<p>The US Equestrian Open arrives at The Fork at Tryon this weekend after an almost two-month break from competition. This is the fifth-to-last qualifier before Morven Park, with entries already flowing in for the series final. <br><br>This weekend, The Fork fields over 30 entries, meaning extra points are up for grabs in the battle for the series title. With more than 25 starters, the top five finishers have the chance to earn a higher amount of points: 1st place (50 pts), 2nd place (45 pts), 3rd place (40 pts), 4th place (35 pts), and 5th place (30 pts).<br><br><strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong>, sitting third in the series standings, arrives with three rides and will be looking to improve on her previous counting scores this weekend. But it's <strong>Boyd Martin</strong> who has grabbed our attention. Sitting 5th in the series with only 4 of 6 counting scores - and one of these being a mere 5 points - The Fork is Boyd's chance for series contention. Sitting 80 points behind the series leader <strong>Phillip Dutton</strong> and with a combined 42% win chance across his three horses, this weekend is likely to change the series standings.<br><br><strong><em>Listen to the 'The Fork at Tryon Preview Show' on the US Equestrian Open Podcast now.</em></strong></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/38158805/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/4c414c/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Boyd Martin's Moment</h3>
<p>This venue has been golden for Boyd before. He has won The Forks CCI4*-S twice, taking victory in 2019 with&nbsp;<strong>Tsetserleg TSF</strong> and again in 2023 with <strong>Commando 3. </strong>Now he returns with three different horses: <strong>Miks Master C, Shanroe Cooley, and Luke 140.&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><strong><em>The Last Ten Winners of The Fork at Tryon</em></strong></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1d5a8cc0-4acb-447d-872b-0242209dadd3.png?width=598&amp;height=745" alt="Screenshot 2025 09 11 171719"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Both of Boyd's top contenders are new rides for him, having taken over from<strong> Liz Halliday.</strong> With Liz, <strong>Miks Master C</strong> won four CCI4*-S events and finished 3rd at Kentucky CCI5* in 2023, while <strong>Shanroe Cooley</strong> also finished on CCI4* podiums. This will be Boyd's second event and first CCI4* with both horses. While Boyd may take a conservative cross country approach when developing his new partnerships, the proven class of both horses under Boyd's expertise means they are still likely to feature prominently on the leaderboard.</p>
<p>In contrast, <strong>Luke 140</strong> is Boyd's well-known partner, together since 2019. He was 3rd in the CCI3*-S at Bromont which was his first event after finishing inside the top 10 at Kentucky 5* in the spring.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>What It Takes to Win The Fork</h3>
<p><strong>Boyd Martin </strong>may arrive with a competitive string but The Fork doesn't hand out victories easily. Looking at the last 10 runnings, winners have finished on a score anywhere from <strong>25.7 to 38.5.</strong> With the average dressage score sitting at <strong>29.0</strong> and the average winning score being <strong>32.0 -</strong>&nbsp;you can only afford to add a few penalties along the way.<br><br></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/01863fa3-516b-4d83-a56d-0b8a3a84058c.png?width=1075&amp;height=586" alt="Screenshot 2025 09 11 174000"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3><strong>The Dressage Battle</strong></h3>
<p>Leading after day one is certainly a good start but only 2 of the last 10 dressage leaders have gone on to win. Boyd's proven he can win from anywhere - front-running with<strong> Commando 3</strong> in 2023 or climbing from 3rd in 2019. When looking at the&nbsp;<strong>EquiRatings 6 Run Average (6RA),</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Miks Master C </strong>leads the field with a 25.8 6RA while <strong>HSH Connor</strong> and <strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong> follow with 27.0. <strong>Luke 140</strong> and <strong>Cooley Chromatic</strong> <strong>(Sara Schulman)</strong> also sit on sub-30 6RAs.</p>
<p><strong><em>The Best Dressage Horses in the Field</em></strong></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d949ebc7-8131-4259-a5d5-f85f0187968d.png?width=421&amp;height=903" alt="Screenshot 2025 09 11 174914"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3><strong>Show Jumping phase</strong>&nbsp;</h3>
<p>Show jumping has played a decisive role at The Fork over the years &mdash; but not always in the way you&rsquo;d expect. The venue's clear rates vary wildly - from 63% in 2017 down to just 14% in 2023, but on average only 38% are likely to manage a clear round on Saturday.</p>
<p><strong><em>Clear Rates Year by Year <span class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">| </span>(Clear= clear jump &amp; time)</em></strong></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/932d63ed-0d2c-44af-ac46-86a7ace787eb.png?width=550&amp;height=628" alt="Screenshot 2025 09 11 175354"><br><br>The most reliable show jumpers in the field are&nbsp;<strong>Lindsay Traisnel's Bacyrouge</strong>, <strong>Ashley Adams' Quicksilver Grans</strong>, and <strong>Mary Bess Davis' Imperio Magic. Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic </strong>arrive to The Fork on a streak of 8 consecutive international clears. It is the longest incoming streak in the field and their round is not to be missed on Saturday.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/24d6a602-3ba5-46b8-9ab1-9e464df6bb8a.png?width=747&amp;height=637" alt="Screenshot 2025 09 11 175654"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3><strong>The Speed Challenge</strong></h3>
<p>Saturday's cross-country delivers a solid 78% jumping clear rate - 10% above the CCI4*-S average. The real challenge lies in the speed with only 7% managing to finish inside the optimum time over the last ten runnings. The course has grown increasingly demanding in recent years, with just one combination making the time in the last five editions.</p>
<p><strong><em>Cross Country Summary&nbsp;<br></em></strong></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d97fe673-a13e-480e-befd-75adb69141bf.png?width=753&amp;height=513" alt="Screenshot 2025 09 11 181503"></p>
<p><em><strong>Clear inside-the-time rates year by year</strong></em></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f8f07256-e64a-4f98-ba42-ab5a08d23674.png?width=502&amp;height=531" alt="Screenshot 2025 09 11 181603"><br><br>With venue history like this, the speed horses are the one's to watch on Sunday. Based on the <strong>EquiRatings Top Speed Percentage (TSP),&nbsp;</strong>the fastest horses are <strong>Caroline Pamukcu's HSH Double Sixteen and HSH Tolan King</strong>, <strong>Bacyrouge for Lindsay Traisnel,</strong>&nbsp;and <strong>Kim Severson's Cooley Corraghy Diamond.</strong></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f776c76c-3e20-4bf5-b530-cf45ff70912c.png?width=448&amp;height=970" alt="Screenshot 2025 09 11 182024"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Who Wins?</h3>
<p>According to the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/thefork_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediciton Centre,</a> <strong>Boyd Martin</strong> has three strong chances - a&nbsp; 28% win chance with <strong>Miks Master C</strong>, plus 10% with <strong>Shanroe Cooley </strong>and 4% with <strong>Luke 140</strong>. Add them up and Boyd sits on a 42% chance of victory, nearly three times more than his closest rival.&nbsp;<strong>Will Coleman and Very Dignified</strong> trail at 16%, while <strong>Sydney Elliott's QC Diamantaire</strong> sits at 15%.</p>
<p><a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/thefork_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5a1652c6-ce2e-44df-8ef0-02b98bb864d1.png?width=855&amp;height=820" alt="Screenshot 2025 09 11 153942"></a></p>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Want to know more about The Fork at Tryon?</h3>
<p>We've crunched all the numbers, analyzed every stat, and uncovered the key storylines you need to know before The Fork at Tryon kicks off this weekend. From dressage averages to cross-country clear rates, speed percentages to show jumping reliability - it's all in our comprehensive form guide. Check it out <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/thefork2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a></p>
<h3>When and Where to Watch</h3>
<p>Competition kicks off Friday with dressage running from 10:50am. Cross-country starts at 11.10am on Saturday and show jumping on Sunday from 11:49am. All times are local.</p>
<p>You can catch all the action live on the <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/16709?utm_campaign=main_slider_content&amp;utm_medium=cmh_content_slider&amp;utm_source=clipmyhorse&amp;utm_term=2025%2BOcala%2BSummer%2BSeries%2BII%2BCSI3%252A" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USEF Network, powered by ClipMyHorse.TV,</a> streaming free with a <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USEF Fan Membership</a>. With Boyd's series surge on the line and three legitimate contenders in his arsenal, this weekend promises drama.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing"></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

The Fork at Tryon CCI4*-S Preview: Boyd Martin's Moment

Main

<div id="message-list_1757075516.403209" class="c-virtual_list__item" tabindex="0" role="listitem" aria-setsize="-1" data-qa="virtual-list-item" data-item-key="1757075516.403209">
<div class="c-message_kit__background c-message_kit__background--hovered p-message_pane_message__message c-message_kit__message" role="presentation" data-qa="message_container" data-qa-unprocessed="false" data-qa-placeholder="false">
<div class="c-message_kit__hover c-message_kit__hover--hovered" role="document" aria-roledescription="message" data-qa-hover="true">
<div class="c-message_kit__actions c-message_kit__actions--default">
<div role="presentation" data-qa="message_content">
<div data-qa="message-text">
<div data-qa="block-kit-renderer">
<div dir="auto">
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>After the 20 CCI4*-S Qualifiers, the grand finale of the US Equestrian Open steps up to a CCI4*-L at Morven Park. To qualify for the $200,000 Final, riders must earn an MER at any one of the Qualifiers. So far,&nbsp;<strong>76 athletes have earned their ticket</strong>, with five more qualifiers still to come.&nbsp;<strong>Who of them has demonstrated 4*-L winning form? </strong></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Now,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/eventing-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">riders can also buy into the Final</a> without having MER'ed at a Qualifier - provided they meet all other 4*-L prerequisites - but here, we're going to focus on the pre-qualified athletes. We looked at the 4*-L results of the 76 Final-eligible riders and compared them to the 4*-L winning standard.</div>
<h1>What does it take to win a 4*-L on US soil?</h1>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Across the last 20 4*-L events on US soil, the winners averaged a<strong> </strong>first-phase score of 31.8 and a final score of 35.3.&nbsp;Looking beyond the averages,<strong> eighteen of the 20 winners scored a sub-35.0 dressage score</strong> and a <strong>slight majority of them (12), finished on a sub-35.0 score.</strong></div>
<div><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/480414b7-56c8-4791-bb02-134bd42be4e0.png?width=1366&amp;height=2881" alt="Last 20 winners of US 4L events"></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<h1>Who's scored a sub-35 <strong>dressage</strong> score at US 4* longs?</h1>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Of the 76 Final-qualified riders, <strong>11 have scored three or more sub-35.0 dressage tests at US 4*-L events within the last few years</strong> (2021 onward).</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1f2f678e-0a7e-4b4b-8572-f2756bc6aeb2.png?width=1096&amp;height=1314" alt="Kv11y Final Qualified Riders With the Most Sub 35 0 Dressage Scores at Recent Us 4 L Events"></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Table-topper <strong>Tamie Smith</strong>&nbsp;has earned three of her 12 scores with <strong>Kynan </strong>who she has&nbsp;<a href="https://evententries.com/#ShowCenterNy7IspNRvqnjxKn3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">entered for the Final</a>.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><strong>Boyd Martin's</strong> eight sub-35.0 scores came from just nine US 4*-L starts since 2021, and one was at Tryon this spring with <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/boyd-martin-is-one-of-the-most-successful-4-l-riders-and-hes-entered-for-the-final" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Barney Rubble </strong>who he has entered for the Final</a>.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong> earned three of her sub-35s with <strong>King's Especiale</strong>, <strong>HSH Double Sixteen</strong>, and<strong> HSH Blake</strong> - all three of whom are entered for the Final.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/87378dd5-acf6-495e-93ee-cc0ff04539d8.jpg?width=5728&amp;height=5345" alt="Hsh Blake Kentucky 2024 Er Caroline Pamukcu 3856_photo by Tilly Berendt"></div>
<div><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;">HSH Blake &amp; Caroline Pamukcu. Photo by Tilly Berendt.</em></div>
<h1>Who's scored a sub-35 <strong>finishing</strong> score at US 4* longs?</h1>
<div>
<p>Just 10 of the 76 Final-qualified riders have <em>finished</em> sub-35.0 at recent <strong>US 4*-L events</strong> (2021 onward).</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/15c9516c-94c8-4e59-8f31-a04381f7bc9c.png?width=1096&amp;height=1230" alt="Hv5r4 Final Qualified Riders With Sub 35 0 Finishing Scores at Recent Us 4 L Events"></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>With <strong>Commando 3</strong>,<strong> Boyd Martin</strong> won the 2023 Morven Park 4*-L on a sub-35.0 finishing score. In fact, of his five 4*-L sub-35s since 2021, he won four of them and placed third in the other. He hasn't yet won a 4*-L with any of his current Final entries, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/boyd-martin-is-one-of-the-most-successful-4-l-riders-and-hes-entered-for-the-final" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he is a dominant rider at the level</a>.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><strong>Mia Farley</strong> earned her sub-35 at the 2022 Morven Park 4*-L with <strong>Phelps</strong>, finishing third. For the Final, Mia so far has <strong>Invictus </strong>entered. The Final will be Invictus' second 4*-L after finishing eighth in the 2024 TerraNova 4*-L. Invictus produced his international dressage PB at that 4*-L, a 27.9. A cross-country 20 and jumping penalties saw he and Mia finishing with a high score on the weekend but he hasn't had any cross-country jumping faults in any of his four 4*-S runs since then.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Ultimately, when we look at the top and tail of a US 4*-L - first phase and final score - <strong>sub-35.0 is a good number to keep in mind</strong>. Certainly, some of our early entries have already shown they can do it.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
<h1>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h1>
<p>The Final in a snapshot. For full Series details, <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/eventing-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">head to our quick guide</a>.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6e95e199-0e64-4508-aaa5-7039e5d08293.png?width=2160&amp;height=2700" alt="Final Snapshot for Open Eventing Blogs"></p>
<h3><strong>Current Series Standings (Sep 5, 2025):</strong></h3>
<p><span style="color: rgb(109, 114, 114);"><em>See the full, updated series standings and how the leaders got to the top, <a href="https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</em></span></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6322a623-cee0-440a-a66e-d0734fc72db4.png?width=722&amp;height=562" alt="Leaderboard After Rebecca Farm"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Check out the full <strong>Series calendar </strong>below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing"></p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="message-list_bottomSpacer" class="c-virtual_list__item" tabindex="-1" role="presentation" aria-setsize="-1" data-qa="virtual-list-item" data-item-key="bottomSpacer"></div>

Image of Tamie Smith waving and smiling as she leaves the dressage arena on the bay horse Kynan.

What it takes to win a 4*-L on US soil

<p dir="ltr">With just three qualifiers left before the inaugural US Open of Dressage Final, each venue on the calendar becomes part of the unfolding story. From the historic charm of Devon to the modern beauty of TerraNova and the scale of North Carolina&rsquo;s Tryon International, every stop in this final stretch has its own unique magic and offers riders a distinct opportunity. In the latest US Equestrian Open podcast, announcer Noah Rattner joined us to give a venue-by-venue preview of what makes this stretch of the calendar unforgettable.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/38048160/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/4c414c/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Dressage at Devon</h2>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9964d31c-7cca-40bb-b8c2-e02bb0a1a241.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=633" alt="" is=""></p>
<p dir="ltr">If you&rsquo;ve never been to <strong>Dressage at Devon</strong>, this is the year to go. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this US Equestrian Heritage Competition is part elite sporting event, part time capsule. Held at the iconic Devon Horse Show Grounds &mdash; complete with the storied Dixon Oval and charming grandstands tucked into the Philadelphia suburbs &mdash; Devon is where history meets horsepower. The week begins with the world&rsquo;s largest open breed show, then transitions midweek to high-stakes FEI competition. This year, it kicks off the North American League for the 2026 World Cup and serves as a US Open qualifier. With legendary footing upgrades, packed crowds, and freestyles under the lights, Devon is the soul of American dressage.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">TerraNova Equestrian Center</h2>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/66a393f7-35c9-4ac2-a122-a5d76ad56ebb.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=658" alt="" is=""></p>
<p>TerraNova Equestrian Center is one of the newest and most visually striking venues in the sport. Tucked into the palm-lined outskirts of Sarasota, this Florida facility is a purpose-built oasis: six all-weather arenas, horse-first infrastructure, lakeside competition rings, and a modern pavilion that spans the Grand Prix arenas. TerraNova is breathtakingly beautiful. Its layout mirrors many elements of the Final&rsquo;s venue in California, giving riders a chance to fine-tune in familiar surroundings. With top-tier accommodations and a production team among the best in the sport, it&rsquo;s more than a tune-up show. As the penultimate qualifier, it&rsquo;s a critical stop for those navigating the late-season schedule with intent and precision.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Tryon International Equestrian Center</h2>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e74e2fcd-a95c-4ba1-8f7d-f2fc064edbea.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=652" alt="" is=""></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Tryon International Equestrian Center </strong>is no stranger to big moments. It hosted the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games and remains one of the most versatile venues in U.S. equestrian sport. With 1,200 stalls, 12 arenas, and a stadium that lights up the Northern Carolina foothills,Tryon delivers scale, polish, and atmosphere. Dressage riders entering the final qualifier here will feel like they&rsquo;re already on a world stage. Tryon has built a reputation as a finely tuned machine that delivers on logistics and spectacle alike. For riders seeking last-minute points, this is the last opportunity to make the cut. The venue is built to run like a championship, and for athletes who haven&rsquo;t yet competed on a world-stage-sized platform, this is a crucial step. Expect a deep field, tight margins, and a sense of urgency in every performance.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Desert International Horse Park</h3>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/34b4195a-4e0b-4701-872b-03e1cabfce19.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=632" alt="" is=""></p>
<p dir="ltr">And then &mdash; <em>it&rsquo;s California. </em></p>
<p dir="ltr">The <strong>Desert International Horse Park</strong> in Thermal will host the first-ever US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final, and it&rsquo;s hard to imagine a more fitting stage. Nestled between the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains, this massive equestrian complex just outside Palm Springs rises from the desert with Olympic-caliber arenas, luxury infrastructure, and a skyline of mountains and palms. Known as the West Coast capital of show jumping, DIHP has in recent years embraced dressage, and this fall the discipline takes center stage. With $200,000 in prize money on the line and hospitality that feels more like a five-star resort than a horse show, the Final promises both competition and celebration.&nbsp;</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Let the Final Chapter Begin</h1>
<p dir="ltr">We&rsquo;ve followed riders all year through triumphs, setbacks, strategy shifts, and musical reinventions and now we&rsquo;re headed into the most exciting stretch yet. It all begins at Dressage at Devon on September 23rd. Whether you&rsquo;re a die-hard fan or a newcomer drawn in by freestyle soundtracks and world-class sport, now is the time to tune in.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Join us at Devon. Pack your bags for Thermal. The road to the Final starts here.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

A Podcast Tour of Devon, TerraNova, Tryon, and Desert International

<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://evententries.com/#ShowCenterNy7IspNRvqnjxKn3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Early entries are already coming in</a></strong> for the $200,000 US Equestrian Open Final - October&rsquo;s Morven Park 4*-L. Catching our eye was <strong>Boyd Martin</strong>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Why? Well, not &ldquo;just&rdquo; because he is one of the USA&rsquo;s most successful eventers but also because he has a particular aptitude for four-star-longs; between 2008 and now, no one has tallied more wins at the level: 10. Australia&rsquo;s <strong>Shane Rose</strong> matches him but no one beats him. Here&rsquo;s the list:<br><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a74b275a-8597-409c-a6d8-c8fb2be8c43e.png?width=1268&amp;height=1444" alt="5 H Ih H Riders With the Most Cci4 L Wins Since 2008 (1)"></p>
<p dir="ltr">And one of Boyd&rsquo;s 4*-L wins was at Morven Park two years ago. A repeat effort this year would not only separate him from Shane on the win-count table, it would also earn Boyd a hefty portion of the $200,000 prize pot. I'm sure he wouldn't complain.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/73c5afb7-8871-496c-959c-b7df2f098c75.png?width=1198&amp;height=1166" alt="35t Qv Boyd Martin S Ten Cci4 L Wins Since 2008"></p>
<p dir="ltr">When it comes to Morven Park, Boyd has venue familiarity going for him - he of course won the 4*-L but he&rsquo;s also had nine total international runs at the venue dating back to 2014. Plus, as of now, he&rsquo;s entered on two strong horses:</p>
<h1 dir="ltr"><strong>1. Shanroe Cooley (10 YO)</strong></h1>
<p dir="ltr">Liz Halliday&rsquo;s mount Shanroe Cooley has only done one international with Boyd - a 3*-S which they won by adding just 3.6 XC time penalties to their dressage score. But, with Liz, Shanroe Cooley does have top-level experience. One of his best results was a <strong>4th place finish at Tryon 4*-L</strong> (May 2024).&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shanroe Cooley has <strong>jumped clear in 20 of his 21 international XC runs</strong>, including six clears at the 4* levels (long &amp; short). And, of his 20 international SJ rounds, he&rsquo;s&nbsp;<strong>only knocked 3 rails</strong> (spread over three different courses).</p>
<h1 dir="ltr"><strong>2. Miks Master C (13 YO)</strong></h1>
<p><strong><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/26ca95fb-2a87-4c52-b171-0ab54ca5b3a9.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="Miks Master C &amp; Liz Halliday at Kentucky 2024. Photo by Tilly Berendt."></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;">Miks Master C &amp; Liz Halliday. Photo by Tilly Berendt.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">Another of Liz Halliday&rsquo;s string being piloted by Boyd, Miks Master C has more top-level experience than Shanroe Cooley and is a four-time winner at the CCI4*-S level. He&nbsp;<strong>won the highly competitive Carolina 4*-S back-to-back, finishing on a 20.9 (2023) and a 22.5 (2024)</strong>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In 2023, on <strong>his very first 5* run (Kentucky), Miks Master C placed third </strong>by adding just 1.6 XC time penalties to his dressage score, finishing on a 28.5.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">With Boyd, Miks Master C has only done one international: a 3*-S at Bromont. There, he and Boyd jumped clear in both the XC and SJ phases to finish 9th. It will be exciting to watch this pair at Morven and <strong>their EquiRatings win chance is likely to be high </strong>once all entries are in.</p>
<h1><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h1>
<p>The Final in a snapshot. For full Series details, <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/eventing-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">head to our quick guide</a>.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6e95e199-0e64-4508-aaa5-7039e5d08293.png?width=2160&amp;height=2700" alt="Final Snapshot for Open Eventing Blogs"></p>
<h3><strong>Current Series Standings (Aug 29, 2025):</strong></h3>
<p><span style="color: rgb(109, 114, 114);"><em>See the full, updated series standings and how the leaders got to the top, <a href="https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</em></span></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6322a623-cee0-440a-a66e-d0734fc72db4.png?width=722&amp;height=562" alt="Leaderboard After Rebecca Farm"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Check out the full <strong>Series calendar </strong>below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing"></p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

Boyd Martin riding a bay horse over a cross country jump. Boyd has a determined look on his face.

Boyd Martin is one of the most successful 4*-L riders and he's entered for the Final

<p dir="ltr"><em>Hello, silence, our old friend&hellip;</em>&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The summer stillness drags on as we head into late-August, with the leaderboard dormant and the Series on pause.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Eight of the top ten riders haven&rsquo;t competed in an international competition since May. That means current No. 1 Anna Marek, No. 2 Kristina Harrison-Antell, co-No. 2 Eline Eckroth, No. 5 Genay Vaughn, and others through the top ten haven&rsquo;t stepped foot into a CDI arena. Where have you gone, Anna Marek?</p>
<p dir="ltr">In fairness, FEI competitions on US soil all but vanish in the summer months. This leaves riders the option to stay home and train in their own arenas, travel locally for USEF shows, or fly abroad to test their mettle against international opponents.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Of course, downtime has its value: conditioning, fine-tuning, schooling, and perhaps most importantly, giving horses (and riders) a mental and physical break. Showing is exhausting, with its constant travel, early mornings, disrupted routines, and new atmospheres taxing both horse and human alike. So, save for a few restless travelers, most seem to be sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon this summer.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">But, not everyone has been on pause. Two of the top ten have kept themselves sharp abroad: <strong>Evelyn Eger and Denielle Gallagher.</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Eger &mdash; you&rsquo;ll remember she <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/qualifier-8-recap-when-the-numbers-dont-tell-the-whole-story">led the Series</a> through much of the spring &mdash; has returned to Europe and competed in 14 FEI classes since her last Wellington appearance in March. Her summer string has included younger horses, but most notably her freestyle mount, Tabledance 3. The pair came first in a CDI5* in Munich, where they earned a 76.855% &mdash; a score just shy of their PB (77.235%) and two and a half points above their career average of 74%. A month later, the pair again earned first with an above-average score, this time at a CDIO4* Nations Cup in Sweden, earning 75.335%.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It remains a mystery whether Eger and the 12-year-old mare will return to the US in the fall for the Equestrian Open Final, but if they do, it&rsquo;s clear they will pose a threat to the riders competing on home soil.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gallagher has not been able to capitalize on the same summer success as Eger. She has competed in France twice since we last saw her in Ocala with her 13-year-old Lusitano gelding, Come Back De Massa. Both outings fell below her average of 71.290%. Still, international arena experience is international arena experience. So while her results may not sparkle on paper, every unfamiliar arena adds mileage. That mileage may pay off in November, when the Florida-based pair make their first trip to Thermal, CA, for the Finals.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Outside of the top ten, only a few competitors have ventured quietly into summer competition.</strong> Felicitas Hendricks (No. 11) has one freestyle under her belt &mdash; a very strong 79.340% &mdash; in an under-25 competition in Kronberg. A strong result, yes, but an age-restricted junior division. Devon Kane (No. 13) competed at Hagen&rsquo;s CDI3* in June, but scored well below her average due to an unfortunate <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/new-podcast-devon-kane-on-freestyle-magic-life-on-the-move-and-why-vamos-wasnt-for-sale-after-all">floor plan issue</a> that omitted a required element and resulted in zeroes for the movement.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The rest of the leaderboard has remained muted&hellip; with one inevitable outlier (because of course there&rsquo;s an outlier &mdash; would sport be any fun without one?).</p>
<p dir="ltr">The one outlying pair, singing in an otherwise quiet field, is <strong>Ben Ebeling and Bellena</strong>. Our nation turns its lonely eyes to him.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Since we last saw them in May, Ebeling and Bellena have competed in seven FEI classes, including three at the World Cup Finals in June. And while their freestyle score in Aachen was below their average, the pair scored a new combination best of 76.615% at the prestigious Achleiten CDI in Austria this July. It was also a new career-best score for Bellena. Their time has come to shine.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ebeling and Bellena have a freestyle average of 75.310%, a number that has grown steadily throughout their season. They debuted as a freestyle pair back in April and have impressed from the very first halt salute. Their recent win in Austria, topping a field of 12, only reinforced their status as a threat abroad &mdash; and soon, back home, too. At 14th on the leaderboard, Ebeling currently holds a Finals ticket. If he stays above the cutoff for the last three qualifiers, he could walk out of Thermal with a very large check in hand.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Final is still nearly three months away, with qualifiers on hold until the famed Dressage at Devon in late September. But when the Pennsylvania moon rises over an open field, <em>the silence of summer will finally break.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Dressage</strong></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stay updated on news and standings for the US Equestrian Open Series on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.</a>&nbsp;Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/22433326-f7d7-4286-930b-62c3a1ba80f2.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Show calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage"></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>

The Fork at Tryon CCI4*-S Preview: Boyd Martin's Moment

Top Stories

The Fork at Tryon CCI4*-S Preview: Boyd Martin's Moment

What it takes to win a 4*-L on US soil

A Podcast Tour of Devon, TerraNova, Tryon, and Desert International

Boyd Martin is one of the most successful 4*-L riders and he's entered for the Final

The Sound of Silence

Qualifiers

US Equestrian Open Final Partner Venues

Series Partners