<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The US Equestrian Open rolls into Rebecca Farm this weekend with a field headlined by <strong>Tamie Smith </strong>and her superstar <strong>Mai Baum.&nbsp;</strong>Mai Baum arrives with a huge win chance for what could be a fairytale finish to their top-level career. They will very likely lead the first phase, but with finishing on your dressage score at Rebecca Farm proving nearly impossible and several fast horses in the field, this competition is far from a foregone conclusion.</p>
<p data-start="303" data-end="528" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">It also marks a key moment in the season: the <strong data-start="349" data-end="411">last US Equestrian Open qualifier before an almost two-month break. There will be</strong>&nbsp;<strong data-start="423" data-end="457">five more qualifiers remaining</strong> in the Series after this weekend, before riders return to Morven Park for a big-money final in early October.&nbsp; <strong data-start="218" data-end="236">James Alliston</strong> is entered with Paper Jam and prove the biggest threat to a Tamie fairytale. Provided they complete, it looks likely that they will overtake Caroline Pamukcu and sit in the Series top-three going into the final stretch.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Listen to the 'Rebecca Farm Preview Show' on US Equestrian Open Podcast now.</em></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37402990/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/0a317e/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
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<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5"><strong>The Mai Baum Factor</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">There should be <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/mai-baum-returns-to-rebecca-farm-for-his-farewell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a lot of coverage of Mai Baum</a> this weekend, regardless of the result. The horse that ended the long wait for a home-nation Kentucky winner, a horse that has helped bring home medals and a horse that took us all on a journey of the highest highs and lowest lows.<a href="https://pod.fo/e/2fb864" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> You can listen to Tamie, Alex, Eric and Ellen discuss their journey here.&nbsp;</a><br><br>They now return to Rebecca Farm for one final top-level appearance together, a decade after claiming their first CCI4* victory at this very event&mdash;in only their second four-star as a partnership.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">They will surely lead the first phase, perhaps by some margin. Looking at their last six international runs as a guide, they have an outstanding <strong>EquiRatings 6 Run Average (6RA) of 24.3</strong>. And Tamie&rsquo;s track record at Rebecca Farm speaks volumes &mdash; she holds four of the top 10 dressage scores at this venue, each delivered on a different horse, including Mai Baum. It would not be a shock for them to set the venue record.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3 class="cgHgbA nxe3IQ Xp24Nw PanoWQ"><strong><span class="OYPEnA">The top 10 </span><span class="OYPEnA">dressage scores a</span><span class="OYPEnA">t the last 10 Rebecca Farm CCI4*-S</span></strong></h3>
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<p data-start="0" data-end="426" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">It is very possible that Tamie is in a 1-2 position after dressage. She will also have<strong> Jutopia</strong> - a ride Tamie is progressing while Molly Duda is on the US Development Tour.&nbsp; Tommy Greengard's That's Me Z is also one to watch for a high twenties (projected within the top 4 starting scores).&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5"><strong>The (Near) Impossibility of Finishing on Your Dressage Score</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">When you have an almost certain strong leader in the first phase, we begin to seek out a key element of what makes sport so special: jeopardy.&nbsp;<br><br>Let's start with Mai Baum. Tamie Smith and Mai Baum&rsquo;s record at the 4*-S level suggests some penalties will be added. They have never made the time together at this level &mdash; likely a strategic choice rather than a limitation in speed &mdash; but it leaves the door wide open for faster rivals.<br><br>Here's a statistic:&nbsp;<strong>Half of the last 10 winners were leading after dressage</strong> - which means half weren't. The winning range at Rebecca Farm spans from 30.7 to 58.3, with an average winning score of 40.6.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9884f1b7-ef9f-4360-b565-9d0bc0bc2bd3.png?width=1080&amp;height=626" alt="Portrait Usef Blog Covers   Ev &amp; Dr (3)"></p>
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<p data-start="0" data-end="345" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">Since 2008, 235 riders have taken on the CCI4*-S at Rebecca Farm &mdash; and only one has ever finished on their dressage score. That standout performance came from <strong>Karen O'Connor</strong> and <strong>Mandiba</strong> in 2010, when they held onto their dressage score of 29.5 from start to finish, winning by a remarkable 9.8 marks. It&rsquo;s a reminder that even if Tamie and Mai Baum deliver a low score in the first phase, this win won&rsquo;t be handed to them &mdash; Rebecca Farm doesn&rsquo;t make it easy.</p>
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<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5"><strong>Speed Horses to Watch</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The cross-country phase has been historically influential, with just 60% of riders achieving a clear round over the last 10 years. More tellingly, only 3% manage to finish inside the optimum time - making time penalties almost inevitable for most of the field.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e8986802-36e2-4a3f-80d0-d2ede483ee26.png?width=1080&amp;height=752" alt="Portrait Usef Blog Covers   Ev &amp; Dr (4)"><br>Can anyone make the time? Probably one person. <strong>James Alliston </strong>has an outstanding record of making the time at this level. Their clear rate at CCI4*-S level is an incredible 31%. For context, Tamie Smith's is 8%.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><strong>Tommy Greengard</strong> may be new to this level with just five 4*-S starts, but he&rsquo;s already delivered a clear inside the time, albeit with <strong>Joshuay MBF.</strong> Greengard has shown he has the pace and precision to be a contender. Not so long ago, <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/tommy-greengard-the-west-coast-contender-who-could-win-it-all" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diarm suggested he could win the entire series</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 class="cgHgbA nxe3IQ Xp24Nw PanoWQ"><strong><span class="OYPEnA">The fastest cross country horses in the field&nbsp;</span></strong></h3>
<p><em><strong><span class="OYPEnA">Based on EquiRatings Top Speed Percentage</span></strong></em></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7867fa07-c874-49ef-906d-658d84873b25.png?width=660&amp;height=1056" alt="Speed Horses"></p>
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<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5"><strong>The Final Phase Factor</strong></h2>
<p data-start="28" data-end="360">Show jumping on Sunday has played a decisive role at Rebecca Farm in recent years &mdash; but not always in the way you&rsquo;d expect. Over the last 10 runnings, only 20% of riders have delivered a clear round in the final phase. Yet a perfect round isn&rsquo;t essential for victory &mdash; 7 of the last 10 winners had at least one rail on the final day.</p>
<p data-start="362" data-end="555">Two combinations to keep an eye on this Sunday are <strong data-start="413" data-end="452">Lizzie Hoff </strong>and <strong data-start="413" data-end="452">HSH Limited Edition</strong> and <strong data-start="457" data-end="496">Jack Curtis </strong>with<strong data-start="457" data-end="496"> Luska Candy Clover</strong>, both arriving with good jumping records at the level below.&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 class="cgHgbA nxe3IQ Xp24Nw PanoWQ"><span class="OYPEnA">The most reliable&nbsp;</span><span class="OYPEnA">show </span><span class="OYPEnA">jumpers&nbsp;</span><span class="OYPEnA">in the field</span></h2>
<p><em><strong><span class="OYPEnA">Based on the adjusted average of their SJ penalties</span></strong></em></p>
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<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5"><strong>Who wins?</strong></h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">According to the<strong>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/rebecca_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>EquiRatings Prediction Centre</strong></a>,<strong> Tamie Smith</strong> enters on 61% win chance and an 85% shot at the podium. She sits far ahead of the next most-likely winners <strong>James Alliston</strong> and <strong>Paper Jam</strong> on 13% and <strong>Rebecca Braitling </strong>with <strong>Caravaggio </strong>on 6%. <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/rebecca_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5d449b0a-7598-4910-91ee-8a5e2b259911.png?width=720&amp;height=820" alt="Screenshot 2025 07 14 125127 (1)"></a></p>
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<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words">Want to know more about Rebecca Farm?</h2>
<p>We've crunched all the numbers, analyzed every stat, and uncovered the key storylines you need to know before Rebecca Farm 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.<strong> </strong>Check it out <strong><a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/rebeccafarm2025/#who-wins-more" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a></strong></p>
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<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="whitespace-normal break-words">When and where to watch?</h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Competition begins Thursday with dressage across two days, cross-country will be on Saturday afternoon, and show jumping on Sunday. In a sport where anything can happen, Rebecca Farm's challenging track record suggests we're in for another thrilling finish.<br><br>You can catch all the action <strong data-start="29" data-end="84">live on the USEF Network, powered by ClipMyHorse.TV</strong>, streaming free with a <strong data-start="108" data-end="131">USEF Fan Membership</strong> &mdash; check it out<strong> <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">here.</a></strong></p>
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<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>
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<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>

Rebecca Farm CCI4*-S Preview

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<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s the case with the top 10 Grand Prix Freestyle scores of the 2025 Equestrian Open season so far. Look closely, and a pattern emerges&mdash;one that goes beyond individual performances and starts to show us something bigger.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Adrienne Lyle</strong>, <strong>Anna Marek</strong>, and <strong>Kevin Kohmann</strong> have delivered 8 of the 10 best freestyle scores of the year. Even more striking? All 10 of the top scores by American riders belong to them. These aren&rsquo;t just one-off wins. They&rsquo;re a data-backed show of dominance and a window into why these riders are leading the conversation as the US Equestrian Open of Dressage barrels toward its Final.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Message Behind the 'Top Ten' Metric</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In sports, a <em>stat </em>tells you what happened. A <em>metric </em>tells you what matters.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The top 10 scores are a stat. Alone, they don&rsquo;t guarantee anything. But when we zoom out&mdash;looking at the names, the consistency, the progression&mdash;they begin to function like a performance metric. And the message they&rsquo;re sending is clear: when it comes to the biggest moments under the brightest lights, Lyle, Marek, and Kohmann are delivering the highest-level performances we&rsquo;ve seen on U.S. soil this season.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Take Adrienne Lyle and Helix. They own the top two scores, both breaking the 80% barrier. Lyle is the only American to do so this season. Her 80.600% at AGDF 10 wasn&rsquo;t just a combination best; it was a statement that her Paris Olympic mount is just getting started.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Marek and Kohmann, meanwhile, have carved out their own stretch of real estate on the leaderboard. Between them, they hold another six of the ten best scores, ranging from Kohmann&rsquo;s 79.240% at the Palm Beach Derby to Marek&rsquo;s 77.755% with Fire Fly back in January. These rides reflect more than isolated talent. They're part of a multi-show arc building toward bigger goals: World Cups, the US Equestrian Open Finals, LA 2028.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-HSoyu" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Top Tests: 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/HSoyu/1/" height="707" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Holding the Top Spot on Home Turf</h2>
<p dir="ltr">All ten of the highest-scoring American freestyles this season also belong to Lyle, Marek, or Kohmann. It&rsquo;s easy to overlook how rare that is, especially at a venue like Wellington, where every weekend sees Olympians and international stars take the stage.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Germany&rsquo;s Felicitas Hendricks and Evelyn Eger have reminded American riders that even on home soil, nothing is guaranteed. In Wellington, where the home crowd and familiar footing should offer an edge, they&rsquo;ve shown up and won anyway. Ecuador&rsquo;s Julio Mendoza Loor remains a wildcard threat with the ability to shake up any podium.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">But what Lyle, Marek, and Kohmann have done is deliver repeatedly in those same fields, under that same pressure, and still emerged with the season&rsquo;s top scores.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It&rsquo;s a sign that American dressage is entering a new chapter&mdash;one that&rsquo;s penned with competitive intent and inked with momentum. These performances don&rsquo;t close the gap with Europe just yet, but they&rsquo;re proof that the U.S. is building a future that could. The road to LA 2028 starts here.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">What It All Means</h2>
<p dir="ltr">With only a few qualifiers left, the leaderboard is crowded and unstable. One big ride can still vault a rider into the Final. One no-show could knock someone out. Kohmann sits in a precarious 17th. Lyle looks safe enough in 14th, probably. Marek is comfortably booked on a first-class seat to the Final.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4fd42b30-420d-4f94-b8c6-317e3ddd7b44.png?width=492&amp;height=327" alt="Current leaderboard bubble: Riders ranked 14&ndash;23. Top 18 qualify for the Final."><br><em>Current leaderboard bubble: Riders ranked 14&ndash;23. Top 18 qualify for the Final.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s what makes this top 10 so telling. A blockbuster ride&mdash;or even a collection of them&mdash;doesn&rsquo;t guarantee a spot in the Final. Brilliance matters. Consistent brilliance matters more. But the only real ticket is a mix of timing, strategy, and follow-through. And by those metrics, only one rider has nailed the formula:</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Anna Marek.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">She looks poised to earn the $12,500 bonus for the leaderboard&rsquo;s top point-earner, but once she arrives in Thermal, the leaderboard is irrelevant. The $200,000 prize is based on one ride, one score, one shot. All that consistency? It gets you to the arena. But it won&rsquo;t win you the check.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Want to Dig Deeper?</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Watch the top rides from these three on USEF Network. Follow their progress toward the Final at<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/"> usequestrianopen.org</a>. And keep an eye on the leaderboard because when one of these three steps into the arena, history tends to follow.</p>

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The Trio at the Top: What the Top 10 Freestyles Say About This Season

<p dir="ltr">Mai Baum, known to his connections as &lsquo;Lexus&rsquo; will compete in his final upper-level competition this weekend at Rebecca Farm&mdash;the very same class he won 10 years ago at this Montana venue, marking what was only his second four-star with rider Tamie Smith and their first four-star victory together.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The poetic symmetry of Mai Baum's farewell couldn't be more perfect. A decade ago, he launched what would become a legendary partnership with Smith by winning the Rebecca Farm CCI4*-S. Now, after one of the most impressive US eventing careers, he returns to the same competition, for his final farewell.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Listen to the 'Mai Baum Special' on US Equestrian Open Podcast now.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37307655/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/1787d4/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Career Defined by Excellence</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The numbers alone tell an extraordinary story. With 33 international starts, 20 podium finishes, and 13 wins, Mai Baum achieved a peak EquiRatings Elo of 833&mdash;the highest of any U.S. event horse in the past 15 years and ranking among the top 15 worldwide over that span.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/67a9aeb8-b39d-49ee-947e-cee480d34327.png?width=1150&amp;height=664" alt="Screenshot 2025 07 14 120819"></p>
<p dir="ltr">The horse's international career began in 2013 with Alexandra Ahearn. The next year at only his second international event, he had his first win in the CCI2*-S at Galway Downs. That victory marked the beginning of what would become a special relationship with the California venue&mdash;Tamie returned with him four times, in which they took the win every time.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b8f397ef-3550-4463-9e2d-b7979ad9712c.png?width=1688&amp;height=784" alt="I Aa K6 "></p>
<p dir="ltr"><br>For all of Mai Baum&rsquo;s accolades and podium finishes, his story was never written with medals in mind.&nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8d4b834c-771d-44a7-8c34-662cbeffb011.png?width=1080&amp;height=540" alt="Us Blog Quote Graphics (9)"></p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Dressage Mastery</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Perhaps no statistic better illustrates Mai Baum's consistency than his dressage record with Smith. Across 29 internationals together, they never scored in the 30s. Their best test came at Tryon in 2021 with a score of 20.4, while their worst was still a respectable 29.9 at Arville in 2021.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/150ba00e-34da-4d59-965a-86fee7da5b79.png?width=1688&amp;height=1320" alt="Ua Wi4 Mai Baum S Top 10 Dressage Tests"></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Five-Star Prowess</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Mai Baum's five-star record reads like a masterclass in big-competition performance. Across five attempts at the level (Kentucky 2021, Badminton 2022, Pratoni 2022 World Games, Kentucky 2023, Maryland 2024), he finished in the top 10 four times. Only a mid-course retirement at Maryland 2024 disrupted their otherwise perfect record, with Tamie choosing to pull up when Mai Baum showed signs of fatigue.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a705d953-ef4b-4e7f-a0ec-d3279b97a364.png?width=1924&amp;height=822" alt="Hey Un Mai Baum S Cci5 Record (1)"></p>
<p dir="ltr">The pinnacle came at Kentucky 2023, where Mai Baum and Tamie Smith became the first American pair to win since Phillip Dutton in 2008. Pre-competition, EquiRatings had highlighted them as the ones to beat, giving them a 66% win chance and an 88% shot at the podium.&nbsp; Despite this, it was still no easy feat. Sitting in third after dressage (24.2), they delivered a textbook cross-country round where they made the time &mdash; a decisive move that secured their 3.6-penalty victory.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Final Chapter</h2>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Rebecca Farm is a fitting stage for Mai Baum&rsquo;s farewell &mdash; the site where his brilliance at the highest-level first truly emerged. In 2015, it was here, in the mountains of Montana, that Mai Baum won the CCI4*-S on just his second start at the level.</p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aa03986c-8b82-4527-98eb-77ddcf2f12f6.png?width=1080&amp;height=554" alt="Us Blog Quote Graphics (7)"></p>
<p dir="ltr">According to the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/rebecca_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre,</a> they arrive this weekend with a 61% win chance and an 85% podium chance, practically identical to their Kentucky odds in 2023.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/rebecca_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a9eebb6f-3354-4691-ad01-46a40e13db0d.png?width=720&amp;height=820" alt="Screenshot 2025 07 14 125127"></a><br><br></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Legacy Beyond Statistics</h2>
<p dir="ltr">While Mai Baum's achievements speak for themselves but his impact extends far beyond ribbons and rankings.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d405773a-a361-425d-9996-d1a3cf8eb057.png?width=1080&amp;height=537" alt="Us Blog Quote Graphics (6)"></p>
<p dir="ltr">This weekend at Rebecca Farm, the eventing community will witness the end of an era. Mai Baum may be stepping down from the upper levels, but his legacy will endure for many years to come. That it happens where his greatest chapter began makes this farewell all the more fitting.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h2>Listen to The US Equestrian Open Podcast Now</h2>
<p>Tamie Smith, Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell relive the moments that made Lexus unforgettable: from a German auction to Kentucky glory, from heartbreak to heroics.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37307655/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/1787d4/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<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>

Mai Baum Returns to Rebecca Farm for His Farewell

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Will Coleman</strong>, <strong>Boyd Martin</strong>, <strong>Phillip Dutton</strong>, and <strong>Caroline Pamukcu</strong> - four of the USA&rsquo;s top riders contested this year&rsquo;s CHIO Aachen CCI4*-S.&nbsp;</p>
<p>All four also have previous form at Morven Park CCI4*-L which, in the context of this year&rsquo;s US Equestrian Open Final, is very interesting.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3af96702-3e61-4506-958f-7485e233b15e.png?width=1130&amp;height=1196" alt="Previous Morven Park Cci4*-L Results of the Usa's 2025 Chio Aachen Riders"></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Who of the four will target the $200,000 CCI4*-L Final at Morven Park this October? </strong>Who will they bring? Will they replicate their previous efforts in the class (if so, each would land well within the prize money)?</p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Will Coleman &amp; Off The Record</strong></h2>
<p><strong><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/cec4cf5d-c58c-488e-a77f-9c37a308d7de.jpg?width=4256&amp;height=2832" alt="The bay horse Off The Record and rider Will Coleman during the prize ceremony of CHIO Aachen 2021. Will smiles broadly and pats Off The Record between the ears. A winner's rubbin hangs from the horse's bridle."></strong></p>
<p><strong><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;">Will Coleman &amp; Off The Record winning CHIO Aachen 2021 - the first and only US winners. Photo by Tilly Berendt.</em></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Will </strong>and his 2021 CHIO Aachen winner <strong>Off The Record </strong>were the highest placed US pair at Aachen this weekend, finishing fourth after adding just 0.8 cross-country time penalties to their dressage score. They were the second fastest round of the day (after New Zealand's Monica Spencer &amp; Artist who added 0.4 time penalties).</p>
<p dir="ltr">Off The Record first stepped up to the CCI4* level in April 2018. Since then, <strong>he has tackled 24 top-level cross-country courses (CCI4*/5*). He has jumped clear in all but </strong><em><strong>one</strong> </em>(CHIO Aachen 2023). On metrics, he is ranked in the top 1.0% of CCI4*-L cross-country jumpers and the top 1.3% on speed. A record like that is always a leaderboard threat when cross-country day rolls around, making sure we all remember it&rsquo;s not a dressage competition.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Not particularly known for producing super low dressage scores (unlike his stable mate<strong> Chin Tonic HS</strong>), Off The Record has nonetheless been competitive with his most recent CCI4* tests. These are his last five CCI4* dressage scores:</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<ol>
<li dir="ltr">Apr 2025 - Cosequin&reg; Lexington 4*-S (Qualifier 11): <strong>21.8 (went on to win)</strong></li>
<li dir="ltr">Sep 2024 - The Fork at Tryon 4*-S: <strong>30.1 (went on to win)</strong></li>
<li dir="ltr">Apr 2024 - Cosequin&reg; Lexington 4*-S:&nbsp;<strong>30.1 </strong>(finished 3rd)</li>
<li dir="ltr">Apr 2024 - Stable View 4*-S: <strong>31.2 </strong>(finished 4th)</li>
<li dir="ltr">Jun 2023 - CHIO Aachen 4*-S: <strong>28.1 </strong>(finished 38th)</li>
</ol>
<p>Of all four previous runnings of the Morven Park CCI4*-L, winning scores have ranged from 29.4 to 34.5. In Off The Record's international career, he's produced 12 top-level finishing scores in that range (and lower). If we do see the US stalwart - and 2022 World team silver medalist -&nbsp; in October, Off The Record will challenge for the top spot. He usually does.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Boyd Martin &amp; Commando 3</strong></h2>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/23338cba-f6dd-4f51-ae1a-3ee18a422a9d.jpg?width=5464&amp;height=5504" alt="Boyd Martin smiling while riding Commando 3 in the arena after the prize ceremony at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2024. Commando 3 wears a red ribbon on his bridle and has a pleasant, ears-pricked expression."></p>
<p><strong><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;">Boyd Martin &amp; Commando 3 placing 2nd at the 2024 Cosequin&reg; Lexington CCI4*-S. Photo by Tilly Berendt.</em></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Boyd </strong>and<strong> Commando 3 </strong>finished fifth in Aachen by adding just 3.2 cross-country time penalties to their dressage score. The result boosted Commando 3 to the <strong>number four horse for the US right now according to the EquiRatings Elo rating as he holds 721 Elo points.</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Currently fifth in the US Equestrian Open standings, Boyd earned 50 of his 135 Series points by winning Stable View (Qualifier 8) with Commando 3. That Qualifier win was the latest of Commando 3&rsquo;s four career international wins, all at CCI4*:</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<ol>
<li dir="ltr">Apr 2025 - Stable View 4*-S (Qualifier 8)</li>
<li dir="ltr">Apr 2024 - Stable View 4*-S</li>
<li dir="ltr">Oct 2023 - Morven Park 4*-L</li>
<li dir="ltr">Sep 2023 - The Fork at Tryon 4*-S</li>
</ol>
<p dir="ltr">We can&rsquo;t gloss over that <strong>Morven Park CCI4*-L win two years ago</strong>. It was Boyd on Commando 3 winning what this year will be the<strong> $200,000</strong> US Equestrian Open Final. Can they replicate in 2025?</p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Phillip Dutton with Possante &amp; Denim</strong></h2>
<p><strong><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eff45000-f571-4933-845e-d57611d71c22.jpg?width=4256&amp;height=2832" alt="Black &amp; white image of Phillip Dutton walking toward the camera in his show jumping attire, carrying his show jacket over his forearm and wearing his helmet with the chin-strap undone. He bears a focused expression. "></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;">Phillip Dutton. Photo by Tilly Berendt.</em></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">With&nbsp;<strong>Possante</strong>, <strong>Phillip </strong>placed 11th at Aachen. It was Possante&rsquo;s third international appearance this season after finishing third at TerraNova CCI4*-S (Qualifier 6) and second at the Cosequin&reg; Lexington CCI4*-S (Qualifier 11). At the CCI4*-L level, however, Possante&rsquo;s show jumping has been a challenge; on both of his appearances at the level, he had two rails down on the final day (Boekelo 2024, Tryon 2024).</p>
<p dir="ltr">With Denim, Phillip finished 14th in Aachen. Though younger than Possante (12 YO),&nbsp;<strong>Denim </strong>(10 YO) has had better CCI4*-L results. Two of his three appearances at the level include an eighth place finish at Blenheim last year after a fifth at Tryon - both times adding just time penalties to his dressage score.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Blenheim result - eighth out of 78 competitors - was especially impressive and contributed to Denim&rsquo;s rank as the <strong>number two 10-year-old in the US right now according to the EquiRatings Elo Rating</strong>. The only 10-YO ahead of him is Paris Olympian HSH Blake (Caroline Pamukcu).&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Right now, Phillip is our Series leader on 215 points. <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/theres-still-a-big-chance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">If he is still atop the leaderboard come season-end</a>, he will earn $25,000 before the Final even rolls around. It&rsquo;s been four years since Phillip has contested the Morven Park CCI4*-L but maybe this year he's planning to carry his Series momentum into even more winnings.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Blake</h2>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ee69af69-6c83-4f34-a7bb-0e04703d3444.jpg?width=5728&amp;height=5345" alt="The dark bay horse HSH Blake with Caroline Pamukcu exiting the Kentucky Horse Park dressage arena after their test. Caroline smiles and Blake has a pleasant, ears-pricked expression."></p>
<p><strong><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;">Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Blake. Photo by Tilly Berendt.</em></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Two rails down on Friday and 18.0 time penalties on Saturday saw <strong>Caroline </strong>and <strong>HSH Blake </strong>finishing 27th in Aachen. The pair did however produce the lowest first-phase score of the US combinations and they reclaimed their clear-jumping ways across the country after penalties at the Paris Olympics and 2025 Cosequin&reg; Lexington CCI4*-S.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">When HSH Blake was selected for Paris, it wasn&rsquo;t a big surprise for those of us on the EquiRatings team. We&rsquo;d seen him climbing up our ratings and, as a young horse,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cxfc7yjIuPe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">we had him pegged for LA 2028</a> but Paris 2024 was no stretch either. So, because it seems like he&rsquo;s been on our radar forever, it feels weird that Blake has &ldquo;only&rdquo; done eight top-level (CCI4*/5*) events in his career. Starting with TerraNova CCI4*-S in March 2023, he's done six CCI4*-S events including this weekend, the Olympics, and just one CCI4*-L at Tryon 2024.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That one CCI4*-L outing happened to be a 28.6 finish-on-dressage score to secure the win. According to the EquiRatings High Performance Rating (HPR) which quantifies the quality of any given result, it was the pair&rsquo;s best-ever performance (HPR of 98). So, will Blake go to Morven Park 2025? It&rsquo;s a data-set of one, but so far CCI4*-L looks good on him.</p>
<h2><strong>Series Standings as of July 8th, 2025 (After Qualifier 14):</strong></h2>
<p><em style="font-size: 93%; color: #999999;">See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier,&nbsp;<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d157fc24-3f4a-4051-97fd-f08a6dbc9f19.png?width=675&amp;height=844" alt="Current Series Leaders after Qualifier 14 (Maryland Int.)"></p>
<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>
<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>

Close-up of the bay horse Off The Record & rider Will Coleman galloping on a cross country course during competition. Both have a look of concentration.

From Germany to Virginia? The USA's CHIO Aachen riders all have previous form at Morven Park CCI4*-L.

<p dir="ltr">During this brief break in the US Equestrian Open calendar, all three of our Series leaders are competing on the world stage at CHIO Aachen (Germany) this week. Aachen, like all of the US Equestrian Open qualifiers, is a CCI4*-S and its one of the toughest CCI4*-S events in the world. How might our Series leaders fare abroad?</p>
<h3><strong>Series Standings as of July 4th, 2025 (After Qualifier 14):</strong></h3>
<p><em style="font-size: 93%; color: #999999;">See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier,&nbsp;<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</em></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d157fc24-3f4a-4051-97fd-f08a6dbc9f19.png?width=675&amp;height=844" alt="Current Series Leaders after Qualifier 14 (Maryland Int.)"></p>
<h2><strong>Phillip Dutton with Possante and Denim</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color: rgb(109, 114, 114);"><em>Current Series leader (in the $25K position) | 215 points</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Possante&nbsp;</strong>and Phillip&rsquo;s last international run was a <strong>second-place finish in the Cosequin&reg; Lexington 4*-S (Qualifier 11)</strong> where they earned 45 Series points. It was the pair&rsquo;s third top-three placing at the level of their five CCI4*-S appearances together. CHIO Aachen is known for a cross country-course that surprises even the world&rsquo;s best but if anyone knows how to handle whatever a cross-country course throws at you, it&rsquo;s one Phillip Dutton.</p>
<p>Plus, together, this pair have never had a CCI4*-S cross-country jumping fault so there is a big opportunity for them to move up the Aachen leaderboard come Saturday.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Possante&rsquo;s younger stablemate at just 10 years-old, <strong>Denim </strong>finished fourth in this year&rsquo;s Cosequin&reg; Lexington 4*-S which was also his latest international outing. He is ranked as a reliable cross-country jumper and is the most-reliable show jumper in the field.</p>
<h2><strong>Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color: rgb(109, 114, 114);"><em>Currently second place in the Series (in the $15K position) | 185 Points</em></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><span style="color: rgb(126, 140, 141);"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d03b7e99-5f24-43a0-a2c0-abaa556da494.jpg?width=4914&amp;height=3592" alt="Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS at the Paris Olympics. Photo by Tilly Berendt."></span></em></p>
<p><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;">Jessica Phoenix &amp;&nbsp;Freedom GS at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo by Tilly Berendt.</em></p>
<p>Paris Olympians&nbsp;<strong>Jess </strong>and <strong>Freedom GS </strong>are both making their CHIO Aachen debut. Freedom has earned Jess 80 of her 185 total Series points so far, doing so with a win at TerraNova this spring (Qualifier 6) and a <strong>third in the Cosequin&reg; Lexington 4*-S (Qualifier 11).</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/well-take-almost-every-horse-weve-got" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jess is seriously targeting her string for the Series Final this October (Morven Park CCI4*-L)</a> and this additional appearance on the European stage (after Paris) will only add even more valuable experience under Freedom&rsquo;s belt, a horse who is a top contender for the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/eventing-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Series-ending $200,000 prize pot</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Blake</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color: rgb(109, 114, 114);"><em>Currently third place in the Series (in the $10K position) | 155 Points</em></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><span style="color: rgb(126, 140, 141);"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/106c84f1-3bb2-49f9-a493-049709f09149.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="HSH Blake and Caroline Pamukcu at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo by Tilly Berendt."></span></em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em><span style="color: rgb(126, 140, 141);"><em style="font-size: 90%; color: #999999;">Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Blake at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo by Tilly Berendt.</em></span></em></p>
<p dir="ltr">With <strong>She&rsquo;s The One</strong>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLiOgDtN2Go/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caroline won the latest Series qualifier at Maryland International</a> (Qualifier 14) last weekend. Thanks also to a fifth place finish with <strong>HSH Tolan King</strong>, Caroline added 60 total Series points at that event, moving from fifth to third in the standings (and into the money positions).</p>
<p dir="ltr">Now, with her Paris Olympic mount and Pan American Champion, Caroline will want to get her groove back with her special <strong>HSH Blake:</strong>&nbsp;At Paris, they incurred 20 cross country points; they returned to international competition with a CCI3*-S in Carolina this spring - no issues there; but then they contested the Cosequin&reg; Lexington 4*-S (Qualifier 11) in April and got a 15-point flag penalty. A clean cross country round here will be particularly important for this pair.<br><br>HSH Blake is rated as one of the fastest horses in the CHIO Aachen field and it's typically tight for time at the venue. Blake's speed will be of great advantage on the Aachen leaderboard if paired with a clear round, which their both well-able to produce.&nbsp;</p>
<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>
<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 dark bay horse HSH Blake and Caroline Pamukcu leave a dressage arena after completing a dressage test. HSH Blake has a content, ears-pricked expression and Caroline smiles.

Rebecca Farm CCI4*-S Preview

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Rebecca Farm CCI4*-S Preview

The Trio at the Top: What the Top 10 Freestyles Say About This Season

Mai Baum Returns to Rebecca Farm for His Farewell

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Qualifiers

US Equestrian Open Final Partner Venues

Series Partners