<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">🎧 <strong>Listen:</strong>&nbsp;<a class="reset interactable cursor-pointer decoration-1 underline-offset-1 text-super hover:underline" href="https://pod.fo/e/3c5f03" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><span class="text-box-trim-both">Special Preview Podcast</span></a><br>📄&nbsp;<strong>Download:</strong>&nbsp;<a class="reset interactable cursor-pointer decoration-1 underline-offset-1 text-super hover:underline" href="https://qr.equiratings.com/076d87a2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><span class="text-box-trim-both">Printable Start List</span></a><br><span class="text-box-trim-both">📄&nbsp;<strong>View:</strong> <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/us-open-final-jumping-fan-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Fan Guide</a></span></p>
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<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><em><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3d276e5b-d777-4812-91c6-d31617eafed3.png?width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="Open Newsletter Graphics Field Strength"></em></p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">The last ten editions of this class have seen a&nbsp;<strong>first-round clear rate of just 18%</strong>, meaning only about seven riders typically make it through to the jump-off. With such elite talent tonight, that number may rise slightly&mdash;but not by much.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>Key detail:</strong>&nbsp;Riders will start the jump-off in the same order as the first round&rsquo;s draw. That means Germany&rsquo;s&nbsp;<strong>Richard Vogel</strong>&nbsp;and Ireland&rsquo;s&nbsp;<strong>Shane Sweetnam</strong> could face times to beat from top US riders if all make it through.&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 id="germanys-dominance-continues" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0"><strong>Germany&rsquo;s Dominance Continues?</strong></h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9c334106-10a6-4b68-bfa0-bf5cc8e7681d.png?width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="Open Newsletter Graphics Previous Winners"></p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Germany has long ruled this class.&nbsp;<strong>Christian Kukuk</strong>&nbsp;returns as the defending champion, having won the last two years with&nbsp;<strong>Checker 47</strong>, the Olympic champion. The prior year&rsquo;s winner,&nbsp;<strong>Richard Vogel</strong>, is back too&mdash;this time on&nbsp;<strong>Gangster Mondesir</strong>, a rising star with a perfect five-for-five clear record at 5* 1.60m level and a recent win over&nbsp;<strong>Greya</strong>&nbsp;earlier this season.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Keep an eye on these two: their consistency and precision have proven unstoppable in Wellington. Vogel is in incredible form and feels unbeatable. And he is late to go. We want to keep the Open on home soil but this feels ominous.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 id="win-chances-before-the-first-round" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0"><strong>Win Chances Before the First Round</strong></h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><em><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5f5503d4-7932-4424-afc3-2fcdf9258be5.png?width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="Open Newsletter Graphics Win Chances"></em></p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Pre-competition probabilities show a&nbsp;<strong>three-way tie at 9%</strong>&nbsp;between:</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>Kent Farrington &amp; Greya</strong></p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>Eddy Blue (IRL)</strong></p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>James Kann Cruz (IRL)</strong></p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>You can&rsquo;t win if you don&rsquo;t reach the jump-off.</strong> Greya, in particular, shines under pressure&mdash;her jump-off record at this level is exceptional, making her a likely favorite if she posts a first-round clear. Late draw positions could play into some riders&rsquo; hands as well.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><em><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/00f85e8c-335d-49bf-8e74-7925a3346707.png?width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="Open Newsletter Graphics Jump Off"></em></p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Certain riders are simply&nbsp;<em>built</em>&nbsp;for the jump-off. If these names make it through the first round, expect fireworks:</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>James Kann Cruz</strong>&nbsp;(last to go): 21 jump-offs at 5* 1.60m, 19 podiums. Always dangerous, even if not always the winner.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><strong>Ben Maher</strong>: A master tactician known for razor-sharp rounds under pressure.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">When these two enter the ring, clear rounds come often but are they fast enough to win?</p>
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<h2 id="a-possible-history-making-moment" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0"><strong>A Possible History-Making Moment</strong></h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><em><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c81e47d9-aa1c-4a7f-b823-09ad75f539f4.png?width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="Open Newsletter Graphics History Moment"></em></p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Watch closely after the interval.&nbsp;<strong>France&rsquo;s Nina Mallevaey</strong>, the world&rsquo;s top-rated female rider at just 26, heads in with&nbsp;<strong>Dynastie De Beaufour</strong>&nbsp;on an incredible run of&nbsp;<strong>14 consecutive clears at 5* 1.60m level.</strong></p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">If she delivers again tonight, she&rsquo;ll become one of only two horses to reach <strong>15 consecutive clears</strong>, the record is 17 in a row set by <strong>Casall ASK</strong> in 2017. This could be a moment for the history books if she edges past H&amp;M All In.&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 id="dont-miss-a-second" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0"><strong>Don&rsquo;t Miss a Second</strong></h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">With record field strength, razor-thin margins, and the world&rsquo;s best show jumpers under the lights, tonight&rsquo;s Rolex U.S. Equestrian Open Grand Prix promises drama, data, and possible history in the making.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">🎧 Tune in now:&nbsp;<a class="reset interactable cursor-pointer decoration-1 underline-offset-1 text-super hover:underline" href="https://pod.fo/e/3c5f03" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><span class="text-box-trim-both">Special Preview Podcast</span></a><br>📄 Print your start list: <a class="reset interactable cursor-pointer decoration-1 underline-offset-1 text-super hover:underline" href="https://qr.equiratings.com/076d87a2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><span class="text-box-trim-both">Start List with Data</span></a></p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><span class="text-box-trim-both">Watch the action tonight on USEF Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_EU/events/18390/wef-week-12-csi5-rolex-finale-week" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch here</a></span></p>
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<h2 id="the-vision-of-the-us-equestrian-open" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4"><strong>The Vision of the US Equestrian Open</strong></h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><em>The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US Equestrian sport. Its mission is to increase awareness and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series. With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season for fan engagement. The series is anchored by core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic entertaining experience onsite, all designed to benefit the family of USEF disciplines and breeds.</em></p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2"><em>The US Equestrian Open spans the three disciplines&mdash;Jumping, Eventing, and Dressage&mdash;with USEF contributing $200,000 in prize money to each final to ensure high-stakes competitive integrity. The Jumping Final returns to Wellington International from March 24&ndash;29, 2026, followed by the Eventing Final at Morven Park from October 8&ndash;11, 2026. The season concludes with the Dressage Final at the Desert International Horse Park from November 11&ndash;15, 2026. You can follow along with the unfolding stories and sport updates at&nbsp;<a class="reset interactable cursor-pointer decoration-1 underline-offset-1 text-super hover:underline" href="http://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><span class="text-box-trim-both">www.usequestrianopen.org</span></a>, on our video series&nbsp;The Open Road, and on our weekly podcast.</em></p>

The Rolex U.S. Equestrian Open Grand Prix: What to Expect Tonight in Wellington

1. Jumping

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Wellington CSI5* Grand Prix

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Morven Park CCI4*-L

3. Dressage

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Main

<p dir="ltr">On Thursday afternoon in the sun in Wellington, we watched for news as to which of the top 12 would come back to jump in the Round 2. Laura Kraut and Bisquetta would not be back. Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie the same. These are going to be major contenders for the Saturday night final and it felt like a decision to save them. Richie Vogel had chosen Cloudio for the qualifier and he was coming back. He would go on to finish in second place and guarantee himself a late draw for Saturday. The decision to come back also meant something else, we are going to see a different horse on Saturday - and it is an absolute star. <br><br>The CSI5* Week 5, $500,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix here at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington went to Gangster Montdesir. They jumped double clear and stopped the clock in 42.65 seconds to win against a 715‑Elo field. Widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted riders on the circuit, Vogel looks to have found his next superstar in Gangster, a 10‑year‑old who has already proven he belongs at the very top of the sport.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/66ff2db6-86fb-4112-b0c1-2951572a8ea7.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Field Stength"></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Why Richie is on such hot form</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Over the past 12 months at 1.55&ndash;1.60m, Vogel and Gangster have multiple CSI5* victories and podiums across Lyon, Barcelona, Thermal, and Wellington, while consistently jumping clear in round one against high field strengths. At Lyon&rsquo;s CSI5*-W Longines Grand Prix in October 2025, they delivered a double clear to win from a 49‑strong field, improving Gangster&rsquo;s top‑level Elo from 590 to 649. That was the first major statement. They were second in the CSI5*-W Longines World Cup qualifier in Arcadia and then of course had the big win in Wellington. Rated 733, this horse is now in the top four 10 year old horses in the world.&nbsp;<br><br>Of course, United Touch S remains the big name in the stable. A couple of weeks ago they won the &euro;1,000,000 Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters CSI5*, the first Major of the 2026 Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, producing a blazing, clear jump‑off in 39.42 seconds.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The momentum carried straight to Florida. At World Equestrian Center &ndash; Ocala this past weekend, Vogel anchored Team Germany to victory in the $770,000 Longines League of Nations CSIO5*-LLN on Cloudio, delivering crucial clear rounds under maximum pressure as the last rider in the ring. He then capped the week by winning the $65,000 The Dutta Corp. Grand Prix CSI2* with Cardentos and adding podium finishes in the Winning Round class with Quizas van&rsquo;t Hulsbos and Cardentos, turning Ocala into another multi‑horse, multi‑class statement of form.<br><br>Yesterday in Wellington he won on Michael Jackson and today, was second with Cloudio.&nbsp;<br><br>Already a Wellington winner with Gangster&ndash; and a former winner of the class with Cepano Baloubet.&nbsp; It will be no surprise if we see another German winner on Saturday night.&nbsp;</p>

Superstar Gangster

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<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Finally the day is here. The first of two qualifiers which lead us into the US Equestrian Open of Jumping Final.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h2 id="how-todays-qualifier-works" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">How today&rsquo;s qualifier works</h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Sixty horses and riders come forward in the CSI5* $116,100 Adequan WEF Challenge Cup, the first official qualifier for the US Equestrian Open Jumping Final.&nbsp;<br><br><strong>The competition runs over two rounds: every combination jumps Round 1, then the top 12 on faults and time come back for Round 2</strong> to decide today&rsquo;s prize money and ranking.</p>
<h2 id="how-to-qualify-for-saturday" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">How to qualify for Saturday</h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Thirty of today&rsquo;s 60 starters will book their ticket to the Final: the 12 who jump again in Round 2, plus the next 18 best-placed combinations from Round 1 who do not return.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">Tomorrow night offers a second chance: another qualifier will add 10 more spots to complete the 40‑strong Final line‑up alongside any pre‑qualified riders.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">That means some horses we see today are here purely to secure qualification; riders may swap to a different top horse for the Grand Prix itself once they are safely through.</p>
<h2 id="stars-to-watch" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">Stars to watch</h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">There is still plenty of star power on show: Laura Kraut brings the ultra‑consistent Bisquetta, Nina Mallevaey lines up with in‑form Dynastie de Beaufor, and Karl Cook partners the electric Caracole de la Roque.</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">These combinations arrive with strong recent CSI5* form and high Elo ratings in 1.55m classes, marking them out as serious threats for both today&rsquo;s win and Saturday night&rsquo;s spotlight.</p>
<h2 id="follow-along" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">Follow along</h2>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">For the full picture on every horse and rider, <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/fanguide-jumpingqualifier1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out the detailed Fan Guide</a> for today&rsquo;s qualifier on the US Equestrian Open site:</p>
<p class="my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2">You can also dive into the <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/fanguide-jumpingqualifier1/the-startlist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">complete start list and running order here</a>.&nbsp;</p>
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Qualifier 1: From 60 to 30

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<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The US Equestrian Open Eventing Series heads into its first of three double-headers of the 2026 season this weekend. The Event at TerraNova will see the Florida contingent tackle the 4*-S, while Galway Downs in California offers a first look at a West Coast field.&nbsp;<br><br>Last weekend reshuffled the Series leaderboard, with Caroline Pamukcu moving into the lead ahead of Boyd Martin and Will Coleman, who moved into a tie for second. None of the three are fielding horses this weekend - leaving the door right open for the chasing pack.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 data-pm-slice="1 1 []">The Event at TerraNova</h2>
<p>TerraNova returns for its sixth consecutive year as a CCI4*, having first run at this level in 2021. With two editions held in both 2024 and 2025, this weekend will crown the eighth winner of the class.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s a venue known for testing jumping phases with only two combinations having ever finished on their dressage score and both came last year.<strong> Jessica Phoenix </strong>and <strong>Fluorescent Adolescent </strong>did it to win in March 2025 and return here to defend, as well as <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/family-fate-and-five-star" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brooke Burchianti </strong>and <strong>Cooley Space Grey.</strong></a></p>
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<h3 data-start="293" data-end="582"><strong>Who wins?</strong></h3>
<p data-start="293" data-end="582"><strong>Monica Spencer</strong> and <strong>Artist </strong>lead the pre-event predictions on 24% win chance on the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/terranova_4s_march2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a>, and it's easy to see why. The New Zealand combination are making their 2026 Series debut this weekend, their last run being a landmark second place at the Maryland five-star last autumn. <strong>Artist </strong>carries the second best dressage average in the field (a 26.9 6RA) and is known for his speed cross country. While people may doubt his show jumping, <strong>Artist </strong>has actually jumped far more clears than not at the 4*-S level (5 from 8).</p>
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<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/terranova_4s_march2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/350a6592-f07c-47be-b9a3-afd52cf754e1.png?width=1114&amp;height=817" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 25 171344"></a></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Dan Kreitl&nbsp;</strong>and <strong>Carmango </strong>sit second on 21%. The combination previously finished second here back in 2023, posting what remains the second-best finishing score the class has ever seen. They missed the entire 2025 international season, so TerraNova marks their return to the level and therefore, their first time competing in a US Equestrian Open qualifier. On the strength of their history here, though, they'll carry plenty of confidence back onto familiar ground.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8ed9a2d6-b673-49d9-9511-853655172672.JPG?width=3203&amp;height=2176" alt="06.30.23 Kreitl Carmango"><em>Dan Kreitl &amp;&nbsp;Carmango at CHIO Aachen in 2023</em></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Canada's <strong>Colleen Loach</strong> and <strong>FE Golden Eye</strong> come in third on 17%, and they represent one of the most compelling storylines in the field. Like <strong>Carmango</strong>, the combination sat out 2025 but they made a statement return at Bouckaert earlier this year, winning the 3*-S. Their show jumping record is extraordinary: <strong>FE Golden Eye </strong>has not knocked a rail at international level since April 2022, a streak that now stands at 17 consecutive clear rounds. Loach and<strong> FE Golden Eye</strong> were part of Canada's gold-medal team at the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games, and finished 6th individually. Their class is not in question but a return from a break at the top-level is.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Alyssa Phillips</strong> and <strong>Rockett 19</strong> are worth watching closely at 16% win chance. At just 11 years old, Rockett 19 arrives on the back of three consecutive podium finishes, including a second at the Maryland 3*-L last October. He is one of the highest rated US 11-year-old's on the EquiRatings Elo - sitting ahead of Series regulars like <strong>HSH Double Sixteen </strong>and <strong>King's Especiale. </strong>This is the horse's first 4*-S, and how he handles the step up in level will be worth watching.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/123fab0c-4f0f-4157-94de-117494559e6f.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="Img L4011"></strong><em>Alyssa Phillips &amp; Rockett 19</em></p>
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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]"><strong>Galway Downs International</strong></h2>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">California's Galway Downs will be our first proper look at this year's West Coast contenders. It is also a reminder of a broader dynamic within the series. West Coast qualifiers are likely to always carry 40 points rather than 50, but with six legs on the western side of the country, the gap is far from insurmountable.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Read more on whether a west-coast contender could win the whole Series:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/is-the-us-equestrian-open-winnable-from-the-west-coast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/is-the-us-equestrian-open-winnable-from-the-west-coast</a><br><br>Additionally, this is one of only two CCI4*-S competitions on the West Coast before athletes will head east for Kentucky. It makes it a key prep run for combinations targeting the major spring events and an early read on form.</p>
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Who wins?</h3>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Tommy Greengard</strong> leads the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/galwaydowns_4s_march2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a> on 33% with <strong>That's Me Z.</strong> The nine-year-old is already proving himself at the level: last year, the pair were second at this venue on their 4*-S debut, and have since added two more podium finishes at the level. Greengard knows what it takes to win a series qualifier &mdash; he took Aspen Farm last year with <strong>Joshuay MBF </strong>&mdash; and at only nine, <strong>That's Me Z</strong> is an exciting horse to follow this weekend.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/galwaydowns_4s_march2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1e037f7b-6081-4cae-a4d1-a8cab86794a4.png?width=1254&amp;height=607" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 25 174834"></a></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Greengard also brings <strong>Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad </strong>on a 23% win chance. This will be the 11-year-old's 4* debut, but his international record gives every reason for optimism: six international starts, five podiums - two of which are wins. On these six starts, they have never once knocked a showjumping pole.&nbsp; A debut at the short format feels well within their capabilities.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Karen O'Neal a</strong>nd <strong>Clooney 14 c</strong>ome in third on 17%. This is an experienced combination with wins at both 4*-L and 4*-S level. They are proven winners at the top of the game, and not to be underestimated.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Megan McIver</strong> and <strong>Igor B</strong> sit behind on 13%. If you haven't read about how McIver came to partner with <strong>Igor B, </strong>and the journey they've been on since, check it out here: <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/seventh-into-selection" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/seventh-into-selection</a></p>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/seventh-into-selection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b3ecc5e8-b420-4d87-bd6b-fc24c87828dd.jpeg?width=4000&amp;height=2667" alt="7 Fcbbbdb 4012 4 A5 B A10 F 9 F7 B6 F16283 D (1)"></a></div>
<div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"><em>Megan McIver &amp;&nbsp;Igor B | Photo: Atalya Boytner Photography</em></div>
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Dan Kreitl and Carmango and Tommy Greengard and That's Me Z

A Tale of Two Coasts: TerraNova and Galway Downs Deliver a Double-Header Weekend

<p dir="ltr">When the Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final lights up the International Arena on Saturday night, fans are likely to be watching the most powerful Grand Prix fields ever assembled at Wellington International and one of the best 20 rated fields of the last 15 years.&nbsp;</p>
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<p dir="ltr">EquiRatings&rsquo; ELO model rates every horse based on how it performs round‑by‑round against the quality of opposition, updating after every result. In simple terms, the higher the ELO, the more consistently that horse is beating strong fields; horses in the 770+ range are operating right at the top of the sport.​</p>
<p dir="ltr">To measure the quality of a Grand Prix line‑up, EquiRatings uses a field‑strength rating: the average current ELO of the top 25 horses on the start list.​<br><br>Every big name that makes it through Thursday and Friday&rsquo;s qualifiers can move that field‑strength number significantly.​</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">When Checker 47 and Christian Kukuk claimed the Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final last year, they did it against what was&mdash;at the time&mdash;the strongest Grand Prix field Wellington had ever seen, with a field‑strength rating of 730.​</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/66ff2db6-86fb-4112-b0c1-2951572a8ea7.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Field Stength"><br><br>That number was boosted by the presence of King Edward, the highest rated horse in the world at the time. He hasn&rsquo;t jumped at the top level since that weekend last year. <br><br>This year, though, the story is about depth rather than a single outlier: qualifier‑dependent, the 2026 line‑up is on track to deliver the strongest top‑25 Wellington has ever seen, and potentially the highest‑rated Grand Prix field in the venue&rsquo;s history.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Last year&rsquo;s field was rated 730, a WEF record. The best 25 horses on this year&rsquo;s long list currently averages closer to 748, a difference that comes from the sheer number of horses clustered in that high‑760/770 band.<br><br><strong>On current ratings, if the strongest combinations make it into Saturday night&rsquo;s final, the projected field‑strength average for the top 25 could land in the 735&ndash;745 range.​</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Those numbers matter in a global context. Since 2010, the 2024 Geneva Grand Prix (field‑strength 759) and the 2025 Dutch Masters (754) are the top fields. If we see a rating above 730 on Saturday, we will be watching the best ever here. If it clears 740, it would sit inside the top ten strongest rated Grand Prix fields anywhere in the world since 2010; even a rating of 735+ would secure a place inside the all‑time top twenty.​<br>​<br>Whatever the final number, the 2026 Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final is on track to be both one of the best ever Wellington fields and one of the highest‑rated Grand Prix classes anywhere in the world.<br><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5a51bc0d-7044-42fe-9533-48dc36749820.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Field Strength All Wef"></p>

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