Tamie Smith & Danito set a new Series dressage record at Tryon

The dressage phase at Tryon International is done, and the number at the top of the leaderboard is worth stopping to appreciate. Tamie Smith & Danito scored 19.5: a new all-time dressage record in the US Equestrian Open, the best of 607 starts across the Series' history.

It didn't stop there. That 19.5 is also the best dressage test recorded internationally in 2026 across any level. Out of over 5000 FEI tests worldwide this year, nothing has touched it.

How good is a 19.5?

Danito's EquiRatings 6RA — the average of his last six FEI dressage tests — sits at 27.9. Smith beat that benchmark by 8.4 penalties today. The previous venue record at Tryon's CCI4*-S was 24.6, set by Erin Kanara & Paddy The Caddy back in 2020, a record that had stood for five years. Smith beat it by more than five penalties.

Some will point to the judging and suggest the scoring was on the generous side. It's a fair question to ask but the data doesn't necessarily support it as an explanation in this case. Across the full field, combinations performed an average of just 0.8 penalties better than their 6RA. That cut both ways, with some combinations significantly outperforming their average and others falling well short of it. The field didn't collectively post career-bests. Smith's 8.4-penalty improvement on her rolling average wasn't a tide lifting all boats. It was an outlier in a field where the judging, by the numbers, was broadly in line with expectation.

The best international test of 2026

It's also worth noting the broader context of today's top 10. Eight of the top 10 dressage tests in 2026 internationally have been recorded on US soil. Five have been by American riders - the most represented nation in that group. Whatever is happening in US eventing right now, the numbers keep pointing to serious strength.

Lucienne Bellissimo & Dyri 

Second after dressage is Lucienne Bellissimo & Dyri on 23.2, also a performance worth noting. Dyri's 6RA is 27.8, meaning they improved on their average by 4.6 penalties. It is a 4* PB for the combination that have had a serious start to the 2026 Series. Dyri is one of only a handful of horses which have finished on their dressage score in the 2026 Series (at Stable View in April). In a class where no one has ever made the cross-country time, that kind of baseline speed matters.

Could we see another Series record broken this weekend?

For context on how the weekend might unfold: the all-time finishing score of the Series is 26.9, set last year by both Phillip Dutton & Possante and Tommy Greengard & Joshuay MBF. Given the field and the scores already posted, that record seems to be well within reach.

However, history adds an important caveat here. None of the seven previous Tryon International CCI4*-S winners were leading after dressage. The cross-country here is notoriously tough on the time with no combination ever making it in the history of this class. A clear cross-country round here typically adds around 17.5 time penalties. Smith's lead is significant, but the competition is nowhere near over.

The Series picture

Smith is already the Series leader, and Tryon is exactly what she needs: a high-points qualifier to consolidate her position at the top of the standings. She arrives here in the form of her career, having had seven international victories already this year - more than any other rider in the world. And now the best dressage test globally at any level.

Two phases to go. Keep watching.