The sport's stars facing off, leaderboard shuffles, and a champion who made history while honoring a friend; come Sunday evening, we not only had an inaugural winner of this trailblazing event but we also got to witness exciting horse-and-rider partnerships come to the fore.

The Champions

If you haven’t yet heard, Boyd Martin and Miks Master C are our 2025 US Equestrian Open Eventing Champions. The Open was just their third international appearance together. They went from ninth at Bromont 3*-S in August, to fourth at The Fork 4*-S in September and now to first in this 4*-L, an event Boyd called, “the greatest 4*-L in the world.”

“Lastly, I’d like to give a big shout out to Liz who did all the work on this magnificent horse. I hope you’re watching Liz, and this is for you.”

Miks Master C & Boyd Martin (©Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)

Will Coleman and Off The Record were leading after cross country, less than a rail ahead of Boyd and “Mikki” who added just 2.8 cross country time penalties to their dressage score. But we knew if anyone could put the pressure on Will and “Timmy” it was our winning pair. True to form, Mikki delivered a clear show jumping round for a perfect four-from-four record of keeping all the rails up at 4*-L and 5* events. Off The Record followed with a late rail (which broke a few hearts) and we crowned our first-ever Open Champion (!) on a score of 28.7

The win earned Boyd the solo lead on the EquiRatings 4*-L winning records. Boyd is now the most successful 4*-L rider in the world looking at the years 2008 to now.

Boyd took over the ride on Mikki – a class act in all three phases – this season after Liz Halliday’s accident last year. In his post-win interview, Boyd dedicated the moment to Liz; after a quick pause to maintain composure and with the threat of trembling in his voice, Boyd stated, "Lastly, I’d like to give a big shout out to Liz who did all the work on this magnificent horse. I hope you’re watching Liz, and this is for you.” It was a genuine, poignant moment. 

Mikki was not the only head-turner

Off The Record

Timmy is a fan favorite. His cross country work ethic and longevity at the top level makes him hard not to root for. In his entire international career, Timmy has jumped clear in 34 of his 38 XC rounds (all with Will), including a perfect five-from-five at five-star. He entered as the fastest horse in the field and finished on a clear inside the time.

The team World silver medalist from Pratoni 2022 is currently the USA's highest rated horse with an EquiRatings Elo Rating of 789, which – all time for the US – is second only to Mai Baum (2008 onward).

Off The Record & Will Coleman (©Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)

Timmy and Will were in in fact neck and neck with Miks Master C at the very top of the pre-event win chances. They led after cross country on their dressage score of 25.1 but – and it's hard to admit because he is such a stalwart – Timmy does have a weakness at 4*-L and 5* and that weakness it show jumping. Only once has he knocked more the one rail but he almost always has one down (6 of 7 times).

So, with a heartbreaker rail, Will and Timmy earned second. But man, they were impressive all weekend.

Very Dignified

While Boyd earned top spot on the podium, Will took up second and third. Off The Record, in second, came in with a reputation that preceded him – a very good reputation, mind you. But Very Dignified was a lesser known entry for Will and, as Will said in his post-cross-country interview, this was the first time he really let “Dora” go across the country. And what she showed for it was a clear-inside-the-time round. Viewers could tell it meant a lot to Will and his team as the camera followed them to the cool down area where there were high fives and plenty of smiles. 

Very Dignified & Will Coleman (©Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)

Dora followed with a clear show jumping round the next day, making her the only horse to finish on her dressage score. 

Frankly, Will & Dora weren’t in the conversation too much after dressage, when they sat 18th on a 35.4. But then, after cross country, sixth. And then, after Sunday, the podium. They’re exciting, this pair. 

So the clears inside the time on Saturday were (1) Off The Record (no surprises there), (2) Very Dignified (a breakout moment), and (3) HSH Double Sixteen, which brings us to another head-turner this weekend.

HSH Double Sixteen

Caroline Pamukcu was all fist pumps and smiles as she crossed the Saturday finish line; so thrilled with HSH Double Sixteen’s clear-inside-the-time round. The round was bold and forward and it looked like "Six" would be game for anything ("What, like it's hard?").

The pair started their weekend in 17th after dressage (on a 35.2) but, thanks to their XC round, moved up to fifth overnight. On the last day, a late, costly line – and an uncharacteristic three rails down – moved them to ninth when all was said and done.

This pair were also the only clear-inside-the time at Stable View 4*-S last month – only the second pair in the last six seasons to make the 4*-S time at that venue. Now, unlike Boyd and Miks Master C and Will with Very Dignified, which are both new partnerships this year, Caroline and Six have been together since 2022. But Six is only 10-years-old. With their XC edge and some dressage polish, it will be exciting to watch this pair in the coming seasons.

HSH Double Sixteen & Caroline Pamukcu (©Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)

Ready to go again?

Here's the lineup of events for the 2025-2026 Open. Starting soon! Just make sure to check back on the homepage for any updates.

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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.