US Equestrian Open: The Formats
Discover the thrill of first-class competition with the US Equestrian Open Series, featuring the Olympic disciplines of jumping, eventing, and dressage. Each discipline brings its own unique challenges and excitement to the arena. Let's dig a little deeper into the formats of each discipline.
Jumping
The jumping series is a high-stakes competition taking place at the prestigious Wellington International during week 12 of the renowned Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in March 2025.
Sixty of the world’s top athletes are invited to compete, selected according to the FEI Invitation Rules, will take part in two intense qualifying events — the WEF challenge class and a 1.50m speed class — to determine the top 40 riders who will advance to the final grand prix.
Athletes who have pre-qualified by competing in major international events like the Olympics or World Championships, will go head-to-head in the grand prix, vying for a substantial prize pool of $1 million.
Eventing
The US Equestrian Open eventing series features 15 qualifying competitions at the CCI4*-S level. Athletes accumulate points based on their performances across these qualifying events.
The top six results count toward their total score. To qualify for the series final, athletes must complete at least one qualifying event and achieve a minimum eligibility requirement (MER). The series final offers $50,000 in prize money, distributed among the top three finishers.
Open to all FEI athletes in the U.S. who meet eligibility requirements and have completed a series qualifier, the series final boasts a total prize pool of $200,000.
Dressage will be run in reverse order of the top series leaders, with cross-country and jumping following in reverse order based on previous phases.
Dressage
The US Equestrian Open dressage series features approximately 20 CDI3* or higher qualifying events, running from January 1, 2025 through to two weeks before the final. To be eligible, U.S. Organizing Committees must host a CDI3* or higher event, with points earned in the grand prix freestyle to music.
Athletes must compete in at least two U.S. FEI CDI events, and the six best results count toward standings. A minimum score of 67% in the grand prix freestyle is required for qualification. The final, a CDI5* event held in December alternating between the East and West coast, includes the grand prix test and grand prix freestyle to music.
The top 15 in the standings, or more if tied, will be invited to compete with one horse that has also scored at least 67% in the series. The final offers $200,000 in total prize money and travel stipends, with the series' top 15 sharing $50,000.
Stay Connected
Stay up to date with news and standings of the US Equestrian Open Series on Facebook and Instagram. Follow US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Use #USEquestrianOpen.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at cweilminster@usef.org . For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at lgriffin@usef.org.
