What’s New for 2026: A Clearer, Sharper US Equestrian Open of Dressage

The 2026 US Equestrian Open of Dressage arrives with a ruleset that’s familiar in shape but slightly different in how it functions. Most of the changes revolve around how points are earned and what it now takes to build a competitive season. The goal is simple: reward riders for showing up where the depth is real, and make the pathway to the Finals more reflective of performance than pure mileage.

Below is a breakdown of what’s changed, and why it matters as the new season gets underway.

A Points System That Reflects the Field

The biggest shift for 2026 is the complete overhaul of the points structure. The old system assigned fixed points regardless of how many riders showed up. A four-horse qualifier gave the same points as a ten-horse qualifier.

The new version changes that. Points now adjust to field size: small fields include 1–5 starters, medium 6–10, and large 11–15. The top end of each range mirrors the intent of the old system, but the spacing and values change dramatically.

- Small fields (1-5) now top out at 15 points for a win and drop quickly.

- Medium fields (6-10) match the former standard—20 for the win—but smooth out the distribution through the top 10.

- Large fields (11-15) receive the biggest boost, offering 25 points to the winner and a strong payout down the order.

This new system, which follows the same principles used in the Eventing Open, rewards depth and showing up in competitive fields. Second place in a large field (20 points) is now equal to what winning used to earn across the board. In a large field, sixth place still earns 10 points, but unlike before, 7th–10th now receive fewer points—so finishing one place higher actually changes your season total. In large fields, points now extend through 15th place—five places deeper than before—allowing more riders to accumulate meaningful totals.

This system does two things. It rewards riders who step into deep, competitive environments. And it pressures those aiming for the Finals to choose their venues carefully. A small field still counts, but it no longer holds the same weight. 

Fewer Results Count—So Each One Matters More

Another fundamental change is the shift from counting a rider’s top six results to counting their top four. 

Under the old structure, consistency across a long schedule was rewarded, and riders based on the East Coast naturally benefited from having more Big Tour opportunities within easy reach. With only four results now counting, each ride carries more weight, but riders who compete more than four times still have the flexibility to replace low scores as the season progresses.

This setup also softens the impact of an off weekend, but it also sharpens the value of every strong performance. Four mid-range scores won’t do the work that four competitive ones can, especially under a points system that rewards depth. 

Clarifications, Cleanups, and Codified Scenarios

The remaining changes are small adjustments that refine rather than overhaul.

Multi-Star Weekends.

When a venue offers multiple Grand Prix Freestyles in a single weekend, riders can now earn points only in the highest-star class offered. The exception: if there’s a CDIO3* (or higher), riders may also earn points in the highest non-CDIO class. Previously, the rule existed in spirit but not in precise language. Now, it’s spelled out.

Tie-breaking language.

The underlying approach remains unchanged—ties occupy consecutive places, and the next rider’s placing is adjusted accordingly—but the rulebook now gives a clearer example. It’s administrative clarity, not structural change.

Season dates.

The Series now officially begins December 1 instead of January 1. The end-of-season timing remains the same: at least two weeks before the Finals. Practically speaking, this mostly aligns the paperwork with how the season already operated.

What Hasn't Changed.

While the points system and season structure have evolved, the foundation of the Series remains the same. The $50K season prize pool and $200K Finals purse are unchanged, as are the qualifications that shape the competitive field: the top 18 advance to the Finals, riders must earn a 67% Certificate of Capability, each athlete may bring only one horse to the Final, and a 60% Grand Prix score is still required to ride the Freestyle Final. 

Looking Ahead to Ocala

The heart of these updates is simple: the 2026 Open rewards strong performances in strong company. Riders won’t need as many big weekends to qualify, but the big weekends they choose will matter more than ever.

The first chance to see this new landscape in action is next weekend in Ocala, where the season officially begins. Tune in and watch the new points era take shape from the very first judge’s bell.