Main

<p>Be the first to receive behind-the-scenes stories, event previews, competition results and much more!</p>

newsletter

Sign up for our US Equestrian Open Newsletter

Stephanie Goodman at Aspen Farms on the Open Weekly graphic

The Open Weekly: Rebecca Farm, Sweetnam Strikes, and the Aachen Four

<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 32px;">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.16em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #6b7280; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.16em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #6b7280; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This Week</div>

<div style="background: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #dde1ea; border-top: 3px solid #c8102e; padding: 14px 12px; border-radius: 2px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<div style="font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.16em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #c8102e; margin-bottom: 6px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Eventing</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: 800; line-height: 1.3; color: #001c54; margin-bottom: 4px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Five Chosen for Aachen</div>
<div style="font-size: 12px; color: #6b7280; line-height: 1.4; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The USA names its World Championships five, including the Series pacesetter.</div>
</div>

<div style="background: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #dde1ea; border-top: 3px solid #404a79; padding: 14px 12px; border-radius: 2px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<div style="font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.16em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #404a79; margin-bottom: 6px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jumping</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: 800; line-height: 1.3; color: #001c54; margin-bottom: 4px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Spruce is Done, Falsterbo Next</div>
<div style="font-size: 12px; color: #6b7280; line-height: 1.4; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Alrajhi wins at Spruce, and World No. 1 Farrington heads to Sweden.</div>
</div>

<div style="background: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #dde1ea; border-top: 3px solid #83b1d6; padding: 14px 12px; border-radius: 2px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<div style="font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.16em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #83b1d6; margin-bottom: 6px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dressage</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: 800; line-height: 1.3; color: #001c54; margin-bottom: 4px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">US Riders Compete Abroad</div>
<div style="font-size: 12px; color: #6b7280; line-height: 1.4; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Holzer shines at Hartpury and a young US team lands a Nations Cup podium.</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 14px; border-bottom: 3px solid #c8102e;">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 64px; vertical-align: middle; padding-right: 14px;"><img style="border-radius: 50%; display: block;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/034b4bfc-2e07-42fe-b376-e28ad1028275" alt="Eventing" width="60" height="60"></td>
<td style="vertical-align: middle;">
<div style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.16em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #c8102e; margin-bottom: 4px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Eventing</div>
<div style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 800; color: #001c54; line-height: 1.15; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Five Chosen for Aachen</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

<div style="margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 10px 12px 10px 14px; border-left: 3px solid #c8102e; background: #f7f8fc; font-size: 12px; color: #6b7280; line-height: 1.6; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong style="color: #001c54;">Next Qualifier:</strong> The Event at Rebecca Farm (July 15) &nbsp;|&nbsp; <strong style="color: #001c54;">The Final:</strong> Morven International Horse Park, Leesburg, VA (October 8 to 11)</div>

<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The United States has named five combinations for the FEI World Championships in Aachen this August.</p>
<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 28, 84);">First up is </span><strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Tamie Smith</strong> &amp; <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Lillet 3</strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 28, 84);">, </span></strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 28, 84);">who</span> lead the US Equestrian Open Eventing Series. The pair won the Carolina CCI4*-S in March, the highest-rated performance of the 2026 Series, then won the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at Kentucky in April. Aachen will be the ten-year-old's first big stage.</p>
<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Three squad members arrive with serious five-star form.&nbsp;<strong>Will Coleman</strong> &amp; <strong>Diabolo</strong> won the Kentucky CCI5* in April, with <strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong> &amp; <strong>HSH Blake</strong> second at the same event, a gelding whose CV already includes the Paris Olympics. <strong>Boyd Martin</strong> &amp; <strong>Cooley Nutcracker</strong> were third at Pau CCI5* in October. That horse also competed at Paris, under Liz Halliday, who produced him up to the highest level.</p>
<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Phillip Dutton</strong> &amp; <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Possante</strong> complete the five. Aachen will be Dutton's eighth World Championship, on top of seven Olympic Games, the deepest championship record of any active US eventer. His last ride under the Australian flag came at Aachen in 2006. Twenty years on, he returns to the same arena in US colours.</p>

<div style="margin-top: 20px;"><a style="display: block;" href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <img style="display: block; max-width: 100%; height: auto;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/254e09dd-d92e-4194-986b-baf0dbd8460b" alt="Read more eventing" width="100%"> </a></div>

<div style="height: 1px; background: #c8102e; margin: 40px 0 40px 0; max-width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="height: 1px; background: #dde1ea; margin: -41px 0 40px 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 14px; border-bottom: 3px solid #404a79;">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 64px; vertical-align: middle; padding-right: 14px;"><img style="border-radius: 50%; display: block;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f55579d4-5521-41d1-ac1c-5bbfbdea9957" alt="Jumping" width="60" height="60"></td>
<td style="vertical-align: middle;">
<div style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.16em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #404a79; margin-bottom: 4px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jumping</div>
<div style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 800; color: #001c54; line-height: 1.15; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Spruce is Done, Falsterbo Next</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Abdulrahman Alrajhi</strong> &amp; <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Ventago</strong> won the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup, the CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix at the Spruce Meadows North American in Calgary. The Saudi pair were the only combination in a 40-strong field to jump two clear rounds.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Lillie Keenan</strong> &amp; <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Kick On</strong> led the Americans in a tie for fifth, with just one pole in the first round.&nbsp;<strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Hallie Grimes</strong> &amp; <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Jon Snow</strong> followed in seventh on five faults, and <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">McLain Ward</strong> &amp; <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Lestro VD Valckenborg</strong> rounded out the US contingent inside the top ten.</p>

<div style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; color: #001c54; margin: 24px 0 10px 0; padding-bottom: 6px; border-bottom: 1px solid #eef0f5; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This Weekend: Falsterbo</div>
<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Attention turns to Sweden, where <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Kent Farrington, </strong>World No. 1 and the champion of $1 million Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix at Wellington in March,&nbsp;headlines the Falsterbo Horse Show.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The field behind him is deep. World no. 2 <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Richard Vogel</strong>, third to Farrington at Wellington, is entered, along with <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Ben Maher</strong>, <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Shane Sweetnam</strong>, and <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Steve Guerdat</strong>, to name a few.</p>
<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Falsterbo is one of seven Rolex Series events, and there is a Championship subtext. Course designer <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Frank Rothenberger</strong> builds both here and at the FEI World Championships in Aachen next month, giving riders a run on grass weeks before the sport's biggest test of the year. The Agria Falsterbo Nations Cup runs Friday, the Falsterbo Derby Saturday, and the Rolex Grand Prix closes the international programme on Sunday.</p>

<div style="margin-top: 20px;"><a style="display: block;" href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <img style="display: block; max-width: 100%; height: auto;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7" alt="Read more jumping" width="100%"> </a></div>

<div style="height: 1px; background: #c8102e; margin: 40px 0 40px 0; max-width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="height: 1px; background: #dde1ea; margin: -41px 0 40px 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 14px; border-bottom: 3px solid #83b1d6;">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 64px; vertical-align: middle; padding-right: 14px;"><img style="border-radius: 50%; display: block;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/556300b2-e563-42f0-b885-772c89bff72e" alt="Dressage" width="60" height="60"></td>
<td style="vertical-align: middle;">
<div style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.16em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #83b1d6; margin-bottom: 4px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dressage</div>
<div style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 800; color: #001c54; line-height: 1.15; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">US Riders Compete Abroad</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With the Series paused for the summer, several of its top riders took their form to Europe this weekend.</p>
<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Series leader <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Ashley Holzer</strong> put together the standout campaign at Hartpury International in England. Aboard <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Hawtins San Floriana</strong>, she was third in the CDI3* Grand Prix on 71.957 percent, a combination best, behind Britain's Sadie Smith (72.652) and Charlotte Dujardin (74.804). She went one better in the Grand Prix Special, taking second on 72.574 percent, another combination best, with only Dujardin ahead. Holzer is spending the summer training at Carl Hester's yard as she chases a place on the US squad for the World Championships.</p>
<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In Germany, a young US team finished third at the FEI Dressage Nations Cup CDIO4*, part of the Covalliero Dressage Days at Hof Kasselmann. <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Christian Simonson</strong> &amp; <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Fleau de Baian</strong> opened with a combination best of 70.478 percent on their European team debut, while <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Jordan LaPlaca</strong> &amp; <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Gold Play</strong> produced the day's best American score, a personal best of 70.631 percent. <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Meagan Davis</strong> &amp; <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Toronto Lightfoot</strong> added 68.656 percent, and <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn</strong> anchored on 69.848 percent aboard <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Gino</strong>.</p>
<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Simonson returned to take third in the CDIO4* Freestyle on 76.570 percent, LaPlaca posted another personal best for fourth in the Special on 71.745 percent, and Vaughn was fifth in the Special on 71.383 percent.</p>
<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"We came here with a young team with minimal experience in international competition in Europe up to this point, and for them to step right into a Nations Cup and finish in third means we are moving in the right direction," said Chef d'Equipe <strong style="font-weight: 600; color: #001c54;">Christine Traurig</strong>.</p>
<p style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.72; color: #1a1a2e; margin: 0 0 16px 0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vaughn sits fifth in the Series standings and Simonson tenth, both currently inside the eighteen who will contest the Final. Qualifiers resume at Dressage at Devon in late September.</p>

<div style="margin-top: 20px;"><a style="display: block;" href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <img style="display: block; max-width: 100%; height: auto;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/df3afaab-1f25-4fab-a1dc-c46c608169fb" alt="Read more dressage" width="100%"> </a></div>

<div style="margin-top: 48px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<div style="height: 2px; background: #001c54; margin-bottom: 32px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.14em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #001c54; margin-bottom: 6px;">Stay in the loop</div>
<p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.65; color: #374172; margin: 0;">Thanks for joining us for this week's edition. A fresh update of <a style="color: #c8102e; font-weight: 600;" href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly">The Open Weekly</a> drops on the site every Tuesday.</p>
</div>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 24px;" border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 12px;" width="50%">
<div style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.14em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #001c54; margin-bottom: 6px;">Join the Conversation</div>
<p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.65; color: #374172; margin: 0 0 6px 0;">Daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:</p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; margin: 0;"><a style="color: #c8102e; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen">Instagram</a> <span style="color: #b2b2b2; margin: 0 6px;">|</span> <a style="color: #c8102e; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen">Facebook</a> <span style="color: #b2b2b2; margin: 0 6px;">|</span> <a style="color: #c8102e; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none;" href="https://twitter.com/useqopen">X (Twitter)</a></p>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; padding-left: 12px; border-left: 1px solid #dde1ea;" width="50%">
<div style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.14em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #001c54; margin-bottom: 6px;">Go Beyond the Article</div>
<p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.65; color: #374172; margin: 0;">Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the <a style="color: #c8102e; font-weight: 600;" href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div style="background: #001c54; padding: 24px; border-radius: 2px;">
<div style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.18em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #83b1d6; margin-bottom: 10px;">The Mission of the Open</div>
<p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.7; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.85); margin: 0;">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.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Will Coleman & Diabolo winning Kentucky on the Open Weekly Graphic

The Open Weekly: Team Announcements and US Combinations Around the World

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>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Ali Potasky</strong> <strong>&amp; Inxs</strong> won Saturday's CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle at the Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival with a personal best of 72.425%, edging out<strong> Laine Ashker &amp; </strong><strong>Zeppelin </strong>by 0.315%.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">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;</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><em>"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,"</em> she said of <strong>Inxs, </strong>who can carry tension in competition.&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><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></p>
<p dir="ltr">Ashker, meanwhile, was debuting a new freestyle with <strong>Zeppelin.</strong> She posted a strong 72.110% on a first outing with new music and has her eyes set on the Final in Thermal.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Miceala Mabraga&ntilde;a &amp; Belatrix RH</strong> finished third with 70.035%, also a personal best.</p>
<p dir="ltr">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.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><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)"></p>
<p dir="ltr">The next qualifier takes place at the Ginny Rattner Memorial Dressage in Oregon, Saturday, May 30.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><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></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Listen to this week's episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast</h2>
<p><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></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong><strong id="docs-internal-guid-c3f8300a-7fff-1f24-0f99-1ae7d7e449eb"></strong></strong><strong>Jumping: The world's best head to Aachen</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">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.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">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.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday is the second Major of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, making <strong>Richard Vogel </strong>(winner of the Dutch Masters in March) a live Grand Slam contender this weekend.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">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:</p>
<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"><strong>Kent Farrington: </strong>Greya, Descartes SR</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>McLain Ward:</strong>&nbsp;High Star Hero, Lestro vd Valckenborg</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Laura Kraut: </strong>Bisquetta, Cinnamon, Una Mariposa</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Lillie Keenan: </strong>Anton, Fasther, Kick On</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Karl Cook: </strong>Caracole de la Roque, Candy, Foxy de la Roque</li>
<li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Aaron Vale:</strong>&nbsp;Carissimo 25, Gray's Inn, Helios du Moulin</li>
</ul>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The World Championships are fast approaching. This week at Aachen is where the conversation about who goes starts to get serious.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><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></p>
<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]"><strong>Eventing: The Series takes a breath&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Next Qualifier:&nbsp;</strong>Aspen Farms (June 11th)&nbsp;<strong>| The Final:&nbsp;</strong>Morven Park 4*-L, Virginia (October 8th)</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Series is on a slight break as we wait for the next qualifier at Aspen Farms on June 11th.<strong> Tamie Smith</strong> leads the Series on 235, <strong>Will Coleman</strong> is second on 215, and&nbsp;<strong>Boyd Martin</strong> 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></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The break is a good moment to zoom out and celebrate 2026 so far. <strong>Tamie Smith</strong> currently leads the world in international wins in 2026 with eight. She is already two ahead of where <strong>Lara de Liedekerke-Meier</strong> 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 <strong>Piggy March&rsquo;s</strong> previous mark of 15. Out of those eight wins, four have come at the CCI4* level and it is only May.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">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></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><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></p>
<h2 data-path-to-node="4">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-path-to-node="4"><strong data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="0">Stay in the loop with The Open Weekly</strong></h2>
<p data-path-to-node="5">Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="72"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a>&nbsp;</strong>drops on the site&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="124">every Tuesday.</strong></p>
<h3 data-path-to-node="9"><strong data-path-to-node="9" data-index-in-node="0">Join the Conversation</strong></h3>
<p data-path-to-node="10">Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="77"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a></strong>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="89"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a></strong>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="100"><a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a></strong></p>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6"><strong data-path-to-node="6" data-index-in-node="4">Go Beyond the Article</strong></h3>
<p data-path-to-node="7">Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="7" data-index-in-node="78"><a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast.</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<h3><em><strong>The Mission of the Open&nbsp;</strong></em></h3>
<p><em>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.</em></p>

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]"><strong>Eventing: Smith makes it three in a row at Tryon</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Next Qualifier: </strong>Aspen Farms (June 11th) <strong>| The Final:&nbsp;</strong>Morven Park 4*-L, Virginia (October 8th)</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Tamie </strong>Smith &amp; <strong>Danito</strong> 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.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Smith &amp; Danito</strong> posted a<em> 19.5 </em>- 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></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">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. <strong>Will Coleman</strong> <strong>&amp;</strong> <strong>Off The Record</strong> finished second, with <strong>Boyd Martin &amp; Shanroe Cooley</strong> third.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><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></p>
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>The Series Picture</strong></h3>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Smith extends her lead to 235 points. Coleman climbs to second on 215 after his Tryon result.<strong> Boyd Martin</strong> moves into third on 190 with <strong>Shanroe Cooley's</strong> 40-point haul. <strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong>, who didn't enter at Tryon, drops two spots to fourth on 185. <strong>Lucienne Bellissimo</strong> moves to fifth on 175 as <strong>Kitsch Couture HPK</strong> finished fourth added 35 points.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><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></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Series now takes a short break before heading west to Aspen Farms on June 11th.<br><br></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><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></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Dressage: USEF Nationals calls seven of the top ten to Ocala. Lexington is wide open.</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Next Qualifier: </strong>Mid Atlantic Dressage Festival&nbsp;(May 14)&nbsp;|<strong> The Final:&nbsp;</strong>Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November 13)</p>
<p dir="ltr">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. <strong>Ashley Holzer, Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn, Ellesse Gundersen, Jennifer Williams, Kevin Kohmann, Christian Simonson, &amp; Devon Kane</strong> are all in the field.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><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></p>
<p dir="ltr">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;<strong>Claire Darnell</strong> 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.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><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></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Jumping: Three of the world's best nine-year-olds are flying the US flag<br></strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">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.<br><br>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;</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><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"></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Descartes SR (Kent Farrington, Elo 693)</strong> 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.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Riesling van de Gaathoeve</strong> <strong>(Mckayla Langmeier, Elo 676) </strong>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.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><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"><strong><em><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;">Mckayla Langmeier &amp; Riesling van de Gaathoeve jumping at WEF Week 2.</em></em></strong></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Chagrin d'Amour (Lillie Keenan, Elo 674)&nbsp;</strong>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.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">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.<strong><br></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><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></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 data-path-to-node="4"><strong data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="0">Stay in the loop with The Open Weekly</strong></h2>
<p data-path-to-node="5">Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="72"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a>&nbsp;</strong>drops on the site&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="124">every Tuesday.</strong></p>
<h3 data-path-to-node="9"><strong data-path-to-node="9" data-index-in-node="0">Join the Conversation</strong></h3>
<p data-path-to-node="10">Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="77"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a></strong>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="89"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a></strong>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="100"><a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a></strong></p>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6"><strong data-path-to-node="6" data-index-in-node="4">Go Beyond the Article</strong></h3>
<p data-path-to-node="7">Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<strong data-path-to-node="7" data-index-in-node="78"><a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast.</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<h3><em><strong>The Mission of the Open&nbsp;</strong></em></h3>
<p><em>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.</em></p>

The Open Weekly