The Open Weekly: Debut Wins in Eventing & New Venues in Dressage

Eventing Goodman Wins on Four-Star Debut

Stephanie Goodman & Elwenda DP won Qualifier 13 at Aspen Farms on their CCI4*-S debut, finishing on a score of 45.9. They become the first combination in US Equestrian Open history to win a qualifier on their four-star debut. Every previous qualifier winner had already competed at CCI4* level before claiming a leg victory.

Goodman led after her 31.1 dressage, jumped clear show jumping, and added 14.8 time penalties across country to hold the lead. The clear round extended Elwenda DP's cross-country streak to 12 international clears in a row. Gabrielle Shank & Billy finished second on 63.1 and Karen O'Neal & Clooney 14 took third on 83.4 after twenty penalties cross-country.

Everything underneath Goodman pointed this way, apart from the level experience. Elwenda DP carried the top Elo in the field at 472, the best 6RA at 30.3, a 100% cross-country clear rate from her last 10 runs, and the fastest speed metric of the four starters. The entire record was built at three-star. Their first four-star course was the test, and the mare answered it.

The win puts 40 points on Goodman's series tally. Karen O'Neal's third adds 30, moving her into a tie for tenth, level with Buck Davidson on 70. Tamie Smith still leads on 235, clear of Will Coleman on 215 and Boyd Martin on 190.

Maryland International closes out the month before the run to the final at Morven Park in October.

Current Leaderboard of the US Equestrian Open of Eventing

#	Rider	Points
1	Tamra Smith	235
2	William Coleman	215
3	Boyd Martin	190
4	Caroline Pamukcu	185
5	Lucienne Bellissimo	175
6	Waylon Roberts	110
7	Mia Farley	85
8	Alexandra Knowles	80
9	Tommy Greengard	75
10	Bruce O. Davidson Jr.	70
10	Karen O'Neal	70

Jumping Bucci Wins Again at La Baule

Piergiorgio Bucci & Hantano won the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule, with a clear in the jump-off that decided the week's biggest class. Bucci stopped the clock at 40.61 to hold off Martin Fuchs & Conner Jei at 41.03, with Julien Epaillard & Fringan de Vesquerie third on four faults.

Bucci arrived in top form having won the Rolex Grand Prix in Rome a fortnight earlier on Pallieter VD N.Ranch, then backed it up at La Baule with a different horse. Drawn last in the jump-off, he watched the rounds ahead of him and rode to the target.

Two US combinations competed in the Grand Prix. Natalie Dean & Mr Boombastic finished 20th on five faults, and Laura Kraut & Bisquetta placed 23rd on eight.

The Nations Cup on Friday was a quieter day for the US. France won on 1 fault from Germany on 4 and Ireland on 9, the host nation closing out the class in front of its own grandstand. The United States finished ninth on 12 faults. Natalie Dean & Mr Boombastic anchored the effort with a clear in the opening round, though costly faults elsewhere left the team outside the leading group.

Dressage Mabragana Wins Saugerties Debut

Micaela Mabragana & Belatrix RH won the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle at HITS Hudson Valley on Sunday, posting 69.540% to take the Open Dressage qualifier on the Series' first visit to Saugerties, New York. Christina Morin-Graham & Mondlicht finished second on 69.225% in their FEI Grand Prix Freestyle debut. Anne Barbarick & ZZ Top 4, also contesting their first FEI start, were third on 63.605%.

The result moves Mabragana from 45th to 34th on the Series leaderboard. The Series now breaks for summer. Dressage at Devon on September 22 is the next chance for any of the three to add to their tally, with the $200,000 Final at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California to come on November 13 and 14.

Current Leaderboard of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage

#	Rider	Points
1	Ashley Holzer	51
2	Frederic Wandres	49
3	Claire Darnell	47
4	Devon Kane	46
5	Geñay Vaughn	45
6	Ellesse Gundersen	41
7	Jennifer Williams	41
8	Caroline Darcourt	40
9	Kevin Kohmann	40
10	Christian Simonson	40