Behind the Scenes with Sara Kozumplik at Bouckaert Farm

Welcome back to the US Equestrian Open! This week, we’re catching up with Sara Kozumplik, the dressage leader and a big contender at Bouckaert Farm’s leg of the series. As she goes head-to-head with Phillip Dutton, Sara shares what makes this venue so special and her approach to tackling cross-country.

By Diarm Byrne @diarmbyrne

October 26, 2024

Sara Kozumplik
Sara Kozumplik

Ironman's House

Bouckaert Farm, nestled in the scenic landscape of Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, is the perfect backdrop for top-level eventing and is home to the second qualifier at this year's US Equestrian Open. Just a short drive from Atlanta, it’s a favorite for riders and owners alike. Sara describes the unique ambiance here:

“Honestly, I love coming back to Chattahoochee Hills! It’s not far from Atlanta, which is great for bringing owners and fans. The property is gorgeous – it’s even been the backdrop for movies, like Ironman’s house just over the hill! From the stunning cross-country terrain to the arenas and stables, everything is set up beautifully.”

The South’s mild autumn weather extends the eventing season, allowing horses and riders to train and compete well into November – a luxury for US eventers!

Watch the full video interview with Sara Kozumplik below.

Course Challenges and Strategy

Sara explains the nuances of Bouckaert’s cross-country terrain:

“Cross-country will be a great test tomorrow. There’s a new course designer, which always makes things interesting. This course is slightly friendlier but still challenging as a four-star. The big hill and three water jumps will make it a strategic ride, and the firmer ground could mean careful pacing to avoid time penalties.”

Today’s show jumping course, designed by renowned Mark Donovan, tested Sara and Rock Phantom, but she’s thrilled with their performance.

“I had a rail down, but my horse gave it everything, and I’m really happy with him. Cross-country will be another great test, but Rock Phantom feels ready.”

Chasing the Leader

Coming off an impressive dressage score of 32.1, Sara was leading until Phillip Dutton’s clear show-jumping round edged him slightly ahead. But she’s not too worried:

“Well, Philip’s a slow rider, so that should help me out a bit!” Sara laughs, then adds more seriously, “Jokes aside, it’s anyone’s game tomorrow. Rock Phantom had neck surgery earlier this year, so we’ve been building him up carefully. But he feels fantastic, and I’m planning to give it my best.”

Their friendly competition keeps things exciting, especially with Sara’s previous win at Bouckaert Farm.

A Comeback for Rock Phantom

One of the most emerging stories from Morven and on to here is Sara’s journey is Rock Phantom’s comeback. After undergoing neck surgery for a compression issue in May, he’s steadily returned to peak form. Sara explains:

“I like talking about it openly because it’s something not everyone might think about. The surgery made a huge difference in his movement, and we’ve taken our time getting him back to this level.”

Now that he’s ready, Sara is determined to make the most of it, taking on Bouckaert’s four-star course with a plan to push for a strong performance.

Looking Ahead in the US Equestrian Open

The Open’s national series format is something Sara’s excited about, as it offers more opportunities across diverse venues. For competitors, it’s a chance to gain points toward the generous prize fund, and for fans, it means following the top horses and riders at key events nationwide.

“The US Equestrian Open is giving us options across the country with top venues. For Rock Phantom, it’s a chance to shine, especially after his surgery. Tomorrow, I plan to go for it. The course should suit him, and if I need to back off, I’ll read my horse and make the call.”

Who Will Prevail?

With the competition heating up, Sara is ready to make her mark on Bouckaert’s iconic cross-country course. From the seasoned pros like Philip Dutton to newer talents, it’s an open field with much at stake as riders aim for the leaderboard.

Stay tuned for updates as we follow Sara and Rock Phantom’s run tomorrow! While there’s no live stream, we’ll share video highlights so you can catch a glimpse of the action. Wishing Sara all the best as she tackles the next phase of the US Equestrian Open!

Keeping Up-to-Date

Follow all the action as it unfolds at Bouckaert International 4* - S through our live results and leaderboard. For deeper insights into this competitive field check out our comprehensive fan guide.

With the series still in its early stages, strong performances at Bouckaert could prove crucial in the long-term championship battle, making this weekend's competition a pivotal moment in the inaugural US Equestrian Open series.

Stay Connected
Stay up to date with news and standings of the US Equestrian Open Series on Facebook and Instagram. Follow US Equestrian on FacebookInstagramTikTok, and Twitter. Use #USEquestrianOpen.

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.

US Equestrian Open Final Partner Venues

Partner 1Partner 3Partner 2

Sign up for our US Equestrian Open Newsletter

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

© 2024 US Equestrian. All rights reserved.