All Eyes on Tryon: The Last Dance Before the Desert
After ten months and twenty-two qualifiers, the inaugural season of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage comes to its final stop.
Taking place at Tryon International Equestrian Center, this week’s qualifier may feature a small class, but it’s far from insignificant.
Two familiar faces headline the final qualifier: Julio Mendoza Loor and Laine Ashker. Both sit just outside the top 18, and both could qualify for the Final by Saturday night if conditions align.
Mendoza Loor’s Mission
Mendoza Loor enters Tryon in 25th place on 37 points. Despite contesting only two qualifiers, he finished first and second in those starts. With his 14-year-old partner Jewel’s Goldstrike, the Paris Olympian boasts a strong Grand Prix Freestyle average of 77.549%, one of the highest in the Series, and a personal best of 84.230% making him the clear favorite in Tryon.
If he wins (and it’s hard to see him not doing so), he’ll finish the season on 57 points, tying with Adrienne Lyle for 18th place, the final qualifying position for the Thermal Final. Even if he skips the trip west, that 18th-place finish still nets him $500, which isn’t much, but it’ll pay for his next FEI entry fee.
Ashker’s Chance
Ashker’s path is a little different. A second-place finish would add 17 points to her current 35-point total, bringing her to 52 points and 19th overall—just outside the automatic qualifying cutoff. But there’s still hope. When riders inside the top 18 decline their invitations, the next in line receive the call-up. With Kevin Kohmann and Eline Eckroth already confirmed as non-participants, at least two Final spots should open, likely including one for Ashker.
The Leaderboard at a Glance
With Kevin Kohmann, Eline Eckroth, Benjamin Ebeling, and Kristina Kristina Harrison-Antell all sitting out this weekend, Anna Marek’s hold on the top spot is secure. Once the dust settles in Tryon, she will officially be crowned the Series leaderboard champion, earning $12,500 for her season-long effort. The bigger check, of course, awaits in Thermal.
Stay Connected
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