Points, Pressure, and Plantation: Dutton’s Road to Morven Park

Sitting on 215 points, the Olympian holds a 30-point cushion over Canada’s Jessica Phoenix. On paper, that margin looks comfortable, but there’s a twist: Phillip Dutton has already posted all six of his counting scores, while Phoenix still has one to add. 

With $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000 on the line for the series podium — not to mention the $200,000 prize fund for the CCI4*-L finale at Morven Park — every single point between now and October matters.

Listen to the Phillip Dutton on the US Equestrian Open Podcast now.

Building the Lead

Dutton’s series campaign has been a masterclass in targeted performance. He took the lead after TerraNova in November 2024 and has never gave it up, combining smart scheduling with clinical execution. His six counting results include wins and podiums from East Coast majors, each carefully chosen for their fit in his horses’ seasonal build-up.

Phillip Dutton’s 2024–2025 US Equestrian Open counting scores:

• The Event at TerraNova – Nov 2024: 40 pts & 35 pts
• The Event at TerraNova – Mar 2025: 30 pts
• Bouckaert International – Mar 2025: 30 pts
• Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event – Apr 2025: 35 pts & 45 pts

For Dutton, the series’ spread-out format is a gift. “You don't want to be going flat out on them week in, week out,” he explained on the US Equestrian Open Podcast. “I can pick and choose and say, that will be a good weekends to really stretch them and get them to a good fitness and build-up to some of these bigger events.” That bigger event, in this case, is the Morven Park finale.

Denim and Possante – Two Paths to the Top

Dutton’s campaign has been anchored by Denim and Possante, two very different rides. Denim has been “A little bit of a rock star,” from the day he arrived in the barn, competitive from lower levels right up to the top. Possante, by contrast, arrived with big expectations but needed time to adjust to Dutton’s system. Dutton explained how he spent time making him more adjustable and quick footed.

That patience has paid off. Both horses stepped up this season with standout runs at Kentucky CCI4*-S — where Dutton “Laid it all on the line,” for two top-five finishes — and Aachen, where they held their own against some of the world’s best with Denim and Possante finishing 14th and 11th respectively. Possante's gallop has matured, Denim’s reliability has been a constant, and both now look primed for Morven Park.

Strategy and the Points Game

While Dutton chooses Plantation Field International in September as his last qualifier to add points, it’s a slim window. Any gain means replacing one of his existing scores — a harder task with a consistent set already on the board. Meanwhile, Phoenix sits at 185 points with an open slot to fill, making her the most likely to threaten the lead.

Dutton’s focus remains clear: keep the horses fresh, stay sharp, and peak for Morven. “Every long format, virtually, that's it. All the gloves are off then and you just go for it,” he said. That’s where your career is decided and what your horses are set up to do.

Looking Ahead

At 10 and 12, Denim and Possante are in their prime years, with travel and big-day experience under their belts. Though 2025 has been about short formats, Dutton sees this as the right education for the future. “In another couple of years, they’re going to be pretty hard to beat,” he said.

For now, though, the task is finishing what he started: a victory in the inaugural US Equestrian Open. As he joked at the end of the podcast, “Hopefully lets do an interview after I win the whole bloody thing.” Fans will be watching closely at Plantation and Morven to see if the veteran can hold off the challengers and close out a season-long lead in style.

Listen to the Phillip Dutton on the US Equestrian Open Podcast now.

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