6 Things You Need to Know About Dressage's First-Ever Triple Header

1. This Has Never Happened Before

The US Equestrian Open of Dressage has run doubleheaders, but this weekend will be the very first triple header. Three Grand Prix Freestyle classes will award Series points simultaneously: the CDI3* Nations Cup and CDI3* in Wellington, and the CDI3* at HITS Del Mar Dressage Affaire in California. Ten of the 18 horses entered have already completed an Open leg this season. The leaderboard is about to see a lot of movement at once.

2. Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén Is the Clearest Favorite in Any of the Three Fields

In the Wellington CDI3*, Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén and Hyatt average 76%—more than three points above the next best average in the field. Hyatt's personal best of 79.070% towers over the rest of the combinations. 

Jennifer Williams and Joppe K hold the clearest claim on second: a roughly one-point edge in average over the next tier, with a 75.680% PB that puts them in range of Silfvén. P.J. Rizvi and Vanilla Ice, fresh off a crowd-pleasing ride at AGDF 10, and Devon Kane and Vamos—11 starts deep, 72.375% average—should be close behind, especially if Vanilla Ice continues to settle into the Wellington atmosphere this week.

3. Wandres Enters the Nation's Cup as the Favorite and This May Be His Last Open Leg

Frederic Wandres and Verrenberg are a safe bet for first in the Nation's Cup field. The horse averages 75% with a new personal best of 76.240% set just last weekend at AGDF 10. Beyond that, the pair have climbed in scores at every outing since their first Grand Prix Freestyle together last June. 

Ashley Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana (73.449% average, 75.290% PB) are the strongest challengers, while the remaining field clusters in the low-73s and below. With the AGDF season wrapping up, Wandres and Verrenberg are likely headed back to Europe after this, which would make this their final Open Series appearance of 2026.

4. Del Mar's Favorite Has a Complicated Case

By the stats, Günter Seidel and Equirelle lead at Del Mar with a 72.86% average and a 76.615% personal best, both the highest in the field. But those numbers don't reflect recent form as the pair has struggled to find their footing in their most recent outings. This dilemma could leave the door open for Kristina Harrison-Antell and Finley. They average 72% across eight starts, but their last freestyle was at the US Equestrian Open Final, where they earned that 75.470% PB. They've won their last four classes. The momentum is Harrison-Antell's, and a new combination best wouldn't be surprising.

5. The Leaderboard Is About to Rearrange Itself

Wandres and Holzer are the headline movers this week. Both tied for eighth at 29 points and both likely to jump significantly depending on how the Nation's Cup shakes out. A Wandres win puts him at 49 and into first overall. Holzer in second lands at 44 and second overall. If she wins instead, those numbers simply flip. Either way, expect new names in first and second.

But they're not the only ones moving. Ten riders competing this weekend already have Series points on the board. Silfvén sits at 25th with 15 points—a win in the CDI3* is worth 20, which vaults her into the top ten overnight. Kane is 19th on 18 points; a podium finish puts her squarely in that conversation too. At Del Mar, a win is also worth 20 points. That takes Seidel from 8 points to 28 and into the top 15. Meanwhile a win for Harrison-Antell puts her at 20 points and straight into the top 20 on her first result.

6. Nearly the Whole Field Has 2026 Form

All 18 horses entered have competed at least once in 2026, and 10 have already completed an Open Series leg this season. These combinations aren't knocking off cobwebs. They've been showing, and the scores on the board reflect it.

Tune In

Both the CDI3* and the Nation’s Cup will be held during AGDF’s Friday Night Stars. Catch the action starting at 7 p.m. ET on the USEF Network. Del Mar’s Dressage Affaire kicks off Saturday, also on the USEF Network.

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