<h3 dir="ltr">Show Jumping: Vogel Takes the First 5* of WEF 2026 as the World No. 1 Battle Shifts</h3>
The US Equestrian Open Final: Wellington, Week 12 | Countdown: 6 Weeks
The first of four CSI5* weeks at the Winter Equestrian Festival set a high-stakes tone for what to expect as the circuit builds toward the Rolex finale. Germany&rsquo;s Richard Vogel claimed the $500,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix (1.60m) with the 10-year-old stallion Gangster Montdesir. It was a clinical performance for the rising superstar, marking his fourth clear round from four 5* starts (100% clear rate at the level).
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/297524eb-1727-4b63-bc11-aa562354867f.jpeg?width=1600&amp;height=1424" alt="Img L8956 (1)">
Kent Farrington (USA) was the first to find the path to a clear round in the evening, leading a total of eight combinations into the jump-off. While Farrington and Greya ultimately finished 5th after a pole down, their time of 40.43 seconds was the fastest of the night. It was a solid showing for the home nation, with Lillie Keenan and Argan de Beliard finishing 4th and Spencer Smith taking 6th with Keeneland.
As we suspected in last week&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-freestyle-west-coast-momentum">Open Weekly</a>, the battle for the World No.1 spot was on. Great Britain's Scott Brash has now officially overtaken Kent Farrington to become the new Longines World Number One. This marks exactly 10 years since Brash last held the position. With Brash in fantastic form in Doha&mdash;winning five Grand Prix titles this January alone&mdash;the question remains whether he will make a rare trip to Florida for the ultimate head-to-head with Farrington for the US Equestrian Open title on American soil.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/93f7dc6e-604b-4d1d-913d-73eddaee42db.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a>
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Dressage: A Winning Debut for G&oacute;mez Molina and Servus Ymas&nbsp;</h3>
Next Qualifier: World Equestrian Centre (WEC) February Dressage - 2/11/26 | The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)
AGDF&rsquo;s Friday Night Stars was held on an unusually cold, blustery Wellington night, but the conditions did little to unsettle Pablo G&oacute;mez Molina (ESP) and Servus Ymas. The pair won the CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 74.490%, marking their first FEI freestyle together and G&oacute;mez Molina&rsquo;s first Big Tour victory.
A win on debut at this level is uncommon, particularly when it comes with a horse stepping into a CDI4* environment for the first time and a freestyle originally choreographed for a different partner. &ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s really special because we struggled a little bit to find our groove last year,&rdquo; G&oacute;mez Molina said. &ldquo;We already felt a progression, and I think this just confirmed that we keep growing.&rdquo;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4f2d8584-ab2f-49fb-9781-346d6cd55eec.png?width=909&amp;height=1101" alt="Screenshot 2026 02 10 144916">
Devon Kane finished second on 74.235%, with Susan Dutta third on 72.985%. With a small field and early-season timing, points were modest but still meaningful. Dutta added eight points to her existing Open total, while G&oacute;mez Molina&rsquo;s first Series appearance put both riders on 15 points. That result slots them into a seven-way tie (yes, seven) for eighth place on the leaderboard, while the top seven positions remain unchanged for now.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d2b162d1-db95-4337-bb53-bae7adbf61ea.png?width=1240&amp;height=806" alt="S Ichi Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage (1)">
For G&oacute;mez Molina, the result marked his first Open qualifier appearance since finishing tenth at AGDF 3 in 2025 aboard Ulises de Ymas - a horse who, fittingly, is also Servus Ymas&rsquo;s sole traveling companion. Servus Ymas, the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding, has been produced by G&oacute;mez Molina since age five and is known for being powerful, sharp, and very much his own character. The freestyle, originally built for Ulises de Ymas, was used here as a test of how Servus might handle the demands of the level. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s no better place to try those things than here,&rdquo; G&oacute;mez Molina said.
If a mid-70s score is what the pair can produce with a borrowed program, future outings with a freestyle built specifically for Servus Ymas will be worth watching.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/df3afaab-1f25-4fab-a1dc-c46c608169fb.png?width=1080&amp;height=171" alt="Read More Dressage"></a>
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Eventing: Early Bouckaert Entries Roll In</h3>
Next Qualifier: Bouckaert Farm - 3/5/26 | Countdown: 3 Weeks
The series returns to Georgia next month for the Bouckaert Equestrian International (March 5-8). Early entries are beginning to roll in, and we already have five pairs confirmed for the first qualifier of 2026.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Zach Brandt &amp; Direct Advance: Ocala-based Brandt contested three qualifiers last year with Direct Advance. The now fifteen-year-old jumped double-clear twice for two top-10 finishes.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Mia Farley &amp; Phelps: Last year, Farley used this event as a prep run for the Kentucky 5* with a slower cross-country round that added 22 time penalties. It is always a pleasure to see fan-favorite Phelps back out, particularly in the cross-country phase.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Olivia Dutton &amp; Jewelent: Jewelent will contest his first 4* with Olivia, having previously been campaigned at the level by her father, Phillip Dutton.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Ali Kuhn &amp; Little Hail: This 15.1hh OTTB captured hearts at last year&rsquo;s Kentucky 4* with a clear cross-country round and their signature pink cross-country colors. They will contest their second four-star at Bouckaert.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Jan Byyny &amp; Beautiful Storm: Having contested three qualifiers and the Final last season, this is a long-established combination, with Byyny producing the 11-year-old Thoroughbred since he was three</li>
</ul>
Keep a close eye on the entry list for Lucienne Bellissimo. As our current Series leader, she won the opening qualifier at Bouckaert last October with Dyri. As of last week, Bellissimo now officially <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/new-flag-for-the-frontrunner">represents the United States after changing her nationality from Great Britain.</a> Her decision to change nationality reflects a long-term personal commitment to the country she has called home for many years.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c23492d7-840b-47ef-9003-9f9fdbe46459.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="E Fens Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Eventing (1)">
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/254e09dd-d92e-4194-986b-baf0dbd8460b.png?width=1080&amp;height=158" alt="Read More Eventing"></a>
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<h2 data-path-to-node="4">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-path-to-node="4">Stay in the Loop with The Open Weekly</h2>
Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;The Open Weekly&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>.
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The Open Weekly: The First WEF 5*, Dressage Momentum, and Bouckaert Takes Shape

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<h3 dir="ltr">What is the US Equestrian Open of Eventing?</h3>
The US Equestrian Open of Eventing is a nation-wide Series that brings together top riders and horses across multiple qualifying events, all building toward a championship final at Morven Park.
Throughout the season, riders compete at Qualifiers at the CCI4*-S level to earn series points. Riders can also qualify for the US Equestrian Open Final which has a $200,000 prize pot.&nbsp;
The series is part of a broader US Equestrian Open initiative that also includes Dressage and Jumping disciplines, all designed to create a clear season-long storyline for fans to follow.
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">How does the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Series work?</h3>
The series runs across a set of official qualifiers during the 2025&ndash;2026 season.
At each qualifier:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Riders earn points based on their finishing position</li>
<li dir="ltr">The number of points available depends on how many starters are in the class (see image below)</li>
<li dir="ltr">Points accumulate across the season</li>
<li dir="ltr">A leaderboard tracks standings</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d17ad15d-f84f-403d-a977-f2f4b9c90d48.png?width=3204&amp;height=2600" alt="Qualifiers With More Than 25 Starters (1) (1)">
Whoever accumulates the most points by the end of the Series wins $25,000, with 2nd place getting $15,000 and receiving $10,000.
Check our this year&rsquo;s leaderboard here: <a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2">https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2</a>
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<h3 dir="ltr">When and where are the next US Equestrian Open eventing qualifiers?</h3>
At the time of writing, the next two qualifiers are:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Bouckaert International in Fairburn, Georgia will take place from March 5th&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr">Carolina International in Raeford, North Carolina on March 12th&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
A full list of 2025&ndash;2026 qualifiers is below.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/990e1192-6e1c-4f71-bd65-b0892eca1b8f.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar">
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<h3 dir="ltr">What happens at a typical eventing qualifier?</h3>
Eventing is a three-phase competition, typically run over three days. All qualifiers are held at the CCI4*-S level, with most following this order: dressage first, then show jumping, and finally cross country. The final result combines penalties from all three phases with the lowest score winning.
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<h3 dir="ltr">How do riders qualify for the US Equestrian Open Final?</h3>
Riders qualify by completing at least one Series Qualifier with a MER. A MER is a Minimum Eligibility Requirement. It means the rider and horse must complete the competition within specific performance standards across all three phases.
To achieve a MER at four-star:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Dressage: Score no more than 45 penalty points (55% or better)</li>
<li dir="ltr">Show jumping: Finish with no more than 16 jumping penalties</li>
<li dir="ltr">Cross country: Jump clear at the obstacles (no more than one frangible device activation or one missing flag allowed) and finish no more than 75 seconds over the optimum time</li>
</ul>
In simple terms, a MER proves that a combination can complete the level safely and competitively across all three phases.
The Final is held at CCI4*-L level, which is a longer format competition and a true championship test at one of the best eventing venues in the country.
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Where is the US Equestrian Open Final of Eventing held?</h3>
The US Equestrian Open Eventing Final takes place at Morven Park. The 2026 Final will be held on the 8th-11th of October, continuing its role as the championship destination for the Series.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f0ade7a4-b840-450b-a877-2cbe2e3fb60e.jpg?width=2704&amp;height=2134" alt="Img 5414 (2)">
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<h3 dir="ltr">How can I watch the US Equestrian Open live?</h3>
Fans can follow the US Equestrian Open in several ways:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">USEF Network: Many qualifiers and the Final are streamed live and for free on the <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/usef" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USEF Network.</a></li>
<li dir="ltr">Local Event Streaming: Some venues provide their own livestream coverage</li>
</ul>
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<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>What other resources are available to follow along?</h3>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/magazines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Official Fan Guides:</a> Each qualifier has a dedicated US Equestrian Open Fan Guide available on the Open website. These guides highlight key storylines, leading contenders, and relevant numbers to help fans understand what&rsquo;s at stake.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Weekly Articles:</a> A new article is published on this website every week, covering previews, reviews, leaderboard movement, and standout performances across the Series.
Social Media:&nbsp;Follow the US Equestrian Open<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram</a> and<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Facebook</a> page for event images, live updates, and season highlights.
<a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The US Equestrian Open Podcast</a> Stay up to date with preview and review episodes for every qualifier, plus interviews with leading contenders and top competitors throughout the Series.
This week's episode:
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<h3 dir="ltr">Can I attend a qualifier or the final in person?</h3>
Yes! Attending in person gives you the opportunity to watch all three phases up close and experience the horses and riders at ground level.
Check the event&rsquo;s official website for daily schedules and ticket information. Most qualifiers do not require tickets, but it&rsquo;s always worth confirming in advance so you can plan ahead.
&nbsp;
<hr>
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<h3 dir="ltr">Do I need to understand all of eventing to follow the Open?</h3>
No. Even experienced equestrian fans may be new to the Open format. The series is designed to make the sport easier to follow by:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Tracking points</li>
<li dir="ltr">Creating a leaderboard</li>
<li dir="ltr">Highlighting contenders</li>
<li dir="ltr">Building toward a defined final</li>
</ul>
If you are new, start with the Fan Guide. If you are experienced, follow the podcast and deep dive articles.
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Why should I follow the US Equestrian Open?</h3>
Because it turns standalone events into one season-long championship race.
You can follow who&rsquo;s climbing the leaderboard, who needs points, and who will qualify for the final at Morven Park. Real-time standings create clear storylines, and the $200,000 finale&mdash;broadcasted on ESPN and the USEF Network&mdash;brings added stakes and visibility.
It&rsquo;s elite competition, on home soil, with a narrative you can follow from start to finish.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-first-wef-5-dressage-momentum-and-bouckaert-takes-shape" 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>

Horse and Rider Trotting Beside The US Equestrian Open Sign 

A First-Timers Guide to the US Equestrian Open of Eventing

The CSI5* $500,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix has become a big springboard to successful seasons over the last decade. Last year, this class was won by Kent Farrington and Greya. Kent went on to rewrite the record books with nine five-star victories in a single season, seven with Greya. He had won the class with Gazelle back in 2017 - and would set the pre-2015 benchmark of 8 Grand Prix/World Cup wins in a single season. Martin Fuchs&rsquo; 2019 campaign - after a win here with Clooney was similar.&nbsp;
With Cloudio and United Touch already in the string, this weekend&rsquo;s victory for Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir could well be the set up for a superstar season.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">1. Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir Will Be Contenders</h3>
We had a German winner of last year&rsquo;s Open and on this evidence, we could well have another. Before the class, the EquiRatings numbers gave Gangster Montdesir just a 38% chance of going clear - a caution born from limited mileage, not lack of quality. Under the Saturday night lights, the ten-year-old delivered again, producing his fourth consecutive clear in CSI5* Grand Prix competition from four starts. He then went fastest in the jump-off in 42.65 seconds to take his second win at 5* Grand Prix.
"I couldn't wish for anything more and I&rsquo;m just thrilled with how he jumped tonight and how he was fighting for me," Richard Vogel said in the press conference.
"Wellington is really our home in the winter months. It&rsquo;s my fifth circuit here. It has always been good to us, good to our horses. Every year we are able to step up a couple of new, younger, exciting horses and Gangster is one of them this year."
The Lesson: A 100% clear rate across four starts at 160 is a meaningful signal. We can begin to discard the small-sample caution now. If Gangster Montdesir is at the Open Final, he will be a genuine contender.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3cc3abfa-71b0-4888-b858-63076c0173ac.jpeg?width=1600&amp;height=1360" alt="Img L8913">
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">2. Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour Are Writing History</h3>
Third place on Saturday told only part of the story. The number that mattered was their 11th consecutive clear round at CSI5* 160 - a streak achieved by only eight combinations in modern history (since 2010).
"She (Dyanastie de Beaufour) is so amazing in every way. Since the first one (5* Grand Prix), she felt like she could do anything, she felt like she had done it for her whole life. I think she&rsquo;s incredible,smart, scopey, fast&hellip; she is an amazing horse."
Nina Mallevaey has competed at WEF Week 12 only twice before&mdash;2025 and 2023&mdash;watch to see if she makes it three.
The Lesson:&nbsp;Reliability is a competitive weapon. The top-ranked U25 rider in the world, the top ranked female in the sport, Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour had a breakout season last year winning Brussels and are emerging as a major contender for the non-US riders hoping to take the title off home soil.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
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&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">3. Lillie Keenan&rsquo;s Home Soil Threat</h3>
Lillie Keenan and Argan de Beliard jumped double clear and finished fourth, 2.64 seconds off the podium. We have been highlighting here in recent weeks how the addition of Highway TN to an already top string could be the tipping point and she goes to the next level. This weekend was a reminder of her strength in depth. Earlier during WEF she won the NetJets CSI4* Grand Prix with&nbsp;Fasther and claimed victory on Highway TN in their first show together. Three horses winning across multiple levels over the past few weeks - Lillie Keenan will have lots of choices when it comes to the Final.&nbsp;
The Lesson: The US home advantage is real and backed by form. Keenan enters the next five weeks as one of the riders to watch and a leading US contender to keep the trophy on American soil.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">4. Kent Farrington and Greya Are Still the Ones to Beat</h3>
The defending champions and the pre-competition favorites, they did not win on Saturday, but they posted the fastest jump-off time of the night and only the final rail cost them the win. Their CSI5* 160 jump-off record remains exceptional, with nine wins and 11 podium finishes from now 15 jump-off appearances. Greya&rsquo;s conversion rate of Jump Off appearances to wins is unmatched at this level. Their round 1 rail last year cost them a place in the Jump Off but if they make it in Week 12, they will be favorites to win it.&nbsp;
While Saturday did not convert, Kent Farrington&rsquo;s response is likely to be even more determined push for the win.
The Lesson: Do not be distracted by a single rail. Farrington and Greya remain the favorite for the US Equestrian Open of Jumping Final as things stand and the combination to beat until proven otherwise.
 <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3835ff9b-46e5-418c-8cf7-ddb8500270c2.jpeg?width=1600&amp;height=1414" alt="Img L7122">
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<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">5. The Track Will Be Unforgiving - And Watch the Time</h3>
Gregory Bodo, who designed the Paris 2024 Olympic course, built Saturday's track. Only eight of the 39 starters jumped clear in Round 1. The resulting 20% clear rate sits just below the already demanding 10-year average of 23%, and is notably tougher than many global CSI5* 160 classes, where clear rates of 28&ndash;35% are not unusual.
But there is another statistic that deserves equal attention. 16 of the 39 riders collected time penalties meaning over 40% of the field was caught out by the clock. The Lesson: The Final will reward horses and riders who are simultaneously accurate and fast. Pairs who struggle with time allowed under pressure are flagged.
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
Five weeks out, the picture is starting to sharpen. The contenders are emerging, momentum is building, and history suggests what works in Wellington early on tends to hold. When the Rolex US Equestrian Open of Jumping Final rolls around on March 28 (WEF Week 12), the lessons from Week 5 are likely to be big storylines.

Lillie Keenan and Argan de Beliard at WEF Week 5

Countdown to the Final: Five Lessons From the First Five-Star Weekend in Wellington. 

Super Bowl week is a big one.
Even if you don&rsquo;t follow football all year, you still feel it. The build-up. The noise. The Half-time Show (Its Bad Bunny this year). The tribalism. The sense that this one game is bigger than the game. It&rsquo;s where we hope to get the Open to.&nbsp;
So this week, the US Equestrian Open podcast did something we don&rsquo;t normally do.&nbsp;We stepped outside equestrian sport.
Not because we want to become a football channel, but because the Super Bowl is one of the best examples on the planet of how to turn sport into a fan experience. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dec69256-85d0-4058-aa1b-d8d1fb507147.png?width=1449&amp;height=1108" alt="Superbowl 60">
We brought in four of the US Equestrian of Open of Eventing biggest voices to share their take:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Aspen Farms (Qualifier 13) organizer Jonathan Elliott&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr">Terranova (Qualifier 2 and 5), Carolina (Qualifier 4) organizer Max Corcoran&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr">Aiken's Joanie Morris</li>
<li dir="ltr">Course designer Morgan Rowsell</li>
</ul>
Listen to the full episode <a href="https://pod.fo/e/387c28" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a>
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/39988155/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>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 1: Fans don&rsquo;t fall in love with sport. They fall in love with stories.</h2>
Sure, we all loved Joe Montana but Tom Brady is generally considered the GOAT. When the group starts talking about Tom Brady (and those Patriots fans love talking about Tom Brady) it&rsquo;s not the stats that make it interesting. It&rsquo;s the story.
<blockquote>
Joanie Morris puts it simply:&nbsp;&ldquo;The best thing for me about Tom Brady is where he came from, right?&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Joanie follows it with the part that matters most for fandom:&nbsp;&ldquo;He wasn&rsquo;t born a star, everyone thinking that he was gonna be this guy.&rdquo;
<blockquote>
Max Corcoran adds the part every sport needs more of:&nbsp;&ldquo;He was back up, running, riding the bench and just worked hard and just, and studied it and was ready to go when he was tapped.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
That&rsquo;s not just football. That&rsquo;s sport. We have seen plenty of people wait for their chance in the Open and go for it.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 2: Big sports don&rsquo;t create one storyline. They create 100.</h2>
Morgan Rowsell makes the point that the NFL is always doing the work for you. It never lets the story die.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;What a lot of these other larger, more well-funded sports do, especially in football, is that there&rsquo;s just a constant story and there&rsquo;s constant buildup. There&rsquo;s, you know,&nbsp;Drake Maye&rsquo;s shoulder. So let&rsquo;s talk about that for three news cycles.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
That&rsquo;s the machine. And it&rsquo;s a reminder: the NFL doesn&rsquo;t just have fans because it&rsquo;s big. It&rsquo;s big because it keeps giving fans something to follow. Our job with the Open is to keep creating the stories. Our sports aren&rsquo;t short on them.&nbsp;
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<hr>
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 3: Access is everything</h2>
A big part of the Open is access. Joanie Morris raised something we have talked a lot about as part of our 2026 planning. Modern sports bring us fans even closer to the action - and not just to the sport.&nbsp;
<blockquote>
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s feeling like you&rsquo;re right there, right. It&rsquo;s the sideline mics. It&rsquo;s the guys mic&rsquo;d up. It&rsquo;s the cameras are so close to the players and the coaches and the emotions are, you know, so you&rsquo;re living the emotions in real time in those big games.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
That&rsquo;s something we will work on for the Open. We want to capture more behind the scenes action, more stable chat, more families and friends helping us shape the stories.&nbsp;
Access is what turns &ldquo;watching&rdquo; into &ldquo;caring.&rdquo;
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<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 4: Jeopardy is what makes sport addictive</h2>
EquiRatings&rsquo; Diarmuid Byrne talks about the importance of sport mattering. Not every qualifier will be a Super Bowl of course but within each class there will be an angle. It matters to someone, in some way - you have to find it.&nbsp;
<blockquote>
&ldquo;It has to feel like every competition has to feel like it means something to somebody.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
That&rsquo;s the Open in one sentence.&nbsp;And it&rsquo;s also why Super Bowl week works.&nbsp;Because everyone knows the stakes.
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<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 5: Tribalism is not a problem. It&rsquo;s the engine.</h2>
One of the most entertaining parts of the episode is that the trash talk starts immediately.
Joanie Morris, right out of the gate:&nbsp;&ldquo;I feel like we&rsquo;re in for a good game and Elliot&rsquo;s gonna be sad again.&rdquo;
Morgan Rowsell is even more direct:&nbsp;&ldquo;I like that he&rsquo;s gonna be sad.&rdquo;
Max Corcoran sums up what it feels like to be a Patriots fan:&nbsp;&ldquo;Everybody hates the Patriots.&rdquo;
And then the conversation turns into something genuinely useful.&nbsp;Joanie asks whether equestrian sport could build more local identity:
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Is there a way with some of these riders and horses and stories to tie them geographically a little bit more locally to build a more local fan base?&rdquo;
</blockquote>
We love this and we want to lean in more this year. We want to start referencing more where people come from and who they represent. Identity is so important and we want to lean in more to things which help fans connect.&nbsp;
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&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 6: Fans want to wear the sport</h2>
Max Corcoran gives the most practical example of something equestrian sport is missing.&nbsp;She talks about a sports fan parent who found it strange that equestrian fans can&rsquo;t buy anything that represents who they love.
Max says:&nbsp;&ldquo;It&rsquo;s really interesting, most of the time, if you go to a baseball game, a basketball game, anything, you can buy your favorite player&rsquo;s jersey or you can buy your favorite player&rsquo;s anything. But in the equestrian world, you can&rsquo;t do that because they don&rsquo;t have it.&rdquo;
Boyd Martin, last years Series and Final winner is an exception to this.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Boyd is the first person I think that I know of, in equestrian that has actually bridged that gap and you can buy his, his, you know, rugby shirts now.&rdquo;
It&rsquo;s not just &ldquo;merch.&rdquo; It&rsquo;s identity.
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<hr>
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Lesson 7: Our sport is spectacular. We should be prouder.&nbsp;</h2>
This is where Diarm hits the most &ldquo;US Equestrian Open&rdquo; point of the entire episode.
He explains that equestrian sport already has all the raw ingredients. The stories, the personalities, the jeopardy, the partnership, the drama.
&ldquo;When you think of the depth of the backstories that are in our sport, we could do that.&rdquo;
And then he makes the bigger point: we should stop being shy about how special it is. We are one of the few sports in the world that can genuinely say we lead with care. We don&rsquo;t just talk about horse welfare, we champion it globally. We show it. We invest in it. We hold ourselves to it.
So instead of dialling things down, we should do the opposite.
We should be proud of the sport. Proud of the people in it. Proud of what it stands for.
Because when you look at how other sports present themselves, they never apologise for their spectacle.
&ldquo;And then you look at, say, college game day in the US&hellip; and then you feel like there&rsquo;s no need to calm down.&rdquo;
That&rsquo;s the Open&rsquo;s whole mission.
Make it feel like it matters. Make it feel like sport. Make it feel like entertainment.
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<hr>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Bonus: The Super Bowl 60 predictions (and the confidence levels)</h2>
We couldn&rsquo;t do a Super Bowl preview episode without forcing everyone to put their money where their mouth is.&nbsp;And the range of predictions is&hellip; wide.
Morgan Rowsell goes for a defensive grind:&nbsp;&ldquo;It&rsquo;s gonna be a low-scoring game. I think it&rsquo;s gonna be 17-14, the Patriots.&rdquo;
Max Corcoran is also on the Patriots, but sees a little more scoring:&nbsp;&ldquo;I was going 21-24 Patriots.&rdquo;
Joanie Morris sticks with her original gut call:&nbsp;&ldquo;I was going 17-13 Patriots&hellip; but that feels too close to Morgan. I&rsquo;m gonna go... no I&rsquo;m sticking with it.&rdquo;
And Jonathan Elliott, the lone Seahawks supporter on the panel, comes in with the boldest prediction of the entire episode:&nbsp;&ldquo;31-10 Hawks, they take it convincingly. Convincingly.&rdquo;
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<hr>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Final Thoughts (and a Super Bowl-sized disclaimer)</h2>
This episode is a Super Bowl preview.&nbsp;But it&rsquo;s also something more useful.
It&rsquo;s four of the Open&rsquo;s biggest voices, plus Diarm and Annie, describing the gap between equestrian sport and the biggest fan machine on earth, and spelling out what we can steal.
More story.&nbsp;More access.&nbsp;More repetition.&nbsp;More jeopardy.&nbsp;More identity.&nbsp;And definitely more enthusiasm.
Because if football has taught us anything, it&rsquo;s that people don&rsquo;t fall in love with &ldquo;results.&rdquo;&nbsp;They fall in love with what the results mean.
Listen to the full episode <a href="https://pod.fo/e/387c28" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/39988155/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>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-freestyle-west-coast-momentum" 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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<hr>
<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;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9dfe039-3b02-415d-b513-c5bd87d85dae.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar">
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<hr>
&nbsp;
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>.

US Equestrian Open CrossOver with Superbowl

The Open X Super Bowl LX: 7 Lessons

Lucienne Bellissimo has spent much of her career flying the British flag. In 2026, she&rsquo;s doing something new - leading the U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series as an American.
After officially becoming a United States citizen in late 2025, Bellissimo now represents the US as she sits atop the 2026 Open leaderboard following the first two qualifiers, both contested with Dyri and Kitsch Couture HPK at the tail end of last season.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c23492d7-840b-47ef-9003-9f9fdbe46459.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="E Fens Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Eventing (1)">
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<h3 data-start="893" data-end="937">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="893" data-end="937">A Long-Term Commitment Comes Full Circle</h3>
Originally from England, Bellissimo has based her life, business, and competitive career in the United States for many years. Her decision to change nationality reflects a long-term personal and professional commitment to American eventing - one built gradually rather than overnight.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;It is such an honor to now be an American citizen. Becoming part of a culture that celebrates big dreams feels like the right&nbsp;home.&nbsp;The support of my husband and stepchildren through this chapter has been so inspiring, and I will&nbsp;give my all to make them and America proud in the next chapter of my eventing career."
</blockquote>
Becoming a US citizen allows Bellissimo to align her competitive ambitions with the country she has called home, including her long-term goal of representing Team USA at the highest level of the sport.&nbsp;
<h3 data-start="2019" data-end="2050">Experience at the Top Level</h3>
Bellissimo brings decades of top-level experience into this new chapter. She has competed internationally at CCI4* level since 2006 and has ranked as high as ninth in the US Eventing Rankings, alongside appearances inside the top 50 of the FEI world rankings.&nbsp;
Beyond competition, she is also the founder of Horse Scout Group and has spent more than 20 years developing and sourcing elite event horses - experience that continues to shape her depth and durability at the top of the sport.
<h3 data-start="2582" data-end="2615">A New Flag, the Same Ambition</h3>
Nationality may have changed, but Bellissimo&rsquo;s competitive direction remains clear. With her sights set on a CCI5* future and a strong start to the US Equestrian Open Series already in hand, she enters 2026 as both a proven campaigner and a new face for Team USA.
As the season unfolds, Bellissimo&rsquo;s Open campaign will be followed not just as a points race but as the beginning of a new era under a new flag.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-freestyle-west-coast-momentum" 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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&nbsp;
<h3 data-start="2884" data-end="3030">Listen to Lucienne Bellissimo on the US Equestrian Open Podcast last year.</h3>
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37875415/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>
&nbsp;
<hr>
<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;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9dfe039-3b02-415d-b513-c5bd87d85dae.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar">
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
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>.

The Open Weekly: The First WEF 5*, Dressage Momentum, and Bouckaert Takes Shape

Top Stories

A First-Timers Guide to the US Equestrian Open of Eventing

Countdown to the Final: Five Lessons From the First Five-Star Weekend in Wellington.

The Open Weekly: The First WEF 5*, Dressage Momentum, and Bouckaert Takes Shape

The Open X Super Bowl LX: 7 Lessons

New Flag for the Frontrunner

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