Bellissimo and Dyri Make it Five in a Row at Bouckaert

The 2026 US Equestrian Open Eventing Series launched with a statement of intent from Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri, who claimed their fifth consecutive international victory at Bouckaert in Fairburn, Georgia.

With this victory, the British rider has now accumulated eight international wins this season, making her the GB rider with the most international wins in 2025- ahead of Ros Canter, Laura Collett, Tom McEwen, and the rest of Britain's elite. Her mount Dyri has also claimed the title of winningest British horse this season with five victories.

The Winning Formula

Lucienne and Dyri opened with a dressage score of 33.0, to put them in the lead after the first phase, with Hot Bobo snapping at their heels on just 33.5. They jumped a clear round showjumping, before securing the win with a clear cross-country round. Adding 8.0 time penalties, Dyri was the fastest horse on course. High time penalties across the field was  no surprise given the venues cross-country history over the last number of years.

The Streak Continues

This wasn't just another win - it was the culmination of a carefully strategized comeback. After two difficult runs at the start of 2025, Lucienne made the tactical decision to step Dyri back down to lower levels. The move paid dividends: four consecutive wins at 2* and 3*.

• Bouckaert CCI2*-S (Aug): 1st, 29.4
• Tryon CCI2*-S (Sept): 1st, 27.7
• Stable View CCI3*-S (Sept): 1st, 27.2
• Morven Park CCI3*-S (Oct): 1st, 29.2

This also marks Lucienne and Dyri's fifth CCI4* podium together. 

Bouckaert Breakthrough

Kate Sand and Top Shelf delivered a breakthrough performance to finish second with a double clear. This was only Top Shelf's second podium finish, having placed second at his first-ever international, a CCI1* at Bouckaert in 2021. 18.4 time penalties on cross-country kept them from challenging for the win, but this is a young horse (10YO) still finding his feet at this level. As the partnership strengthens and Top Shelf improves, those time penalties should naturally decrease.

Bruce Davidson Jr. and Cerafino D took third place on 62.7. Olivia Miller and Cooley Starstruck finished fourth on 80.9, while Emily Mastervich and Rio de Janeiro rounded out the top five with 81.4.

Points on the Board

With this opening qualifier complete, Bellissimo now sits atop the series leaderboard with 40 points.

Looking Ahead

The race to Morven Park 2026 has begun, and Bellissimo has made a mark. But with TerraNova still to come before the winter break, this story is far from over.

Listen to the Bouckaert Preview Podcast now on the US Equestrian Open Podcast - available on all podcast platforms.

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