$50,000 that will depend on Woodside

Phillip Dutton sits atop the US Equestrian Open eventing series leaderboard with 215 points, but his 30-point cushion over Jessica Phoenix might not be as comfortable as it appears. He is already counting his six results, whereas Jess still has one to add. Caroline is in third but she has her full quota of six results also. 

With five events remaining and $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000 on the line for the series podium places, the mathematics of this championship are about to get very interesting. And that’s before riders even reach the $200,000 prize fund on offer in the CCI4*-L at the Morven Park US Equestrian Open Final.

Tamie Smith and Tommy Greengard added more points in Rebecca Farm last weekend also with two West Coast events still to go, Twin Rivers and Woodside, it feels like James, Tamie and Tommy are going to make a late and major play for this. 

The West Coast Wildcards

Three riders currently sitting in the top ten will have a chance at both of those events and have delivered big results there in recent years - James Alliston (4th, 145 points), Tommy Greengard (8th, 105 points), and Tamie Smith (tied 6th, 110 points).  This is the first year of the Open and the first time we are getting to see the impact of the calendar and show selection. Caroline Martin, Jessica Phoenix, Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin all went to Aachen, missed Loch Moy and the West Coast team have taken advantage. 

How it works out...

All three of Tamie, Tommy and James have not yet reached the full quota. The can get points for each horse so Tamie added 75 points last weekend alone at Rebecca with Mai Baum and Jutopia. Two events on the West Coast and likely 40 points await the winner of each competition, with 35 for second and 30 for third.

James Alliston has only logged five of his six possible scores. If he were to win one of the final qualifiers, he’d tie Jessica Phoenix at 185 points. A second horse, or a second event in fourth-place finish or better would likely move him close to the top. That’s not a long shot — Alliston has the horses and recent form to make it happen. Tactics will be important too - will we see Karma before Morven? Or at all? 

Meanwhile, Tommy Greengard and Tamie Smith are further back but with less counting results.  Greengard has only three counting results so far, and Tamie has four — meaning every point they pick up at Twin Rivers or Woodside adds directly to their total, rather than replacing a lower score. They’ve got room to climb quickly.

At the top end of the leaderboard, Phillip Dutton and Caroline Pamukcu have already logged six counting scores. For them any improvement would require beating one of their existing top results — a harder task with less points upside.

The Phoenix Question

Jessica Phoenix's position at 185 points makes her the most fascinating variable in this equation. The Canadian rider sits close to the lead, needing just one strong result to potentially take over the top spot making her event selection strategy important here. Freedom is in form and should play a big part in the final. 

It's been an exceptional season for Jess Phoenix and this would be a big reminder to the US not to underestimate her. We are all watching for where that entry comes. A calculated strike at one of the remaining East Coast events is needed and then a return to Morven. Her next move could change the entire series trajectory. One well-timed victory, and suddenly Dutton finds himself chasing rather than protecting a lead.

Caroline's Calculated Climb?

Don't overlook Caroline Pamukcu, currently third with 155 points. One of her counting scores is a 15, meaning there is significant room to improve and with three events remaining where she could realistically compete, Pamucku is still able to climb.

Caroline Pamucku and HSH Blake at the Paris 2024 Olympics

The Woodside Crescendo

For Tamie, Tommy and James, they have two shots left. Twin Rivers and then they will know exactly what is needed by Woodside Fall International as the penultimate event before the Morven Park finale. 

Woodside becomes the crucial positioning event—the place where series contenders can make their final moves but perhaps less of an advantage given how close it is to Morven Park. The pressure will be intense, with West Coast riders enjoying home advantage and with plenty of points to gain, while East Coast competitors watch from a far with their positions in threat.

Listen to Jessica Phoenix on the US Equestrian Open Podcast.

Listen to James Alliston on the US Equestrian Open Podcast.