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Jess talks to us this week on the US Equestrian Open Podcast reflecting on one of her best seasons to date. She currently sits second in the series, 30 points behind the leader Phillip Dutton but crucially, with one less counting result. By the time she has that final counting result in place, she may well be leading the Open.
Listen to our chat with Jess:
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36737995/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/000680/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; 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;"> 
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; 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;"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/71866007-f682-45d6-96b8-0aa4edcc2eb7.png?width=934&amp;height=1169" alt="Us Equestrian Open of Eventing Leaderboard as of 30 May 2025">
<h2><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/fbef1f43-a203-4d44-be6c-bd1a81eec137.png?width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="Jessica Phoenix on her recent form"></h2>
<h2>TerraNova Triumph: A Rare 1&ndash;2&nbsp;</h2>
Earlier this spring, Jess delivered a performance for the ages at The Event at TerraNova, taking 1st and 2nd in the CCI4*-S. Her top mare, Freedom GS, won on 39.1&mdash;while Fluorescent Adolescent placed second on 40.4.
That 1&ndash;2 finish is as rare as it gets:
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 322.2pt;">Only the 6th time it&rsquo;s been done on U.S. soil in a field of 20+ starters</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 322.2pt;">Just the 15th time ever in the U.S.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 322.2pt;">The 81st time globally since 2008</li>
</ul>
Both scores rank in her top 10 CCI4-S finishes* over the past 18 seasons&mdash;marking a career high, not just a season peak.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1fceb6f8-27ab-44d2-a1d3-63fe07b8e4a0.png?width=602&amp;height=749" alt="Jess Phoenix Top First Phase Scores">
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Freedom is there to win,&rdquo; Jess told us on the podcast. &ldquo;I just guide her and stay out of the way.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/fb5dc003-ca12-46ef-b2c9-6e6e7c845d73.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Jess on Freedom">
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Open Standings: The Race Heats Up</h2>
Jessica's five counting scores include:
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 322.2pt;">1st at&nbsp;TerraNova &ndash; March 2025 (40 pts)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 322.2pt;">2nd at TerraNova &ndash; March 2025 (35 pts)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 322.2pt;">1st at Ocala International (40 pts)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 322.2pt;">3rd at Ocala International (30 pts)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 322.2pt;">3rd at Kentucky Three-Day Event (40 pts)</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/afa67de0-c334-4e3d-aa81-4ddd6669cc9f.png?width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="Jessica Phoenix Quote about difficulty of eventing">
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/54d8710e-a65d-4fae-9508-c0c711140ad3.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Jess Pav Quote">
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Final Stop: Morven Park</h2>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/04ebc166-9d71-4fa6-a19c-c83c29425c17.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Us Quotes Mor">
Morven is where it all comes together: a world-class facility, a four-star long-format test, and the US Open Final. Jess is planning to bring &ldquo;almost every horse we have.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Freedom GS will love it&mdash;she feeds off the energy.&rdquo;
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
&nbsp;
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;
<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>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&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>.

Image of Jessica Phoenix riding the bay horse Freedom GS and pumping her first in the air. A broad smile is seen under the brim of her helmet. The pair had just completed a show jumping round at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

"We’ll take almost every horse we’ve got.”

<h3 data-start="541" data-end="595">Tryon's Podium</h3>
The young mare Jaguars Duende continued her upward trajectory at the Tryon leg of the US Equestrian Open of Eventing taking the win in the CCI4*-S class. It marked back-to-back CCI4*-S podium finishes for this pair, following a second place on debut at the level.
It was their speed cross country that set her ahead of the field that included established names like Tsetserleg and Direct Advance. Sharon White and Jags&nbsp;picked up 4.4 time faults, the fastest in the field, while the average for the class was 16 penalties. Kim Severson and Cooley Corraghy Diamond delivered a strong performance to secure second place, while rising stars Cole Horn and MBF Cooley Permission To Land rounded out the podium in third. Remarkably, it was only the pair&rsquo;s second CCI4*-S start together - and their first completion at the level - making the result a major milestone in their young partnership.
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<hr>
<h3 data-start="541" data-end="595"> Jaguars Duende's International Wins</h3>
Their victory at Tryon CCI4*-S marked Jaguars Duende&rsquo;s fifth international win. That win follows up their 2nd place at Ocala for their four-star debut and a 5th at Carolina this spring - adding to a record that already included four other major wins :
<ul>
<li data-start="846" data-end="878">Maryland 5 Star CCI3*-L (2024)</li>
<li data-start="846" data-end="878">Tryon CCI3*-L (2024)</li>
<li data-start="846" data-end="878">Carolina CCI3*-S (2024)</li>
<li data-start="846" data-end="878">Virginia CCI2*-S (2022)</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a539dc4c-e4da-4705-9cbc-d80da46e794b.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="James Alliston (4)">
Across 14 international starts, they&rsquo;ve finished on the podium 9 times, showing their impressive consistency and form.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7695e7c7-80e7-40de-8969-29921fcd6037.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Tryon Recap (4)">
<hr data-start="1165" data-end="1168">
<h2 data-start="1170" data-end="1221">&nbsp;</h2>
<h3 data-start="1170" data-end="1221">📈 The Rise in Numbers: Elo and What It Tells Us</h3>
A standout marker of their form? Jaguars Duende&rsquo;s Elo rating has surged from 338 to 625 since her international debut. Unlike most horses whose ratings fluctuate, Jags has only moved in one direction - up.
Elo is a performance rating system used by EquiRatings to track the strength of combinations over time. It goes beyond simple results &mdash; taking into account:
<ul>
<li data-start="1723" data-end="1751">The level of competition</li>
<li data-start="1723" data-end="1751">The&nbsp;strength of the field</li>
<li data-start="1723" data-end="1751">How&nbsp;consistently a horse finishes ahead of top-class rivals</li>
</ul>
The higher the rating, the more proven the horse is in big fields. And big jumps in Elo suggest a combination is trending in the right direction - fast.
Elo is not just a stat - it is a story of steady improvement and strong performances against increasingly tough competition. For Jaguars Duende, a rise of nearly 300 points since 2022 confirms what fans and selectors alike are noticing: this horse is exceptional. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dec1cb6b-32c5-4046-818c-869addfa3f5c.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Tryon Recap (8)"> 
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<hr>
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<h3 data-start="0" data-end="306">What is next for Jaguars Duende?</h3>
At just 9 years old, Jags is on the brink of breaking into the top 25 Elo-rated horses in the USA, with her current score sitting just below Hallie Coon&rsquo;s Cute Girl (630 Elo). Based on her sharp upward trend and consistent form, we expect her to move into that elite tier at her very next outing.
What makes this even more remarkable is the age gap &mdash; the average age of the top 25 Elo horses is 14. If Jags breaks through, she&rsquo;ll be the youngest in the group. She&rsquo;s climbing fast, and doing it years ahead of schedule.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/bd664257-cba0-4e2c-9d65-3cbf266cbce7.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="James Alliston (5)">
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
&nbsp;
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;
<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>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&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>.

Jaguars Duende is Climbing to the Top

Annie and Diarm sat down with James Alliston on the US Equestrian Open podcast&mdash;and it&rsquo;s a good one. From his record-breaking weekend at Twin Rivers to the horses in his string and the road to Morven Park, James shares it all.&nbsp; Listen to the full episode or keep reading for the highlights, stats, and standout storylines.
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<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36590375/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/002180/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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<hr>
<h3 class="" data-start="94" data-end="128">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="94" data-end="128">Twin Rivers and Teamwork</h3>
James turned heads at Twin Rivers with a standout performance: four horses finishing in the top five, including first, second, third, and fifth. He became just the fifth rider in 17 years to achieve this rare feat.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0c280dbb-c751-47c3-8077-0ee3c4e5745c.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Untitled Design (9)">
That success hasn&rsquo;t come in isolation&mdash;it&rsquo;s the result of a hardworking team behind the scenes. His wife, Helen, plays a pivotal role in the daily training and development of their horses, having produced several of James' horses up to three-star level herself. Their staff and students are essential in maintaining fitness programs and managing the chaos of show-day logistics, especially when multiple horses are competing in the same class. Even event organizers have played a part, adjusting schedules to help James juggle it all.
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<hr class="" data-start="722" data-end="725">
<h3 class="" data-start="727" data-end="768">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="727" data-end="768">Karma: Speed, Spark, and Star Power</h3>
Karma has become a fan favorite&mdash;and deservedly so. Karma brings serious energy both at home and in the ring. Dressage was tricky early on for the pair, but she&rsquo;s settled with experience and now shines at the top level. Looking ahead, James has his eye on Aachen if selected, with Montana and Morven Park also in the mix.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b83a5eb7-97e4-4f78-8f1e-55269fb7cf06.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="She Is a Fantastic Horse an Incredible Athlete, so Fast and an Amazing Jumper. I'm Hoping With Time and Mileage, We Can Just Take a Little Bit of the Edge off the Hotness. but It's Partly That Tha">
James&rsquo;s win at Twin Rivers with Karma wasn&rsquo;t just a highlight of the season&mdash;it marked a major career milestone. It was his 10th international four-star win since 2008, a number achieved by only seven U.S. riders in history.
What makes that stat even more impressive is the efficiency behind it. James has reached that milestone with fewer than 50 runs at the level&mdash;giving him the highest four-star win rate of any U.S. rider on the list, at 22%. Quietly consistent, deeply competitive, and now statistically elite.
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<hr class="" data-start="1380" data-end="1383">
<h3 class="" data-start="1385" data-end="1417">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="1385" data-end="1417">A Deep and Balanced String</h3>
There's Nemesis, making a strong comeback after injury, Paper Jam &mdash;a seasoned four-star veteran&mdash; and promising talents like Cora and Irish Pop who performed well at Twin Rivers.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/709bc7dd-7dc2-4cbd-9eca-68c3c3761632.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="James Alliston">
Events like Rebecca Farm and Montana feature in his summer calendar as James positions his team for a final push toward the Open finale.
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<hr>
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<h3 class="" data-start="107" data-end="135">Learning from a Legend</h3>
James reflects on his journey in the U.S. that began with a gap year and turned into a career-defining chapter under Bruce Davidson Sr. Working on a farm full of young horses, racehorses, and elite-level talent, he absorbed everything&mdash;from horsemanship and fitness to feel and finesse.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/af037b8a-4057-4809-abd2-79317a7bad5f.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="James Alliston (1)">
Bruce&rsquo;s style wasn&rsquo;t built on structured lessons but on immersion: ride, watch, learn, repeat. That intense, hands-on environment shaped James&rsquo;s foundation as a rider.
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<hr>
<h3 class="" data-start="641" data-end="665">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="641" data-end="665">All In on the Open</h3>
James was immediately intrigued when the U.S. Equestrian Open launched&mdash;especially the idea of serious prize money. For horses not yet ready for five-star, it offers a real purpose and a clear target. Now sitting third on the leaderboard, James plans to contest as many qualifiers as possible and is eyeing a trip to Morven Park for the final. It&rsquo;s a competitive challenge&mdash;and one he&rsquo;s fully committed to.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f611e1de-723f-45e0-80df-da1c4db95b81.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="James Alliston (2)">
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<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>US Equestrian Open Leaderboard&nbsp;</h3>
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a37f0405-f149-414e-a21d-f585ccec3d83.png?width=733&amp;height=532" alt="Screenshot 2025 05 16 162737">
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<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>🎙️&nbsp;Listen Now: James Alliston &amp; The Road to Morven</h3>
From Twin Rivers to leaderboard goals&mdash;James talks Karma, the Open, and what&rsquo;s next.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36590375/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/002180/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>
&nbsp;
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;
<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>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&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>.

New Podcast: James Alliston and The Road to Morven Park

It&rsquo;s back to Tryon for the twelfth leg of the US Equestrian Open of Eventing&mdash;and with just one event scheduled in May, this weekend will be one to watch. From leaderboard shakeups to breakout performances, there&rsquo;s plenty on the line at a venue known for delivering drama.
The full breakdown is now live on the US Equestrian Open Podcast&mdash;but here&rsquo;s your snapshot of what you need to know ahead of Tryon.
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<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36471130/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/003580/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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<hr>
<h2 data-start="539" data-end="565">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="539" data-end="565">Lets Take a Look at the&nbsp;<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/tryon_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prediction Centre</a></h2>
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&nbsp;
<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/tryon_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/fce526ba-d6ab-43c6-853e-f4371ca0b816.png?width=916&amp;height=943" alt="Screenshot 2025 05 07 154220"></a>
<h3 data-start="539" data-end="565">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="539" data-end="565">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="539" data-end="565">Boyd Martin - Tsetserleg TSF</h3>
Boyd Martin heads to Tryon as the new FEI World Number One &mdash; and with 135 points on the US Open leaderboard, he&rsquo;s within striking distance of the top three. A win here could shake things up while also securing his position in the FEI rankings.
He brings forward Tsetserleg TSF, or &lsquo;Thomas&rsquo; &mdash; the most experienced horse in the field. With an Olympic appearance to many 5* completions including a podium in 2019, Thomas has a huge fan following. It&rsquo;s no surprise they top the Prediction Centre this weekend with a 27% win chance.
<h3 data-start="940" data-end="1184">Sara Kozumplik - Rock Phantom</h3>
One of the early stars of the US Open Series, Rock Phantom and Sara Kozumplik took the win at Bouckaert in 2024 &mdash; and now they&rsquo;re back and heading to Tryon. This marks their&nbsp;first 4 star of the season, with Sara returning to the saddle after a minor injury kept her out of Kentucky. The numbers speak for themselves as they sit second on the Prediction Centre with a 16% win chance.
<h3>Caroline Pamucku - Redfield Dexter and HSH Tolan King</h3>
It&rsquo;s a two-horse attack from Caroline Pamukcu this weekend &mdash; and together, her chances are looking strong.&nbsp;Redfield Dexter comes in with a 13% win chance after a standout performance at Ocala, where he completed his first CCI4*-S and finished fifth. With that milestone behind them, we expect they may take the handbrake off cross-country and have a serious shot at the podium.
HSH Tolan King, the more seasoned of the two, edged his stablemate for fourth at Ocala and carries a 12% win chance into Tryon. Together, Caroline&rsquo;s duo gives her a combined 25% shot at the win &mdash; not a bad hand to be playing.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 data-start="1629" data-end="1649">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="1629" data-end="1649">Ones to Watch</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li data-start="1653" data-end="1771">Sharon White &amp; Jaguars Duende: Still new at the level, but flashy and full of potential. The team here is excited about this horse and you should be too.</li>
<li data-start="1653" data-end="1771">Kim Severson &amp; Cooley Corraghy Diamond: Young, green, but growing - this combination is one to keep an eye on.</li>
<li data-start="1653" data-end="1771">Laine Ashker &amp; Lovedance: While it's a 4* debut for the horse, this pair looks to put on an impressive performance.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 data-start="1516" data-end="1760">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="1516" data-end="1760">The US Equestrian Open Leaderboard</h2>
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4f864eb7-9bb9-4afb-9eb8-23aa7c97a7f1.png?width=493&amp;height=373" alt="Screenshot 2025 05 07 161651">
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 data-start="3732" data-end="4026">🎙️&nbsp;Listen Now:&nbsp;The Tryon Preview Show</h2>
Dive deeper into Tryon with Annie Bishop and Diarmuid Byrne on the latest US Equestrian Open Podcast.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36471130/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/003580/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
&nbsp;
<hr>
<section class="wysiwyg col-span-12 lg:col-span-6 lg:col-start-4">
<h1 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h1>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
&nbsp;
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;
<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>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&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>.
</section>

New Podcast: The Tryon Preview Show

From new personal bests to leaderboard shakeups, the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S delivered a weekend packed with momentum shifts and standout moments. Will Coleman and Off the Record led from the very first phase, but there were big moves happening just behind them as Phillip Dutton, Jessica Phoenix, and Allison Springer made major statements in the US Equestrian Open Series.
The full breakdown is now live on the US Equestrian Open Podcast&mdash;but here&rsquo;s your snapshot of everything that went down in Kentucky, and what it means for the road ahead.
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<h3 data-start="686" data-end="1136">Coleman and Off the Record Lead from Start to Finish</h3>
Will Coleman and&nbsp;Off the Record were the stars of the show. They came out swinging with a 21.8 in the first phase&mdash;Timmy&rsquo;s best ever score at any level&mdash;and never gave up the lead. They added only 7.2 time penalties on cross-country (the fastest of the day) and just added four faults on Sunday in the showjumping, to defend Will's title at the Kentucky 4*-S. From start to finish, it was smooth, stylish, and a perfect example of what this partnership can do when they&rsquo;re on song.
This win wasn&rsquo;t just another notch on the belt&mdash;it was a record-defining moment:
🏆 Will's 16th career CCI4*-S win (15 of them on U.S. soil, plus CHIO Aachen)
🏆 Off The Record&rsquo;s 6th CCI4*-S win
🏆 Will&rsquo;s second win in five runnings of the Kentucky 4*-S
🏆 Enough to move Will into the global top 10 for CCI4*-S wins since 2008
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 data-start="1476" data-end="1937">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1476" data-end="1937">Dutton and Phoenix Secure Key Podium Finishes</h3>
And while Coleman took the win, Phillip Dutton stole the spotlight when it came to the series storyline. He came into Kentucky on top of the US Equestrian Open standings with 175 points&mdash;and both of his rides delivered.&nbsp;Possante finished second, Denim took fourth, and together they helped push his season total to 215 points. That makes Dutton the first rider this year to break the 200-point barrier, and he now sits 30 points clear at the top of the table.
There was some speculation about whether Phillip&rsquo;s horses had the speed to challenge this field&mdash;and while both picked up time penalties, context matters. Off the Record was the fastest with 7.2; Phillip&rsquo;s horses weren&rsquo;t far behind. Possante and Denim both posted top-six cross-country times, proving that when it counts, they can absolutely turn up the heat.
Just behind them, Jessica Phoenix quietly climbed the podium into third place with Freedom GS, adding 40 points and bumping her series total to 185. That makes her the closest challenger to Dutton&rsquo;s lead, and with a few more key results, she&rsquo;s well within striking distance. Her Ocala performance, her podium here&mdash;Jess is on a tear this season and proving she&rsquo;s got the firepower for a serious series run.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 data-start="2308" data-end="2707">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2308" data-end="2707">No May Moon Shines in Kentucky</h3>
But the biggest mover of the weekend? No May Moon. Allison Springer and her crowd-favorite mare delivered one of the standout performances of the competition. They started in 25th after dressage, then rocketed up to finish fifth. It was one of the fastest cross-country rounds on the day, followed by a clear jumping round. This wasn&rsquo;t a fluke&mdash;this was a star stepping fully into the spotlight. With a string of strong recent performances, No May Moon could be the sleeper pick for the finale.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 data-start="3242" data-end="3639">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="3242" data-end="3639">Leaderboard Update: It&rsquo;s Still All to Play For</h3>
The <a href="https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leaderboard</a> looks different now, and it&rsquo;s shaping into a real race. Phillip leads on 215, Jess follows with 185, and James Alliston holds third with 145. Riders like Caroline Pamukcu, Ema Klugman, and Allison Springer are still in the hunt, especially as we head into the second half of the series. The full top ten is here&mdash;and it&rsquo;s tight enough to expect fireworks over the coming qualifiers:
<a href="https://usef.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/bd3f74f7-7a71-401e-939c-d2d10ce477ce.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Kentucky Recap"></a>
So what&rsquo;s next? More qualifiers, more movement, and all eyes on Morven Park, where the $200K showdown will bring the best back together. With Off the Record in this kind of form, Phillip pushing the pace, and Jess quietly stacking points, it&rsquo;s anyone&rsquo;s game.
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
<h3 data-start="3732" data-end="4026">🎙️ Listen Now: The Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Review&nbsp;</h3>
Dive deeper into the wins, surprises, and leaderboard drama on the latest&nbsp;US Equestrian Open Podcast.
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<h1 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h1>
<hr>
<h1 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h1>
<h1 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h1>
&nbsp;
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;
<hr>
&nbsp;
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&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>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
&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>.&nbsp;

New Podcast: Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Review Show

In this week&rsquo;s episode, Annie Bishop is joined by Sally Spickard (Eventing Nation), Sinead Maynard, and EquiRatings' Diarm Byrne to break down the field for the Cosequin&reg; Lexington CCI4*-S. From bold predictions to heartfelt dark horse picks, it&rsquo;s your all-access pass to the names, numbers, and narratives that matter most.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36261295/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/0a317e/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="822" data-end="825">
<h3 class="" data-start="827" data-end="858">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="827" data-end="858">🔺 The Big Three at the Top</h3>
Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Blake, Will Coleman &amp; Off The Record, and Alyssa Phillips &amp; Oskar currently dominate the top of the Prediction Centre &mdash; combining for nearly 70% of total win chance. But as Diarm reminds us, this doesn't mean everything. Past years have seen late lead changes, surprise poles, and big names fall short. This is not a field for safe bets.
Blake&rsquo;s star-making turn at Kentucky last year still lingers in Diarm&rsquo;s mind &mdash; not just the numbers, but the visual dominance across country. Can Caroline repeat with more pressure and more eyes this time around?
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="1425" data-end="1428">
<h3 class="" data-start="1430" data-end="1458">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="1430" data-end="1458">🐴 Dark Horses Lining Up</h3>
Sure, the prediction models favor the big names &mdash; but the pundits are keeping close tabs on some serious spoilers. Sally flags No May Moon as her one-to-watch: a gritty little mare with proven form and podium potential if she can stay close after dressage.
Annie&rsquo;s backing Cute Girl to recapture form, while Sinead is excited to see Invictus, That&rsquo;s Me Z, and Possante in action &mdash; all with solid backstories and momentum heading in.
And Diarm? He&rsquo;s still running spreadsheets, but even his data admits: it&rsquo;s wide open.
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="1999" data-end="2002">
<h3 class="" data-start="2004" data-end="2046">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="2004" data-end="2046">🌍 West Coast Energy, East Coast Stage</h3>
There&rsquo;s a buzz around the West Coast riders making the trip: Tommy Greengard and That&rsquo;s Me Z, Taryn Hoffos and Regalla, and Molly Duda with Disco Traveler are among those crossing the country for a shot at this major 4*. With top-level experience overseas, these combos bring freshness &mdash; and fire &mdash; to a field full of veterans.
It&rsquo;s exactly what the US Equestrian Open is built for: mixing regions, highlighting talent, and giving fans a chance to see combinations they might not normally catch in person.
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="2546" data-end="2549">
<h3 class="" data-start="2551" data-end="2592">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="2551" data-end="2592">💻 Podium Picks &amp; Prediction Showdown</h3>
As always, Annie and Diarm close out the episode with their podium predictions &mdash; and the scoring battle between them is heating up. Diarm&rsquo;s going for a head-heart hybrid: Blake to win, Off The Record second, and No May Moon sneaking into third. Annie&rsquo;s betting on Will and Timmy to get it done, with Cute Girl and Possante crashing the party.
Bonus drama? Caroline doesn&rsquo;t even make Annie&rsquo;s podium. Bold.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 class="" data-start="3001" data-end="3018">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="3001" data-end="3018">🎧 Listen Now</h3>
It&rsquo;s all to play for in Kentucky. The Prediction Centre says one thing. The gut says another. And the horses? They&rsquo;ll have the final say.
This is where the leaderboard gets serious. This is why we follow.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 class="" data-start="3988" data-end="4009">📣 Stay Connected</h3>
Explore the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/magazines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fan Guide</a>, check the&nbsp;<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/?hsCtaTracking=907b4987-399b-4b9c-987d-14baa17bbf42%7Cc8942863-dac1-4a71-95b2-ee4f0be07dc6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prediction Center</a>, and follow the series on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen/">Instagram</a>.
Don&rsquo;t miss a second of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event &mdash; streaming live on the USEF Network. All USEF members, including free Fan account holders, can watch the action without any added costs.&nbsp;Join now at <a href="https://www.usef.org/events/kentucky-three-day/?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=slider&amp;utm_campaign=k3de" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usef.org</a>.
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New Podcast: Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S Preview Show

In our latest podcast episode, Annie Bishop and Diarm Byrne unpack a wild few weeks of competition and look ahead to a fascinating Ocala field. From James Alliston&rsquo;s incredible 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th at Twin Rivers to the long-awaited CCI4*-S debut of Sharon White's Jaguar&rsquo;s Duende, this is the kind of stretch that transforms a season.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36206940/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/04328f/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="769" data-end="772">
<h3 class="" data-start="774" data-end="808">💥 Alliston&rsquo;s Historic Weekend</h3>
We&rsquo;ve seen dominance, but not like this. James Alliston not only showed up at Twin Rivers &mdash; he swept the podium and then some. His four-horse haul (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th) is the kind of stat you rarely see, even at the international level. As Diarm notes, it&rsquo;s the first time in nearly a decade that one rider has had four horses in the top five at this level.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1dd4427c-fcb0-4841-a8a9-cd3e560ffd7a.png?width=738&amp;height=922" alt="Screenshot 2025 04 17 220023">
&nbsp;
And those 125 points? They&rsquo;ve vaulted him into third place on the leaderboard &mdash; from zero.
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="1277" data-end="1280">
<h3 class="" data-start="1282" data-end="1315">🔄 Caroline Reloads for Ocala</h3>
Caroline Pamukcu has two big bullets to fire this weekend: Redfield Dexter and HSH Tolland King. Sitting in eighth place with 60 points, a strong result at Ocala could launch her right into title contention &mdash; especially with HSH Blake poised to strike at Kentucky next week.
Prediction Center odds are stacked in her favor (this week and next) with Caroline holding both the first and second highest win chances. She&rsquo;s been here before &mdash; and after a few setbacks at TerraNova, you get the sense she&rsquo;s coming in sharp.
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="1825" data-end="1828">
<h3 class="" data-start="1830" data-end="1853">🐎 The Duende Debut</h3>
Let&rsquo;s just say it: Jaguar&rsquo;s Duende feels like <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/jaguars-duende-sharon-white-on-her-rising-star-of-us-eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the breakout moment we&rsquo;ve all been waiting for</a>. Sharon White&rsquo;s carefully-managed star mare makes her 4* debut at Ocala, and it&rsquo;s one of the most buzzed-about entries of the entire series.
Will she run fast? Will she challenge for a podium? Maybe. But as Annie reminds us (and Diarm tries to internalize), this is a long game &mdash; and Sharon&rsquo;s approach has always been horse-first. That said, this mare hasn&rsquo;t missed a podium yet at the lower levels, so don&rsquo;t be surprised if she forces her way into the conversation.
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="2877" data-end="2880">
<h3 class="" data-start="2882" data-end="2914">📊 The Leaderboard Gets Real</h3>
With Ocala marking the halfway point in the series, we&rsquo;re finally starting to see the true shape of the leaderboard. Phillip Dutton&rsquo;s early-season lead is suddenly under pressure. Boyd Martin, James Alliston, and possibly Caroline could be right there by the time Kentucky rolls around.
And that&rsquo;s exactly what the Open was designed to do &mdash; create reasons to follow, stories to connect, and new fans to hook.
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="3327" data-end="3330">
<h3 class="" data-start="3332" data-end="3365">🥇 Predictions &amp; Podium Picks</h3>
Want to know who Annie and Diarm are backing this week? They both expect big things from Caroline&rsquo;s entries, but Diarm also makes the case for Zachary Brandt and Direct Advance sneaking into the top three.
And while Annie won&rsquo;t let herself put Jaguar&rsquo;s Duende on the podium (superstition!), she makes it clear her heart says otherwise.
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="3712" data-end="3715">
<h3 class="" data-start="3717" data-end="3734">🎧 Listen Now</h3>
This is the weekend that could change everything. Will Caroline make her charge? Will Sharon&rsquo;s 'Jags' deliver a debut for the ages? And who else could shake up the table?
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36206940/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/04328f/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="3983" data-end="3986">
<h3 class="" data-start="3988" data-end="4009">📣 Stay Connected</h3>
Explore the latest <a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/379819202/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fan Guide</a>, check the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/?hsCtaTracking=907b4987-399b-4b9c-987d-14baa17bbf42%7Cc8942863-dac1-4a71-95b2-ee4f0be07dc6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prediction Center</a>, and follow the series on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen/">Instagram</a>.
&nbsp;

New Podcast: Twin Rivers Review and a big debut coming in Ocala

<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>As the Ocala International CCI4*-S kicks off, it&rsquo;s clear who&rsquo;s carrying the weight of expectation and who could shake things up. The EquiRatings Prediction Centre has crunched the data, and Caroline Pamukcu heads to Ocala with not one, but two top contenders. Riding HSH Tolan King and Redfield Dexter, she has a 67% chance of winning and subsequently, shaking up the US Equestrian Open Leaderboard.</div>
<div> But this is not just about podiums &mdash; it&rsquo;s about points. The US Equestrian Open Leaderboard is heating up, and Ocala could be the event that flips the whole script.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">&nbsp;</div>
<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/ocala_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0ed32f09-267a-4439-9605-39058351fccb.png?width=1029&amp;height=922" alt="Screenshot 2025 04 15 180755"></a>
&nbsp;
Caroline Pamukcu tops the Prediction Centre with her rides HSH Tolan King and Redfield Dexter combining for a 67% total win chance heading into Ocala.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/jaguars-duende-sharon-white-on-her-rising-star-of-us-eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sharon White </a><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/jaguars-duende-sharon-white-on-her-rising-star-of-us-eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">and</a><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/jaguars-duende-sharon-white-on-her-rising-star-of-us-eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Jaguars Duende</a> are making their long awaited CCI4*-S and US Equestrian Open debut With 12 international starts and 9 podium finishes, she&rsquo;s already proved she belongs in elite company. A 21% win chance at this level, on debut! The Prediction Centre says she&rsquo;s one to take seriously.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2>Double Podium = Double Points</h2>
Here&rsquo;s the kicker: points in the US Open are awarded per horse. So if Pamucku wins with one and finishes second or third with the other? She&rsquo;s not just taking home 40 points &mdash; she&rsquo;s banking up to 75.
Currently 8th on the leaderboard with 60 points, Pamukcu has a real chance to launch into the top 3 while closing in fast on Boyd Martin (135 points) and Phillip Dutton (175 points).
A double-pointed weekend at Ocala would also set Caroline up perfectly for the next event in the Series &mdash; the Kentucky CCI4*-S, where she&rsquo;s expected to line up with&nbsp;HSH Blake, a top contender and fan favourite. When we look back at the overall league standings before we head to the final at Morven, there is a good chance Ocala will be seen as a turning point for Caroline's challenge.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h2>Other Movers to Watch</h2>
Jessica Phoenix, sitting 5th in the current standings with 75 points, is back with two rides. Her predicted win chances are lower (3% and 1%), but her consistent top finishes could still see her lock in key leaderboard points. Jess delivered a rare 1,2 in TerraNova in the last few weeks and another big finish here on one or both will see her pass the 100-point barrier.&nbsp;&nbsp;
And don&rsquo;t count out Zachary Brandt, either. With a 6% win chance and a 36% podium probability aboard Direct Advance, he&rsquo;s right on the edge of this.
We&rsquo;re excited to see how it all unfolds &mdash; from Caroline&rsquo;s double threat to Duende&rsquo;s big debut. Ocala is ready to deliver drama, and the leaderboard is ready to move.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">
<h1 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h1>
&nbsp;
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;
<hr>
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>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
<hr>
&nbsp;
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&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>.&nbsp;
</div>

All Eyes on Ocala

The Twin Rivers CCI4*-S marks <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/eventing-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Qualifier 9 of the US Equestrian Open of Eventing.</a> It also marks a new frontier for Tamie Smith and the first 2025 international for one of James Alliston's rising stars.
Last weekend, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIJnPuXOXmU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boyd Martin gained 130 Series points in a single qualifier</a> to jump to second on the leaderboard. Both Tamie and James, with multiple entries, can likewise make gains this weekend.&nbsp;
<h1 class="MsoNormal">Tamie Crosses a Threshold</h1>
About 18 years ago, Tamie Smith faced her first ever CCI4*-S event. Since then, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIRaiIYuYTS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">she has started a total of 100 competitions at the level </a>and has become the unofficial West Coast ambassador in the world of eventing.&nbsp;
The path to World silver medals (Pratoni 2022 team) and five-star victories (Kentucky 2023) is paved, largely, with CCI4*-S runs. And Tamie has become one of the USA's best at the level. She has <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIRaiIYuYTS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won 12 of her 100 CCI4*-S appearances</a>. And, even more telling, she has produced two of the USA's best CCI4*-S performances on record according to the EquiRatings High Performance Rating (which measures not just scores and placings but also all the other factors that make an event difficult to win).
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/72d3df95-cce2-4b78-a39b-b7548fa06935.png?width=1318&amp;height=1636" alt="Top 10 Cci4 S Performances by Us Riders">
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9556104c-7eb2-4b9e-baf2-4f035ec1f048.jpg?width=5172&amp;height=5606" alt="Bay horse Kynan &amp; Tamie Smith">
Tamie Smith &amp; Kynan who she rides this week. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Tamie is also one of just five US riders to register five or more&nbsp;sub-30 scores at the CCI4*-S level since 2008.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a42fa09c-cf2d-43f8-af26-f6c484ec475c.png?width=806&amp;height=826" alt="Us Riders With the Most Sub 30 Scores at Cci4 S Between 2008 2025"> And, at 4:48 pm PT on Thursday, Tamie will trot down center line on Kynan. It will be her 101st CCI4*-S start. Shortly after, Lillet 3 will be her 102nd.
Onward and upward to 200.
<h1 class="MsoNormal">Keep an Eye on Karma</h1>
Another West Coast stalwart,&nbsp;James Alliston, is Mr. Reliable at Twin Rivers. He&rsquo;s won the last four CCI4*-S events here &mdash; and just to show off, he did it on four different horses. This weekend, he brings forward four entries, including one of his most exciting prospects: Karma.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c8190c64-1cbc-4bcd-89e0-8a8f842181da.png?width=1200&amp;height=1622" alt="Last 10 Winners of Twin Rivers Cci4 S">
Karma is one to keep an eye on for the future. She hasn&rsquo;t run internationally since last summer, when she and James crossed the Atlantic to take on the&nbsp;CHIO Aachen Nations Cup, one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. There in Germany, Karma and James didn&rsquo;t just hold their own &ndash; they finished as the highest-placed US combination, ninth out of 45 starters. And that was in a field stacked with German athletes fighting for Olympic selection and other would-be Paris Olympians. It was a performance that helped Team USA secure the Nations Cup silver medal.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/cf81b56e-f5f2-4f05-87fe-51a26b4bdbf0.png?width=1080&amp;height=853" alt="Dark bay horse Karma &amp; rider James Alliston clearing a show jumping fence">
James Alliston &amp; Karma.
Karma has so far contested 10 internationals and aside from one early hiccup &mdash; a cross-country elimination on her very first international start &mdash; she has been on a roll:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">She&rsquo;s picked up Elo points in all nine subsequent international appearances, a sign of continual improvement and consistency.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">She has knocked only one rail across all nine international show jumping rounds.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">She made her five-star debut at Kentucky last year where she finished 12th by adding only time penalties to her dressage score.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">She hasn&rsquo;t had a single XC jumping fault in any of those nine runnings, including a&nbsp;clear on that five-star debut.</li>
</ul>
So on Saturday, James and Karma be aiming for ten clear XC rounds in a row.
Or will they?
The pair are also entered for the Kentucky Three-Day CCI5* later this month. So it wouldn&rsquo;t be a surprise if James decides to withdraw the mare before cross-country. We&rsquo;ll find out soon enough &mdash; but whether or not she runs, this is a pair with positive momentum heading into their 2025 season.
<h1 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h1>
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"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram. </a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
<hr>
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;

James Alliston & the dark bay horse Karma clearing a cross-country fence during competition.

Tamie Crosses 100 & James Brings a Rising Star

Jess Phoenix reminded everyone of her class last weekend in the TerraNova 4*-S, delivering a 1-2 finish that places her <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">third on the US Equestrian Open leaderboard</a>. But this wasn&rsquo;t just a good weekend &mdash; it was one of the best in Jess's CCI4*-S career; a career that spans 164 starts at the level dating back to 2006.
<h1>One of Her Best Weekends Ever at 4*-S</h1>
From a field of over 20 starters, Phoenix and Freedom GS claimed the win, while Fluorescent Adolescent joined the party in second. It marked just the sixth time in recent history (2008 onwards) that a 1-2 finish has been achieved at a U.S. CCI4*-S from a field of over 20 starters &mdash; the last being Boyd Martin at Tryon in 2023.
<h2>Table-Topping Win Counts</h2>
The victory was Phoenix's fifth four-star win,&nbsp;more than any other Canadian rider of the last 18 seasons. And each win was with a different horse.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7316c1fa-fd9a-4e54-92e1-7f17744dbad4.png?width=1366&amp;height=1282" alt="Canadian riders with the most CCI4* wins between 2008-2025">
Looking at all international levels, TerraNova was Phoenix's 19th win which is a decidedly table-topping tally among her fellow Canadians. It's over twice as many wins as number two on the list.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5e0e6185-f26c-41ce-8f95-70c31cce3711.png?width=722&amp;height=892" alt="Canadian Riders With the Most International Wins Since 2008">
<h2>Top 10 Scores</h2>
Both of Phoenix's 1-2 placings also cracked her all-time top 10 CCI4*-S finishing scores:
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/fe9a813f-e3df-4c5b-afcf-4c5032678a84.png?width=1030&amp;height=1222" alt="Table showing Jessica Phoenix's all-time top 10 CCI4*-S finishing scores">
<h1>164 Runs, One Relentless Competitor</h1>
Jess has now competed 164 times at CCI4*-S since first appearing at the level in 2006, a stat that underscores both her longevity and commitment to the international stage <a href="https://app.datawrapper.de/edit/ZfP2D/visualize#refine">&mdash;&nbsp;</a>becoming Canada's most recognizable face in the sport.
We at EquiRatings have data on&nbsp;all international riders dating back to 2008 and between then and now, only six riders worldwide have more CCI4*-S runs than Phoenix's 161 (three of Jess' 164 were pre-'08).
As Diarm put it on the <a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast/episode/aaf0749ae6d497a4c2c2e9f78129b3c1c4950cf5/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">podcast</a>: &ldquo;Jess has always had firepower. In my time in the sport, she&rsquo;s just remained constant.&rdquo;
Annie added:&nbsp;&ldquo;She's a national treasure. They call her the smiling assassin!&rdquo;
<h1>Climbing the Open Leaderboard</h1>
<blockquote>
"Form, confidence, and experience. That&rsquo;s a scary combination if you&rsquo;re chasing her.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
With her 1st and 2nd at TerraNova, Jess has jumped to 75 Series points and now sits third in the Open standings &mdash; just behind Emma Klugman (80 pts) and Phillip Dutton (175 pts). While Philip has already banked his six counting scores, Jess has more to come...
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not just about the leaderboard,&rdquo; Annie noted. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s about how she&rsquo;s doing it &mdash; form, confidence, and experience. That&rsquo;s a scary combination if you&rsquo;re chasing her.&rdquo;
<h2>Series Standings after this weekend:</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/4d962986-f5c0-4bc8-a00d-81fb962eed30.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Eventing leaderboard after qualifiers 6 &amp; 7">
<h1>Freedom GS &amp; Fluorescent Adolescent: One Win, Two Big Futures</h1>
Both mares are Kentucky-bound, with Freedom GS set for the CCI4*-S (which is another Open Qualifier), and Fluorescent Adolescent aimed at the CCI5*. Their TerraNova form gives real cause for optimism:
<ul>
<li>Freedom GS: Boasts two of Jess's best-ever finishing scores at CCI4*-S (TerraNova Mar 2024 &amp; Mar 2025).</li>
<li>Fluorescent Adolescent: Clocked in just behind her stablemate, helping secure the historic 1-2.</li>
</ul>
<h1>What&rsquo;s Next?</h1>
 Jess Phoenix has made a statement: not just that she&rsquo;s back on form, but that she never left. With the Morven Park Series Final in her sights and Kentucky just around the corner. As Diarm says:
<blockquote>
&ldquo;A strong Jess Phoenix is good for Canada &mdash; and great for the Open.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<h1 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h1>
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"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Instagram. </a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
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;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
<hr>
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;

Jessica Phoenix fist pumping after a show jumping round with Freedom GS

Eventing