<p data-start="348" data-end="790">From riding bareback in the fields of South Texas to competing on international stages, Devon Kane&rsquo;s journey has been anything but ordinary. In this episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast, she talks about the rise of her freestyle partner Vamos, what it feels like to represent the U.S., and the unique rituals she shares with her husband, fellow Grand Prix rider <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/a-cool-breeze-a-fiery-freestyle-kohmann-and-dnee-shine-in-wellington" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kevin Kohmann</a>, when either of them is about to step into a competition arena.</p>
<p data-start="792" data-end="845">🎧 <em data-start="609" data-end="648">Listen to the full conversation below</em></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37806175/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/1787d4/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="852" data-end="893">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="593" data-end="651">From Backyard Quarter Horses to Grand Prix Freestyle</h3>
<p data-start="652" data-end="1062">Kane grew up in South Texas, where horses were part of daily life but dressage was still a world away.</p>
<p data-start="652" data-end="1062">&ldquo;I grew up riding in a halter bareback in the field,&rdquo; she recalled. &ldquo;Then my best friend started doing hunter-jumpers, and I thought it was the coolest thing.&rdquo; A bad fall ended her jumping career early, but it led her to a dressage barn and to the discipline that fit her &ldquo;Type A&rdquo; personality perfectly.</p>
<p data-start="1064" data-end="1225">Her career has since taken her to the biggest stages in the sport, including representing the U.S. in Nations Cups. She calls it &ldquo;a privilege, not a pressure.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="594" data-end="869" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="1586" data-end="1634">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1482" data-end="1525">A Partnership on Horseback and Beyond</h3>
<p data-start="1526" data-end="1887">Competing at the top level can be isolating, but Kane has the rare experience of sharing the journey with her husband. Kohmann is not only her partner in life but often her first line of support at the barn.&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="1526" data-end="1887"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/30827512-7613-49ff-90b4-feb4dd8d37dd.PNG?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="&ldquo;One of our rituals is that as Kevin&rsquo;s getting on, I give the horse a sugar, the horse gets a kiss, Kevin gets a kiss, then he gets on,&rdquo; she explained."></p>
<p data-start="1889" data-end="2289">When both ride on the same team, that support system shifts. &ldquo;It was different, because I had to get ready, he had to get ready, and we couldn&rsquo;t always watch each other. That was tough, but it was also really special to be doing it together.&rdquo; It is a glimpse into how their relationship balances professional pressure with personal connection, and how that bond strengthens both riders in the ring.</p>
<p data-start="2028" data-end="2184">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="2191" data-end="2232">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1568" data-end="1608">Vamos: The Horse Who Almost Wasn&rsquo;t</h3>
<p data-start="2234" data-end="2405">When Kane bought Vamos, she knew he was talented but not yet ready for the top tier.</p>
<p data-start="2234" data-end="2405">&ldquo;He was skinny and angular, and even Kevin [Kohmann, her husband] told me, &lsquo;I don&rsquo;t know if he has what it takes.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="2234" data-end="2405">She refused to sell, trusting the process. That faith paid off with a 75% freestyle in Wellington that ended the debate.&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="2234" data-end="2405"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d81b58e1-3a22-4b91-992e-ef1a8987fe46.PNG?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="&ldquo;Kevin came out crying and said, &lsquo;You were right. I was wrong. The horse is not for sale.&rsquo;&rdquo;"></p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="2738" data-end="2780">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2740" data-end="2762">Under the Lights</h3>
<p data-start="2782" data-end="3076">Freestyles are Kane&rsquo;s favorite class, and Vamos thrives on them, especially at night.</p>
<p data-start="2782" data-end="3076">&ldquo;He hears the music and the horse just [exhales],&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Those are his most relaxed tests."</p>
<p data-start="2782" data-end="3076"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d998f54c-57f5-49ad-a35b-312b8d3ac6d1.PNG?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="&ldquo;Kevin came out crying and said, &lsquo;You were right. I was wrong. The horse is not for sale.&rsquo;&rdquo;"></p>
<p data-start="2782" data-end="3076">Their newest freestyle blends Enrique Iglesias and&nbsp;<em data-start="3027" data-end="3038">Despacito</em>, a nod to Kane&rsquo;s South Texas roots.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="2782" data-end="3076">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="3083" data-end="3113">Lessons from a Near Miss</h3>
<p data-start="3114" data-end="3357">In Hagen this summer, their debut with the new freestyle looked like a win until Kane learned she had accidentally omitted a required element. &ldquo;Two zeros took me from winning to last place,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="3114" data-end="3357">&ldquo;Lesson learned. It won&rsquo;t happen again.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Dressage</strong></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stay updated on news and standings for the US Equestrian Open Series on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.</a>&nbsp;Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/22433326-f7d7-4286-930b-62c3a1ba80f2.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Show calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage"></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>

New Podcast: Devon Kane on Freestyle Magic, Life on the Move, and Why Vamos Wasn’t for Sale After All

Main

<p>With just five qualifiers left in the US Equestrian Open Eventing series, all eyes are on Jessica Phoenix. Sitting 30 points behind Phillip in the standings, she has five of her six counting results on the board. One more strong result could turn the leaderboard on its head.</p>
<p>The equation is simple. In a qualifier with fewer than 25 starters, a win is worth 40 points, second place earns 35, and third place brings 30. Any podium finish would pull Jess level with Phillip&mdash;but the math just got more complicated.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/93c031f0-9df0-4f1d-8657-5faf25faabfb.png?width=874&amp;height=865" alt="Screenshot 2025 08 14 152111"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Plantation Wild Card</h2>
<p>Phillip has his sights set on the Plantation qualifier as his final tune-up before Morven Park, and this strategic move could shift the entire championship calculus. If he can secure first or second place at Plantation, he will extend his points buffer when Jess needs it to shrink.</p>
<p>While Jess is hunting for her breakthrough result, Phillip has the opportunity to slam the door before she gets her chance. A win at Plantation (40 points) would put him 70 points clear, making any single result insufficient for Jess to catch him. Even a second-place finish (35 points) would stretch his lead to 65 points, requiring Jess to win her next outing just to pull within 25 points of the lead.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2><br>Limited Options, Rising Pressure</h2>
<p>September brings a packed run of qualified and Jess's potential path forward is narrowing by the week.&nbsp;</p>
<p>September</p>
<ul>
<li>The Fork &mdash; 11th&ndash;14th</li>
<li>Plantation Field &mdash; 18th&ndash;21st</li>
<li>Twin Rivers &mdash; 19th&ndash;21st</li>
<li>Stable View &mdash; 25th&ndash;27th</li>
</ul>
<p>October</p>
<ul>
<li>Woodside &mdash; 3rd&ndash;4th</li>
</ul>
<p>The west coast events Twin Rivers and Woodside are likely off her calendar, leaving just three venues where she can strike. But now she faces a ticking clock&mdash;every day Phillip gets closer to Plantation, her window of opportunity shrinks.</p>
<p>The historical numbers are not in her favor. Jess has not competed at any of the remaining venues since 2022, and the last time she stood on the podium at one of them was back in 2017. That's a long drought to break when the pressure is on.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Competing Strings</h2>
<p>Both riders come into the finale with serious firepower. Jessica has four horses&mdash;Freedom GS, Wabbit, Aeronautics, and Fluorescent Adolescent&mdash;that have already competed in US Open qualifiers this season. Phillip brings Denim, Possante, and Quasi Cool to match her stable strength, having recently handed the reins of Jewelent over to his daughter Olivia Dutton. This shift in horse allocation could prove pivotal. Jessica now holds the advantage in numbers (4 vs 3), giving her more options and chances to gain points and for the finale.<br><br></p>
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>But who is actually better?</h2>
<p>The head-to-head battles this season between these combinations have been tight. At TerraNova in March, Jess took the win with Freedom GS and second place with Fluorescent Adolescent, while Phillip's Possante finished third and Denim back in sixth.&nbsp;</p>
<p>But the tables turned at the Kentucky CCI4*-S in April, where Phillip's Possante claimed second place, with Jessica and Freedom GS just behind in third, followed by Phillip's Denim in fourth&mdash;the perfect example of the razor-thin margins that separate these horses.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>More Than Just Points</h2>
<p>The battle between Phillip and Jess is not purely about bragging rights. The prize money for winning the series adds a tangible incentive. At this stage of the season, every second, every rail, and every point counts.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f698a19a-3030-4d6c-8ea4-7038546ee6e1.png?width=762&amp;height=757" alt="Screenshot 2025 08 14 152041"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2><br>The Final Question</h2>
<p>Will Jess take the fight to Phillip now, striking before Morven Park? Or will she hold her ace until the series finale, risking it all in one high-pressure showdown? The countdown is on &mdash; the next few weeks will decide if Jess rewrites the story or if Phillip can hold onto his lead.</p>
<p>One thing&rsquo;s certain: Jess has got her sights set on Morven.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>&ldquo;And the Morven four-star long &mdash; we will bring almost every horse we have, because not only is it part of the US Open, but we truly believe it&rsquo;s one of the best venues in North America to produce event horses.&rdquo;</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Listen to Jessica Phoenix on the US Equestrian Open podcast.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/36737995/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/4c414c/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing"></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

The Phoenix Factor: The Final Push in the US Equestrian Open

<p>It had been 897 days since Laura Kraut last claimed a five-star 1.60m Grand Prix win, a streak stretching back to her victory in Wellington in February 2023 with Baloutinue. In that time, Kraut had built an enviable record of consistency at the sport&rsquo;s highest level, recording 21 Top 10 finishes. But the top spot kept eluding her, including two second-place finishes in Rolex Majors earlier this season. That all changed in Dublin, where Kraut and Bisquetta produced the only clear round from a world-class field of 40 to win the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland.</p>
<h2>Close Calls Along the Way</h2>
<p>The road back to the top was anything but quiet. Kraut came within touching distance of victory multiple times, including second place at both the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen with Baloutinue and the US Equestrian Open Final Rolex Grand Prix of Wellington with Bisquetta earlier this year. In each case, the margin was narrow, the performance strong, but the final second kept her off the top step.</p>
<h2><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e0b30130-07e1-4b60-b131-febfc59c0879.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Usef Jumping Graphics 2025 (14)"></h2>
<h2><br>The Dublin Decider</h2>
<p>In the electric atmosphere of the RDS Main Arena, Ireland&rsquo;s Alan Wade had set a track that proved unforgiving. Clear rounds were nowhere to be found as the class progressed, with rails falling for Olympic champions, former winners, and rising stars alike. Then, as the penultimate combination, Kraut and Bisquetta entered the ring. With trademark poise and precision, they navigated the 14 obstacles without a fault to deliver the class&rsquo;s sole clear.</p>
<h2>Patience Rewarded</h2>
<p>&ldquo;The Dublin Horse Show is one of those bucket list events,&rdquo; Kraut said afterwards. &ldquo;Alan Wade built a course that was careful but fair, and you had to be perfect to go clear. Bisquetta was brilliant, very brave, very careful, and this year she&rsquo;s stepped up to another level.&rdquo;</p>
<p>For Kraut, this win was more than a victory, it was the culmination of patience, consistency, and readiness. After 897 days of chasing, she had proven once again why she remains one of the sport&rsquo;s greats.</p>

897 Days Later: Laura Kraut Returns to the Top in Dublin’s Rolex Grand Prix

<p data-start="267" data-end="884">Sitting on 215 points, the Olympian holds a 30-point cushion over Canada&rsquo;s<strong> Jessica Phoenix.</strong> On paper, that margin looks comfortable, but there&rsquo;s a twist: <strong>Phillip Dutton </strong>has already posted all six of his counting scores, while Phoenix still has one to add.&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="267" data-end="884">With $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000 on the line for the series podium &mdash; not to mention the $200,000 prize fund for the CCI4*-L finale at Morven Park &mdash; every single point between now and October matters.<br><br><em>Listen to the Phillip Dutton on the US Equestrian Open Podcast now.</em></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37694370/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/4c414c/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p data-start="267" data-end="884">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="886" data-end="909">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="886" data-end="909">Building the Lead</h3>
<p data-start="910" data-end="1261">Dutton&rsquo;s series campaign has been a masterclass in targeted performance. He took the lead after <strong>TerraNova in November 2024 </strong>and has never gave it up, combining smart scheduling with clinical execution. His six counting results include wins and podiums from East Coast majors, each carefully chosen for their fit in his horses&rsquo; seasonal build-up.</p>
<p data-start="1263" data-end="1331"><strong data-start="1263" data-end="1328">Phillip Dutton&rsquo;s 2024&ndash;2025 US Equestrian Open counting scores</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li data-start="1263" data-end="1331"><strong data-start="1334" data-end="1372">The Event at TerraNova &ndash; Nov 2024:</strong> 40 pts &amp; 35 pts</li>
<li data-start="1263" data-end="1331"><strong data-start="1393" data-end="1431">The Event at TerraNova &ndash; Mar 2025:</strong> 30 pts</li>
<li data-start="1263" data-end="1331"><strong data-start="1443" data-end="1482">Bouckaert International &ndash; Mar 2025:</strong> 30 pts</li>
<li data-start="1263" data-end="1331"><strong data-start="1494" data-end="1543">Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event &ndash; Apr 2025:</strong> 35 pts &amp; 45 pts</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="1563" data-end="1908">For Dutton, the series&rsquo; spread-out format is a gift. <em>&ldquo;You don't want to be going flat out on them week in, week out,&rdquo; </em>he explained on the US Equestrian Open Podcast.<em> &ldquo;I can pick and choose and say, that will be a good weekends to really stretch them and get them to a good fitness and build-up to some of these bigger events.&rdquo;</em> That bigger event, in this case, is the Morven Park finale.</p>
<p data-start="1563" data-end="1908">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="1910" data-end="1956">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1910" data-end="1956">Denim and Possante &ndash; Two Paths to the Top</h3>
<p data-start="1957" data-end="2425">Dutton&rsquo;s campaign has been anchored by <strong data-start="1996" data-end="2005">Denim</strong> and <strong data-start="2010" data-end="2021">Possante</strong>, two very different rides. Denim has been <em>&ldquo;A little bit of a rock star,&rdquo;</em> from the day he arrived in the barn, competitive from lower levels right up to the top. Possante, by contrast, arrived with big expectations but needed time to adjust to Dutton&rsquo;s system. Dutton explained how he spent time making him more adjustable and quick footed.</p>
<p data-start="2427" data-end="2750">That patience has paid off. Both horses stepped up this season with standout runs at <strong>Kentucky CCI4*-S</strong> &mdash; where Dutton<em> &ldquo;Laid it all on the line,&rdquo;</em> for two top-five finishes &mdash; and Aachen, where they held their own against some of the world&rsquo;s best with Denim and Possante finishing 14th and 11th respectively. Possante's gallop has matured, Denim&rsquo;s reliability has been a constant, and both now look primed for Morven Park.</p>
<p data-start="2427" data-end="2750">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="2752" data-end="2786">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2752" data-end="2786">Strategy and the Points Game</h3>
<p data-start="2787" data-end="3247">While Dutton chooses <strong>Plantation Field International in September</strong> as his last qualifier to add points, it&rsquo;s a slim window. Any gain means replacing one of his existing scores &mdash; a harder task with a consistent set already on the board. Meanwhile, Phoenix sits at <strong>185 points</strong> with an open slot to fill, making her the most likely to threaten the lead.</p>
<p data-start="3249" data-end="3467">Dutton&rsquo;s focus remains clear: keep the horses fresh, stay sharp, and peak for Morven. <em>&ldquo;Every long format, virtually, that's it. All the gloves are off then and you just go for it,&rdquo;</em> he said. That&rsquo;s where your career is decided and what your horses are set up to do.</p>
<p data-start="3249" data-end="3467">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="3469" data-end="3488">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="3469" data-end="3488">Looking Ahead</h3>
<p data-start="3489" data-end="3878">At 10 and 12, Denim and Possante are in their prime years, with travel and big-day experience under their belts. Though 2025 has been about short formats, Dutton sees this as the right education for the future. <em>&ldquo;In another couple of years, they&rsquo;re going to be pretty hard to beat,&rdquo;</em> he said.</p>
<p data-start="3880" data-end="4256">For now, though, the task is finishing what he started: a victory in the inaugural US Equestrian Open. As he joked at the end of the podcast, <em>&ldquo;Hopefully lets do an interview after I win the whole bloody thing.&rdquo;</em> Fans will be watching closely at Plantation and Morven to see if the veteran can hold off the challengers and close out a season-long lead in style.<br><br><em>Listen to the Phillip Dutton on the US Equestrian Open Podcast now.</em></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37694370/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/4c414c/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p data-start="3880" data-end="4256">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing"></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.</em></p>

Points, Pressure, and Plantation: Dutton’s Road to Morven Park

<p dir="ltr">The fans reading this article are already part of the fabric of the sport. You know the difference between passage and piaffe. You appreciate the harmony between rider and horse and the years of training distilled into a few minutes in the arena. But the Open isn&rsquo;t just for you&mdash;it's for everyone beyond the arena too.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Broadening the Circle</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The Open was designed not only to celebrate the sport we love, but to grow it. To offer a clear, exciting entry point for people who aren&rsquo;t already immersed in dressage&mdash;those who love horses but haven&rsquo;t yet followed the competitive circuit, or those with friends and family who do, and are looking for a way to understand and connect.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Dressage can be a complex world. &ldquo;Rhythm and relaxation&rdquo; might be fundamental, but they&rsquo;re not the easiest gateway for new viewers. A leaderboard, however, is. The concept of climbing the rankings or defending the top spot is universally understood. The Open takes something beautifully nuanced and packages it with structure and stakes&mdash;making it easier to access without diluting its depth.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Narrative First, Nuance Later</h3>
<p dir="ltr">We believe in starting with the narrative and growing into the nuance.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The intricacies of dressage&mdash;the half-halts, the straightness, the technical precision&mdash;are the sport&rsquo;s precious gems. But gems need to be discovered. What draws people in is the why. Why does this moment matter? What&rsquo;s at stake? Who&rsquo;s climbing the series leaderboard? Who&rsquo;s being chased? Who just made history?</p>
<p dir="ltr">If there's no broader story&mdash;no implication beyond a single win&mdash;it becomes harder to connect. But if we know that this win puts Marek back in the series lead, suddenly there&rsquo;s momentum. There&rsquo;s clarity. There&rsquo;s a hook.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Why Stories Matter</h3>
<p dir="ltr">We live in a world of finite attention. Every weekend, editors and producers make decisions about what stories get told and which athletes make headlines. &ldquo;Anna Marek wins today&rdquo; might not break through. But &ldquo;Marek&rsquo;s victory puts the US flag back on top of the leaderboard&rdquo; does.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s what the US Equestrian Open brings: context, connection, and consequence. It gives our dressage athletes and their achievements a broader stage&mdash;one with emotional resonance and public relevance.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">A Shared Vision</h3>
<p dir="ltr">USEF&rsquo;s mission is to bring the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible. The US Equestrian Open is a strategic initiative that serves this vision. It enhances the experience for our loyal fans&mdash;but more importantly, it opens the door to new ones. It gives sports editors a reason to feature our athletes. It gives casual viewers a reason to keep watching. And it gives all of us a shared story to tell.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As we prepare for the next leg in the Open series, let&rsquo;s not just look forward to who wins next. Let&rsquo;s remember why it matters that they do.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

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