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Laine Ashker & Lovedance on the Open Weekly Graphic

The Open Weekly: Ashker Wins at Maryland & Jacobs at Traverse City

Marilyn Little on the Open Weekly Graphic

The Open Weekly: Maryland, Rotterdam & Holzer Holds

Open Weekly Graphic with Stephanie Goodman & Elwenda DP cross-country 

The Open Weekly: Debut Wins in Eventing & New Venues in Dressage

Open Weekly graphic with Karen O'Neal & Clooney 14

The Open Weekly: Aspen, St. Gallen, & Three to Go in Dressage

Image of the chestnut horse Montpellier Scais & Allie Knowles clearing a cross country fence

The Open Weekly: US Teams in England & Rome and Personal Bests at Ginny Rattner Memorial

The Open Weekly: Bicton, Aachen & The Ginny Rattner Memorial

<h2 dir="ltr">Dressage: Potasky bests Ashker at MADFest to claim CDI3* freestyle win</h2>
Ali Potasky &amp; Inxs won Saturday's CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle at the Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival with a personal best of 72.425%, edging out Laine Ashker &amp; Zeppelin by 0.315%.&nbsp;
Potasky came into the weekend with the field's highest average but only two starts on record. Saturday's result adds a third data point, and her best one yet.&nbsp;
<blockquote>
"I&rsquo;ve been working on the details&mdash;the connection, the frame, and the softness through the top line. Today I feel like I had moments where that was coming along more than it has in the past," she said of Inxs, who can carry tension in competition.&nbsp;
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYfgZs9gM_g/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6d88416e-5f37-48b8-be8f-68b2a8098839.png?width=700&amp;height=853" alt="Screenshot 2026 05 19 113032"></a>
Ashker, meanwhile, was debuting a new freestyle with Zeppelin. She posted a strong 72.110% on a first outing with new music and has her eyes set on the Final in Thermal.&nbsp;
Miceala Mabraga&ntilde;a &amp; Belatrix RH finished third with 70.035%, also a personal best.
The top of the overall standings is unchanged after this weekend, but Potasky and Ashker both move into the low 20s. Although still outside the top-18 cutoff for the CDI5* Final, they are both now in range with only four qualifiers remaining this season.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f1d326a8-8044-4186-8952-a26653416d9a.png?width=1098&amp;height=1110" alt="0t C X7 Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage (2)">
The next qualifier takes place at the Ginny Rattner Memorial Dressage in Oregon, Saturday, May 30.
<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>
<h2 dir="ltr">Listen to this week's episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast</h2>
<iframe style="border-image: initial; border: medium none currentcolor;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/41360160/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>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Jumping: The world's best head to Aachen</h2>
It was a quieter weekend for US riders on the international circuit despite three five-stars running across Madrid, Windsor, and Hamburg. However, that is because the focus was already shifting elsewhere. Aachen is this week.
This year's CHIO arrives earlier than usual. Due to the FEI World Championships in Aachen in August, the organisers have moved the spring edition to May 22&ndash;24, christening it the "TSCHIO", a nod to the local Aachen dialect and the deep community bond the event carries.
The Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday is the second Major of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, making Richard Vogel (winner of the Dutch Masters in March) a live Grand Slam contender this weekend.
This weekend also carries weight for the coming months as it shapes up to be a direct audition for the World Championships. This weekend's US contingent is as follows:
<ul class="[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1 [li_&amp;]:gap-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3">
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Kent Farrington: Greya, Descartes SR</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">McLain Ward:&nbsp;High Star Hero, Lestro vd Valckenborg</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Laura Kraut: Bisquetta, Cinnamon, Una Mariposa</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Lillie Keenan: Anton, Fasther, Kick On</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Karl Cook: Caracole de la Roque, Candy, Foxy de la Roque</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Aaron Vale:&nbsp;Carissimo 25, Gray's Inn, Helios du Moulin</li>
</ul>
The World Championships are fast approaching. This week at Aachen is where the conversation about who goes starts to get serious.
<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>
<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]">Eventing: The Series takes a breath&nbsp;</h2>
Next Qualifier:&nbsp;Aspen Farms (June 11th)&nbsp;| The Final:&nbsp;Morven Park 4*-L, Virginia (October 8th)
The Series is on a slight break as we wait for the next qualifier at Aspen Farms on June 11th. Tamie Smith leads the Series on 235, Will Coleman is second on 215, and&nbsp;Boyd Martin is third on 190. Check out the full leaderboard <a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a>
The break is a good moment to zoom out and celebrate 2026 so far. Tamie Smith currently leads the world in international wins in 2026 with eight. She is already two ahead of where Lara de Liedekerke-Meier stood at the same stage of her record-breaking 2025 campaign. Lara went on to set a new single-season record with 21 international wins, surpassing Piggy March&rsquo;s previous mark of 15. Out of those eight wins, four have come at the CCI4* level and it is only May.
We wrote it up in full this week. Read it <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-tamie-smith-season-so-far" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a>
<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>
<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>&nbsp;
<h3>The Mission of the Open&nbsp;</h3>
The mission of the US Equestrian Open is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrian sport by delivering a premier, unified championship series that engages a broader fanbase through top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience.

Ali Potasky & Inxs on the Open Weekly graphic

The Open Weekly: Potasky Wins at MADFest as All Eyes Turn to Aachen

<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Eventing: Smith makes it three in a row at Tryon</h2>
Next Qualifier: Aspen Farms (June 11th) | The Final:&nbsp;Morven Park 4*-L, Virginia (October 8th)
Tamie Smith &amp; Danito won the Tryon International CCI4*-S making it a third consecutive qualifier win for Smith and another 50 points banked. The weekend began with a dressage score that turned a number of heads.
Smith &amp; Danito posted a 19.5 - a new all-time dressage record in the US Equestrian Open Series across 607 starts, and the best test recorded internationally at any level in 2026 from over 5,000 FEI tests worldwide. The previous Tryon venue record of 24.6 had stood since 2020. Smith beat it by more than five penalties. For the full story on that number and what it means, read our deep dive <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/tamie-smith-danito-set-a-new-series-dressage-record-at-tryon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a>
What the dressage lead couldn't guarantee was the win - no previous Tryon CCI4*-S winner had led after dressage, and the cross-country has never been beaten on time. Smith held on regardless, finishing on 27.9 to take the class. Will Coleman &amp; Off The Record finished second, with Boyd Martin &amp; Shanroe Cooley third.
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYM7ELIkVyr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2e8eae00-a8e2-4c13-ab2b-cd40706268df.png?width=910&amp;height=1093" alt="Screenshot 2026 05 12 110148"></a>
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Series Picture</h3>
Smith extends her lead to 235 points. Coleman climbs to second on 215 after his Tryon result. Boyd Martin moves into third on 190 with Shanroe Cooley's 40-point haul. Caroline Pamukcu, who didn't enter at Tryon, drops two spots to fourth on 185. Lucienne Bellissimo moves to fifth on 175 as Kitsch Couture HPK finished fourth added 35 points.
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYMwv_aDAeJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/977223d3-e79a-464c-85c6-500df37672ba.png?width=841&amp;height=520" alt="Screenshot 2026 05 12 105842"></a>
The Series now takes a short break before heading west to Aspen Farms on June 11th. 
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e6b627a3-4fce-4bbf-8314-5c8c2402cd3e.png?width=1080&amp;height=158" alt="Read More Eventing"></a>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Dressage: USEF Nationals calls seven of the top ten to Ocala. Lexington is wide open.</h2>
Next Qualifier: Mid Atlantic Dressage Festival&nbsp;(May 14)&nbsp;| The Final:&nbsp;Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November 13)
Seven of the top ten Series riders are in Ocala this week for the 2026 USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship and while the event carries no Series points, the stakes extend well beyond a national title. Nationals is a mandatory stop on the road to U.S. team selection for the FEI World Championships in Aachen this August. If you want to be considered for a team spot, you have to compete here. Ashley Holzer, Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn, Ellesse Gundersen, Jennifer Williams, Kevin Kohmann, Christian Simonson, &amp; Devon Kane are all in the field.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/dressage/708" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1371f0e1-b365-44bc-a49d-0ded19c90c81.png?width=1098&amp;height=1164" alt="0t C X7 Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage (1) (1)"></a>
That leaves the Series leaderboard somewhat exposed this weekend. The Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival in Lexington, Virginia is this weekend's Open qualifier, and the riders who didn't make the Nationals cut will have the top of the field largely to themselves.&nbsp;Claire Darnell is the one top-ten rider neither in Ocala nor back in Europe - if she makes the trip to Lexington, it could be a significant weekend for her Series position.
<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>
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Jumping: Three of the world's best nine-year-olds are flying the US flag </h2>
Right now, three of the five highest-rated nine-year-olds in the world are US-based horses with all three having competed at the Kentucky International CSI5*. With the World Championships this summer and Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon, the timing could not be better for the US to have a number of rising stars. The EquiRatings Elo rating tracks how a horse performs against elite opposition over time. Every result either adds to or subtracts from their score depending on who they beat and who beats them. Quality of winning matters as much as winning itself.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b3658559-2737-4134-a8f1-5ede1cf285a0.png?width=1069&amp;height=649" alt="Screenshot 2026 05 12 122350">
Descartes SR (Kent Farrington, Elo 693) has been the story of the spring. Sourced from Mexico, he won the Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix on his five-star debut before going into to a podium finish at CSI5* Grand Prix in Monterrey, Mexico in May. Two great 5* Grand Prix results in the space of a month for a nine-year-old. Farrington has described him as an exceptional talent and the results are making that case without any help.
Riesling van de Gaathoeve (Mckayla Langmeier, Elo 676) was previously campaigned by Shane Sweetnam before Langmeier took over the ride this year. At Kentucky she finished eighth in the CSI5* Grand Prix with just a single time fault, a solid performance at the highest level in only her first season with the ride. They are a combination to watch as their partnership progresses.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4f640b1e-0b72-4a41-b698-be3a4b96daf7.jpg?width=1772&amp;height=1181" alt="Mckayla Langmeier &amp; Riesling Van De Gaathoeve &copy;sportfot J B2 0760">Mckayla Langmeier &amp; Riesling van de Gaathoeve jumping at WEF Week 2.
Chagrin d'Amour (Lillie Keenan, Elo 674)&nbsp;announced himself as a serious competitor when he won Sparkassen Youngster Cup Final at CHIO Aachen last year. This year, one of their biggest results was their double-clear rounds to help the Trelawny Trailblazers claim victory in the $200,000 CSI5* MLSJ Team Competition at the Kentucky International. This is just one of Keenan's top horses as she quietly builds one of the strongest strings in the US right now.
Three horses, all nine years old, all performing at the sharp end of five-star competition. Watch out for these names, they are next generation of US superstars. 
<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>
&nbsp;
<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>&nbsp;
<h3>The Mission of the Open&nbsp;</h3>
The mission of the US Equestrian Open is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrian sport by delivering a premier, unified championship series that engages a broader fanbase through top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience.

The Open Weekly: New Records and Top Ratings

<h2>Dressage: Kohmann &amp; Famous win at TerraNova on a borrowed freestyle&nbsp;</h2>
Next Qualifier: Mid Atlantic Dressage Festival (May 14) | The Final:&nbsp;Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November 13)
Kevin Kohmann &amp; Famous won Saturday's Grand Prix Freestyle at TerraNova with 74.635% - a personal best for the horse and a six-point lift over their Grand Prix score the day before. The field had narrowed considerably by then: Monica Burssens and Sahar Daniel Hirosh&nbsp;were both eliminated in the Grand Prix, and Susan Dutta withdrew before the freestyle, leaving Kohmann and Micah Deligdish to contest the class. Deligdish &amp; Carpe Diem De Massa finished second at 69.610%, also a personal best for the horse.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DX645oKkVJA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e9d833b4-ce55-42b3-a5c3-241913dc99f0.png?width=697&amp;height=847" alt="Screenshot 2026 05 05 143603"></a>
Needing a freestyle for Famous, Kohmann went looking through old music. Normally, he&rsquo;d borrow his wife Devon Kane&rsquo;s music, but that had already been given to Deligdish, who he was competing against. So, he landed on the original Avicii freestyle he rode at the World Cup Final with Duenensee. He rode it once at home, it fit, and he went for it.&nbsp;
"I love the music and it worked out," he said afterward, noting that Famous handled the loud music and the looming storm without issue. The show adjusted the class time around the weather, and it stayed dry. Kohmann closed with one-handed passage into the final halt - a deliberate degree-of-difficulty play that paid off.
The result moves Kohmann to 9th in the Series with three qualifiers completed. Deligdish climbs to 27th, still well outside the top-18 finals cutoff.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f095399a-4e44-4809-893e-afef5483707d.png?width=1098&amp;height=1164" alt="0t C X7 Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage (1)"></a>
The Series returns in two weeks at the Mid Atlantic Dressage Festival in Lexington, KY.
<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>
<h2 data-section-id="bkawl6" data-start="412" data-end="449">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Eventing: Tryon&rsquo;s big field makes this a key week in the Series</h2>
Next Qualifier:&nbsp;Tryon International (May 6)&nbsp;| The Final:&nbsp;Morven Park 4*-L, Virginia (October 8th)
With over 25 entries, the Tryon qualifier this weekend class reaches the higher points band meaning 50 points to the winner rather than 40. Last year, this event had just 16 starters. This year, it steps into a different category entirely. It is now one of the few qualifiers this season to exceed that mark.
A full preview article is coming later this week, but even an early look at the entries suggests a highly competitive field that will have an impact at the top of the leaderboard.
Off The Record &amp; Will Coleman heads the entries and Win Chance. A combination that need no introduction, having finished second in last year&rsquo;s Final, only missing the win with a rail on the final day. This will be his first international start of the season, likely part of a light campaign ahead of Aachen, but the quality is established.
Lucienne Bellissimo brings two entries, Dyri and Kitsch Couture HPK.&nbsp;She sits within reach of the top of the leaderboard and will be targeting points here. With two horses in a high-value qualifier, the opportunity is significant.
Last years Series winner Boyd Martin is entered with two rides, as well as the current Series leader Tamie Smith is also well represented. She has three entries in the field, including two rerouted from Kentucky.&nbsp;
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/05e29bc4-7a50-441e-bd03-1f503445c1c3.png?width=1098&amp;height=1164" alt="Ny3sf Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Eventing "></a>
<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>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Jumping: Farrington wins again&nbsp;</h2>
Kent Farrington needed sixth place or better in Monterrey to win the Major League series. He finished third. It secures his second Major League Show Jumping individual title and brings the season back in line with the underlying numbers. Farrington has been the most consistent rider across the series &mdash; more wins, more podiums &mdash; and the final result reflects that.
The Grand Prix itself went to Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Prins van&rsquo;t Eigenlo, who proved untouchable in the jump-off. Marilyn Little finished second, just 0.13 seconds behind, while Farrington rounded out the podium in third-place.&nbsp;
From a US perspective, three riders finished inside the top 10. Little (2nd), Farrington (3rd), and Natalie Dean (10th) &mdash; all of whom competed at WEF this winter &mdash; underline the strength of that Wellington group translating form onto a five-star final stage.
<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>
&nbsp;
<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>&nbsp;
<h3>The Mission of the Open&nbsp;</h3>
The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic&nbsp;Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US&nbsp;Equestrian sport.&nbsp;Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines.&nbsp; With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the&nbsp;vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season.&nbsp;The series is anchored by&nbsp;core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic&nbsp;entertaining experience onsite

The Open Weekly: Kohmann wins at TerraNova and Tryon draws a big field

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<h2 class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown">Eventing: Tamie Smith makes it two in a row to take the Series lead</h2>
Next Qualifier: Tryon International (May 6)&nbsp;| The Final: Morven Park 4*-L, Virginia (October 8th)
Tamie Smith&nbsp;and&nbsp;Lillet 3 won the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at Kentucky to secure back-to-back wins for Smith following her Ocala victory a week earlier. After dressage she sat third on 29.7. It was cross-country that changed the picture. Lillet 3 added just 1.6 time penalties (the fastest round of the day from 31 starters) to move into the lead heading into show jumping. From there, she held it. Smith and Lillet 3 were the only combination to jump clear within the time. A 31.3 final score and 50 points banked.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4dda56bd-176d-4a1d-b81b-88a86335dd70.png?width=697&amp;height=846" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 28 114843">
Two wins in two weekends saw a huge points boost. She now leads the 2026 Series on 205 points, 20 clear of Caroline Pamukcu on 185. For the full picture on why everything points firmly in her direction for the rest of the season, read our feature here: <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/tamies-on-top-with-a-west-coast-advantage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tamie's on top and has a West Coast advantage</a>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f87bb6d0-d6fd-4b81-b392-c797d1baf01c.png?width=1080&amp;height=974" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (9)">
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Podium</h3>
Second place went to&nbsp;Will Coleman&nbsp;and&nbsp;Very Dignified - a mare produced in Ireland with Robbie Kearns and is now who showing real promise for the Coleman Team. Will and 'Dora' who were on the podium at the US Equestrian Open Final last year, are still building their partnership, but she is a horse to keep a close eye on as that relationship develops. Third went to Mia Farley&nbsp;and&nbsp;Invictus, who delivered a strong show jumping clear to complete the podium on 38.3.&nbsp;
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<h2>Dressage: Williams wins and Holzer leads after WEC Ocala</h2>
Next Qualifier: TerraNova (April 30)&nbsp;| The Final:&nbsp;Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November 13)
Jennifer Williams &amp; Joppe K won the CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle at WEC Ocala with a 75.460%. Ashley Holzer &amp; Hawtins San Floriana finished second at 74.880%, enough to take the lead in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage. Frederic Wandres, not competing, watched the Series lead pass to Holzer: 51 points to his 49.
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Holzer not only needed a top-two finish to take the Series lead, but also needed Claire Darnell to finish outside the top 3. She got it. Hawtins still hasn't won a Grand Prix Freestyle, but second place accomplished what mattered this week. Williams, meanwhile, posted another score squarely in her recent range. Her 41 points move her into sixth on the leaderboard.
Darnell and Harrold S finished sixth at 68.425%, well below the form she's shown this season. It didn't affect her Series total &mdash; she'd already completed four qualifiers, so the score didn't count &mdash; but it didn't help, either. She sits third at 47, two points behind Wandres and four behind Holzer, with her window to change that narrowing. Jordan LaPlaca &amp; Gold Play posted a 72.250% in their Grand Prix Freestyle debut together.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/30973477-eb65-4a70-8844-e7acfbbad0bd.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Gl Jzk Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage (1)"> 
<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3c1ea641-4e2f-4bda-9592-bac6f8b526cf.png?width=1080&amp;height=171" alt="Read More Dressage"></a></h2>
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<h2>Jumping: Farrington does it again and introduces a new star</h2>
Kent Farrington won the $340,000 Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix on Saturday night but the headline wasn't just the result. It was the horse.
Descartes SR is nine years old and this was his first five-star Grand Prix. Farrington set the pace going first in the jump-off, stopping the clock at 39.92 seconds. From there, no one could catch him. McLain Ward&nbsp; &amp; High Star Hero pushed hardest at 40.42, with Shane Sweetnam &amp; James Kann Cruz completing the podium in third at 40.71.
The context around all three results adds texture. Ward was making his return from injury - his first competition in seven weeks after a fall in Week 10 at Wellington, by his own admission "mildly against doctor's orders." Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz, secure another podium to continue to prove themselves as the most consistent five-star combinations in the world.
But the story of the night was Farrington's newly minted five-star Grand Prix horse. Descartes SR was sourced from Mexico on the recommendation of Francisco Pasquel. Nine years old, first five-star, and he won it.&nbsp;
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"He has an incredible stride. He covers ground like a racehorse and still has the power to give a lofty jump at the final fence, which is a rare combination of attributes in a horse. I had a lot of trust in him to the last fence.&rdquo;
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There will be more to come from this one.
<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.
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<h3>The Mission of the Open&nbsp;</h3>
The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic&nbsp;Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US&nbsp;Equestrian sport.&nbsp;Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines.&nbsp; With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the&nbsp;vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season.&nbsp;The series is anchored by&nbsp;core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic&nbsp;entertaining experience onsite

The Open Weekly Graphic with Tamie Smith & Lillet 3 on it

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