*, and many more.
Third in the rankings is Lainey Ashker and Lovedance, with an adjusted figure of +30%. The caveat is that those numbers are built largely on their 3* record as the pair have only contested one CCI4*-S together, which ended in elimination. However, with two wins and two third-place finishes across three years of international competition, the talent is clear. The question now is whether they can translate that form into a clean four-star run at Bouckaert today.
Fourth in the rankings is Ali Kuhn and Little Hail, with an adjusted figure of +27%. The 15.1hh OTTB, who is instantly recognisable in their signature pink cross-country colours, captured hearts at last year's Kentucky 4* with a clear round, and this weekend they contest their second four-star at Bouckaert.
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Fastest Horses in the Field</h2>
<div style="overflow: hidden;"><img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 16px 24px; width: 340px; height: auto;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7886516b-dd2c-49fb-8b3d-8e1d7352c6de.png?width=643&amp;height=1350" alt="Bouckaert Spring 2026">
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Topping the speed rankings are Phelps and Mia Farley and HSH Double Sixteen ridden by Caroline Pamukcu, both with a Top Speed Percentage of 94%.&nbsp;
Few horses in eventing carry the reputation Phelps does on a cross country course. The iconic thoroughbred announced himself to the wider world at the Maryland 5* in 2023 as the only horse inside the time, a result that placed him in the top 10. The last time this combination contested Bouckaert (2024), Mia used the event as a prep run for Kentucky, carrying 22 time penalties in a deliberately measured round. Whether their plan is to go fast or slow, it is always a pleasure to see a fan favourite like Phelps back out on a cross-country course.
HSH Double Sixteen's speed credentials come with impressive records behind them. The pair were clear inside the time at Stable View's CCI4*-S last September, becoming just the second combination in the past five years to achieve it at that event. That performance helped secure the win, making HSH Double Sixteen one of only two horses to record two qualifier victories in the 2025 Series - the first coming at this very event exactly 12 months ago. They proved their speed again at the US Equestrian Open Final at Morven Park, where they were the first combination of the day to finish inside the time.
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Numbers Behind Saturday</h2>
Of the last ten Bouckaert winners, the cross country phase has been the decisive factor. Just 2% of all starters have ever gone clear and inside the time here, a stark reminder of what the course asks.
The historical XC clear rate sits at 67%, meaning roughly one in three starters will pick up cross-country jumping faults. Whether the leaders from Friday hold their positions,&nbsp; or whether the course reshuffles the deck entirely, is the story of Saturday.
The action begins at 12:10 p.m. EST. Watch live and free on the USEF Network.
<a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide</a>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-bouckaert-opens-vaughn-takes-the-lead-and-cook-shines-at-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a></h2>
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<section class="wysiwyg col-span-12 lg:col-span-6 lg:col-start-4">
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9dfe039-3b02-415d-b513-c5bd87d85dae.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar">
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&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.
</section>

Cross Country day at Bouckaert Farm

The US Equestrian Open of Eventing begins! The action begins in Bouckaert this weekend and with it comes a maximum points opportunity: more than 25 horses are entered at the CCI4*-S, meaning 50 points are on offer for the winner.
<a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide &mdash; How to Follow</a>
The dressage phase kicks off Friday at 8:30 a.m., with show jumping later that afternoon at 1:15 p.m. Cross-country takes place Saturday at 12:10 p.m (All times are EST).
Fans can follow all the action live and for free on the USEF Network livestream.
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<hr class="border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5">
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h3>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Dressage</h2>
<img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 16px 24px; width: 340px; height: auto;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/05520aa7-6bab-471e-ab3d-cc369e18abfb.png?width=784&amp;height=1308" alt="Bouckaert Spring 2026">
Based on EquiRatings' 6RA (the average of a horse's last six FEI dressage scores) Isabelle Bosley's Conner heads the entire field with a 6RA of 24.9. In Conner's eight international starts, he has never scored above 30.0 in dressage. His most recent outing was a win at the CCI3*-L at Maryland in October, where he posted a 24.8. He is only nine years old and is moving up to the four-star short level for the first time this weekend.
That step up matters. The CCI4*-S test introduces greater complexity and difficulty, including flying changes, which Conner has not been asked to perform in international competition before. Whether he can carry his exceptional dressage form into a harder test is one of the key questions of Friday morning. The potential is clearly there. And if he does delivers, the venue record could be under threat. The best score ever recorded here is a 25.1 from Buck Davidson and Carlevo in 2022.
Boyd Martin enters four horses in the field, and his Commando 3 ranks second in dressage with a 6RA of 27.6. Commando 3 finished on the podium twice at five-star level last year and is a known quantity at this level. Martin and Commando 3 carry a 20% win chance heading into the weekend, the highest in the field.
Just three of the last 10 Bouckaert winners were leading after dressage. The course here has consistently exerted itself in the jumping phases. In fact, only one combination in the entire history of the Bouckaert CCI4*-S, across 280 starters, has ever finished on their dressage score. That was Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino in 2018, who set the Bouckaert record finishing score of 30.0. A record that still stands.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2700730d-9a02-48ad-9508-3dc6877c0239.png?width=1080&amp;height=614" alt=" Bouckaert Spring 2026 Insta Size (2)">
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<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h3>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Show Jumping</h2>
Show jumping follows immediately after dressage on Friday afternoon. To find the best showjumpers in the field, each horse is ranked using three numbers. First, each horse&rsquo;s average jumping penalties from their last six FEI runs. That figure is then compared to the average penalties recorded by all competitors over those same courses, to reflect how difficult the tracks were. The final number adjusts the horse&rsquo;s average against the course average. The lower the figure, the better. It shows a horse jumping better than the overall level of difficulty would suggest.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/efa0d720-d373-4960-b8cc-82528926dbcc.png?width=949&amp;height=1154" alt=" Bouckaert Spring 2026 Insta Size (3)">
Based on this, the top-ranked show jumper in the field is Zachary Brandt and Direct Advance, with an adjusted SJ average of -3.9. Direct Advance has been among the most consistent performers having not&nbsp; knocked a rail since 2023, and even then it was a single pole. He is likely to sit back from the dressage standings, meaning a demanding show jumping course is exactly what he'll be hoping for.
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Connor rank second at -3.6, and HSH Connor brings the longest incoming clear streak in the field: eight consecutive international show jumping rounds without a pole. This partnership also carry a 10% win chance, second only to Boyd Martin.&nbsp;
The historical clear rate at Bouckaert is 35%. 94 of 268 starters have gone clear with no jump or time faults. However, it can vary by year: 2021 saw 15 combinations go clear, while 2016 produced none. Show jumping here is not a formality. Of the last eight show jumping leaders, four went on to win, suggesting it is a significant but not decisive lead indicator.&nbsp;
<a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide &mdash; How to Follow</a>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-bouckaert-opens-vaughn-takes-the-lead-and-cook-shines-at-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a>
<section class="wysiwyg col-span-12 lg:col-span-6 lg:col-start-4">
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<section class="wysiwyg col-span-12 lg:col-span-6 lg:col-start-4">
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9dfe039-3b02-415d-b513-c5bd87d85dae.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar">
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<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.
</section>
</section>
<div class="col-span-12 pt-8 lg:col-span-6 lg:col-start-4"><button class="font-black transition-transform duration-300 ease-in-out hover:-translate-y-px hover:scale-101 active:translate-y-px active:scale-100">Share Story</button></div>

Bouckaert Begins: Who to Watch on Friday

In this week&rsquo;s&nbsp;US Equestrian Open Podcast, Annie Bishop and Diarmuid Byrne dig into the biggest narratives shaping the series right now. From a new dressage leader to a potential Boyd Martin masterclass in eventing, the episode sets the stage for an exciting stretch of the season.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40305520/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/28427a/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Here are five storylines from the podcast that make this week&rsquo;s episode worth a listen.
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<h2 data-start="658" data-end="701">1.Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn Takes the Dressage Lead</h2>
The <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dressage leaderboard </a>has a new name at the top&nbsp;and it&rsquo;s a story that has been building for a while.
Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and Gino delivered a standout weekend, including a personal best in the Grand Prix Special and a freestyle victory, moving her past Christian Simonson to take the series lead.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/26f73d45-9ce2-4dd7-899b-c777fe4b02e1.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Bo Iwm Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage ">
For the Annie and Diarm, it&rsquo;s also a reminder of how the Open helps turn riders into household names for fans following the journey week to week.
<blockquote data-start="1149" data-end="1362">
&ldquo;Ge&ntilde;ay became a real household name from an Open point of view last year&hellip; the interviews were great, the frequent competing, and the opportunity again, as we're talking about that name recognition, that really helped.&rdquo; - Diarmuid Byrne
</blockquote>
What makes this story even stronger is the East Coast-West Coast element. Vaughn picked up results in Florida earlier in the season before heading back west and winning again. Proof that the series truly spans the country.
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<h2 data-start="1599" data-end="1651">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="1599" data-end="1651">2. The Jumping Final Is Suddenly Three Weeks Away</h2>
The calendar has crept up quickly.&nbsp;In just three weeks, the Rolex US Equestrian Open Final of Jumping will crown a champion and the tension is building.
Annie and Diarm highlight how the season has evolved into a fascinating showdown between US riders and a strong international contingent arriving to challenge them.
<blockquote data-start="1973" data-end="2126">
&ldquo;What's really exciting for us from an Open point of view and from an individual final at Wellington point of view is that there there is so many individual superstars now in the US. And of course, as we saw last year, the international talent will come and take them on." - Diarmuid Byrne
</blockquote>
Names like&nbsp;Ben Maher, Richard Vogel, Shane Sweetnam, and Daragh Kenny are part of that international pressure. But the US riders have momentum and they want to keep the Open title on home soil.
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<hr data-start="2350" data-end="2353">
<h2 data-start="2355" data-end="2407">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="2355" data-end="2407">3. The US Nations Cup Win Adds Fuel to the Fire</h2>
Momentum matters and the US team got a big boost at Wellington last week.&nbsp;The United States claimed the CSI04* Nations Cup, reinforcing the idea that the Florida-based US riders are in strong form heading toward the Open final.
One of the standout performances came from Callie Schott, who delivered another reliable round, jumping double clear, as part of the winning effort.
<blockquote data-start="2754" data-end="2862">
&ldquo;There is strength and depth in these wins. These wins are important. The US tend to do pretty well here. I think this is their 11th win over the last 25 years at Wellington Nations Cups. I think it does show a lot of the depth that's available." - Diarmuid Byrne
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<hr data-start="3027" data-end="3030">
<h2 data-start="3032" data-end="3077">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="3032" data-end="3077">4. Eventing Returns With a Stacked Field</h2>
While dressage and jumping have been building their narratives, eventing is finally back on the Open calendar this weekend at Bouckaert.&nbsp;And it&rsquo;s not easing into the season.
The entry list includes series leader Lucienne Bellissimo, Caroline Pamukcu, Tamie Smith and defending Open champion Boyd Martin, who arrives with an entire string of competitive horses.
<blockquote data-start="3446" data-end="3595">
&ldquo;It is a corker of a field. There are so many excellent entries and it will be, assuming everyone starts, in the higher tier of points. So a lot to play for and we've got some really incredible entries here." - Annie Bishop 
</blockquote>
With valuable points on offer early in the season, the leaderboard could shift quickly after this weekend.&nbsp;
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<hr data-start="3705" data-end="3708">
<h2 data-start="3710" data-end="3758">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="3710" data-end="3758">5. Boyd Martin Could Shake Up the Leaderboard</h2>
If there&rsquo;s one storyline the podcast keeps circling back to, it&rsquo;s Boyd Martin&rsquo;s depth of horsepower.
Martin arrives with serious depth: Fetiche Des Rouges, Kolbeinn, Commando 3, and Cooley Nutcracker, with the latter two entering as the highest-rated horses in the field.&nbsp;
For Diarmuid Byrne, that opens the door for a huge leaderboard opportunity,
<blockquote data-start="4077" data-end="4214">
&ldquo;If you look back on how this played out last year in terms of winning the series, Boyd tended to weigh in on big heavy weekends, maybe three times in the season. Twice or three times in the season, he took jumps of up to 100 points at a time." - Diarmuid Byrne
</blockquote>
With multiple rides capable of landing near the top of the leaderboard, Martin could emerge from the weekend as a major contender in the <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2026 Open standings.</a>
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Five Storylines Discussed on This Week’s US Equestrian Open Podcast

The US Equestrian Open Eventing Series is back at Bouckaert Farm in Fairburn, Georgia. It is the first qualifier of 2026 and the third event in the series, and this venue has built up quite a history since the four-star short first ran here in 2013. Thirteen years, multiple editions per year in some cases, and a winners list that has some big names. Below is every winner on record.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2795f882-47bd-4849-8238-1d588d31ee11.png?width=1348&amp;height=2262" alt="O U6n R Previous Winners of Bouckaert Cci4 S ">
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Previous Winners Returning This Week</h3>
Lucienne Bellissimo is the most recent winner, having taken the 2025 Autumn edition with&nbsp;Dyri. This result formed part of her series lead and marked Dyri's return to four-star short competition after stepping back due to a confidence knock earlier in the year. She returns this week with Kitsch Couture HPK.
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Double Sixteen won this event twelve months ago and return as major contenders. HSH Double Sixteen is a very fast horse, and with inside-the-time rates at this venue sitting at just 2%, that speed is a huge asset. If the optimum time is as demanding as it has been in recent years, they are likely to be well-placed. Caroline also brings HSH Connor and King's Especiale this weekend.
Buck Davidson won here in 2017 with the iconic Copper Beach. Though his connection to this venue runs deeper than that single result. Buck has 18 starts at Bouckaert, more than any other rider in the event's history and 5 clear of the next most frequent starter, Nilson Moreira Da Silva (13). This weekend's two entries, Cerafino D and Cooley Candyman, will take his career total here to 20. He also holds the record for most cross-country clears at this venue with 12, and the venue dressage record of 25.1 set with Carlevo in 2022.
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;
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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>.
</section>

Bouckaert Farm: Who's Won & Who's Back?

<h3 dir="ltr">Eventing: It&rsquo;s Finally Time!</h3>
Next Qualifier: Bouckaert Equestrian, Georgia | The Final: Morven Park, Virginia (October)
Three days is all that stands between us and the start of the 2026 US Equestrian Open eventing season. After months of buildup, form-watching, and series speculation, Bouckaert is finally here. Later this week, watch out for our full preview article and fan guide to help you get the most out of the action.
Before we get there, the weekend just gone offered a reminder of who is on form. The $100,000 LiftMaster Grand Prix Eventing Showcase presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Service saw several combinations with serious Open ambitions.
Phillip Dutton and Denim won the Showcase by going inside the time cross country - one of only two combinations in the entire field to do so. Denim finished 6th at the US Equestrian Open Final last year and placed top 10 at each of the three qualifiers he contested. They start the new year on top form and as major contenders for this year&rsquo;s Series and Final
Second place went to Elisa Wallace and the ten-year-old Lissavorra Quality. Wallace and this horse are not known as a fast combination, yet they crossed the finish line with just 4.8 time penalties. On a day when the clock was tough, this was an exceptional result. 20 penalties at the US Equestrian Open Final and a mixed 2025 season overall makes this performance all the more significant as a reset heading into the new season. If the cross country speed shown here carries into the qualifier season, Lissavorra Quality is one to watch as she develops.
Third place went to the Australian pair Sophia Hill and Humble Glory - the other combination inside the time. Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire finished fourth with Caroline Pamukcu slotting into fifth with King's Especiale. With HSH Double Sixteen and HSH Connor also in her string for Bouckaert, Pamukcu arrives this week as one of the title contenders with genuine depth.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/254e09dd-d92e-4194-986b-baf0dbd8460b.png?width=1080&amp;height=158" alt="Read More Eventing"></a>
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Dressage: The Double Header Delivers a New Series Leader</h3>
Next Qualifier: WEC - March Dressage | The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)
Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn is the new US Equestrian Open of Dressage Series leader.&nbsp;A coast-to-coast double header to open 2026 delivered great sport, excitement, and personal bests, but it was Vaughn&rsquo;s weekend in California that changed the Series picture most.
HITS Del Mar Dressage Opener
California's Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and Gino had a weekend to remember at Del Mar. The pair opened with a personal best in Friday's Grand Prix before going on to claim the Freestyle Qualifier the following day with 75.955%. On the Series leaderboard, Vaughn moves to first overall with 45 points. The result also carries significant World Cup implications.&nbsp;
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The victory draws Vaughn level with Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu and Jaccardo on 57 points in the North American League standings, placing her second behind Christian Simonson on Indian Rock, whose 60 points have all but confirmed his place at the Final in Fort Worth, Texas this April.&nbsp;
Vaughn's spot is not yet secure, however. Her three-score average sits below Fraser-Beaulieu's, who looks well-positioned for one of the three North American starting places. The third berth will be decided at the final qualifier at Wellington's Global Dressage Festival in two weeks, where Kevin Kohmann (54 points) and Benjamin Ebeling (52 points) could each tie both riders with a win. All ties are broken by the highest average.
Brittney Eastgate (formerly Simpson) was also in the ribbons aboard Kartsevo Goldfinch, posting a combination-best 72.020% for second place in the Freestyle.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVZHO_XkQ_O/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5789f223-8a88-4901-8606-b2515bcc1b07.png?width=907&amp;height=1104" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 03 111023"></a>
Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival 8
On the East Coast, Sweden's Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven delivered a commanding performance aboard Hyatt, a 13-year-old KWPN mare, taking the win with 78.000%. Germany's Michael Klimke and Harmony's Fado found themselves in second with a personal best of 74.770%, a result that moves Klimke into tied 7th on the Series leaderboard with 25 points. Susan Dutta rounded out the three-horse field in third and now sits on 23 points, placing her in tied 9th overall.
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<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/df3afaab-1f25-4fab-a1dc-c46c608169fb.png?width=1080&amp;height=171" alt="Read More Dressage"></a>
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Show Jumping: Cook Dominates Wellington</h3>
The Rolex US Equestrian Open Final: Wellington, Week 12 | Countdown: 3 Weeks
Last week was a strong one for US riders. At WEF Week 8, Team USA defended their title in the Wellington CSIO4* Nations Cup, and 24 hours later Karl Cook topped the Grand Prix podium.
The US squad of Karl Cook, Marilyn Little, Callie Schott, and anchor McLain Ward faced eight other nations. With Cook, Little, and Schott all jumping clear, Ward sat out the first round.&nbsp;
When he was called upon in the decider, Ward delivered. Riding Jordan Molga M (pictured below), a partnership still gaining mileage at this level, he produced a composed clear to secure gold ahead of Ireland, with Canada finishing third.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ecc3e3cf-633f-42c9-91b5-0bab9c781d39.jpeg?width=2500&amp;height=2336" alt="Wefcsio4 87">
The victory marked back-to-back Nations Cup wins for the U.S. in Wellington and the nation&rsquo;s 11th title in the 25-year history of the event.
While the team result made the headlines, Marilyn Little with La Contessa and Callie Schott riding Garant (pictured below) were the standout performers, each producing double-clear rounds. At Nations Cup level, that kind of consistency is exceptional and it was the foundation of the win.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/388830b2-b247-4788-ab9a-e24aa470760e.jpeg?width=2500&amp;height=2070" alt="Wefcsio4 67">
Sunday&rsquo;s $200,000 JTWG Inc. Grand Prix came down to a five-horse jump-off. Karl Cook and Signe Ostby&rsquo;s Candy claimed the win with a bold inside turn to the final fence, leaving out a stride to gaining the edge. Ireland&rsquo;s Darragh Kenny (Colibelle Hero Z) and Shane Sweetnam (Coriaan van Klapscheut Z) finished second and third.
Cook&rsquo;s golden weekend, Nations Cup gold on Saturday, Grand Prix victory on Sunday, comes just three weeks before the Rolex US Equestrian Open Final. <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/ward-wins-in-wellington-again" target="_blank" rel="noopener">McLain Ward is carrying momentum from Week 7</a>; now Cook has firmly entered the conversation. The picture is sharpening. The combinations capable of winning Week 12 are making themselves known, one result at a time. Week 9 is next.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a>
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<h2 data-path-to-node="4">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-path-to-node="4">Stay in the Loop with The Open Weekly</h2>
Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a>&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
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<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>.

Open Weekly Promo Graphic with Phillip Dutton and Denim

The Open Weekly: Bouckaert Opens, Vaughn Takes the Lead, and Cook Shines at WEF

Brooke Burchianti sat down with Annie Bishop on this week's episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast. Find the full episode <a href="https://pod.fo/e/396daa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<h2 dir="ltr">In Her Blood</h2>
Some riders find horses. For Brooke, it was never really a question. Her mother competed through the intermediate and three-star level, producing thoroughbreds up through the levels. Her grandmother rode too. By the time Brooke was three, sitting on her mother's big dressage horse, it was already decided.&nbsp;Pony Club and Welsh ponies led to a single-minded certainty that this was to be Brooke&rsquo;s job and not a phase.
<blockquote>
"Ever since then I was like 'This is this is for me, there's nothing else that I want to do.' Ever since I was a kid, I was like 'I want to ride horses my whole life. That's the job I want. That's it. And that's what I ended up doing.'"
</blockquote>
From there she went to James Madison University, where she studied sports management; a degree that, it turns out, maps almost directly into running an equestrian business. With a degree in her back pocket for if the horses didn&rsquo;t work out, she returned home to Pennsylvania, took over the farm her mother had run, and began building something of her own.
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<h2 dir="ltr">Family Dynamics</h2>
The farm her mother Karin owns is also where Brooke trains which means her first and most important coach is also her mother. That dynamic, as Brooke is quick to admit, has not always been smooth.
<blockquote>
"When I was a kid, I was a bit defiant and I didn't necessarily take instruction super well from her. I take it well from other people."
</blockquote>
The turning point came when Brooke recognised that there weren't many people in the area who had competed to the level her mother had. She decided to stop being a daughter at the barn and start being a student. Brooke has learned to listen to her mother&rsquo;s advice because she knows her, and more to the point, knows Astro, better than anyone.
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<h2 dir="ltr">The Second Choice</h2>
Brooke made the trip to Cooley Farm in Ireland looking for a horse. She had her eye on one horse in particular but horses being horses, that one failed the vetting.
Cooley Space Gray or Astro to his friends, was next on the list. She sat on him twice over two days and they just clicked.
<blockquote>
"I think we just kind of matched each other. I think he knew that I wasn't going to get in his way too much. I was just there to be his friend more than anything and that's honestly what he needs."
</blockquote>
He was only 6 and had come from a show jumping barn meaning he had no eventing experience and Brooke would have to build everything from scratch. But she bought him anyways, brought him home to Pennsylvania, and got to work.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9cc2648a-c6bb-4677-ac8f-dceaea847484.jpeg?width=1600&amp;height=1066" alt="Whats App Image 2026 02 25 at 12.05.34">
Fast forward 7 years and Brooke has produced Astro all the way from his first 2* to their 5* debut at Kentucky last year.
His name came from Brooke's interest in astrology and from the feeling, looking back, that the whole thing was written in the stars. The first horse wasn't meant to be hers. Cooley Space Gray was.
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<h2 dir="ltr">Everything His Way</h2>
Astro is not a complicated horse to ride. He is, however, completely on his own terms.
The mare Brooke had before him was a hot chestnut thoroughbred that she describes as a dragon. Astro is the opposite. He runs in a snaffle across all three phases. Brooke could take a breath and he would slow down. On cross-country, his ears come up, he looks for the next fence, and he goes.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a1839783-2f92-4aae-bb94-a018067c7b46.jpeg?width=1440&amp;height=960" alt="Whats App Image 2026 02 25 at 12.06.00">
What he does not do is take instruction he hasn't agreed to. This extends to basic yard management. One morning this winter, Brooke went to catch him in the field and he simply declined.
<blockquote>
"He's like 'I don't think I want to come in right now - you're not going to catch me,'&nbsp; and so I literally will just open the gate and just be like 'Just come in when you can buddy.'"
</blockquote>
The same quality that makes him hard to catch (occasionally) is what makes him so effective on course. He does not get in his own way. He does not need to be managed into submission. He jumps because he wants to jump and the results show it. Last year, he and Brooke were one of just four combinations to finish on their dressage score at an Open qualifier.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7647d547-5141-4d9f-bc02-a30798b32865.png?width=1748&amp;height=614" alt="W A0 Jf the Four Fod S From the 2025 Series Qualifiers Nbsp ">
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<h2 dir="ltr">The String Behind Brooke</h2>
Brooke doesn't have one type of horse, she has every type.
Cooley Constellation, known as Aries, is the almost-exact opposite of Astro: nearly 17 hands, long, gangly, and in Brooke's words &ldquo;the sweetest horse in the barn&rdquo;. He stepped up to the 3*L at Maryland last season and Brooke believes he has a five-star in him when the time comes.
Then there is KHH Lanesboro or Bart. Also from Ireland, Bart is smaller and more similar to Astro. He is competing at the CCI1* with aims to step up in the spring.
A third Cooley horse is incoming but her name is undecided. It will, Brooke confirms, be on the astrology theme.
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<h2 dir="ltr">The Future</h2>
Astro is on a well-earned break after the season. A few minor strains&mdash;nothing serious, but enough to justify some rest&mdash;mean he&rsquo;ll return this summer, with autumn plans still taking shape.&nbsp;
Aries is aiming for Carolina to kick off the year, with a long-term goal of stepping up to Advanced in the autumn.&nbsp;
Bart is set to move up to 2* in the spring, Virginia is a possibility, though plans remain flexible.
When Brooke first went to Cooley and sat down with Richard Sheane, she nearly kept her biggest goals to herself. But she said it anyway: she wanted to ride at Advanced, and one day at five-star. She&rsquo;s achieved these goals now... so the next chapter is hers to write.
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;
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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>.

Brroke Burchianti and Cooley Space Grey jumping cross country

Eventing