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The sport's stars facing off, leaderboard shuffles, and a champion who made history while honoring a friend; come Sunday evening, we not only had an inaugural winner of this trailblazing event but we also got to witness exciting horse-and-rider partnerships come to the fore.
<h1 dir="ltr">The Champions</h1>
If you haven&rsquo;t yet heard, Boyd Martin and Miks Master C are our 2025 US Equestrian Open Eventing Champions. The Open was just their third international appearance together. They went from ninth at Bromont 3*-S in August, to fourth at The Fork 4*-S in September and now to first in this 4*-L, an event Boyd called, &ldquo;the greatest 4*-L in the world.&rdquo;
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&ldquo;Lastly, I&rsquo;d like to give a big shout out to Liz who did all the work on this magnificent horse. I hope you&rsquo;re watching Liz, and this is for you.&rdquo;
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f9a8cdf8-f297-4152-a875-2f45b2d3fee8.jpeg?width=4160&amp;height=2775" alt="Boyd Martin &amp; Miks Master C just after their dressage. Boyd smiles brightly &amp; Miks Master C's ears are pricked forward. Credit Devyn Trethewey and Us Equestrian">Miks Master C &amp; Boyd Martin (&copy;Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)
Will Coleman and Off The Record were leading after cross country, less than a rail ahead of Boyd and &ldquo;Mikki&rdquo; who added just 2.8 cross country time penalties to their dressage score. But <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPtiRl5Ash1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">we knew if anyone could put the pressure on Will and &ldquo;Timmy&rdquo; it was our winning pair</a>. True to form, Mikki delivered a clear show jumping round for a perfect four-from-four record of keeping all the rails up at 4*-L and 5* events. Off The Record followed with a late rail (which broke a few hearts) and we crowned our first-ever Open Champion (!) on a score of 28.7
The win earned Boyd the solo lead on the EquiRatings 4*-L winning records. Boyd is now the most successful 4*-L rider in the world looking at the years 2008 to now.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2070871b-a9e6-4cf3-bd48-21d5a862cd61.png?width=1264&amp;height=1440" alt="5 H Ih H Riders With the Most Cci4 L Wins Since 2008 (3)">
Boyd took over the ride on Mikki &ndash; a class act in all three phases &ndash; this season after Liz Halliday&rsquo;s accident last year. In his post-win interview, Boyd dedicated the moment to Liz; after a quick pause to maintain composure and with the threat of trembling in his voice, Boyd stated, "Lastly, I&rsquo;d like to give a big shout out to Liz who did all the work on this magnificent horse. I hope you&rsquo;re watching Liz, and this is for you.&rdquo; It was a genuine, poignant moment.&nbsp;
<h1 dir="ltr">Mikki was not the only head-turner</h1>
<h2>Off The Record</h2>
Timmy is a fan favorite. His cross country work ethic and longevity at the top level makes him hard not to root for. In his entire international career, Timmy has jumped clear in 34 of his 38 XC rounds (all with Will), including a perfect five-from-five at five-star. He entered as the fastest horse in the field and finished on a clear inside the time.
The team World silver medalist from Pratoni 2022 is currently the USA's highest rated horse with an EquiRatings Elo Rating of 789, which &ndash; all time for the US &ndash; is second only to Mai Baum (2008 onward).
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2b053ba0-1de2-469d-b6a9-bf55240e9b9b.jpg?width=819&amp;height=1024" alt="Off The Record and WIll Coleman clear a cross country obstacle. Credit Devyn Trethewey &amp; US Equestrian.">Off The Record &amp; Will Coleman (&copy;Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)
Timmy and Will were in in fact neck and neck with Miks Master C at the very top of the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/morvenpark_4l_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pre-event win chances</a>. They led after cross country on their dressage score of 25.1 but &ndash; and it's hard to admit because he is such a stalwart &ndash; Timmy does have a weakness at 4*-L and 5* and that weakness it show jumping. Only once has he knocked more the one rail but he almost always has one down (6 of 7 times).
So, with a heartbreaker rail, Will and Timmy earned second. But man, they were impressive all weekend.
<h2>Very Dignified</h2>
While Boyd earned top spot on the podium, Will took up second and third. Off The Record, in second, came in with a reputation that preceded him &ndash; a very good reputation, mind you. But Very Dignified was a lesser known entry for Will and, as Will said in his post-cross-country interview, this was the first time he really let &ldquo;Dora&rdquo; go across the country. And what she showed for it was a clear-inside-the-time round. Viewers could tell it meant a lot to Will and his team as the camera followed them to the cool down area where there were high fives and plenty of smiles.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/60f0c7f9-2db5-4f4a-beb0-1fd1d1608740.jpg?width=4160&amp;height=2775" alt="Very Dignified and Will Coleman clearing a cross country obstacle. Photo by Devyn Trethewey &amp; US Equestrian">Very Dignified &amp; Will Coleman (&copy;Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)
Dora followed with a clear show jumping round the next day, making her the only horse to finish on her dressage score.&nbsp;
Frankly, Will &amp; Dora weren&rsquo;t in the conversation too much after dressage, when they sat 18th on a 35.4. But then, after cross country, sixth. And then, after Sunday, the podium. They&rsquo;re exciting, this pair.&nbsp;
So the clears inside the time on Saturday were (1) Off The Record (no surprises there), (2) Very Dignified (a breakout moment), and (3) HSH Double Sixteen, which brings us to another head-turner this weekend.
<h2>HSH Double Sixteen</h2>
Caroline Pamukcu was all fist pumps and smiles as she crossed the Saturday finish line; so thrilled with HSH Double Sixteen&rsquo;s clear-inside-the-time round. The round was bold and forward and it looked like "Six" would be game for anything ("What, like it's hard?").
The pair started their weekend in 17th after dressage (on a 35.2) but, thanks to their XC round, moved up to fifth overnight. On the last day, a late, costly line &ndash; and an uncharacteristic three rails down &ndash; moved them to ninth when all was said and done.
This pair were also the only clear-inside-the time at Stable View 4*-S last month &ndash; only the second pair in the last six seasons to make the 4*-S time at that venue. Now, unlike Boyd and Miks Master C and Will with Very Dignified, which are both new partnerships this year, Caroline and Six have been together since 2022. But Six is only 10-years-old. With their XC edge and some dressage polish, it will be exciting to watch this pair in the coming seasons.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/805afe6d-124a-454b-b610-2abd76592a72.jpeg?width=3328&amp;height=4160" alt="Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Double Sixteen clear a cross country obstacle. Credit Devyn Trethewey and US Equestrian">HSH Double Sixteen &amp; Caroline Pamukcu (&copy;Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)
<h1>Ready to go again?</h1>
Here's the lineup of events for the 2025-2026 Open. Starting soon! Just make sure to check back on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">homepage for any updates</a>.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d537f534-cc65-4b3e-aa20-078e62a749b0.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Schedule Subject to Change Usequestrianopen.org for the Latest">
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.
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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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A graphic featuring Boyd Martin holding the US Equestrian Open trophy up high while smiling broadly

Mikki, Dora and Six. Boyd, Will and Caroline. Three exciting partnerships from the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final

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Will Coleman and Off The Record have taken control of the Morven Park CCI4*-L leaderboard with a 25.1 dressage score - the lowest ever recorded at this venue's 4*L level and Coleman's personal best at this level. The performance puts them 1.1 penalties clear of Sharon White and Claus 63, with Boyd Martin sitting third on Miks Master C.
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Will Coleman spoke about Off The Record after his dressage:
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"Timmy is as professional as they come. He's so laid back that sometimes it feels like he's half asleep going through his business in the arena, but he knows the job. He really was just excellent for me today. I'm so appreciative of him."
</blockquote>
White delivered her third-best international dressage test since records began in 2008 (her top two scores came at the 2* level), posting 25.2 penalties with Claus 63 and improving on their 6RA by over 9 penalties.
Boyd Martin and&nbsp;Miks Master C, who competed first on day two, sit third on 25.9. The score carries particular significance given Boyd Martin's remarkable record with sub-27 dressage tests at this level. Boyd has turned every previous sub-27 test at CCI4*-L into a victory - winning at Jersey Fresh in 2018 and 2021, Morven Park in 2023, Tryon in 2020, and Fair Hill in 2011 with scores ranging from 25.4 to 26.9.
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/049611f6-51a0-48fd-b7c9-695de920fc4b.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Morven Park Graphics (88)">
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<h3 class="text-lg font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-1.5">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="text-lg font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-1.5">Win Chances After Dressage</h3>
Based on the EquiRatings Prediction Centre,&nbsp;William Coleman holds a 38% chance to win, with a 63% probability of finishing in the top three. Sharon White sits at 17%&nbsp;and Boyd Martin sits on 14% to win.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/25d8251e-b119-470e-a7e3-768009f56176.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Morven Park Graphics (87)">
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<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">Cross Country Preview</h3>
The cross country phase promises to shake up the standings significantly. Looking at recent CCI4* cross-country statistics for the top three combinations, the data reveals important insights:
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<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Off The Record &amp; Will Coleman: 90% clear rate at this level, compared to a 60% course average, giving them +30% on other competitors. This is the fastest horse in the field with a 96% Top Speed Percentage (TSP)</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Claus 63 &amp; Sharon White: 80% clear rate with an 83% TSP&nbsp;</li>
<li>Miks Master C &amp; Boyd Martin: Perfect 100% clear rate with an 86% TSP rating - but a new ride for Boyd and their first 4*L together</li>
</ul>
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Will Coleman acknowledged the challenge ahead:&nbsp;
<blockquote>
"There are plenty of places where you have to be incredibly accurate and get your horse in the right canter to prepare for what Derek has set out there. Timmy's not the most gifted galloper, but he has a good engine, so if I'm hyper efficient, I'm hoping we can jump around clean and maybe get close to the time."
</blockquote>
The cross-country phase will determine whether Will Coleman can maintain his historic advantage or if Boyd Martin's perfect record with sub-27 scores will continue.
&nbsp;Don't miss it.
Listen to the dressage review pod on the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Podcast.
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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;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
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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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Cross Country Eve at Morven Park

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Will Coleman and Off The Record maintained their lead after a tense cross-country phase at the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final CCI4*-L, but a late-night flag review tightened the competition heading into Sunday's show jumping finale.
Coleman became the first rider to make the optimum time twice at Morven Park's CCI4*-L - first finishing with his new ride Very Dignified and then finishing in 10:04 with Off The Record - five seconds inside Derek di Grazia's 10:09 time allowed. The performance keeps him on his dressage score of 25.1, but his cushion has shrunk considerably. Will Coleman spoke about his round with Off The Record:
<blockquote>
"It wasn't the smoothest round we've ever had. He got really worked up in the warm-up and was just like a freight train starting out. It took us a bit to find our rhythm, but it's a credit to him; on a day where we weren't totally in sync, he still hunts the flags and does whatever it takes to stay between them."
</blockquote>
&nbsp;Will Coleman and Very Dignified
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6dd21815-765a-4176-a5ac-a0dcf20ff9fc.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Morven Park Graphics (91)">
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<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">The Flag Review That Changed Everything</h3>
Boyd Martin and Miks Master C initially sat in 13th place on 58.7 penalties with two flags under review. When officials removed both penalties late Saturday evening, Martin moved into second on 28.7&mdash;just 3.6 penalties behind Coleman.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/16f62cef-2a00-49d1-9bc6-84f16ed87021.jpeg?width=2048&amp;height=1366" alt="Whats App Image 2025 10 11 at 22.01.24">
The flags being reviewed moved Sunday's show jumping from a near-certain Coleman victory into a genuine contest. Coleman now holds less than one rail's advantage over Martin, while Martin can afford one rail over third-placed Lucienne Bellissimo (33.5) but not two.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d64f0eb7-6534-4d49-98cc-38c6001342c1.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Morven Park Graphics (90)">
Lucienne Bellissimo and Kitsch Couture HPK produced one of the standout rounds of the day, adding just 2.0 time penalties to climb from eighth after dressage into podium contention. Phillip Dutton and Denim hold fourth on 33.9, while Phillip was eliminated with his second horse Possante following a broken bridle on course. Caroline Pamukcu delivered the day's fastest round with HSH Double Sixteen, finishing inside the optimum time to rocket from 17th into fifth.
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<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">Win Chance Post Cross Country:</h3>
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The inaugural US Equestrian Open Eventing Champion will be crowned on Sunday. Showjumping starts at 1:30 p.m. EST over Christopher Barnard's show jumping track, with $200,000 in prize money on the line. What seemed like Coleman's race to lose has become a genuine battle - one rail could decide everything.
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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;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
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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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Flag Drama Tightens the Race at Morven Park

The opening day of dressage at the series final delivered a few surprises, with the overall field performing slightly worse than expected. The average difference versus the average scores came in at +1.4. We saw Phillip take the lead while also setting the tone for what we can expect tomorrow on his other ride Possante.
<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">Top Three Lead the Way</h3>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ed7f40b4-1110-45d7-b48f-37fa0adc61d6.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Morven Park Graphics (41)">
1. Phillip Dutton and Denim topped the leaderboard with an impressive 27.5, marking Dutton's best 4*-L test on US soil since Mystery Whisper at Jersey Fresh in 2012. This score came in 3.1 points better than expected to be the standout performance of the day. It's a spectacular start to the final for the man who led the series for so long but didn't manage to take the win.
2. Elisa Wallace and Lissavorra Quality sit in second place on 33.3 - coming in 1.6 points better than expected. Wallace delivered her second-best 4*-L score and the horse's second-best test at the level in their 12th 4* start.&nbsp;
3. Ryan Wood and Cooley Flight round out the top three on 33.4, also scoring 2.5 points better than expectations. Wood saw this one coming, having spoken to our team a few weeks ago about his prepaations :
<blockquote>
"He has had a great preparation with his last two events and having his lowest FEI dressage score. We are hoping that we can continue with that trend and impress the Australian selectors. We are lucky now to have a selector - Clayton Fredericks - based in the US so he can keep close tabs on what is going on here and report back to the homeland."&nbsp;
</blockquote>
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<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="whitespace-normal break-words">Looking Ahead to Friday</h3>
All eyes will be on tomorrow's session, where three of the lowest predicted scores will take center stage. Due to the running order going from the lowest to highest placed in the series, we have a stacked Friday filled with some of the biggest names in the field.
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1. Miks Master C (Boyd Martin, 11:00 AM) brings the field's best 6RA of 25.9. This new partnership has only completed two tests together, scoring 27 and 27.9, but the horse went as low as 20.1 with previous rider Liz Halliday-Sharp in 2023. Can Boyd unlock that potential or will it take more time to gel?
2. Possante (Phillip Dutton, 1:42 PM) comes in with a 28.8 6RA. Possante has gone sub-25 in two of his last three four-star starts including his 24.5 just three weeks ago at Plantation Field. This 12-year-old could give Dutton a real shot at maintaining an overnight lead.&nbsp; 3. Off The Record (Will Coleman, 11:49 AM) arrives as a joint-favorite with a 30.3 6RA. Earlier this year, the Aachen winner demonstrated their class with a venue-record 21.8 at Kentucky, though followed that with a 35.6 at Aachen. Expect something between those extremes. Coleman will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing test with Very Dignified today, who scored 5.3 marks worse than expected. While this is an educational run for the relatively new combination, it has likely put 'Dora' out of contention for the weekend.
With Friday's dressage featuring the field's strongest predicted performers, the leaderboard could look very different by tomorrow evening. 
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&nbsp;
Dressage takes place Thursday and Friday at the Grand Prix arena, with CCI4*-S tests also interspersed throughout the schedule.
You can watch the live stream for free through the USEF network.&nbsp;Sign up for free here: <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew&nbsp;" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew&nbsp;</a>and watch live here: <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_EU/events/16790" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_EU/events/16790</a>
Check out the fan guide here: &nbsp;<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/thefinal2025/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://usequestrianopen.info/thefinal2025/</a> 
&nbsp;
<hr>
<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;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.
&nbsp;

Thursday Dressage Sets the Tone for Friday's Best

The final of the US Equestrian Open Championship promises top-quality dressage, and based on EquiRatings' 6RA scores (the average of a horse's last six international dressage tests), here are the five horses most likely to lead after the first phase.
1. Miks Master C | Boyd Martin | 6RA: 25.9 Test Time: 11:00 AM Friday
This new ride for Boyd boasts the lowest 6RA in the field, though only two of these six tests have been with Martin - the horse was previously campaigned by Liz Halliday. In their partnership so far, they've scored 27 and 27.9, but this talented horse has gone as low as 20.1 with Liz back in 2023. Can Boyd unlock that potential again or will it take a bit more time to get to know eachother?
2. Possante | Phillip Dutton | 6RA: 28.8 Test Time: 1:42 PM Friday
One of Phillip's two rides here, Possante has a bit of a mixed record but finished on a strong note with a 24.5 just three weeks ago (September 18th). Earlier this year at Aachen, they scored 34.2, though the field was marked particularly harshly across the board. Expect Phillip to be extremely competitive this weekend as he was pipped last minute in the Series race.
3. Very Dignified | Wil Coleman | 6RA: 30.1 Test Time: 11:14 AM Thursday
A previous 4*-L winner, this horse has four of his last six tests with Will - the other two were with Robbie Kearns in Ireland. Coleman has been steadily improving the dressage with scores beginning to creep lower. Going early on Thursday morning, they're likely to set the standard as day one leaders.
4. Off The Record | Will Coleman | 6RA: 30.3 Test Time: 11:56 AM Friday
Joint-most likely winner according to the Prediction Centre (alongside Miks Master C), this Aachen winner has demonstrated that he can be extremely accurate and correct. They went as low as 21.8 when winning Kentucky - a new venue record and the horse's personal best. Their next outing saw a 35.6 (Aachen), so it's likely we can expect them somewhere in the middle of that spectrum.
5. Kynan | Tamra Smith | 6RA: 30.4 Test Time: 1:21 PM Friday
Tamie will be bringing her A game here as a previous Morven Park winner while also holding the lowest finishing score record on US soil at CCI4*-L level. Kynan is remarkably consistent, hovering around the 30 mark without much variation, so you can bank on them delivering right around their 6RA.
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Dressage takes place Thursday and Friday at the Grand Prix arena, with CCI4*-S tests also interspersed throughout the schedule. Check out the fan guide here: &nbsp;<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/thefinal2025/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://usequestrianopen.info/thefinal2025/</a> 
<hr>
<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;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.
&nbsp;

Top Five Dressage Horses to Watch at Morven Park CCI4*-L

This weekend's CCI4*-L at Morven Park is many things - one being the inaugural US Equestrian Open Final and one being a showcase of some of the most accomplished riders in&nbsp; US eventing history.
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">The Numbers Don't Lie</h3>
The entry list reads like a who's who of American eventing royalty. Between just three riders&mdash;Boyd Martin, Buck Davidson, and Phillip Dutton&mdash;they have 274 combined completions at 4*-L and 5* level since 2008. This is testament not only to their talent and consistency, but to their horsemanship and management behind decades of keeping horses fit, sound, and competitive at the highest level.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ab768f5b-5f09-4b64-818e-a60230f18778.png?width=1088&amp;height=1132" alt="Zd K7 U Riders in the Morven Park Field With the Most Completions at 4 L Amp 5 ">
Boyd Martin leads the pack with 94 completions and arrives with two rides: Miks Master C and Shanroe Cooley. More significantly, Martin sits on 10 career wins at 4*-L level - tied for the most in the sport (since 2008). A win this weekend would make him the outright record holder with 11. He also has two wins at the CCI5* level - Adelaide 2003 and Maryland 2021.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0add9a8e-bfc7-4154-b11d-b25be337769f.png?width=1000&amp;height=962" alt="Pzbbo Riders in the Morven Park Field With the Most Wins at 4 L">
Phillip Dutton, US eventing icon, brings Denim and Possante to Morven Park. Since our records began in 2008, Dutton has racked up 89 completions, putting him on the verge of hitting the 90 mark this weekend. He has had 4 wins at CCI4*-L level and one win at the 5* level back in 2008 at Kentucky.
Buck Davidson continues the family legacy established by his father Bruce. The Davidson name is synonymous with American eventing excellence, and Buck has carved out his own legendary status with 91 completions and four wins at four-star. He arrives with Cooley Candyman, ready to add to that tally.
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Beyond the Big Three</h3>
The depth doesn't stop there. The field if filled with riders who bring impressive credentials and experience
<ul>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Jess Phoenix - 50 completions, 2 wins</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Will Coleman - 41 completions, 2 wins.&nbsp;</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Jennie Brannigan - 34 completions, 5 wins</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Tamra Smith - 33 completions, 3 wins at CCI4*L, including a 2022 Morven Park victory, and one at 5*</li>
<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">Ryan Wood - 20 completions, 2 wins&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/06c9cb32-2061-4508-a108-e6210ba490f0.png?width=1264&amp;height=1298" alt="I Gxh a Horses in the Morven Park Field With the Most Completions at 4 L Amp 5 ">
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Why It Matters</h3>
At a venue where the cross-country clear rate sits under 50% and only eight combinations have finished inside the optimum time across the last 80 starters, experience is a going to be a huge advantage.&nbsp;
Morven Park is to host one of the most experienced fields assembled at any 4*L event on US Soil since 2015. Legends will compete, milestones will be reached, history will be made. 
&nbsp;
<hr>
<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;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

Legends Assemble at Morven Park

The Prediction Center has its favorites: Miks Master C, Off The Record, Shanroe Cooley, and Possante are the names most expected to fill the podium. But in a sport where winning is always the exception, not the rule, even the top picks aren&rsquo;t guaranteed.
At Morven Park, the numbers tell the story: fewer than half of starters have gone clear cross country and just eight combinations have made the time from the 80 to set out. A polished dressage test might earn attention, but it&rsquo;s cross country pace and precision that will land you on the podium.
So, who else should we be watching? Here are three under-the-radar combinations who tick the boxes this course demands. And yes - it&rsquo;s all girl power.
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Caroline Pamukcu &ndash; HSH Double Sixteen</h3>
Caroline Pamukcu might be sitting with less than a 1% win chance according to the numbers, but don't let that fool you. Her mount HSH Double Sixteen has something special: speed. With a Top Speed Percentage (TSP) of 94%, this combination is the second-fastest in the class.
Their recent form is what stands out. Just last week at Stable View 4*, they jumped double clear to finish on their dressage score of 33.4 to win. Even more impressive? Caroline became only the second rider in five years to make the optimum time.
Double Sixteen is just 10 years old, which means there's still room to improve. While the dressage scores have been slightly high (6RA of 37.4), if Caroline can reproduce that 33.4 from Stable View and the time proves decisive at Morven Park, this young horse could make a serious climb up the leaderboard.
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Tamie Smith &ndash; Kynan</h3>
With a 6% win chance, Tamie Smith and Kynan have more respect from the prediction models centre&nbsp; but are still an under-rated combination. Kynan's six-run average sits at 30.4, but this horse frequently scores in the 20s, which could put them right in contention after dressage.
The cross-country record is a bit mixed (50% XCJ10), but when this pair gets it right, they get it very right. At their last 4*L, they jumped double clear to finish just off the podium in fourth place. Tamie's show jumping record with Kynan is spotless over the last six outings.
Perhaps most importantly, Tamie knows how to win at Morven Park - she took the title here in 2022. That kind of course knowledge and experience is invaluable.
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Jennie Brannigan &ndash; Kismet</h3>
At less than 1% win chance, Jennie Brannigan and Kismet are a dark horse. But dig into the data, and you'll find a combination perfectly suited for Morven Park's demands.
Kismet boasts a perfect 100% XCJ10 record and a top speed percentage of 93% - one of the highest in the entire field. Yes, some of those metrics come from the level below, but the horse's second-ever 4* start in July saw them jump clear and inside the time, proving they can handle the step up.
For Brannigan, this marks her 30th 4*L start - an experienced pilot on a horse still finding his feet at the top level. The dressage scores at four-star suggest there's still some work to do, but if they can deliver a solid jumping performance across both phases, they could easily outperform expectations.
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">The Verdict</h3>
Morven Park rewards horses that are brave, fast, and careful and riders who know when to push and when to play it safe. While the favorites will certainly be competitive, these three combinations have the profiles to thrive. 
&nbsp;
<hr>
<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;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

Dark Horses to Watch: Who Could Surprise at Morven Park

Morven Park's CCI4*-L has been running since 2021. Since then the venue has gained a fantastic reputation for being a strong competition which rewards excellence across all three phases. As we count down to this year's US Equestrian Open Final, here's how the last four winners claimed their place in the venue's hall of fame.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c4730ecf-d58b-47ed-872e-e849cc9ef902.png?width=511&amp;height=313" alt="Screenshot 2025 10 01 170446">
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<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">&nbsp;</h2>
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">2021: Phillip Dutton &amp; Quasi Cool - The Triple Crown Year</h3>
For Phillip Dutton and Quasi Cool, 2021 was the year. The pair had three wins together - their only three career wins as a combination: a CCI3*-S, a CC14*-S, ending with the pinnacle: their win at Morven Park&rsquo;s four-star long.
They sat joint-second after dressage on 29.8, behind Buck Davidson and Cooley Candyman, who also return this year. But with Dutton's masterful cross-country riding, he added less time than Buck edging them ahead to victory with a final score of 34.2.&nbsp;
Dutton returns with Denim and Possante, ready to add another chapter (and potentially even win) to his Morven Park story.
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">2022: Tamra Smith &amp; Solaguayre California - The Seven Year Wait</h3>
The chestnut mare California was just 11 years old and tackling only her second CCI4*-L when she and Tamra Smith produced a near-perfect performance. Sitting second after dressage on 29.3, they added just 0.4 time penalties (one second) across the jumping phases to win on a score of 29.7.
The win was Smith's second at the four-star long level - a seven-year wait after her first, which came at Fair Hill with Mai Baum. The overnight leaders, Sharon White and Claus 63, were eliminated on cross-country, opening the door for California's triumph. Sharon White and Claus 63 are entered again this year.
Smith will returns to Morven Park this year with Kynan, a horse who has never finished outside the top 10 in his three runs at the CCI4*-L level.
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">2023: Boyd Martin &amp; Commando 3 - Winning from the Front</h3>
In 2023, Boyd became the only winner of Morven to win from the front after dressage. Commando 3, one of Boyd's biggest stars, laid down a 26.2 dressage test and never looked back, adding just 3.2 cross-country time penalties to finish on final score of 29.4.
The win was Martin's 9th at the CCI4*-L level since 2008, adding his 10th earlier this year. <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/boyd-martin-is-one-of-the-most-successful-4-l-riders-and-hes-entered-for-the-final" target="_blank" rel="noopener">No rider in the world has tallied more wins at this level </a>- he shares the record of 10 with Australia's Shane Rose, but nobody beats him.
Commando 3 went on to finish 2nd at Kentucky CCI5* this year and returns to Maryland 5* in a few weeks. Boyd will return to Morven Park as the series winner and with two strong contenders: Miks Master C and Shanroe Cooley, both sitting high on the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/morvenpark_4l_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prediction center.</a>
<h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">2024: Julie Wolfert &amp; SSH Playboy - The Comeback Queen</h3>
Julie Wolfert pulled off the biggest winning climb of this competition, moving from 6th after dressage to claim victory by finishing on their dressage score - only the fifth combination to achieve this at the venue. Starting on 34.5, Wolfert and Ssh Playboy jumped double clear across both phases to move into the top spot.&nbsp;The victory marked Wolfert's third CCI4*-L start - all with SSH Playboy - and her first win at the level.&nbsp;
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In 10 days, we'll have another name to add to this prestigious list. Who will join Morven Park's hall of fame?
&nbsp;
<hr>
<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;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

Phillip Dutton was the first-ever winner of this class.

Morven Park’s Champions: A Look at the Hall of Fame

Returning for the third year in a row for the CCI4*-L, Lucienne Bellissimo and&nbsp;the 13-year-old gelding Dyri have proven that they can perform at this venue. Last year, they led the CCI4*-L after dressage (30.7) only to drop to second with 4.8 cross-country time penalties. The year before, they finished 4th.
<blockquote>
"He's done the four-star long at Morven twice now. He sadly didn't win it last year. He finished up second... He deserved to win it. I found a gallop that suited him and I left him alone and it was the right choice by the horse. But I will definitely be aiming him for the four long there again."
</blockquote>
In fact, this will be their 5th year in a row at this venue and their track record speaks for itself. With results like this, Bellissimo and Dyri are a serious threat even though they may not instantly make the headlines or top the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/morvenpark_4l_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Center.</a>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b5bfa8f1-8c65-473c-bd1e-c21cd72d7801.png?width=1880&amp;height=666" alt="Rrj Rz ">
<h3>Their 2025 Season</h3>
The season started brilliantly with two top-five finishes at CCI4*-S but then came challenges. At Kentucky, their first attempt at five-star, Bellissimo made a tough call:&nbsp;
<blockquote>
"I could feel him saying, I'm not enjoying this. So I put my hand up and did the walk of shame and brought him home, but it was the right choice because he doesn't deserve to get spooked."
</blockquote>
A few weeks later, what should have been a confidence-building run at Tryon's four-star long turned into an unlucky fall at a double of corners when Dyri hit the back rail after an open distance.&nbsp; "Horses, it's a humbling sport," Bellissimo admits. Two difficult outings in a row for a usually reliable partnership.
<h3>The Rebuild</h3>
Rather than push through, Bellissimo took the approach of stepping back a few levels and giving Dyri a spin around some smaller events. The strategy worked - winning their last two events, albeit at the CCI2*-S level. With two FODs, it seems the partnership is clicking again - just in time for Morven Park 2025.
<h3><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/04fc8630-3c6e-4d49-a0a3-542ecdc7ec5f.png?width=1676&amp;height=422" alt="Ff L77 "></h3>
<h3>The Morven Threat</h3>
Because of this inconsistent start to the season, Dyri doesn't feature high on the Prediction Center. But knowing the full story, the rebuild, and the track record - this combination could be a real threat. In the dressage, you can expect this pair to score around the 30 mark - which was enough to lead this exact competition last year. As long as their cross country stays back on track, they are in with a good chance. Dyri's showjumping record is excellent - having only had one pole across their last 8 international runs.
Bellissimo discussed how the US Equestrian Open adds extra pressure: "It does suddenly make you think, maybe I should go a bit quicker today," and with time penalties being the only thing that cost them victory at Morven last year? The pressure may benefit this pair this time around.
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<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Listen to&nbsp;Lucienne Bellissimo on the US Equestrian Open Podcast now.</h3>
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37875415/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/4c414c/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<hr>
<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;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
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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>.

The Morven Specialists: Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri

With just days remaining until the US Open Final at Morven Park, course designer&nbsp;Derek di Grazia&nbsp;is putting the finishing touches on what promises to be another challenging test for the 38 horse-and-rider combinations entered in the competition.
For di Grazia, whose courses are consistently praised by riders for bringing out the best in their horses, the journey to Morven Park represents both a return to his roots and a showcase of one of America's most spectacular venues.
Listen to Derek di Grazia on the US Equestrian Open Podcast now.
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<h3 dir="ltr">Early Inspiration at Pebble Beach</h3>
Di Grazia's love affair with eventing began at the&nbsp;1969 US Open at Pebble Beach, California.&nbsp;
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"The biggest thing that really impressed me was just watching what these horses did because I had just never seen anything like it.&rdquo;
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That competition, featuring legendary names like&nbsp;the&nbsp;Woffords, the Plumbs,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Kevin Freeman,&nbsp;showcased the sport at its highest level on the West Coast. The young di Grazia was hooked, drawn to the stories of how "rugged and difficult&rdquo; the sport was.
His early riding education was comprehensive, encompassing not just eventing but polo, fox hunting, and show jumping. The transition from West to East Coast came during his college years at Georgetown University, where he began training with the legendary&nbsp;Jimmy Wofford.&nbsp;His breakthrough moment came at&nbsp;Ledyard Farm in 1977,&nbsp;competing in poor conditions against top European riders.
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"It was pouring rain and very, very wet for the cross country, but we were one of the few that made it inside the time on the cross country and we ended up actually in fourth place at the end."
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That result gave him confidence that he could make it in this sport - setting the stage for a successful competitive career that would eventually inform his approach to course design.
<h3 dir="ltr">A Horse-First Philosophy</h3>
Going back to his years in the saddle, Di Grazia understands firsthand the immense work required to bring a horse to top-level competition and he's acutely aware of how vulnerable these horses are to injury. Because of this, horse welfare remains at the forefront of every decision he makes when designing his cross-country courses.&nbsp;This philosophy drives every decision he makes:&nbsp;
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"In the end for me, it's about making these courses so that they are fair for the horses and that as much as possible trying to make the ground conditions - the wear and tear on the horses - as minimal as possible."
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<h3 dir="ltr">The Art and Science of Design</h3>
Each venue presents unique challenges and opportunities, something that keeps di Grazia passionate about his craft.
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"Every venue is different. We all know that. And so they all sort of require different things. And to me, that's what makes course design actually exciting for me, because there's new things you can do in different places and just the way you use the ground."
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Derek also emphasizes that course design is far from a solo effort, highlighting the builders and decorators who bring his vision to life and ultimately make the course look its best.
<h3 dir="ltr">Discovering Morven Park's Potential</h3>
When di Grazia first visited Morven Park as a course designer, he was immediately struck by the venue's possibilities.
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&ldquo;It was so wonderful to be able to come and see this place and see the venue. But you know, I just start thinking about,&nbsp; four longs and, and, know, even five star, I mean, you start looking at this ground and you start drooling because it's just such an amazing place&rdquo;
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The venue's placement in the calendar had historically limited its exposure, often conflicting with other major competitions. But since the introduction of the CCI4*-L format in 2021, di Grazia has seen riders rediscover this historic venue and watched the quality of the entries improving year on year.
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<h3 dir="ltr">What to Expect at Morven Park</h3>
Derek has proven he can build tough time tests, most recently having only one rider making the time over his track at Burghley. Historically, Morven Park sees an average of&nbsp;10% of starters&nbsp;finish inside the optimum time. With a field of 38 competitors, we can expect&nbsp;3 to 4 riders&nbsp;inside the time. However, it has varied from year-to-year, with&nbsp;25%&nbsp;making the time last year.
With Morven Park hosting the inaugural US Equestrian Open of Eventing, we can expect that the challenge is set to be anything but easy - a true test across all three phases designed to ensure the strongest combination is crowned the champion.
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<h3>Listen to Derek di Grazia on the US Equestrian Open Podcast now.</h3>
<iframe title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/38394845/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/4c414c/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
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<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;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

Eventing