Why Phillip Can't Count His Chickens

We’re over halfway through the first ever US Equestrian Open of Eventing - 12 Qualifiers done, eight to go. That’s eight more chances to take the Series lead, or at least finish in the money (i.e. the top three).

1. June 12th: Aspen Farms
2. June 27th: Maryland International
3. July 16th: The Event at Rebecca Farm
4. Sep 11th: The Fork at Tryon
5. Sep 18th: Plantation Field International
6. Sep 19th: Twin Rivers Fall International
7. Sep 25th: Stable View Oktoberfest
8. Oct 3rd: Woodside Fall International

Right now, Phillip Dutton is at the top of the table (215 points) but his closest threat, Jessica Phoenix, is just 30 points behind him (185). Is that gap surmountable? Absolutely. Here are two main reasons why:

1. You don’t need a string of top placings to haul in 30 points. You just need to finish anywhere from 3rd to 5th place at any one Qualifier.

2. Gains of up to 130 points at a single event have been recorded so far in the Series. Jess herself earned 75 points at TerraNova earlier this year by placing first & second at that event.

Current Series Leaders (After Qualifier 12 of 20):

See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier, here.

Don't Count Your Chickens, Phillip

Not only is it possible for Jess to overtake Phillip, it’s reasonably within reach for several of our Series leaders. 

• Last year, Jess took two horses to Maryland International and four to Plantation Field - both among our remaining eight Qualifiers this season. If she can repeat her third place Maryland result from last July (Aeronautics), she'll gain 30 points right there. Boom. Enough to equal Phillip. From there, she'll just need a 10th place finish (or higher) at Plantation to secure the solo lead. Of course if she goes to Maryland and places first or second, that single result will put her in front. 

• West-Coaster James Alliston (3rd on the leaderboard) earned 125 of his Series points by taking full advantage of California's Twin Rivers Qualifier in April. With the Twin Rivers Fall International among our last eight events, will he make a bid for more points? James did compete in the 2021, 2023 and 2024 Twin Rivers Fall CCI4*-S so its seems to be a well-liked stomping ground for him.

• Last year, Boyd Martin (4th on the leaderboard) brought two horses to the fall running of The Fork CCI4*-S and three entries to Plantation Field CCI4*-S, two events in this year's autumn Qualifiers. If those two 2024 results were part of this year's Open, Boyd would have earned 25 more points. A repeat effort this year wouldn't earn him the lead but it would put him in the top three as it stands (a spot that earns $10,000 come season-end).

• Likewise, Caroline Pamukcu (5th on the leaderboard) contested The Fork CCI4*-S and Plantation Field CCI4*-S last fall, with Plantation Field in particular being a frequent stop for her over the years.  This year alone, Caroline has competed six different horses at the CCI4*-S level, giving her options for racking up points over a selection of our remaining eight Qualifiers.

Let’s Break it Down

1. What points are up for grabs in the remaining Qualifiers? Here’s what can be banked depending on field size: 

2. What’s possible? Here is how each of our current leaders reached their points tally. Between just the five of them, you’ll notice six different instances of a rider earning 70+ points at a single event, not to mention James Alliston’s 125-point haul at Twin Rivers and Boyd Martin grabbing 130 points at Stable View.

What's on the line?

Prize money. And in a sport where the vast majority of pros lead...let's say...less-than-opulent lifestyles, substantial winnings are particularly appreciated. After all the Qualifiers are a wrap, this is how the prize money is divvied:

• Series winner: $25,000
• 2nd place: $15,000
• 3rd place: $10,000

The Big Finale

And then there's the CCI4*-L Final at Morven Park in October. Series standings do not determine Final qualification. Instead, riders just need to complete any one of the Qualifiers with an MER, or a rider can even buy into the Final for $5,000 (provided they meet CCI4*-L pre-requisites). Any $5K buy-ins will be added to the Final's $200,000 prize-pot.

Now that's prize money. We can expect to see a strong field in the Series finale.

Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing

Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on Facebook and Instagram. Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.

Also follow US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (Twitter). 

For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at USEquestrianOpen@usef.org.

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.