With just three qualifiers left before the inaugural US Open of Dressage Final, each venue on the calendar becomes part of the unfolding story. From the historic charm of Devon to the modern beauty of TerraNova and the scale of North Carolina’s Tryon International, every stop in this final stretch has its own unique magic and offers riders a distinct opportunity. In the latest US Equestrian Open podcast, announcer Noah Rattner joined us to give a venue-by-venue preview of what makes this stretch of the calendar unforgettable.

🎙️Listen to the Podcast here!

Dressage at Devon

If you’ve never been to Dressage at Devon, this is the year to go. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this US Equestrian Heritage Competition is part elite sporting event, part time capsule. Held at the iconic Devon Horse Show Grounds — complete with the storied Dixon Oval and charming grandstands tucked into the Philadelphia suburbs — Devon is where history meets horsepower. The week begins with the world’s largest open breed show, then transitions midweek to high-stakes FEI competition. This year, it kicks off the North American League for the 2026 World Cup and serves as a US Open qualifier. With legendary footing upgrades, packed crowds, and freestyles under the lights, Devon is the soul of American dressage.

TerraNova Equestrian Center

TerraNova Equestrian Center is one of the newest and most visually striking venues in the sport. Tucked into the palm-lined outskirts of Sarasota, this Florida facility is a purpose-built oasis: six all-weather arenas, horse-first infrastructure, lakeside competition rings, and a modern pavilion that spans the Grand Prix arenas. TerraNova is breathtakingly beautiful. Its layout mirrors many elements of the Final’s venue in California, giving riders a chance to fine-tune in familiar surroundings. With top-tier accommodations and a production team among the best in the sport, it’s more than a tune-up show. As the penultimate qualifier, it’s a critical stop for those navigating the late-season schedule with intent and precision.

Tryon International Equestrian Center

Tryon International Equestrian Center is no stranger to big moments. It hosted the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games and remains one of the most versatile venues in U.S. equestrian sport. With 1,200 stalls, 12 arenas, and a stadium that lights up the Northern Carolina foothills,Tryon delivers scale, polish, and atmosphere. Dressage riders entering the final qualifier here will feel like they’re already on a world stage. Tryon has built a reputation as a finely tuned machine that delivers on logistics and spectacle alike. For riders seeking last-minute points, this is the last opportunity to make the cut. The venue is built to run like a championship, and for athletes who haven’t yet competed on a world-stage-sized platform, this is a crucial step. Expect a deep field, tight margins, and a sense of urgency in every performance.

Desert International Horse Park

And then — it’s California.

The Desert International Horse Park in Thermal will host the first-ever US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final, and it’s hard to imagine a more fitting stage. Nestled between the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains, this massive equestrian complex just outside Palm Springs rises from the desert with Olympic-caliber arenas, luxury infrastructure, and a skyline of mountains and palms. Known as the West Coast capital of show jumping, DIHP has in recent years embraced dressage, and this fall the discipline takes center stage. With $200,000 in prize money on the line and hospitality that feels more like a five-star resort than a horse show, the Final promises both competition and celebration. 

Let the Final Chapter Begin

We’ve followed riders all year through triumphs, setbacks, strategy shifts, and musical reinventions and now we’re headed into the most exciting stretch yet. It all begins at Dressage at Devon on September 23rd. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer drawn in by freestyle soundtracks and world-class sport, now is the time to tune in.

Join us at Devon. Pack your bags for Thermal. The road to the Final starts here.

For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at USEquestrianOpen@usef.org.

For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at cweilminster@usef.org. 

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at lgriffin@usef.org.