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This weekend's US Equestrian Open of Dressage Qualifier 20 may feature just three combinations in the Grand Prix Freestyle, but its impact runs far deeper than the scoreboard. Held at the Ginny Rattner Memorial Dressage Competition in Sherwood, Oregon, the show stands as a testament to how grassroots passion and community investment can shape the future of dressage in the US.
Noah Rattner and his twin brother are carrying on the legacy of their late mother, Ginny, who built Devonwood in 1998 with a vision for a safe, welcoming, high-quality dressage venue in the Pacific Northwest. That vision has grown into a FEI 3* competition that plays a key role in the Series' West Coast calendar.&nbsp;
<blockquote>
"We might be small, but we&rsquo;re mighty," Rattner said.
</blockquote>
"The athletes competing here are all in the top 18, and the points they earn this weekend will reshape the leaderboard. That matters."
Devonwood embodies one of the US Equestrian Open's founding principles: that the sport's growth depends on accessibility and opportunity across all regions, not just within the elite circuits in Florida or California. "This isn&rsquo;t just someone throwing prize money at the sport," Rattner explained.
<blockquote>
"It&rsquo;s a long-term investment in growing dressage in North America."
</blockquote>
He&rsquo;s not wrong. The Ginny Rattner Memorial has become a vital stop for riders looking to earn series points without making the costly trek to the East Coast. But even before the Open series, Devonwood served a critical purpose: giving West Coast and Canadian riders access to high-quality international competition without the logistical and financial strain of traveling to Florida or California. It continues to attract athletes from as far as Calgary, maintaining a cross-border tradition that stretches back decades.
<h3 dir="ltr">The Unbeaten West Coast Queen</h3>
The unquestioned favorite this weekend is Genay Vaughn and her 14-year-old gelding, Gino. Since debuting their freestyle at TerraNova last May, they have won four of their last five freestyle starts. The only exception was their debut appearance at the World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland, where they finished 14th in a world-class field.
With three Series wins already under her belt, Vaughn is the only rider in the series with a perfect record. She currently sits tied for 10th on the leaderboard, but a win this weekend would launch her into a comfortable 5th place.
She began the year with an average of 70.990% and a personal best of 72.615%, numbers she&rsquo;s steadily raised through each 2025 appearance. Her current freestyle average stands at 73.22%, with a personal best of 75.150%, putting her in contention with top East Coast combinations.
Her results are a reminder that the West Coast isn&rsquo;t a side act&mdash;it&rsquo;s a serious threat.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-Smis6" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: Ginny Rattner Memorial Dressage" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Smis6/1/" height="666" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h3 dir="ltr">Riders Earning Their Place</h3>
While Vaughn eyes the upper tier of the leaderboard, both Brittney Simpson (CAN) and Nadine Schwartsman (USA) are fighting to stay above the qualification line. The two riders are currently part of a three-way tie for 18th place, which is the final qualifying position for the Series Final in November.
This weekend, simply earning a podium finish could separate them from the cutoff line and secure a safer path to Thermal. It's a quiet but gritty kind of determination: early mornings, long drives, and the kind of commitment that doesn&rsquo;t make headlines. They're chasing points, building day by day, and proving that you can mount a Finals campaign from anywhere.
<h3 dir="ltr">Access is the Point</h3>
Small shows like Devonwood don&rsquo;t always get the spotlight, but they&rsquo;re essential to the sport&rsquo;s health. Take them away, and the path to the top narrows. Suddenly, Florida isn&rsquo;t just one option. It&rsquo;s the only option. And success depends less on talent and more on geography.
The US Equestrian Open pushes back against that kind of centralization. By valuing points equally no matter where they're earned, it invites a broader and more diverse dressage community to take part. That inclusivity comes with tradeoffs. Riders like Eline Eckroth, who rank high on the leaderboard despite lower averages, are making smart use of smaller venues. Others&mdash;like Genay Vaughn&mdash;face small fields too, but their scores show they can contend with the East Coast&rsquo;s best.
It raises a question without a clean answer: should leaderboard rank reflect consistency, competitive depth, or degree of difficulty?
If the Series weighted points based on field size, it would risk becoming a Florida-dominant leaderboard that rewards density but sidelines regions like the West Coast. Equal-point allocation may not always reflect head-to-head competition strength, but it protects the geographic and financial accessibility the Series was designed to promote.
That&rsquo;s why the Ginny Rattner Memorial Dressage Show matters. Not just because it fills a calendar slot, but because it fills a gap. It gives riders like Vaughn, Schwartsman, and Simpson a platform to build upon.&nbsp;
Because not everyone has the resources to chase full fields across the country.&nbsp;
But anyone who&rsquo;s ever hauled twelve hours for six minutes of feedback and a &lsquo;6 for impulsion&rsquo; has earned the right to chase something bigger.

Small But Mighty: Qualifier 20 Carries Weight Beyond Its Size

Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena closed out the WEC spring season with authority, scoring a 76.190&mdash;their best ride to date, and the mare&rsquo;s all-time high. The win marked their second US Equestrian Open of Dressage victory, but this one felt different. The performance was bold, clean, and confident, set to a girl-power-themed freestyle featuring tracks like Femininomenon, Rich Girl, Maneater, and Perfect. The message was clear: this pair is Finals-ready.
This result solidifies Ebeling&rsquo;s position inside the top 18. He now sits tied for 12th with 57 points, and with just four qualifiers remaining&mdash;and one of them (TerraNova) right in his Florida backyard&mdash;it would take a significant shake-up to knock him out of Finals contention. More importantly, the performance suggests he won&rsquo;t just be making up the numbers in Thermal. He&rsquo;s proving he can win big classes against full fields, and he&rsquo;s done it twice this season. If this momentum carries into the fall, Ebeling could be a serious podium threat when the series wraps in California.
<blockquote>
Ben Ebeling talks family, freestyle, and the future of US dressage in a new podcast&mdash;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/ben-ebeling-family-freestyle-future-of-US-dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listen now</a>.
</blockquote>
<h2>Marek Crosses 100</h2>
Finishing second on the weekend with a score of 75.620, Anna Marek officially became the first&mdash;and so far, only&mdash;rider to break 100 points in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage. Her total now sits at 105, with all six of her qualifying rides complete. It&rsquo;s a landmark number, one that reflects the consistency and composure she&rsquo;s shown across multiple venues, multiple horses, and nearly every type of pressure.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e91b3c29-9936-47e1-a729-842436e6ae70.jpeg?width=993&amp;height=723" alt="Screenshot of the leaderboard with Anna Marek in first place on 105 points.">
This ride didn&rsquo;t add a win to her tally, but it did reinforce Marek&rsquo;s position as the most successful rider in the series to date. That said, the gap is beginning to narrow. Ebeling&rsquo;s score this weekend topped hers, and while Marek remains the clear front-runner heading into the Finals, she&rsquo;s no longer operating in a vacuum. With just one series win under her belt, the question becomes: can she log another when it counts? Are these second-place finishes part of a deliberate training strategy, or the first signs of pressure peeking through? There&rsquo;s still every reason to believe Marek has what it takes to be the series&rsquo; inaugural champion, but for the first time, there&rsquo;s reason to ask. She now has two world-class Grand Prix horses to choose from heading into Thermal&mdash;depth no other rider in the field can match. Even so, the path to the title feels a little less certain than it did a month ago.
<h2>A Debut Worth Watching</h2>
Christian Simonson and Fleau De Baian made their CDI freestyle debut this weekend and walked away with third on a score of 72.330%. Their test was composed and confident, especially impressive in a ten-rider field that included both seasoned competitors and emerging international talent. While several riders in the class were chasing Finals points, Simonson was riding to show he belongs in the conversation.&nbsp;
Already a decorated young rider with a European Tour bronze medal and mentorship under Adrienne Lyle, Simonson&rsquo;s transition into senior-level CDI competition is clearly well underway. With a podium finish on debut, he and Fleau De Baian are a pair to watch in future Series stops, even if this year&rsquo;s Finals are likely out of reach.&nbsp;
<h2>The Middle Gets Messy</h2>
Charlotte Jorst brought GPF&rsquo;s S-Express into the Grand Prix Freestyle spotlight this weekend for the gelding&rsquo;s debut at the level. The 10-year-old Westphalian gelding scored a 64.990. Not a headline-making number, but also not the point. Bringing a horse to the Grand Prix level and debuting a freestyle in a series of this caliber speaks to the depth of Jorst&rsquo;s program. She remains in 7th overall with 65 points and will likely head to the Finals aboard Zhaplin Langholt, a more experienced partner who has carried her to podium positions before.
Eline Eckroth had a tougher weekend. After placing fifth in the Grand Prix, she dropped to 10th in the freestyle with a 62.535&mdash;her lowest score of the season. While shifts between the two phases are common, a five-place drop is unusual. Still, her leaderboard position is strong. She now sits in a tie for second with 86 points, a result of strategic entries in smaller fields earlier this season. Her leaderboard position reflects a season of smart scheduling and consistent entries, particularly in smaller fields. Whether that translates to success at the Finals is another question.&nbsp;
<h2>The Final Push Begins</h2>
The window for Finals qualification is closing. Nadine Schwartsman, Micaela Mabragana, and Brittney Simpson are locked in a three-way tie for 18th place, but with Schwartsman scheduled to ride in next week&rsquo;s qualifier, she&rsquo;s got the first shot to break from the pack. That Oregon qualifier marks the final stop before a long summer break, with the series resuming September 23 at Dressage at Devon.
Personal bests, photo finishes, and podium drama usually grab the headlines. But with limited chances left for anyone still chasing the cutoff, the narrative shifts. It&rsquo;s not about who&rsquo;s winning. It&rsquo;s about who&rsquo;s still in the fight.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/fade3f77-cbac-402e-9d26-e7c84a8fc0fc.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="US Equestrian Open of Dressage Schedule">

WEC Belongs to Ebeling 

Anna Marek stands to become the first rider to break 100 points in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage series.
She plans to do it at the World Equestrian Center (WEC), a pivotal venue that&rsquo;s been the site of both triumph and heartbreak this season. While Marek enters the weekend as the clear favorite, she isn&rsquo;t untouchable. Around her, others are chasing redemption, qualification, or the chance to matter in a crowded leaderboard.
<h2 dir="ltr">Marek&rsquo;s Moment</h2>
Marek rides Fayvel this weekend&mdash;a bold and reliable mount who carried her to ninth at the 2024 World Cup Finals, where they finished as the top-ranked American pair. Fayvel has stayed sharp in 2025, delivering scores that put him among the best in the series. He&rsquo;s the third-highest scoring horse in the series, logging a 78.785% in Week 6. This weekend, he returns with the highest personal best and highest average freestyle score in the field.
But this ride is about more than just breaking 100 points.
WEC has been a pivotal stop in Marek&rsquo;s 2025 season, and one that hasn&rsquo;t always gone her way. In Week 4, <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/qualifier-5-preview-a-wide-open-field" target="_blank" rel="noopener">she retired Fayvel</a> from the Grand Prix qualifier, losing her chance to become the series&rsquo; first back-to-back winner. Then in <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/down-to-the-decimal-mendoza-loor-wins-closest-finish-in-series-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Week 10</a>, she was edged out of first by Ecuador&rsquo;s Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike. Marek finished just 0.040% behind him&mdash;75.860 to 75.820&mdash;the smallest winning margin in series history. WEC has held that title ever since.
This weekend, Marek has the chance to rewrite that story. A win would make her the first to break 100 points, her first qualifier win aboard Fayvel, and only the fifth rider in the series to win multiple legs. With Fayvel&rsquo;s personal best of 78.995%, she could also become just the second rider in the series to break 80%.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-0YhFA" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: World Equestrian Center May Dressage" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/0YhFA/1/" height="666" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">Enter the Disruptor</h2>
Benjamin Ebeling might be the most dangerous rider in the class, not due to a long campaign, but because he&rsquo;s done more with two starts than most have with six. He partners with Bellena, a 14-year-old Hanoverian mare who began her career under his father, Olympian Jan Ebeling. Ben and Bellena debuted earlier this year, and have placed in the top five in every outing. They won their freestyle debut at WEC with a 75.740%&mdash;just 0.365 off the mare&rsquo;s lifetime best.
That number matters. It&rsquo;s one thing to inherit a proven horse; it&rsquo;s another to bring out their best. We&rsquo;ve seen that narrative play out all season&mdash;top-scoring horses handed to new riders, only to fall short. Ebeling is one of the few to flip the script by tapping into Bellena&rsquo;s established potential.
Despite only two qualifying scores, his leaderboard position (23rd) is deceptively low. A fifth-place finish this weekend likely puts him within the top 18. Should he qualify, he&rsquo;s a legit podium threat at the Finals in Thermal.
Based on averages and personal bests, Bellena is the second-highest rated horse in the field. But Ebeling can&rsquo;t get complacent. Charlotte Jorst is close behind.
<h2 dir="ltr">Jorst&rsquo;s Jump</h2>
The US Equestrian Open of Dressage awards two prize pools: the $200,000 Final purse in Thermal and a $50,000 season standings payout. Charlotte Jorst has her eyes on both.
Currently in 12th, she stands to double her payout with a top-five finish and triple it with a win. Her mount, Zhaplin Langholt, has scored in the low-to-mid 70s all season. The exception? You guessed it&mdash;WEC. In Week 15, she finished fourth with an uncharacteristic 68%, while Ebeling scored his breakout win.
Jorst is a lock for Finals qualification, but this weekend is a chance to climb the standings and carry momentum into the summer break.
<h2 dir="ltr">Riding the Math</h2>
While Marek, Ebeling, and Jorst lead this week&rsquo;s narrative, a few riders on the edge still merit a mention:
● James Koford sits in 26th. A podium finish could sneak him into the Finals, but against this field, it&rsquo;s a long shot. Still, if you&rsquo;re a fan of an underdog bet, Koford deserves a nod.
● Anna Merritt needs a top-10 finish to crack back into the top 18. Her average (66.572%) doesn&rsquo;t exactly signal Finals form, but she&rsquo;s one of only nine riders in the field with FEI freestyle experience. With twelve entries and points awarded to just the top ten, there&rsquo;s little room for error. If she does move up, it&rsquo;ll be more a product of the math than the performance.
● Eline Eckroth will secure her sixth qualifying score with a top-10 finish. That would vault her into a tie for second place overall. Her placings suggest podium potential&mdash;three seconds, a fifth, and a seventh&mdash;but most of those came in small fields. This 12-rider roster is the largest she&rsquo;s faced. She only broke into the 70% for the first time earlier this year (yes, at WEC), but has hovered in the upper 60s since. A podium would be a surprise. It would also be a sharp reply to those of us saying she&rsquo;s coasted on small fields.
<h2>Tune In</h2>
From near misses to breakout wins, WEC has been the backdrop to some of the series&rsquo; most pivotal moments. It&rsquo;s where Marek nearly made history, and where she now returns to finish the job. It&rsquo;s where Ebeling made his series debut, and proved he belonged in the conversation. It&rsquo;s where Jorst logged her lowest freestyle score of the season, an outlier in an otherwise consistent campaign. And it&rsquo;s the last time this season anyone will ride here under the US Equestrian Open banner.
Whatever the outcome, this qualifier is no routine stop. Tune in to the USEF Network live on Saturday, May 24 at 6 p.m. EDT. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Become a fan member and watch for free</a>!
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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <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>.&nbsp;

Qualifier 19: Where the Arena Decides

New Podcast: Ben Ebeling on Family, Freestyle, and the Future of US Dressage

With a personal best score, Laine Ashker and Zeppelin earned a decisive win at the Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival. Just behind them, Micaela Mabraga&ntilde;a and Belatrix RH delivered when it counted &mdash; their runner-up finish was enough to secure a spot in the US Equestrian Open Final (for now).&nbsp;
<h2 class="MsoNormal">A convincing win for a dual-discipline athlete</h2>
Two Grand Prix (GP) Freestyles, two 70+ scores. This weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival, in only their second GP Freestyle, Laine Ashker and the 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding Zeppelin won with a 73.015% and were the only pair to break into the 70s. It was a personal best for them as Ashker and Zeppy outdid their previous GP Freestyle result of 70.845% from last year&rsquo;s Dressage at Devon. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJxhRecSGTb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">Ashker and Zeppelin have been together since Zeppy was just four years old</a>, making their convincing win even sweeter. The pair won this weekend&rsquo;s Qualifier by 4.390 percentage points over the second-placed pair Micaela Mabraga&ntilde;a &amp; Belatrix RH. That is one of the largest winning margins in the US Equestrian Open so far.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2a28d693-7966-4b7e-8803-158c2a247e7d.png?width=1368&amp;height=2432" alt="The Winning Margins of All Qualifiers to Date. US Equestrian Open of Dressage.">
Ashker is well known in eventing circles, having formed one of those famous five-star eventing partnerships with her beloved, and now retired, Anthony Patch. On any given day on Instagram, you&rsquo;ll see her training the likes of Zeppelin for dressage or the up-and-comer Lovedance for eventing, a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how Lainey pursues excellence in both disciplines.&nbsp;
<h2 class="MsoNormal">A finalist added! (for now)</h2>
Coming into this Qualifier with 32 Series points, Micaela Mabraga&ntilde;a needed to finish third or higher to secure a place in the Final. She met the brief. With&nbsp;Belatrix RH, Micaela finished second and brought her points tally to 49. That puts her in equal-18th place on the Series leaderboard and&hellip;well&hellip;that is right on the bubble: only the top&nbsp;18 riders&nbsp;at the end of the Series earn a ticket to the&nbsp;$200,000 Final&nbsp;in November.
How Micaela got to 49:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Gold Coast Opener (Qualifier 3) - 2nd with Belatrix RH:&nbsp;17 points</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>WEC Ocala Dressage II (Qualifier 7 East) - 5th with Belatrix RH: 15 points</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival (Qualifier 18) - 2nd with Belatrix RH: 17 points</li>
</ul>
With five more Qualifiers still to go &ndash; and only four on the east coast &ndash; there will be opportunities for Micaela to solidify her Final qualification with added points. &nbsp;But there will also be opportunities for others to bump her out of the top 18&hellip; That next threat comes this weekend at the WEC Ocala May dressage show which hosts Qualifier 19.
<h2>Who's Qualified for the Final so Far (after Qualifier 18 of 23)</h2>
The top 18 riders at the end of the Series are eligible for the $200,000 Final. All riders tied for 17th right now make up the 17th, 18th and 19th athletes and sit in qualifying positions (everyone tied for 18th does qualify). See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier, <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
&nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8c6f6c8c-f528-4aee-b66b-e90534e91944.png?width=700&amp;height=1363" alt="Who Is Qualified for the Final so Far. The Us Equestrian Open of Dressage .">
<h2 class="MsoNormal">What's Coming Up</h2>
Stay updated on news and standings for the US Equestrian Open Series on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram.</a>&nbsp;Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/22433326-f7d7-4286-930b-62c3a1ba80f2.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Show calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage"> 
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"></div>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <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>.&nbsp;

Color image of Laine Ashker and the chestnut horse Zeppelin on a victory lap in a dressage arena

Lainey Wins and Micaela is on the Bubble

Virginia&rsquo;s Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival this weekend hosts Qualifier 18 of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage.&nbsp;Our entries for Saturday&rsquo;s Qualifier <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">&ndash; the Grand Prix Freestyle <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">&ndash; bring a few new faces to the Series and one key contender who could earn Final qualification this weekend.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/710aecfe-4503-4c40-bad4-30f3b625a885.png?width=1296&amp;height=1434" alt="Table showing the Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for entries in the 2025 Mid Atlantic Dressage Festival (Qualifier 18)">
Laine Ashker and Zeppelin made their Grand Prix (GP) Freestyle debut at last year&rsquo;s Dressage at Devon and have yet to contest another one&hellip;until now. Though among this field&rsquo;s least-experienced pairs, their sole GP Freestyle score (70.845%) is among this Qualifier&rsquo;s highest personal bests, showing potential for an impactful Series debut.
Though making her first Series appearance, a spot in the $200,000 Final is within reach for Ashker if she can produce three strong results. The current cutoff for the top 18 &ndash; who qualify for the Final &ndash; &nbsp;is 49 points. Getting to 49 is still a big ask for a Series debutant, but it&rsquo;s not impossible.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a62eb734-525e-474a-bfed-7fcd1d7ed159.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="How points are earned at the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Qualifiers">
Meanwhile, Adriane Alvord and Selfmade are the most-experienced pair in the field and they come into the weekend with the best proven scoring potential, having scored a personal best GP Freestyle score of 76.750% at Dressage at Rose Mount 2023. In their several GP Freestyles since that winning performance, most of Alvord and Selfmade&rsquo;s scores have been in the high 60s, leaving the door open for their&nbsp;#MADFest2025 competitors. But, if Alvord &amp; Selfmade do secure the win on Saturday, Alvord will have 40 total series points and a Final qualification will be within touching distance.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Ticket to the Final?</h2>
Of our entries for Qualifier 18,&nbsp;Micaela Mabraga&ntilde;a is the highest-placed rider in the series, sitting 24th with 32 Series points. This is key because if Mabraga&ntilde;a and Belatrix RH place 2nd or 3rd on Saturday (earning 17 points), they will be right on the bubble for Final qualification with the necessary 49 points. With five more qualifiers after MAD, they could be knocked out but, for now, 49 points earns a critical top-18 spot (P.S. <a href="https://inside.fei.org/sites/default/files/Dressage%20US%20Equestrian%20Open%20Series%20Effective%201%20January%202025%20Updated%2010%20November%202024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">everyone tied for 18th at the end of the Series does qualify for the Final</a>). Of course, the 20 points earned for a win would place Mabraga&ntilde;a more-securely in the top 18 with a bit more wiggle room.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">How to Follow</h2>
The Grand Prix Freestyle (Qualifier 18) is this Saturday at MADFest:
<ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.midatlanticdressagefestival.com/">https://www.midatlanticdressagefestival.com/</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Live Scores: <a href="https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/show/254865/competition/dressage/7241700" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/show/254865/competition/dressage/7241700</a></li>
</ul>
And Friday's classes at MADFest can be livestreamed on the USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV. Watch for free with a <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free USEF Fan Membership</a>.&nbsp;
<h2>Series Leaders Heading into Qualifier 18 at MADFest</h2>
See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier,&nbsp;<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ee725d73-81e9-45b6-95f4-fdf5513b60a3.png?width=617&amp;height=828" alt="Us Equestrian Open of Dressage Leaderboard Before Qualifier 18">
Stay updated on news and standings for the US Equestrian Open Series on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram.</a>&nbsp;Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
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Image from overhead of a male dressage rider approaching the competition arena on a dark bay horse.

Vying for the Final at #MADFest

As the spring dressage shows draw to a close, we took a closer look at the horses delivering the best freestyle performances so far. The leaderboard race has been exciting to watch week after week, with both international and US riders jockeying for position. But the overall rankings only tell part of the story. Which horses have delivered standout performances? Which ones are consistently showing brilliance?
We reviewed the top six horses in the Series based on their average freestyle scores and found that the same combinations also account for the season&rsquo;s highest-scoring rides (though in a slightly different order).
Here&rsquo;s a closer look at the combinations leading the way in 2025.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-6OTwQ" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Top Horses in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/6OTwQ/4/" height="599" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Top Six Horses</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr">1. Helix (Adrienne Lyle)</h3>
Age: 13 Breed: KWPN Sex: Gelding Owner: Zen Elite Equestrian Center Bloodlines: Apache x Jazz Best Series Score: 80.600% Helix is the only horse to break the 80 percent barrier in the Series so far&ndash; and he&rsquo;s done it twice. His season-best 80.600% not only marked a personal best but also secured victory at the CDI5* at Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10. That prestigious event, the only 5* held in the Western Hemisphere, was the first time in four years that an American rider topped the podium. Despite their dominance, Adrienne Lyle and Helix&rsquo;s partnership is relatively new. They debuted their first freestyle together just a year ago at TerraNova, scoring 72.560%. Since then, they&rsquo;ve been on a steep upward trajectory, winning two Series legs and representing the US at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
<h3 dir="ltr">2. D&uuml;enensee (Kevin Kohmann)</h3>
Age: 16 Breed: Hanoverian Sex: Gelding Owner: Diamante Farms Bloodlines: Dancier x Davignon I Best Series Score: 79.240%
D&uuml;nensee&rsquo;s career-best freestyle score came at the perfect moment. It was during the historic Palm Beach Derby at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, which also served as the final World Cup Qualifier. Only one ticket to Basel remained for the Americans, and D&uuml;nensee faced off against Anna Marek and Fire Fly in a high-stakes showdown. Both delivered strong tests, but &ldquo;Denzel&rdquo; was in a league of his own: calm, fluid, and fully locked in. Their audience-favorite freestyle had spectators clapping along into the final halt. Kohmann&rsquo;s personal best of 79.240% earned him the win, the Series points, and the final World Cup berth. He later placed tenth overall at the World Cup Final, the highest-ranked American.
<h3 dir="ltr">3. Fire Fly (Anna Marek)</h3>
Age: 15 Breed: KWPN Sex: Gelding Owner: Janet Simile Bloodlines: Briar Junior x Oo Seven Best Series Score: 77.755%
Fire Fly is an impressive horse to watch. Hot, sensitive, and remarkably talented, it is no wonder he was shortlisted for the Paris Olympics with Marek aboard. Their dramatic freestyle, set to the Stranger Things soundtrack, is a performance worthy of the international stage. Their season-best came at AGDF 3, when Marek edged out Kohmann by just 0.21 percent. Although he has only started twice in the Series, Fire Fly has been remarkably consistent. Both outings, he scored in the high 70s and finished on the podium. His career average is 75 percent, reflecting a partnership that continues to trend upward. The progress is paying off. Between her two mounts, Marek has held the top spot on the leaderboard for more than two months.
<h3 dir="ltr">4. Fayvel (Anna Marek)</h3>
Age: 15 Breed: KWPN Sex: Gelding Owner: Cynthia Davila Bloodlines: Zizi Top x Houston Best Series Score: 78.785%
Marek is incredibly well positioned, with the ride on two Grand Prix superstars. While Fire Fly is flashy, hot, and commands attention, Fayvel is bold, reliable, and intelligent. He might lack the electric charisma of his stablemate but makes up for it with power, rideability, and calm focus under pressure. He transitioned to Marek&rsquo;s competitive string later in life when his owner suffered an injury that took her out of the saddle. Despite entering the top level at an older age, Fayvel quickly proved himself a powerhouse. He took Marek to the 2024 World Cup Final, where they finished as the highest-ranked American pair in ninth. Despite having the third highest Series score, Fayvel has yet to log a win this season. He came close in Week 10, trailing Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike by just 0.04 percent. As the long-time Series leader, Marek is all but guaranteed a place in the Final. With two stellar horses in her barn, the only question now is which one she will choose. You can learn more about both of Marek&rsquo;s horses in the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/new-podcast-anna-marek-on-passion-patience-and-performance">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>.
<h3 dir="ltr">5. Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike (Julio Mendoza Loor)</h3>
Age: 14 Breed: KWPN Sex: Gelding Owner: Julio Mendoza Loor Bloodlines: Bretton Woods x Scandic Best Series Score: 78.520%
Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike have only competed in two legs of the Series, but they made those appearances count earning a first and second place. Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike was Mendoza Loor&rsquo;s Paris Games mount where they finished individual 27th. Their week 10 Series debut in Ocala was their first outing since the games. The following week, they finished second to Lyle and Helix in the CDI 5* in Wellington. Before coming to Mendoza Loor, &ldquo;Goldie&rdquo; was deemed too difficult to ride. A $20 sale price and 24/7 turnout later, he has become a powerful international competitor and one of the highest-scoring horses in the Series.
<h3 dir="ltr">6. Drombusch OLD (Felicitas Hendricks)</h3>
Age: 14 Breed: Oldenburg Sex: Gelding Owner: Felicitas Hendricks Bloodlines: Destano x Dimaggio Best Series Score: 78.200%
Felicitas Hendricks and Drombusch OLD came into the season as favorites after sweeping the freestyle classes at AGDF in 2024. Their first 2025 outing in Wellington also marked their debut in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage qualifiers. They came out strong, earning their season high of 78.200%. Hendricks and Drombusch have been together since the gelding was six, and they won the Under-25 European Championship in 2023. Drombusch is particularly impressive in freestyle, where their floorplan is known for a strikingly high degree of difficulty, including 20 one-time changes down the centerline.
<h2 dir="ltr">Poised for the Final</h2>
Despite each of these six horses posting the highest scores in the Series so far, only five of them are currently in contention for a Finals spot. Mendoza Loor and Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike only have two qualifier appearances. The results were strong&mdash;first and second place&mdash;but that only puts the pair on a score of 37. Mendoza Loor planned to summer in Europe, so unless he returns to the qualifiers in the fall, we might not see the pair in Thermal come November.
The remaining five horses are not just Series frontrunners but likely Finals contenders. Their consistency, scoring power, and ability to deliver under pressure have defined the season so far. With only two qualifiers left this spring before the summer break, these combinations are well-positioned to secure their places for Thermal. And once there, this group is poised to battle for the Final&rsquo;s podium positions. While many factors can influence the road to the Final, if early-season form is any indication, these are the horses to watch when the Series culminates in November.

Six Horses Everyone Will Be Chasing in Thermal

Charlotte Jorst and Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn each claimed victory in this week&rsquo;s doubleheader at Qualifier 17. Both riders, who began the week outside the top 18 cutoff for a Finals berth, are now comfortably inside the qualifying cutoff. With the final spring qualifiers approaching, every point now carries weight.
<h2 dir="ltr">TerraNova: A Nail-Biter Finish</h2>
At TerraNova, Jorst and Zhaplin Langholt topped the Grand Prix Freestyle with a 74.085%&mdash;just shy of their personal best and nearly three percentage points above their season average. The polished, confident ride earned the highest individual judge&rsquo;s mark of the day from the judge at B. Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena narrowly missed the win with a 73.985%, making this one of the closest finishes in series history. Devon Kane and Vamos secured third place with a 72.705%.
<h2 dir="ltr">Pacific Coast: Vaughn Makes History</h2>
On the West Coast at Pacific Coast Dressage, Vaughn and Gino returned from their World Cup Finals debut to win with a 74.040%. The pair has now won all three of their series starts&mdash;the first rider in the series to win three legs&mdash;and extended their California winning streak to eight. G&uuml;nter Seidel and Jack took second with a combination-best 73.510%, and Kristina Harrison-Antell and Finley placed third on 72.715%.
<h2 dir="ltr">Leaderboard Shifts as Vaughn Climbs Ten Places</h2>
Kristina Harrison-Antell climbed from sixth to second overall with 86 points after another consistent top-three finish. She displaced Germany&rsquo;s Evelyn Eger, who had held onto second place for weeks. However, the biggest positional jump this week belongs to Vaughn, who rose ten places&mdash;from 19th to ninth&mdash;after her Pacific Coast win.
G&uuml;nter Seidel moved into a tie for seventh with 64 points, rising eight places. His combination-best performance with Jack helped secure his Finals position within the top 18.
Vaughn&rsquo;s jump into ninth (60 points) now puts her solidly inside the Finals cutoff after beginning the week outside the qualifying zone. Devon Kane also moved up, now sitting 10th with 59 points following her TerraNova podium finish. Charlotte Jorst advanced from outside the cutoff to 12th place with 55 points, creating a comfortable margin above the line that should hold through the season.
Benjamin Ebeling remains just outside the cutoff but could clinch a Finals berth with another podium finish at WEC in two weeks.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Road Ahead</h2>
Only two qualifiers remain this spring: the Mid Atlantic Dressage Festival in Lexington, Kentucky (May 15), and the Ginny Rattner Memorial Dressage in Oregon (May 29). After that, the series pauses until late September. The remaining schedule favors East Coast riders, especially those based in Florida, offering more scoring opportunities for competitors like Ebeling, Kane, and Jorst. Riders near the cutoff&mdash;or those aiming to improve their prize money standings&mdash;will need to capitalize on the final spring starts before the Finals in November.
Stay connected with the latest news and standings on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen">Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
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Jorst and Vaughn Vault Into Finals Contention with Coastal Wins

For the second time this season, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage unfolds on both coasts, with qualifiers at Pacific Coast Dressage in Temecula, California, and TerraNova Equestrian Center in Myakka City, Florida. Only six qualifiers remain before the Finals in November, and leaderboard points are at a premium.
This weekend could bring a pivotal shift in the Series standings. Two-time winner Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn is chasing a historic third victory. Ben Ebeling looks to solidify his Finals contention. Kristina Harrison-Antell and Devon Kane are poised to break into the top ranks. Eline Eckroth&rsquo;s strategy could vault her into third overall. And G&uuml;nter Seidel aims to secure his Finals ticket with a promising new mount.
As the leaderboard&rsquo;s Top 18 cutoff tightens, every percentage point matters.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-Fo3Dv" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Current US Equestrian Open standings - 30th April 2025" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Fo3Dv/2/" height="554" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">Vaughn Chases a Record Third Win</h2>
Two victories earlier this year propelled Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn into a three-way tie for the series lead this spring. She currently sits 19th after missing recent qualifiers, but another strong finish would push her safely into Finals qualification. Since returning from the FEI World Cup Final in Basel &mdash; where Vaughn and Gino earned a respectable 73.765% in their World Cup Finals debut &mdash; she now makes her first US Equestrian Open appearance since February. All eyes will be on the pair&rsquo;s return this weekend.
Because of the small field size, simply completing her freestyle will be enough to move Vaughn into the Top 18 &mdash; displacing another rider from Finals contention. A win at Galway Downs this weekend would also make her the first three-time qualifier winner this season. Gino&rsquo;s current freestyle average stands at 73.051%, with a personal best of 75.150%.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-py3IH" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: Pacific Coast CDI" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/py3IH/1/" height="666" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">Ebeling Targets Another Win</h2>
Ben Ebeling and Bellena made a statement at their only US Equestrian Open outing this season, taking the win with a 75.740%. Though Ebeling sits outside the Top 18 due to limited starts, another high-scoring win at TerraNova would put him within striking distance. One more qualifier after this would make him a serious Finals threat. It&rsquo;s not just about qualifying, either. With scoring power already demonstrated, Ebeling could pose a legitimate challenge to current series leader Anna Marek when the Finals roll around.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-zzV5v" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: TerraNova Dressage 3" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/zzV5v/1/" height="597" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">Leaderboard Movement Mayhem</h2>
On the East Coast, Charlotte Jorst, Devon Kane, and Eline Eckroth are all poised to make leaderboard moves at TerraNova.
Jorst and Zhaplin Langholt return to the entry list this weekend. She has competed in three qualifiers this season, winning at Gold Coast and finishing fourth in the same event where Ebeling claimed victory. Because of the smaller field sizes this week, simply completing her freestyle will earn Jorst enough points to move into the Top 18 &mdash; pushing out one of the current riders.
Devon Kane and Vamos are projected to finish third at TerraNova based on their average of 73.193%. A result in that range would push Kane solidly into the Top 10, a significant jump after spending much of the season hovering around the leaderboard bubble.
Eline Eckroth, who has quietly climbed the standings through tactical scheduling, stands to benefit once again. Though her freestyle averages remain modest at 69.680%, simply completing her ride &mdash; even in last place &mdash; will earn enough points to surpass Karen Lipp and take over third place in the overall standings.
While the East Coast riders aim to solidify or improve their positions, the West Coast lineup is poised for even bigger leaderboard shifts.
Kristina Harrison-Antell, who won the last West Coast qualifier, also returns this weekend. If she finishes third or better, she will move into second overall in the Series standings, ending the long hold Germany&rsquo;s Evelyn Eger has had on the runner-up position since Week 8.
G&uuml;nter Seidel brings a new mount, Jack, to the freestyle arena. While Jack has limited experience at this level, his recent Grand Prix Special results suggest he&rsquo;s ready for the challenge. Seidel is projected to finish fourth this weekend, which would earn him 15 points &mdash; enough to secure a place inside the Top 10 and comfortably above the Top 18 cut line.
Tune in to the USEF Network this weekend for coast-to-coast action as the US Equestrian Open of Dressage continues its thrilling march toward the Finals. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sign up for free</a>!
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
For the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide">most up-to-date series calendar</a> and <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open">latest standings</a>, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/">usequestrianopen.org</a>.
Stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

black dressage horse going into an arena 

Leaderboard Drama Looms at Qualifier 17

Since January, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage has crisscrossed the country with 16 qualifiers scheduled&mdash;including two doubleheader weekends. That leaves six qualifiers and seven freestyle classes to go before we reach the Final in Thermal, California. Only the top 18 combinations will qualify&mdash;and only their top six scores count.&nbsp;
Right now, Anna Marek leads with 88 points, but Evelyn Eger is close behind at 85. Karen Lipp has quietly climbed into third, and Eline Eckroth is following closely on fourth. The cutoff line is crowded, and one strong ride could still change everything.
<h2 dir="ltr">7 Moments That Shaped the Series So Far</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">1. The 80% Club</h3>
Adrienne Lyle and Helix&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-helix-soar-to-five-star-victory">delivered a masterclass</a> under the lights at the CDI5* in Wellington, earning a career best of 80.600%. It&rsquo;s one of only two scores to break the 80 barrier so far. The other one? Also earned by Lyle and Helix at AGDF Week 5.
<h3>2. Double Trouble</h3>
Week 7&rsquo;s East/West <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-open-of-dressage-a-three-way-tie-at-the-top">doubleheader made history</a>: Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn and Denielle Gallagher became the series&rsquo; first two-time winners on opposite coasts, both securing top spots on the leaderboard in the same weekend.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">3. Comeback Queen</h3>
P.J. Rizvi&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-marek-and-rizvi-deliver-a-thrilling-night-of-freestyle-dressage">returned to the CDI arena after a six-year break</a>, piloting Vanilla Ice to a 76.585% in their first freestyle&mdash;complete with a cameo by the real Vanilla Ice.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">4. The Heartstopper</h3>
At WEC March, Julio Mendoza Loor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/down-to-the-decimal-mendoza-loor-wins-closest-finish-in-series-history">edged out</a> Anna Marek by just 0.04%&mdash;the narrowest margin of the series. Mendoza scored 75.860%, Marek 75.820%. That&rsquo;s the definition of a photo finish.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">5. The Consistency Climber</h3>
Without a win to her name, Karen Lipp has used&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/unpredictable-but-pivotal-why-wec-could-reshape-the-leaderboard">a string of steady top-10s</a> to earn 77 points and climb to third overall. Call it the long game, and she&rsquo;s playing it well.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">6. The Spoiler Threat</h3>
Kevin Kohmann and D&uuml;nensee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/a-cool-breeze-a-fiery-freestyle-kohmann-and-dnee-shine-in-wellington">delivered a show-stopping 79.240%</a> to win AGDF 9&mdash;and punch their ticket to Basel for the World Cup Final. They&rsquo;ve only shown twice, but both rides were class.
<h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">7. Breakout Pair</h3>
Eline Eckroth and Daphne only debuted at Grand Prix in November. Fast forward five months, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/nichols-claims-first-senior-freestyle-victory-at-terranova">they&rsquo;re sitting fourth</a> on the leaderboard with three podium finishes and a new personal best of 71.055%.
<h2 dir="ltr">On the Edge: Who&rsquo;s Climbing, Who&rsquo;s Slipping</h2>
The riders between 15th and 25th are in precarious territory. Some have just enough to squeak into Thermal. Others need one more shot to qualify&mdash;or risk missing the cut. Here&rsquo;s where things stand:
<h3 dir="ltr">In (for now)</h3>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Devon Kane (42 pts, 17th) &ndash; Three starts, solid scores, and Florida-based. She&rsquo;s likely to show again&mdash;and just one more decent result could lock her in.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n (42 pts, 17th) &ndash; Also on three starts, but now back in Europe. Unless she makes a return stateside (unlikely), she&rsquo;s at serious risk of being overtaken.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Out (but not far)</h3>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn (40 pts, 19th) &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/genay-vaughn-gino-clinch-grand-prix-freestyle-win-with-new-personal-best">One of only three riders with two wins</a>. But she hasn&rsquo;t been seen since February Del Mar, and the leaderboard&rsquo;s catching up fast.</li>
<li>Julio Mendoza Loor (37 pts, 20th) &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/marek-takes-aim-at-series-lead-in-ocala-showdown">A consistent contender</a>, but reportedly off to Europe for the summer. If he&rsquo;s gone, he&rsquo;s likely done with the series.</li>
<li>Charlotte Jorst (35 pts, 21st) &ndash; <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-equestrian-open-welcomes-one-of-the-countrys-top-amateur-riders">Winner at Gold Coast Opener</a> and fourth in Ocala. A top 5 finish at any of the remaining qualifiers could sneak her back into the top 18.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Kasey Perry-Glass (30 pts, 24th) &ndash; Two starts. Two huge scores (76.290% and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/perry-glass-closes-agdf-with-a-win-on-heartbeat">75.915%</a>). If she rides again and lands even a modest third score, she&rsquo;ll be a real Finals threat.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Benjamin Ebeling (20 pts, 30th) &ndash; He&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/bellena-dances-to-victory-but-the-leaderboard-holds-its-breath">won his debut Grand Prix Freestyle</a>. But he&rsquo;s only got one score. He likely needs two more starts&mdash;and strong ones&mdash;to qualify. If he shows up, he could really shake things up. He&rsquo;s got the talent and horsepower to make a Finals podium play.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2>On the Horizon</h2>
Competition resumes this weekend for the series' second dual-coast doubleheader. In Florida, Benjamin Ebeling, Kasey Perry-Glass, and Charlotte Jorst all have a chance to add a much-needed twenty points to their overall score. In the West, Ge&ntilde;ay Vaughn returns to competition fresh off the World Cup Finals.&nbsp;
Stay connected with the latest news and standings on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen">Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dce51360-5371-41aa-a234-8d5afb25ac10.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Dressageopensched Final">

Kevin Kohmann and Dünensee walk out of the dressage arena in Wellington

Dressage