<p dir="ltr">Aachen&rsquo;s first phase&mdash;the Grand Prix&mdash;is in the books, and the United States is already down two riders.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Kevin Kohmann</strong>, one of the country&rsquo;s top performers this year, was eliminated early in a stunning blow that ended his individual chances and all but ruled Team USA out of the Nations Cup medal race. Then, <strong>Jennifer Williams</strong>, the fourth member of the American squad, placed last in the Grand Prix with 65.457%, nearly three percentage points below her technical-test average. She will not advance to the Grand Prix Special.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That leaves <strong>Kasey Perry-Glass</strong> and <strong>Benjamin Ebeling</strong> as the last two U.S. riders standing.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Ben and Kasey Survive Round One</h2>
<p dir="ltr">CHIO Aachen&rsquo;s dressage competition follows a unique format. Every rider competes in the Grand Prix. The top 30 scores advance to the Grand Prix Special. Then, only the top 18 from the Special qualify for Sunday&rsquo;s Freestyle. That makes Saturday&rsquo;s ride a gatekeeper and both Perry-Glass and Ebeling have made it this far.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Perry-Glass is currently tied for 16th on 70.783%. Ebeling sits 18th with a 70.196%. Both riders stepped up in the Grand Prix with scores well above their historical averages. Ebeling&rsquo;s test was more than two percentage points higher than his typical Grand Prix/Special mark of 68.05%. Perry-Glass likewise outperformed her average by nearly two full points. Those overperformances were essential in a tight field of Olympians and world-class riders.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Their placement gives them a shot, but it doesn&rsquo;t offer much breathing room. Riders ranked just behind them&mdash;like Dutch riders <strong>Geert-Jan Raateland</strong> and <strong>Rowena Weggelaar</strong>&mdash;trail by fractions of a percent and carry similar averages. Holding position in the Special will require composure and near-peak execution.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The First Cut Isn&rsquo;t the Final Cut</h2>
<p dir="ltr">If Perry-Glass and Ebeling advance to Sunday&rsquo;s Freestyle, they&rsquo;ll face an even more competitive field. Based on freestyle averages alone, Ebeling ranks 17th in the class, with Perry-Glass close behind at 18th. That would place them last among the finalists if scores play to form.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Still, both have shown the ability to punch above their stats. Ebeling&rsquo;s freestyle personal best sits at 76.190%, with an average of 75.305%. Perry-Glass owns a personal best of 76.290% and averages around 75%. These aren&rsquo;t winning numbers, but they&rsquo;re good enough to climb if others falter&mdash;or if they deliver something special.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The margins are razor-thin. Only 0.3% separates 16th from 20th after the Grand Prix, and even minor mistakes could flip the order.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Elite, and Then Some</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Aachen is known for fielding the world&rsquo;s best, but even by that standard, this year&rsquo;s competition is stacked.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Belgium&rsquo;s <strong>Justin Verboomen</strong> blew past projections, scoring 78.348%&mdash;a staggering 3.5 points above his Grand Prix/Special average. <strong>Jo&atilde;o Pedro Moreira</strong> (POR) and <strong>Rikke Dupont</strong> (DEN) also posted scores nearly three points above their typical range. Even <strong>Isabell Werth</strong> (GER), who won the Grand Prix with 79.761%, exceeded her average by almost three points.</p>
<p dir="ltr">These results show just how high the bar is this week. It&rsquo;s not enough to just match your personal best. You might need to beat it to stay in the mix.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-Np398" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Score Movement: Average vs. Aachen Grand Prix Outcome" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Np398/1/" height="2101" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Germany Pulls Away From the Pack</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Germany holds a commanding lead after the Grand Prix, with Isabell Werth and <strong>Frederic Wandres</strong> sitting in first and third, respectively. But the race for team silver and bronze is anything but secure. Belgium, Sweden, Great Britain, and Denmark are all within four points of each other. The Grand Prix Special will add another layer to the team totals before Sunday&rsquo;s freestyle decides the final Nations Cup standings.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For the U.S., a team medal is now out of reach. But the individual stakes are still very much alive.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Survive Saturday, Shine Sunday</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The Special begins Saturday, and with it, the fight to survive. For the U.S. riders, it&rsquo;s a battle for relevance in one of the world&rsquo;s toughest arenas. Perry-Glass and Ebeling have already delivered once. To dance in Aachen&rsquo;s famed arena Sunday, they&rsquo;ll have to do it again. Catch the coverage of the event live on <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/15505?utm_campaign=main_slider_content&amp;utm_medium=cmh_content_slider&amp;utm_source=clipmyhorse&amp;utm_term=CHIO%2BAachen%2B2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ClipMyHorse.TV</a>.</p>

US Riders Fight to Stay Alive in Aachen

Main

<p dir="ltr">To make this list, strong averages alone weren&rsquo;t enough. We also factored in leaderboard standing, qualification status, and whether a rider is realistically expected to attend. That means a few impressive combinations didn&rsquo;t make the cut due to international residency or uncertain participation (see &ldquo;Who&rsquo;s Missing and Why?&rdquo; below). These five, though? They&rsquo;ve proven themselves, they&rsquo;re eligible, and they&rsquo;re on track to deliver in Thermal.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">1. Adrienne Lyle &amp; Helix</h2>
<p dir="ltr">No surprise here&mdash;Adrienne Lyle and Helix are leading nearly every statistical category. They&rsquo;ve posted the two highest scores of the season and average nearly 80%. Even their &ldquo;off day&rdquo; at the World Cup Finals landed them a 71.255%. To put that number in perspective, 71 percent is higher than the average scores for four of the riders in the top 18, and it&rsquo;s higher than the averages of 34 riders who have competed in at least one Series qualifier.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That said, Helix is a sensitive type, and all of his standout tests came at Wellington. The Final will be held at Thermal, a venue he&rsquo;s never seen. It&rsquo;s a small question mark for an otherwise dominant pair.<br><br></p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Series Avg</strong>: 79.402% |<strong> Series PB</strong>: 80.600%<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Why she&rsquo;s in</strong>: Tied for 14th with 57 points, already qualified. World Cup Finals and Paris Olympic partnership.</li>
</ul>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-2YSPE" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Adrienne &amp;amp; Helix's Career Freestyle Scores" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/2YSPE/1/" height="423" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Interactive line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">2. Kevin Kohmann &amp; D&uuml;enensee</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Kohmann and the 16-year-old D&uuml;enensee have been a model of consistency all season, often going head-to-head with Anna Marek. They peaked at the Palm Beach Derby, posting a career-best 79.240% under pressure to clinch the final World Cup Finals ticket, where they went on to become the highest-placed American pair.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Their freestyle is creative and technically ambitious, including unexpected choreography like piaffe pirouettes during the walk section. They&rsquo;ll test their international mettle again next week as part of Team USA at CHIO Aachen.<br><br></p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Series Avg</strong>: 77.917% |<strong> Series PB</strong>: 79.240%<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Why they&rsquo;re in</strong>: World Cup Finals appearances, top scores, and a record of peaking at the right time.</li>
</ul>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-gFfFi" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Kevin Kohmann &amp;amp; Duenensee's Career Freestyle Scores" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/gFfFi/1/" height="423" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Interactive line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">3. Anna Marek &amp; Fire Fly / Fayvel</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Anna Marek leads the series, and she&rsquo;s done it with two different horses. Between Fire Fly and Fayvel, she&rsquo;s consistently posted top-five scores and podium finishes. Her average across both horses ranks just behind Lyle and Kohmann, and both are individually capable of winning the Final.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The only question left: which one will she bring to Thermal?<br><br></p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Series Avg</strong> (across both horses): 77.130%<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Fire Fly Series PB</strong>: 77.755%</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Fayvel Series PB</strong>: 78.785%<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Why she&rsquo;s in</strong>: Series leader, multiple wins, and qualified on two different mounts.</li>
</ul>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-IjXn7" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Anna Marek's 2025 Freestyle Scores" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/IjXn7/1/" height="430" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Interactive line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">4. Benjamin Ebeling &amp; Bellena</h3>
<p dir="ltr">A late arrival to the series, Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena made an instant impression with a win on debut and a new personal best just six weeks later when they beat Series leader Marek in a head-to-head competition.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Still young and trending upward, Ebeling will join Team USA at CHIO Aachen next week in his first major international appearance with Bellena. It&rsquo;ll be an important pressure test ahead of November&rsquo;s Final.<br><br></p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Series Avg</strong>: 75.305% | <strong>Series PB</strong>: 76.190%<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Why he&rsquo;s in</strong>: Three scores above 75%, rapid rise into contention, and confirmed qualification.</li>
</ul>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-MYm9P" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Benjamin Ebeling's Freestyle Scores" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/MYm9P/2/" height="423" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Interactive line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">5. Genay Vaughn &amp; Gino</h2>
<p dir="ltr">No rider has been more dominant on the West Coast than Genay Vaughn. With four wins in four outings, she&rsquo;s the only undefeated rider in the Series. Her lowest score? 73.765% earned at the World Cup Finals in Basel, where she made her debut on the international stage.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gino, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding, has been with Vaughn since he was six. Their long partnership shows in their polish and trust. And with the Final taking place in their home state, this pair has both the record and the venue advantage.<br><br></p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Series Avg</strong>: 74.859% | <strong>Series PB</strong>: 75.875%<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Why she&rsquo;s in</strong>: Four-time qualifier winner, confirmed for the Final, and has a homefield advantage.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-6sQB2" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Ge&ntilde;ay &amp;amp; Gino's Career Freestyle Scores" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/6sQB2/2/" height="424" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Interactive line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Who&rsquo;s Missing and Why?</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Four series riders have higher averages than some on this list, but they&rsquo;ve been excluded due to to qualification or likelihood of attendance:<br><br></p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Julio Mendoza Loor &amp; Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike</strong> &ndash; Third by average (77.190%) but ranked just 25th on the leaderboard. Not currently qualified.<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Felicitas Hendricks &amp; Drombusch OLD</strong> &ndash; 11th overall with a 76.533% average, but no confirmation that she&rsquo;ll return from Germany for the Final.<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Kasey Perry-Glass &amp; Heartbeat W.P. </strong>&ndash; A brilliant pair with a strong PB, but sitting 27th in the standings. She&rsquo;d need two more appearances to break into the top 18 which is unlikely at this stage. They will, however, represent the US in Aachen next week.<br><br></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Evelyn Eger &amp; Tabledance 3</strong> &ndash; 4th on the leaderboard and sixth by average, but like Hendricks, her status for the Final is unclear.</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr">Next Up: CHIO Aachen</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Next week, we&rsquo;ll preview CHIO Aachen. Although the competition won&rsquo;t affect the Series standings, all four of the American team members&mdash;Kevin Kohmann, Benjamin Ebeling, Kasey Perry-Glass, and Jennifer Williams&mdash;have made an impact on the US Equestrian Open. Their results next week may just predict how they&rsquo;re likely to perform on a Final&rsquo;s stage.</p>

The Fab Five: Who’s Realistically Headed to the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final?

<p>Maryland International at Loch Moy kicks off tomorrow for the 14th qualifier of the US Equestrian Open. It is a stacked field and with a good amount of entries, it is looking to be a hot competition.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Prediction Centre&nbsp;</h3>
<p>The<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/maryland_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a> gives Caroline Pamucku a 50% overall win chance at Maryland. But don't count out Jennie Brannigan and Connery &ndash; the 2023 winners are back after having the fastest cross-country time of day. Hard ground is forecast this weekend, so a quick cross country round will be key &mdash; minimising time penalties could really shake up the leaderboard.</p>
<p><a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/maryland_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ac7f2c40-61f4-41e3-a4ec-c14d1ae02c76.png?width=775&amp;height=916" alt="Screenshot 2025 06 26 102919"></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Maryland Fan Guide</h3>
<p>If you want to know more on the competitors&mdash; from the best dressage horses to the fastest cross-country combinations &mdash; check out the <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/maryland-lochmoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maryland Fan Guide</a>. It breaks down all the must-know stats and stories to follow this weekend.<br><br><a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/maryland-lochmoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/14ce1955-86c7-497c-ac17-e7090d244d73.png?width=484&amp;height=658" alt="Screenshot 2025 06 26 105115"></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Maryland Preview Podcast</h3>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37111980/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>Annie Bishop and Diarmuid Byrne dive into the entries, tactics, ground conditions, and more on this week&rsquo;s podcast &mdash; from Jennie Brannigan stepping up with Kismet for their four-star debut to Caroline Pamukcu and Arden Wildasin, who could make a serious push for the podium with their speed. Tune in to the US Equestrian Open podcast for all the details.<br><br><br></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>

Podcast graphic for the US Equestrian Open Podcast

Maryland CCI4*-S Preview

<p dir="ltr">The five highest-scoring tests of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage season all took place under the lights in Wellington, Florida, with top marks earned by Adrienne Lyle, Kevin Kohmann, Anna Marek and Julio Mendoza Loor. But with Mendoza Loor currently sitting 25th on the leaderboard and not yet qualified for the Final, this list focuses on the top-scoring American combinations we know are heading to Thermal. These freestyles showcased depth, difficulty, and the kind of creative ambition that has defined this year&rsquo;s Series. If this is what spring looked like, what might we see in November?</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">1. Adrienne Lyle &amp; Helix &ndash; 80.600%</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Event</strong>: Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10<br><strong>Degree of Difficulty Average</strong>: 9.26</p>
<p dir="ltr">Adrienne Lyle&rsquo;s 80.600% at the only CDI5* on the US Equestrian Open calendar made history. It was the highest score of the season, <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-helix-soar-to-five-star-victory">her personal best with Helix</a>, and the first time since 2021 that an American topped the podium at the AGDF 5*.</p>
<p dir="ltr">From the opening halt, the freestyle rode with ease and fluidity. Helix&mdash;a chestnut gelding by Apache&mdash;moved through the test with such grace that judge William Warren praised the effortlessness of their performance. High-difficulty transitions&mdash;like piaffe to extended trot and canter pirouette to extended canter&mdash;helped deliver an average difficulty mark of 9.26.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;It felt easy, which is exactly what I was hoping for,&rdquo; Lyle said after the test.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">2. Adrienne Lyle &amp; Helix &ndash; 80.325%</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Event</strong>: Global Dressage Festival 5<br><strong>Degree of Difficulty Average</strong>: 9.18</p>
<p dir="ltr">A month earlier, the same duo put the Series on notice with <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-marek-and-rizvi-deliver-a-thrilling-night-of-freestyle-dressage">their first 80% of the season</a>. Set to a nostalgic mix of <em>Stand By Me</em>, <em>Sweet Child O&rsquo; Mine</em>, and <em>The Way You Move</em>, the freestyle was polished, powerful, and technically demanding.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Their average difficulty score of 9.18 reflected that ambition, and one judge gave a rare perfect 10 for musical interpretation. Even more impressive? Coming off a January score of 77.280%, this three-point leap showed just how much potential is hovering just below the surface.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">3. Kevin Kohmann &amp; D&uuml;nensee &ndash; 79.240%</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Event</strong>: Palm Beach Dressage Derby<br><strong>Degree of Difficulty Average</strong>: 9.2</p>
<p dir="ltr">With the final World Cup ticket on the line, Kevin Kohmann and D&uuml;nensee delivered a career-best freestyle when it mattered most. Riding to Kygo&rsquo;s <em>Stole the Show</em> and Avicii&rsquo;s <em>Wake Me Up</em>, Kohmann opened with canter pirouettes directly from the halt and dropped a piaffe pirouette into the walk tour.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">It was a freestyle that blended risk with rhythm, earning an 80% from the judge at B and an overall average difficulty of 9.2. <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/a-cool-breeze-a-fiery-freestyle-kohmann-and-dnee-shine-in-wellington">Under the lights</a>, it felt more like a quiet schooling session than a pressure ride. D&uuml;nensee looked relaxed, Kohmann composed. If they can stay above the cutoff line this fall, this pair will arrive in Thermal as both a crowd favorite and a serious threat.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">4. Anna Marek &amp; Fayvel &ndash; 78.785%</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Event</strong>: Global Dressage Festival 5<br><strong>Degree of Difficulty Average</strong>: 9.56</p>
<p dir="ltr">With an average difficulty score of 9.56, Anna Marek and Fayvel delivered one of the most <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-marek-and-rizvi-deliver-a-thrilling-night-of-freestyle-dressage">ambitious freestyles of the year</a>. It was bold, technical, and downright fun.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Choreographed to <em>BOOM</em> by X Ambassadors and <em>Coincidance</em> by Handsome Driver, the test featured technical risks: a half-circle of two-tempis straight into ones, followed by pirouettes into extended trot. A small mistake in their final extension likely kept them just shy of the 80% mark.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;He&rsquo;s so easy to ride,&rdquo; Marek said after the test. &ldquo;I have to ride the brake a little bit and say, &lsquo;Not so much, buddy!&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
<p dir="ltr">If Marek decides to bring Fayvel to Thermal, she may want to ease off that brake and let the gelding&rsquo;s explosive power shine through.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">5. Anna Marek &amp; Fire Fly &ndash; 77.755%</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Event</strong>: Global Dressage Festival 3<br><strong>Degree of Difficulty Average</strong>: 9.0</p>
<p dir="ltr">Rounding out the top five is a <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-riders-marek-and-kohmann-dominate-a-chilly-night-in-wellington">theatrical crowd favorite</a>. This Stranger Things-themed freestyle turned heads early in the season, and earned Marek her first Series win. Fire Fly&rsquo;s expressive gaits paired perfectly with a cinematic rendition of <em>Running Up That Hill</em>, and the routine scored as high as 80.075% from one judge.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;This is my favorite freestyle venue,&rdquo; Marek said after the test. &ldquo;You can feel the atmosphere, and the horses get excited in a really good way.&rdquo;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The choreography walked the line between dramatic and disciplined, and for a horse that once struggled under pressure, this ride showed that Marek can now tap into his brilliance without the worry of him boiling over.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Looking Ahead</h2>
<p dir="ltr">These five rides were early markers of what the US Equestrian Open of Dressage is capable of delivering: high-level execution, creative risk, and scores that push into the 80s. They set the standard for the kind of riding it will take to win in Thermal.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Next week, we shift the spotlight from freestyles to the athletes themselves. Who&rsquo;s building the strongest case for the Series title? Who&rsquo;s averaging the highest scoring rides?&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Spoiler alert: every rider on this list will be there.</p>

Composite image of Anna Marek, Adrienne Lyle, and Kevin Kohmann

The Top Five Tests of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage (So Far) 

<h2 dir="ltr">The Numbers Game - Why He Might Be An Outside Contender</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In the US Equestrian Open of Eventing, riders count their best six scores toward the final total. So far, Greengard has posted just two:</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">40 points for his wire-to-wire win at Aspen Farms with <strong>Joshuay MBF</strong></li>
<li dir="ltr">35 points for second place at Galway Downs with <strong>That's Me Z</strong></li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr">Current leader Phillip Dutton, who has already used all six of his qualifying results totaling 215 points. Dutton can only improve by replacing his lowest score (30 points). Tommy has everything still to play for. Phillip goes to Maryland International next weekend with Denim before a trip to Aachen.&nbsp;<br><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5757a6f2-ebab-429b-a442-00a7dd1b9c1c.png?width=1240&amp;height=602" alt="Unmm U Tommy Greengard S Us Equestrian Open Results Nbsp "></p>
<p dir="ltr">That leaves four scores still to be added, and with at least two horses who are at the level, and three West Coast events on the calendar (including Twin Rivers which he has a good record at) we expect his final total to look very different to what we see now.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The West Coast Advantage</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Of the seven remaining qualifiers, three are West Coast events that play directly into Greengard's hands:</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">The Event at Rebecca Farm (Aug. 16)</li>
<li dir="ltr">Twin Rivers Fall International (Sept. 19)</li>
<li dir="ltr">Woodside Fall International (Oct. 3)</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr">Yes, they are geographically convenient but Tommy Greengard is also able to travel if needed (<em>2024 saw runs at Cornbury and Bicton in the UK in addition to the Young Horse World Championships in Le Lion d'Angers</em>)&mdash;they're venues where Greengard has proven form. He took <strong>That's Me Z</strong> to Rebecca last year and finished 6th in the CCI3*-S. He won the CCI4*-S at Woodside with <strong>Joshuay MBF</strong> in 2023 and has earned multiple podium finishes at Twin Rivers in recent years. Also importantly, West Coast events have smaller but competitive fields, making (the required) top placings both achievable and valuable.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Conservative math:</strong> Three podium finishes could net 90-120 additional points. But Greengard has shown he's willing to bring multiple horses to big events. If he doubles up&mdash;as Jessica Phoenix did earlier this year at TerraNova&mdash;a single weekend could yield 70+ points. If <strong>Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad, </strong>winner of the CCI3*-S was to move up to CCI4*-S before the end of the season, it gets more possible still.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/299230cb-b2f1-4eb7-8559-996678ae9c7e.png?width=654&amp;height=702" alt="Image (14)"></p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">From Malibu to the Top</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Born in Malibu and raised in the sport by his mother Liddy Morrin, Greengard took an unconventional path to this moment. After graduating UC Berkeley with a degree in environmental science in 2021, he made the decision to go all-in on horses, basing himself at Andrea Pfeiffer's Chocolate Horse Farm in Petaluma.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The investment is paying off. He's been part of the US Equestrian Emerging Athlete Program, received the prestigious Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant in 2024, and represented the United States at the FEI Young Horse World Championships in France. His philosophy is simple but effective: "Horses have good and bad days, and you have to love who they are every day."</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">What It Would Take</h2>
<p dir="ltr">To catch Dutton's 215 points, Greengard would need roughly 140 more points from four scores. It's ambitious but not impossible: two wins (80 points), one second (35 points), and one third (30 points) would put him at 220 points and in the driver's seat heading to the $200,000 Final at Morven Park.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Even a more conservative run&mdash;consistent podium finishes without needing to win&mdash;could land him in the top three and serious prize money: $25,000 for first, $15,000 for second, $10,000 for third.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><br><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d0550508-fefe-4f51-ab55-342daf2233d6.png?width=424&amp;height=492" alt="Screenshot 2025 06 19 103914"></p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Bigger Picture</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The US Equestrian Open Series was designed to connect the CCI4*-S classes across the country and provide a platform to tell stories about horses and riders, east coast and west.&nbsp; We are still learning about the best way to win the thing, early points, volume or maybe strategic, well-timed runs. Tommy Greengard embodies so much about the Open is there to achieve. He's playing the timing game&mdash;picking his spots, bringing the right horses, and executing when it matters most.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So far, it's working. And with three West Coast events still to come, the 25-year-old from Malibu just might pull off the upset of the year.<br><br></p>
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<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>
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<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>

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