Three weeks from now, Wellington International will host the Rolex US Equestrian Open Final, the climax of a 12 weeks of showjumping at WEF. But before that, there is one more five-star Grand Prix to run. Saturday night's CSI5* $500,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix is the last chance for combinations to prove they are arriving to Week 12 with momentum, form, and a statement already made under the lights.
It is also, historically, a Grand Prix that makes new stars. Eight of the last ten winners were claiming their first-ever CSI5* Grand Prix victory when they crossed the timers in Wellington. The course is tougher than almost anywhere else on the global circuit with a 16% Round 1 clear rate over the past decade, against a global five-star average of 28&ndash;35%. Whoever wins here on Saturday night will have earned it.
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Who are the US Contenders?</h2>
Kent Farrington &amp; Greya are the form combination of the WEF season and arguably one of the most in-form combinations in the world right now. Greya is currently the third-highest rated horse globally on the EquiRatings Elo system and will be the ones the rest of the field are measuring themselves against. Together, this partnership have nine five-star Grand Prix and carry a 58% predicted clear probability tonight, the highest in the field. Their jump-off record is equally imposing: 11 clears from 15, nine wins, a 60% win rate once they reach the second round. A win here would be the perfect statement of intent ahead of the Open Final.
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e906ea7f-bd51-44a6-8ee7-1fd12b2d4106.png?width=1362&amp;height=1488" alt="X6d Ek Wef 9 the Ones on Form ">
Marilyn Little &amp; La Contessa are the form horse of the US squad coming into this week. Four clears from their last five rounds at five-star level. This is an 80% strike rate, the highest recent clear rate of any combination in tonight's field. Most recently, they jumped a double clear in last weekend's CSIO4* Nations Cup that helped seal Team USA's victory. Little has been building quietly and convincingly.&nbsp;
McLain Ward &amp; High Star Hero already have their Week 7 5* 160 Grand Prix win on the board this season. In a jump off, they remain one of the most dangerous combinations in the field. Six clears from eight jump-offs, four wins, a 63% podium rate. Ward's experience in a speed round is a known quantity at this level. Their Round 1 clear rate of 43% suggests the first round can be a slightly bigger hurdle than for some of their rivals but if they make the jump-off, the numbers say they are very likely to finish on the podium.
Laura Kraut &amp; Bisquetta bring five-star pedigree and experience. A 52% clear rate at this level, a Rolex Grand Prix of Dublin win, and a 47% predicted clear probability tonight. Bisquetta has already shown she can jump clear when a course asks hard questions and this one will.
Callie Schott &amp; Garant are perhaps the quietest name in the US group, but the data is not quiet. An Elo rating of 752, a double clear in last weekend's CSIO4* Nations Cup, and a 44% predicted clear probability. Garant is one of the highest-rated horses in the field and Schott's composure on course has been consistent throughout the season. A strong result here would add real weight to their Week 12 credentials.
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8e07536e-28ef-4029-ba97-5415ac650bf6.png?width=1362&amp;height=1488" alt="X6d Ek Wef 9 the Ones on Form (1)">
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Who are the International Threats?</h2>
The US does not have this to itself. Darragh Kenny &amp; Eddy Blue sit second in predicted clear probability at 56%, fractionally behind Farrington. Eddy Blue's 58% non-jump-off clear rate at this level is elite. They sit only behind Farrington on the EquiRatings Prediction Centre with a 9% win chance. Daniel Bluman &amp; Corbie V.V. arrive with momentum: eight clears in their last nine top-level starts, a CSI4* Grand Prix win in Ocala as their most recent outing, and a 64% clear rate over 14 rounds. In a jump-off, Bluman is a proven operator. Their win probability sits equal to Bisquetta and Dallas Vegas Batilly. This is a combination that cannot be written off.
Ben Maher &amp; Katanga V/h Dingeshof represent the broadest five-star CV in the international group. Seven jump-off clears from 13 (54%), nearly half resulting in a podium. The 2024 Olympic gold medallist partnership is competing in their first five-star Grand Prix of 2026 - rustiness or sharpness, Saturday night will tell.&nbsp;
Nicola Philippaerts &amp; Katanga v/h Dingeshof bring more five-star 160 experience than anyone else in the field, 135 rounds with a 50% clear rate and a 40% jump-off clear rate across 20 attempts. Volume and reliability are hard to discount when the pressure is on.
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Forty combinations are set to start. EquiRatings predicts six clear rounds, well below the global five-star average, in a class that has consistently delivered a small, hard-fought jump-off. Around 51% of those who make it to the second round have historically gone double clear here. The margin between winning and the rest is rarely more than a fraction of a second.
Three weeks from now, the US Equestrian Open Final takes centre stage. Before that, Saturday night in Wellington offers the last word in the five-star conversation and the combinations who deliver it will carry that confidence into Week 12.

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Main

The dressage and show jumping phases are done. Now comes the part that defines Bouckaert.
Historically, this course rewards the bold. Just 67% of Bouckaert's 247 starters have jumped cross-country clear, all time, and only 2% have done so inside the time. Saturday will separate the serious competitors from the field.
<a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide</a>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Most Consistent Cross Country Jumpers</h2>
At the top of EquiRatings' cross-country rankings sits Boyd Martin and Commando 3, who also leads the pre-event predictions with a 20% win chance - the highest in the field. His adjusted XC figure of +33% is the standout number among the jumpers, reflecting a horse who consistently clears more than the courses he faces would suggest. Last year, Commando 3 had to podiums at the five-star level and is a known quantity at the sharp end of big events.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/54aa9698-d765-4307-af12-f1160e6c57fc.png?width=1021&amp;height=1322" alt=" Bouckaert Spring 2026 Insta Size (4)">
Second in the rankings is Phelps and Mia Farley, whose adjusted figure of +31% trails only Commando 3. In 20 international starts, Phelps has only ever picked up cross country penalties once. He has jumped clear on some of the toughest courses in the sport; Morven Park 4*L, Maryland 5*, Kentucky 5*, and many more.
Third in the rankings is Lainey Ashker and Lovedance, with an adjusted figure of +30%. The caveat is that those numbers are built largely on their 3* record as the pair have only contested one CCI4*-S together, which ended in elimination. However, with two wins and two third-place finishes across three years of international competition, the talent is clear. The question now is whether they can translate that form into a clean four-star run at Bouckaert today.
Fourth in the rankings is Ali Kuhn and Little Hail, with an adjusted figure of +27%. The 15.1hh OTTB, who is instantly recognisable in their signature pink cross-country colours, captured hearts at last year's Kentucky 4* with a clear round, and this weekend they contest their second four-star at Bouckaert.
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Fastest Horses in the Field</h2>
<div style="overflow: hidden;"><img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 16px 24px; width: 340px; height: auto;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7886516b-dd2c-49fb-8b3d-8e1d7352c6de.png?width=643&amp;height=1350" alt="Bouckaert Spring 2026">
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Topping the speed rankings are Phelps and Mia Farley and HSH Double Sixteen ridden by Caroline Pamukcu, both with a Top Speed Percentage of 94%.&nbsp;
Few horses in eventing carry the reputation Phelps does on a cross country course. The iconic thoroughbred announced himself to the wider world at the Maryland 5* in 2023 as the only horse inside the time, a result that placed him in the top 10. The last time this combination contested Bouckaert (2024), Mia used the event as a prep run for Kentucky, carrying 22 time penalties in a deliberately measured round. Whether their plan is to go fast or slow, it is always a pleasure to see a fan favourite like Phelps back out on a cross-country course.
HSH Double Sixteen's speed credentials come with impressive records behind them. The pair were clear inside the time at Stable View's CCI4*-S last September, becoming just the second combination in the past five years to achieve it at that event. That performance helped secure the win, making HSH Double Sixteen one of only two horses to record two qualifier victories in the 2025 Series - the first coming at this very event exactly 12 months ago. They proved their speed again at the US Equestrian Open Final at Morven Park, where they were the first combination of the day to finish inside the time.
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Numbers Behind Saturday</h2>
Of the last ten Bouckaert winners, the cross country phase has been the decisive factor. Just 2% of all starters have ever gone clear and inside the time here, a stark reminder of what the course asks.
The historical XC clear rate sits at 67%, meaning roughly one in three starters will pick up cross-country jumping faults. Whether the leaders from Friday hold their positions,&nbsp; or whether the course reshuffles the deck entirely, is the story of Saturday.
The action begins at 12:10 p.m. EST. Watch live and free on the USEF Network.
<a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide</a>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-bouckaert-opens-vaughn-takes-the-lead-and-cook-shines-at-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a></h2>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
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.
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;
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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.
</section>

Cross Country day at Bouckaert Farm

The US Equestrian Open of Eventing begins! The action begins in Bouckaert this weekend and with it comes a maximum points opportunity: more than 25 horses are entered at the CCI4*-S, meaning 50 points are on offer for the winner.
<a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide &mdash; How to Follow</a>
The dressage phase kicks off Friday at 8:30 a.m., with show jumping later that afternoon at 1:15 p.m. Cross-country takes place Saturday at 12:10 p.m (All times are EST).
Fans can follow all the action live and for free on the USEF Network livestream.
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<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h3>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Dressage</h2>
<img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 16px 24px; width: 340px; height: auto;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/05520aa7-6bab-471e-ab3d-cc369e18abfb.png?width=784&amp;height=1308" alt="Bouckaert Spring 2026">
Based on EquiRatings' 6RA (the average of a horse's last six FEI dressage scores) Isabelle Bosley's Conner heads the entire field with a 6RA of 24.9. In Conner's eight international starts, he has never scored above 30.0 in dressage. His most recent outing was a win at the CCI3*-L at Maryland in October, where he posted a 24.8. He is only nine years old and is moving up to the four-star short level for the first time this weekend.
That step up matters. The CCI4*-S test introduces greater complexity and difficulty, including flying changes, which Conner has not been asked to perform in international competition before. Whether he can carry his exceptional dressage form into a harder test is one of the key questions of Friday morning. The potential is clearly there. And if he does delivers, the venue record could be under threat. The best score ever recorded here is a 25.1 from Buck Davidson and Carlevo in 2022.
Boyd Martin enters four horses in the field, and his Commando 3 ranks second in dressage with a 6RA of 27.6. Commando 3 finished on the podium twice at five-star level last year and is a known quantity at this level. Martin and Commando 3 carry a 20% win chance heading into the weekend, the highest in the field.
Just three of the last 10 Bouckaert winners were leading after dressage. The course here has consistently exerted itself in the jumping phases. In fact, only one combination in the entire history of the Bouckaert CCI4*-S, across 280 starters, has ever finished on their dressage score. That was Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino in 2018, who set the Bouckaert record finishing score of 30.0. A record that still stands.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2700730d-9a02-48ad-9508-3dc6877c0239.png?width=1080&amp;height=614" alt=" Bouckaert Spring 2026 Insta Size (2)">
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<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h3>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Show Jumping</h2>
Show jumping follows immediately after dressage on Friday afternoon. To find the best showjumpers in the field, each horse is ranked using three numbers. First, each horse&rsquo;s average jumping penalties from their last six FEI runs. That figure is then compared to the average penalties recorded by all competitors over those same courses, to reflect how difficult the tracks were. The final number adjusts the horse&rsquo;s average against the course average. The lower the figure, the better. It shows a horse jumping better than the overall level of difficulty would suggest.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/efa0d720-d373-4960-b8cc-82528926dbcc.png?width=949&amp;height=1154" alt=" Bouckaert Spring 2026 Insta Size (3)">
Based on this, the top-ranked show jumper in the field is Zachary Brandt and Direct Advance, with an adjusted SJ average of -3.9. Direct Advance has been among the most consistent performers having not&nbsp; knocked a rail since 2023, and even then it was a single pole. He is likely to sit back from the dressage standings, meaning a demanding show jumping course is exactly what he'll be hoping for.
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Connor rank second at -3.6, and HSH Connor brings the longest incoming clear streak in the field: eight consecutive international show jumping rounds without a pole. This partnership also carry a 10% win chance, second only to Boyd Martin.&nbsp;
The historical clear rate at Bouckaert is 35%. 94 of 268 starters have gone clear with no jump or time faults. However, it can vary by year: 2021 saw 15 combinations go clear, while 2016 produced none. Show jumping here is not a formality. Of the last eight show jumping leaders, four went on to win, suggesting it is a significant but not decisive lead indicator.&nbsp;
<a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide &mdash; How to Follow</a>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-bouckaert-opens-vaughn-takes-the-lead-and-cook-shines-at-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
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.
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;
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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.
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Bouckaert Begins: Who to Watch on Friday

Claire Darnell is the statistical favorite heading into Saturday's qualifier in Ocala. She averages 73% across six FEI starts, and no one else in this field is consistently above 71. A win moves her to 35 points on the season, tying Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu for third overall.
That said, Darnell and Harrold S haven't hit peak form yet this season. Their two 2026 starts came in at 70.560% and 73.450% &mdash; one sitting a full three points below their average, the other just at it. Neither remotely approaching the 77% PB that gives her this much separation from the field. If Saturday is the day they finally start pulling that average back up, it won't be a close class. If it isn't, the placings become considerably more interesting.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-axBwn" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: WEC Ocala March CDI3*" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/axBwn/1/" height="515" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">An Unknown Variable</h2>
This weekend, Shelly Francis makes her FEI freestyle debut with Estero, and it's the most interesting variable on the entry list. Their one USEF score puts them within podium range, of course with the caveat that one national result doesn't tell you much about how the FEI test will score. CDI judging can cut both ways: the panel tends to be sharper, but the atmosphere often brings something out in horses that the scores reflect. Whether Estero is that kind of horse is exactly what Saturday is for.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Supporting Cast</h2>
Leonardo Antonio Godoy and Marques Do Lis are also worth watching. Two starts is a thin sample, but both came this season in the Series and they're averaging 71%, second in this field behind Darnell. Currently sitting ninth on the overall leaderboard, a solid finish Saturday likely moves them into the top five.
Charlotte Osborne and Fruhlingszauber are still early in their freestyle career together, having done their first last November. Osborne's PB of 70.775% came at the January Ocala show &mdash; the same day Darnell had one of her below-average starts &mdash; and she averages just under that across three tests. Third is where the data puts her.
Micaela Mabraga&ntilde;a and Belatrix Rh average 68.2% across three Series starts.

Close up of dressage saddle with rider in it

Darnell Enters WEC as Favorite, With Caveats

In this week&rsquo;s&nbsp;US Equestrian Open Podcast, Annie Bishop and Diarmuid Byrne dig into the biggest narratives shaping the series right now. From a new dressage leader to a potential Boyd Martin masterclass in eventing, the episode sets the stage for an exciting stretch of the season.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40305520/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/28427a/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Here are five storylines from the podcast that make this week&rsquo;s episode worth a listen.
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<h2 data-start="658" data-end="701">1.Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn Takes the Dressage Lead</h2>
The <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dressage leaderboard </a>has a new name at the top&nbsp;and it&rsquo;s a story that has been building for a while.
Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and Gino delivered a standout weekend, including a personal best in the Grand Prix Special and a freestyle victory, moving her past Christian Simonson to take the series lead.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/26f73d45-9ce2-4dd7-899b-c777fe4b02e1.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Bo Iwm Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage ">
For the Annie and Diarm, it&rsquo;s also a reminder of how the Open helps turn riders into household names for fans following the journey week to week.
<blockquote data-start="1149" data-end="1362">
&ldquo;Ge&ntilde;ay became a real household name from an Open point of view last year&hellip; the interviews were great, the frequent competing, and the opportunity again, as we're talking about that name recognition, that really helped.&rdquo; - Diarmuid Byrne
</blockquote>
What makes this story even stronger is the East Coast-West Coast element. Vaughn picked up results in Florida earlier in the season before heading back west and winning again. Proof that the series truly spans the country.
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<h2 data-start="1599" data-end="1651">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="1599" data-end="1651">2. The Jumping Final Is Suddenly Three Weeks Away</h2>
The calendar has crept up quickly.&nbsp;In just three weeks, the Rolex US Equestrian Open Final of Jumping will crown a champion and the tension is building.
Annie and Diarm highlight how the season has evolved into a fascinating showdown between US riders and a strong international contingent arriving to challenge them.
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&ldquo;What's really exciting for us from an Open point of view and from an individual final at Wellington point of view is that there there is so many individual superstars now in the US. And of course, as we saw last year, the international talent will come and take them on." - Diarmuid Byrne
</blockquote>
Names like&nbsp;Ben Maher, Richard Vogel, Shane Sweetnam, and Daragh Kenny are part of that international pressure. But the US riders have momentum and they want to keep the Open title on home soil.
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<hr data-start="2350" data-end="2353">
<h2 data-start="2355" data-end="2407">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="2355" data-end="2407">3. The US Nations Cup Win Adds Fuel to the Fire</h2>
Momentum matters and the US team got a big boost at Wellington last week.&nbsp;The United States claimed the CSI04* Nations Cup, reinforcing the idea that the Florida-based US riders are in strong form heading toward the Open final.
One of the standout performances came from Callie Schott, who delivered another reliable round, jumping double clear, as part of the winning effort.
<blockquote data-start="2754" data-end="2862">
&ldquo;There is strength and depth in these wins. These wins are important. The US tend to do pretty well here. I think this is their 11th win over the last 25 years at Wellington Nations Cups. I think it does show a lot of the depth that's available." - Diarmuid Byrne
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="3027" data-end="3030">
<h2 data-start="3032" data-end="3077">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="3032" data-end="3077">4. Eventing Returns With a Stacked Field</h2>
While dressage and jumping have been building their narratives, eventing is finally back on the Open calendar this weekend at Bouckaert.&nbsp;And it&rsquo;s not easing into the season.
The entry list includes series leader Lucienne Bellissimo, Caroline Pamukcu, Tamie Smith and defending Open champion Boyd Martin, who arrives with an entire string of competitive horses.
<blockquote data-start="3446" data-end="3595">
&ldquo;It is a corker of a field. There are so many excellent entries and it will be, assuming everyone starts, in the higher tier of points. So a lot to play for and we've got some really incredible entries here." - Annie Bishop 
</blockquote>
With valuable points on offer early in the season, the leaderboard could shift quickly after this weekend.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="3705" data-end="3708">
<h2 data-start="3710" data-end="3758">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="3710" data-end="3758">5. Boyd Martin Could Shake Up the Leaderboard</h2>
If there&rsquo;s one storyline the podcast keeps circling back to, it&rsquo;s Boyd Martin&rsquo;s depth of horsepower.
Martin arrives with serious depth: Fetiche Des Rouges, Kolbeinn, Commando 3, and Cooley Nutcracker, with the latter two entering as the highest-rated horses in the field.&nbsp;
For Diarmuid Byrne, that opens the door for a huge leaderboard opportunity,
<blockquote data-start="4077" data-end="4214">
&ldquo;If you look back on how this played out last year in terms of winning the series, Boyd tended to weigh in on big heavy weekends, maybe three times in the season. Twice or three times in the season, he took jumps of up to 100 points at a time." - Diarmuid Byrne
</blockquote>
With multiple rides capable of landing near the top of the leaderboard, Martin could emerge from the weekend as a major contender in the <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2026 Open standings.</a>
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Five Storylines Discussed on This Week’s US Equestrian Open Podcast

The 2026 Finals

Wellington CSI5* Grand Prix

Morven Park CCI4*‑L

Desert CDI5* Freestyle

Who to watch at Wellington Week 7

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Who to watch at Wellington Week 7

Cross Country day at Bouckaert Farm

Bouckaert Begins: Who to Watch on Friday

Darnell Enters WEC as Favorite, With Caveats

Five Storylines Discussed on This Week’s US Equestrian Open Podcast

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