The Open Weekly: FODs and personal bests for weekend winners Lucienne Bellissimo and Devon Kane
A weekly update across eventing, jumping, and dressage covering results, early leaderboard shifts, and the next Open qualifiers.
Eventing: Bellissimo's big weekend at Stable View
Next Qualifier: Twin Rivers, April 9th | The Final: Morven Park 4*-L, October 8th
Lucienne Bellissimo & Dyri led the Stable View qualifier from start to finish. A 27.7 dressage score put them ahead on day one, and they never needed to look over their shoulder. They added no penalties across both the jumping phases to become only the fourth combination ever to finish on their dressage (FOD) in the CCI4*-S at Stable View across nearly 400 starters, and the first to do so in the 2026 US Equestrian Open Series.
It was their third four-star win together and their second at this venue, having previously won here in September 2024. But it was Belissimo's first under the US flag having changed nationalities earlier in the year.
Bellissimo had been clear about her ambitions for this weekend:
One down. One to go.
With Kitsch Couture HPK finishing ninth, Bellissimo collected points across two combinations and moves to second in the Series - just five points behind the leader Caroline Pamukcu.
Photo: Liz Crawley Photography
The Podium
Second place went to Alexandra Knowles & Montpellier Scais and third went to Waylon Roberts & Fernhill Salt Lake - one of only two combinations to make the cross-country time. Roberts & Fernhill Salt Lake are known for their speed - having also been inside the time at TerraNova in November, the only inside-the-time round of the entire 2026 Series until this weekend.
The Series Picture
Stable View had been circled as a chance for Caroline Pamukcu and Boyd Martin to pull clear at the top. Neither left with points. Boyd withdrew both Commando 3 and Cooley Nutcracker before cross-country following a fall in the CCI3*-S. Pamukcu's HSH Double Sixteen was eliminated in the show jumping and HSH Connor had a cross-country refusal.
Bellissimo would have won regardless. her performance never required their misfortune. But a weekend that was supposed to consolidate the top of the leaderboard instead blew it wide open. Pamukcu leads on 145. Bellissimo sits only five points back while Roberts climbs to third. The gap at the top has gone from 50 points to five in a single weekend.
This weekend, the action moves west to Twin Rivers in California. Stay tuned for a fan guide later this week!
Dressage: Kane claims TerraNova with a personal best as Darnell climbs to second overall
Next Qualifier: Del Mar National Horse Show, April 19th | The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA, November 13th
Devon Kane & Vamos claimed Friday’s freestyle at TerraNova with a personal best of 75.465%. The performance, which saw Kane top four of five judges—including two marks over 77%—was enough to edge out the field favorite in a tight contest. The victory moves Kane from 15th into third place on the overall leaderboard with 46 points.
Photo: Jessica Buehler Photography
Camille Carier Bergeron & Finnlanderin followed in second with 75.385%. While Carier Bergeron entered the week as the class favorite, the narrow margin reflected the four-month gap since her last freestyle outing. Claire Darnell & Harrold S rounded out the podium in third with 74.365%. Although the result continues Darnell’s upward scoring trajectory, it fell just short of the second-place finish she needed to overtake Germany’s Frederic Wandres for the overall Series lead. Darnell now sits second in the standings with 47 points.
Both Darnell and Kane have now completed their four qualifying runs, meaning any future moves up the leaderboard will require them to replace their lowest counting scores with higher marks. The Series takes a break this week as the focus shifts to the World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas. Early Series leader Christian Simonson, currently ranked sixth, headlines the US team alongside Kevin Kohmann and Ben Ebeling.
Jumping: From Wellington to Fort Worth
The champagne spray from the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix has barely dried on Kent Farrington's jacket and the World Cup Final is already calling.
Before a sold-out crowd of more than 10,000 fans, Kent Farrington & Greya claimed the $1M Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix to become the first US winner of the Rolex Finale in seven years. Now just over a week later, the spotlight moves to Fort Worth for the FEI Jumping World Cup Finals.
The headline act is the same man who just lit up Wellington. Farrington arrives in Texas as the undisputed form rider of the season. With the two highest-rated horses in the field in Greya and Toulyana, this is essentially his to lose. And here is one storyline that sharpens it further: Farrington has never won the World Cup Final.
A horse that could stop him? Gangster Montdesir. Ten years old, six rounds at CSI5* 1.60m, six clears - the only horse in the entries with a perfect record at this level. At the Rolex Final, Germany's Richard Vogel put down a faster timer than Farrington in the jump-off but a single mistake on the final fence resulted in 4 faults. He will not need reminding.
The rivalry from Wellington isn't finished yet.
The fantasy cards are released
The US Equestrian Open Fantasy Card Collection celebrates the winning partnerships of the first-ever US Equestrian Open. Inspired by classic sports trading cards, each set profiles Open Champions from eventing, dressage, and jumping. Explore the collection and discover the stories behind the sport’s top competitors. You can find out more here.
The first packs were released at Wellington and can next be found in Fort Worth at the FEI World Cup Finals (at the US Equestrian booth). A special pack will also be placed inside every US Open merchandise sale via Shop USEF.
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The Mission of the Open
The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US Equestrian sport. Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines. With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season. The Series is anchored by core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic entertaining experience onsite .
The US Equestrian Open spans the three Olympic disciplines—Jumping, Eventing, and Dressage—with USEF contributing $200,000 in prize money to each final to ensure high-stakes competitive integrity. The Jumping Final took place at Wellington International from March 24–29, 2026. Next stop will be the Eventing Final at Morven Park from October 8–11, 2026. The season concludes with the Dressage Final at the Desert International Horse Park from November 11–15, 2026. You can follow along with the qualifiers, the unfolding stories and sport updates at www.
