A First-Timer's Guide to the Final

Eventing asks one horse and rider to do three different jobs over three days. A precise flatwork test. A gallop across open country over solid fences. A show jumping round where a single rail can cost the title. The lowest total score at the end wins.

The US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia, is the last stop of a season-long Series of 20 Qualifiers. It runs October 8 to 11 at CCI4*-L level, the highest level held at the venue, with a $200,000 prize purse. Morven Park is one of five US venues to hold a CCI4*-L, and it has hosted horse trials since 1973.

If you have never been to an event, this is a good one to start with. Here is how it works, what to watch and how to plan your weekend.

Every score in eventing is a penalty score. Lower is better, and whoever has the fewest penalties after all three phases wins.

Dressage comes first. Judges mark a set test of movements, and the marks are converted into a penalty score. A score in the mid-20s is world class. Will Coleman and Off The Record set the Morven Park record last year with 25.1.

Cross-country adds penalties for refusals and for time. A first refusal costs 20 penalties. Every second over the optimum time costs 0.4. Time matters more than most new fans expect. Last year only 3 of 27 starters finished inside the time.

Show jumping closes it out. Each rail down costs 4 penalties, and every second over the time allowed costs 0.4. Riders go in reverse order of the standings, so the leader jumps last.

Small margins decide it. Boyd Martin won the 2025 Final by 0.4 of a penalty, after Coleman had one rail down in the final round.

Thursday and Friday: dressage. This is the quietest phase and the best time to pick your favorites. Watch for how calm and accurate each horse is. Keep noise down near the arena while a test is under way. Tamie Smith's Danito has the best average dressage score in the field over his last six tests, at 25.9.

Saturday: cross-country. This is the day most fans come for. Horses start every few minutes, so you can walk the course and watch from several fences. The water jumps draw the biggest crowds. Stay behind the ropes and listen for the stewards' whistles, which mean a horse is on its way.

Sunday: show jumping. Morning starts with the final horse inspection, where every horse must be passed fit to jump. The show jumping runs in reverse order, so the tension builds to the last round. Last year the title changed hands on the final horse.

The EquiRatings Prediction Centre makes Will Coleman & Off The Record the favorites on a 27% win chance, a year after they lost the Final by 0.4. Defending champion Boyd Martin & Luke 140 are next on 18%. Series winner Tamie Smith & Danito are on 17%. Lucienne Bellissimo & Dyri, who have never had a jumping fault at Morven Park, are on 10%.

Wear shoes you can walk in. The cross-country course covers a lot of ground, much of it grass. Bring layers, since mornings in Leesburg in October can be cool.

Get there early on Saturday. Choose two or three fences and move between them. Check the scoreboard during the day, because the standings shift after every round.

Follow along on the US Equestrian Open's social channels for live updates through the weekend. If you are new to the Series, our earlier First-Timer's Guide to the US Equestrian Open of Eventing explains how the Series and its Qualifiers work.