The first freestyle of the 2026 US Equestrian Open of Dressage kicks off tomorrow in Ocala, and it&rsquo;s nothing short of a proper season opener. A deep field, the reigning Finals champion, and the highest-scoring pair of 2025 all converge, giving us an early look at the storylines that may shape the months ahead.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Indian Rock&rsquo;s New Era</h2>
Few combinations in the world enter 2026 with more intrigue than Christian Simonson and Indian Rock. Simonson took over the ride on the Dutch stallion last May, taking the reins of a horse with Olympic mileage, an 82.095% personal best under Emmelie Scholtens, and an 81.750% finish at the Paris Games. It&rsquo;s a major inheritance for any rider, let alone one who is only 23.
But from the moment Simonson swung a leg over, the results spoke for themselves. Their first Grand Prix together was a 70.543%, followed by a 74.277% Grand Prix Special, the sport&rsquo;s most demanding and unforgiving test. Then in October, they debuted their freestyle: 81.405%, the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/simonson-shakes-the-series-at-terranova" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highest score recorded</a> in the entire 2025 Open season.
Transitions like this don&rsquo;t often come together so quickly. Many riders never access a horse&rsquo;s previous peak, yet Simonson already has. Tomorrow&rsquo;s freestyle offers the next glimpse of where this young partnership is headed&mdash;and a chance for spectators to simply enjoy two genuinely exciting performers do their thing.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">The Champion Returns</h2>
The last time Ben Ebeling and Bellena rode under a spotlight, they walked out of the arena as the inaugural <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/ben-and-bellena-save-their-best-for-last">US Equestrian Open Final champions</a> with a personal best of 79.930%. It was the culmination of a year in which they built their entire Grand Prix career inside the Series: from their freestyle debut in April to that electric November finish, they grew sharper, braver, and more expressive with every start.
Bellena originally competed under Ebeling&rsquo;s father, Jan, before Ben took the reins in early 2025. Their very first freestyle together was a 75.740%, and the rise since then has been unmistakable. They broke their personal best four times in six months, won three qualifiers, and ended the year as Final champions&mdash; all before the partnership reached its first anniversary.
After the season they had, they don&rsquo;t need another career-defining ride tomorrow. This weekend just gives us a sense of how they&rsquo;re carrying that momentum into 2026.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">The Watch List</h2>
Behind the two headliners sits a group of combinations worth watching for very different reasons.
Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu and Jaccardo arrive with limited freestyle mileage but meaningful promise. Their two FEI freestyles averaged 76.823%, with a 77.520% personal best, and they were poised for a strong showing at Devon before an elimination took them out of contention. With so few data points, Ocala might give us the first real sense of where this pair fits in the broader 2026 picture.
For Erin Nichols and Elian Royale, the numbers are fuller: a 72.266% average and a 75.975% PB, plus a consistent trend upward throughout last season. Elian Royale is a horse who tends to shine in freestyles, and Nichols has shown she can coax quality out of high-energy environments. If they open the season in the mid-70s, that would signal a continuation rather than a reset.
And then there&rsquo;s Jennifer Williams with Babylon Berlin, a horse she seriously considered taking to the Final last year. With just one FEI freestyle on the record &mdash; a 74.005% &mdash; Babylon Berlin is still developing, but Williams clearly believes in his future. He reads like championship material once the strength and polish come together, and this weekend might tell us whether that maturity is arriving early in 2026 or building more gradually. Either way, it&rsquo;s always compelling to watch an experienced rider guide a young Grand Prix horse into his next stage.
<h2 dir="ltr">Opening Bars of 2026</h2>
It&rsquo;s only Qualifier One, and no one is crowning a champion this early. The fun of early-season qualifiers is getting these combinations back in the ring, checking in on familiar faces, and seeing the first hints of what 2026 might hold. Between a world-class young rider on a world-class horse, a Finals champion on a sharp rise, and the middle of the pack with genuine potential, Ocala offers a strong opening frame for the season.
Good horses, good riders, and good music. Hard to argue with that.&nbsp;

Christian Simonson smiles while riding Indian Rock in competition at the US Equestrian Open of Dressage.

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Last week, we looked at the big picture of the inaugural US Equestrian Open series - 349 runs, 179 horses, 115 athletes, and 8 nations. This week, we're going deeper into how some of the best performances unfolded across the three phases.
Because while knowing who won matters, understanding how they won tells the real story. 
<hr>
<h2> The Dressage Leaders</h2>
Of those 349 runs, the dressage phase set the tone for what was possible. Will Coleman and Off The Record delivered the series' best mark&mdash;21.8 at Kentucky&mdash;proving that an elite first phase is often the foundation for victory. They went on to win that qualifier and ultimately, finish second in the final at Morven Park.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/41905f3e-23f6-46f6-bc3d-e0ed5287ae3f.png?width=1312&amp;height=1202" alt="Jlej W Top Ten Dressage Scores of the 2025 Series Qualifiers (1)">
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum weren't far behind at 22.0 at Rebecca Farm, also converting that performance into a win. Phillip Dutton appeared three times in the top 10 dressage scores with two different horses -Possante and Denim.
The standout? Only six combinations scored sub-25 and 40 combinations scored sub-30 across all 349 runs of the series.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Jumping Phases</h2>
Of 349 runs, only 83 show jumping rounds finished clear and inside time - less than 24% of the runs. The optimum time proved harder to achieve than many anticipated, even at this level.
Cross-country was even more selective. Just 9 combinations went clear inside the time - that's 2.6% of all starters. James Alliston is the only rider who did it twice (and with two different rides - HMR Rolan&nbsp;and Karma). When you're two of nine in a group of 349, you've done something exceptional.
And then there were the FODs (Finish on Dressage.) Only four combinations managed it.&nbsp;Four FODs from 349 runs. That's 1.1%.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0b6afe0a-ba95-4eba-9149-aeae4a1c25dd.png?width=1748&amp;height=614" alt="W A0 Jf the Four Fod S From the 2025 Series Qualifiers Nbsp ">
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2>The Finishing Scores</h2>
The best finish of the series? Two combinations tied for first at 26.9 - Phillip Dutton and Possante at Plantation Field and Tommy Greengard and Joshuay MBF at Aspen Farms.&nbsp;Tamie Smith and Mai Baum's 27.6 at Rebecca Farm rounds out the top three finishing scores.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aa517b9c-71a6-4b7c-bc4a-4ba123c7cb10.png?width=1312&amp;height=1202" alt="H3 Ya Q Top Ten Finishing Scores of the 2025 Series Qualifiers ">
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Highest Rated Performances</h2>
EquiRatings' HPR system measures performance relative to variables such as field strength,&nbsp;difficulty, scoring etc. Phillip Dutton and Possante topped the list with an HPR of 99 at Plantation Field - the only performance to break into the upper 90s all season.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/174f4230-1f00-44c9-9419-6e5d25be819e.png?width=1368&amp;height=1202" alt="W4asl Top Ten Highest Rated Performances of the 2025 Series Qualifiers ">
Boyd Martin (Commando 3, 94 HPR at Plantation Field) and Caroline Pamukcu (HSH Blake, 94 HPR at Plantation Field) had the second and third best performances (separated by decimals!)
The variety in riders and venues reinforces what we saw throughout the year: excellence wasn't limited to one location or athlete. This was a true season-long series.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>What It All Means</h2>
The US Equestrian Open isn't just about creating a new series, the prize money, or the trophy&mdash;it's about establishing a national standard. Being able to quantify and compare results across the season and across the country creates a benchmark that drives improvement. Better data means better preparation, sharper competition, and ultimately, a stronger Team USA.
This series is showcasing elite sport at its most demanding and 2025 set the bar for everything that comes next. 2026 and beyond!
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
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.
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;
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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

2025 US Equestrian Open: The Performance Numbers

The 2026 US Equestrian Open of Dressage arrives with a ruleset that&rsquo;s familiar in shape but slightly different in how it functions. Most of the changes revolve around how points are earned and what it now takes to build a competitive season. The goal is simple: reward riders for showing up where the depth is real, and make the pathway to the Finals more reflective of performance than pure mileage.
Below is a breakdown of what&rsquo;s changed, and why it matters as the new season gets underway.
<h2 dir="ltr">A Points System That Reflects the Field</h2>
The biggest shift for 2026 is the complete overhaul of the points structure. The old system assigned fixed points regardless of how many riders showed up. A four-horse qualifier gave the same points as a ten-horse qualifier.
The new version changes that. Points now adjust to field size: small fields include 1&ndash;5 starters, medium 6&ndash;10, and large 11&ndash;15. The top end of each range mirrors the intent of the old system, but the spacing and values change dramatically.
- Small fields (1-5) now top out at 15 points for a win and drop quickly.
- Medium fields (6-10) match the former standard&mdash;20 for the win&mdash;but smooth out the distribution through the top 10.
- Large fields (11-15) receive the biggest boost, offering 25 points to the winner and a strong payout down the order.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ca9b4a65-64fb-4868-aeb9-d7e3ee412167.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Points chart showing how riders earn points based on field size at US Equestrian Open qualifiers, with separate tables for large, medium, and small classes.">
This new system, which follows the same principles used in the Eventing Open, rewards depth and showing up in competitive fields. Second place in a large field (20 points) is now equal to what winning used to earn across the board. In a large field, sixth place still earns 10 points, but unlike before, 7th&ndash;10th now receive fewer points&mdash;so finishing one place higher actually changes your season total. In large fields, points now extend through 15th place&mdash;five places deeper than before&mdash;allowing more riders to accumulate meaningful totals.
This system does two things. It rewards riders who step into deep, competitive environments. And it pressures those aiming for the Finals to choose their venues carefully. A small field still counts, but it no longer holds the same weight.&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Fewer Results Count&mdash;So Each One Matters More</h2>
Another fundamental change is the shift from counting a rider&rsquo;s top six results to counting their top four.&nbsp;
Under the old structure, consistency across a long schedule was rewarded, and riders based on the East Coast naturally benefited from having more Big Tour opportunities within easy reach. With only four results now counting, each ride carries more weight, but riders who compete more than four times still have the flexibility to replace low scores as the season progresses.
This setup also softens the impact of an off weekend, but it also sharpens the value of every strong performance. Four mid-range scores won&rsquo;t do the work that four competitive ones can, especially under a points system that rewards depth.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Clarifications, Cleanups, and Codified Scenarios</h2>
The remaining changes are small adjustments that refine rather than overhaul.
<h3 dir="ltr">Multi-Star Weekends.</h3>
When a venue offers multiple Grand Prix Freestyles in a single weekend, riders can now earn points only in the highest-star class offered. The exception: if there&rsquo;s a CDIO3* (or higher), riders may also earn points in the highest non-CDIO class. Previously, the rule existed in spirit but not in precise language. Now, it&rsquo;s spelled out.
<h3 dir="ltr">Tie-breaking language.</h3>
The underlying approach remains unchanged&mdash;ties occupy consecutive places, and the next rider&rsquo;s placing is adjusted accordingly&mdash;but the rulebook now gives a clearer example. It&rsquo;s administrative clarity, not structural change.
<h3 dir="ltr">Season dates.</h3>
The Series now officially begins December 1 instead of January 1. The end-of-season timing remains the same: at least two weeks before the Finals. Practically speaking, this mostly aligns the paperwork with how the season already operated.
<h3 dir="ltr">What Hasn't Changed.</h3>
While the points system and season structure have evolved, the foundation of the Series remains the same. The $50K season prize pool and $200K Finals purse are unchanged, as are the qualifications that shape the competitive field: the top 18 advance to the Finals, riders must earn a 67% Certificate of Capability, each athlete may bring only one horse to the Final, and a 60% Grand Prix score is still required to ride the Freestyle Final.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Looking Ahead to Ocala</h2>
The heart of these updates is simple: the 2026 Open rewards strong performances in strong company. Riders won&rsquo;t need as many big weekends to qualify, but the big weekends they choose will matter more than ever.
The first chance to see this new landscape in action is next weekend in Ocala, where the season officially begins. Tune in and watch the new points era take shape from the very first judge&rsquo;s bell.

A decorated archway marking the entrance to the US Equestrian Open of Dressage, framed by tall palm trees and flower arrangements on a sunny day.

What’s New for 2026: A Clearer, Sharper US Equestrian Open of Dressage

As we near the end of 2025, it's time to reflect on the inaugural US Equestrian Open series - a journey that brought together the best of American eventing across the country. From coast to coast, riders and horses competed for points at 20 qualifiers, creating moments that will define this sport for years to come.
The numbers tell the story of an ambitious series that delivered on its promise:&nbsp;349 runs, 179 horses, and 115 athletes representing 8 nations. This wasn't just an American competition - it was an international stage that attracted riders from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, and Sweden alongside the United States. 
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/582fac01-b833-4b03-b5fb-1d59829a51ae.png?width=851&amp;height=156" alt="Us Equestrian Open Season Wrapped (1)">
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<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Winners' Circle</h2>
Twenty qualifiers produced 20 winners and 60 podium finishes. But there was actually only 13 riders who took a win while Caroline Pamukcu and James Alliston emerged as the most prolific winners, each claiming victory three times throughout the season.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8fe6ab04-40e3-441f-b7c9-6b9baf555002.png?width=916&amp;height=1100" alt="Xy Fz L Us Equestrian Open Qualifier Winners "> Eighteen horses recorded wins, with&nbsp;HSH Double Sixteen (Caroline Pamukcu) and HMR Rolan (James Alliston) leading the way as the only two-time winners.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Venues</h2>
Fifteen venues across the United States hosted qualifiers, each bringing their own character and challenges to the series. The largest fields gathered at:
<ol>
<li>Kentucky - 53 starters (April 23, CCI4*-S)</li>
<li>Carolina- 36 starters (March 13, CCI4*-S)</li>
<li>The Fork at Tryon - 31 starters (September 11, CCI4*-S)</li>
</ol>
But size wasn't everything. When measured by the EquiRatings Elo Field Strength - the average rating of the top 20 horses in each field - the competition quality told a slightly different story:
<ol>
<li>Carolina&nbsp;- 536 field strength</li>
<li>The Fork at Tryon - 517 field strength</li>
<li>Kentucky&nbsp;- 513 field strength</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Athletes</h2>
The average age of riders competing in qualifiers was 39, though the series showcased talent across generations. The youngest competitors&mdash;Lizzie Hannon, Molly Duda, and Cassie Sanger&mdash;all made their mark at just 20 years old, proving that youth and ambition could compete at the highest level. And while we won&rsquo;t call out the opposite end of the spectrum, let&rsquo;s just say experience was well represented too.
Caroline Pamukcu was the series' workhorse, recording 20 runs across the season.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/735b66a1-0186-4440-b176-66511df74ed3.png?width=832&amp;height=820" alt="J V0o P Riders With the Most Runs Nbsp ">
 
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Horses</h2>
The equine athletes averaged 12 years of age, with experience clearly valued at this level. Six horses competed at just 8 years old:
<ul>
<li>Marvel - Monica Spencer</li>
<li>That's Me Z - Tommy Greengard</li>
<li>Cooley Corraghy Diamond - Kim Severson</li>
<li>Invictus - Mia Farley</li>
<li>BGS Calculated Chaos - Mia Farley</li>
<li>Monbeg Zebedee - Allison Springer</li>
</ul>
At the other end of the spectrum, three 19-year-old horses proved that age is just a number -Fly Me Courageous (Janelle Fleming) and&nbsp;Honor Me (Lisa Marie Fergusson) and the legendary Mai Baum, who retired on the ultimate high note with a win at the Rebecca Farm event.
<h2>Looking Ahead</h2>
The inaugural series set a benchmark for the US Equestrian Open - we can't wait to see how this series builds and how the numbers compare this time next year. 
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
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.
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;
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<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9dfe039-3b02-415d-b513-c5bd87d85dae.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar">
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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

2025 US Equestrian Open: A Year in Review

Two qualifiers down, a winter break ahead, and a leaderboard that's begging for debate. Here are five storylines guaranteed to spark arguments more entertaining than anything happening on the TV in the other room.
<h3>1. Is the Leaderboard Safe&hellip; or Living on Borrowed Time?</h3>
Lucienne Bellissimo sits pretty at the top with 80 points. Will Coleman's right behind with 60. Waylon Roberts rounds out the podium at 55.&nbsp;
And here's the thing nobody at the table wants to hear: the top three finishers from last year's series haven't even competed yet. Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton, and Caroline Pamukcu are all sitting at zero and they're not exactly short on firepower.
The numbers tell the story. Caroline Pamukcu logged 31 runs across 7 horses at the top level in 2025. Boyd Martin had 24 runs with 9 horses. Phillip Dutton? 17 runs, 5 horses. Compare that to Lucienne's 13 runs with 3 horses, or Will's 10 runs with 4.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b2e8e0c4-80e3-43a7-81c1-174db526d651.png?width=916&amp;height=772" alt="J I Aob B 2025 Top Level Runs Last Year S Podium Vs. Current Leaders B Nbsp ">
More horses means more chances to place. More runs means more opportunities to stack points. And that's just their current strings - it is likely that there is horses waiting in the wings ready to step up.
So is Lucienne safe? Is Will? The honest answer: probably not yet. When riders with that kind of depth come out after the winter break, 80 points might start looking less like a cushion and more like a head start that's about to evaporate.
The debate: Does early momentum matter or does string depth win out in the end?
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
<h3>2. Will Riders Change Their Tactics for Series Points in 2026?</h3>
Let's take a look at how Boyd Martin won it last year. He started the 2025 series at Bouckaert in March with modest points. Then came Stable View in the spring: +130 points. The Fork followed: +120 points. By the end of the season, he'd rocketed to 260 and the winner's check.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a67dc579-e760-432b-a8b2-7faf1fef17a1.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Series Podium (8)">
&nbsp;
Notice a pattern? Those big point gains came at events with larger fields. The scoring system rewards depth of competition - qualifiers with more than 25 starters offer 50 points for first place, while smaller fields cap out at 40.
So here's the question: will riders start targeting the bigger events specifically for points? If you know a qualifier is going to draw a deep field, does it make sense to aim your best horse there rather than a smaller competition where the math doesn't work as well in your favor?
The debate: Is strategic event selection the key to the series, or does it overcomplicate things?
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>3. Which Rider Has the Most Pressure Heading into 2026?</h3>
Let's run through some of the candidates.
Boyd Martin &ndash; The defending champion of both the series and the final. He's got a target on his back and everyone's coming for him.&nbsp;
Will Coleman &ndash; That pole. You know the one. The rail that handed Boyd the win. Does redemption fuel him or haunt him?
Phillip Dutton &ndash; Led the series right until the bitter end, then watched Boyd pip him at the post.&nbsp;
Lucienne Bellissimo &ndash; Currently leading the 2026 standings. She's put herself in the spotlight, can she handle it?
Tamie Smith &ndash; Mai Baum's retirement leaving a hole in Tamie's string and an aim to recreate those results with other horses.&nbsp;
The debate: Whose pressure is heaviest - the defending champ, the current leader, or another contender?
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>4. If You Could Buy Stock in One Rider for the Rest of the Season&hellip; Who Would It Be?</h3>
Time to put your money where your mouth is. With $25,000 on the line for the series winner and $200,000 for the final, your portfolio better be right.
The Blue Chip: Boyd Martin &ndash; Safe money, solid returns.
The Growth Stock: Caroline Pamukcu &ndash;&nbsp; Zero points so far but a huge string - very likely surge up the standings.
The Value Play: Waylon Roberts &ndash; Sitting third with 55 points, he's already on the board while the big guns are still on the sidelines.
The Speculative Buy: Lucienne Bellissimo &ndash; She's proven she can score points but with a smaller string than the Americans chasing her, there is no margin for error.
The debate: Who do you invest in and who do you short?
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>5. Who's the Next Breakout Star of the Series?</h3>
Last season gave us two young horses we couldn't stop talking about. Sharon White's Jaguars Duende, just nine years old, stepped up to the 4* level and looked like he belonged there from day one. Kim Severson's Cooley Corraghy Diamond did the same at eight.&nbsp;
So who's next?
The 2025 season saw some top-class performances from seven-year-olds at the 3* level on US soil. Sharon White tops the board with Arden Augustus, posting an HPR of 87 at The Fork at Tryon in May.&nbsp;Caroline Pamukcu's HSH Talbots Hill matched that mark at TerraNova.
One of these ten could be next years superstar.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0c630cac-f1ca-445b-b671-0b819614208b.png?width=1412&amp;height=986" alt="L Xrzj B Highest Rated Performances by 7 Year Old S at 3 on Us Soil in 2025 B ">
The debate: Which young horse do you think makes the biggest splash in 2026?
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Pass the Pie, Keep the Debate Going</h3>
That's your Thanksgiving cheat sheet. Five storylines, endless arguments, and a winter break to let the anticipation build.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
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.
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;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9dfe039-3b02-415d-b513-c5bd87d85dae.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="26 Open Eventing Qualifier Calendar">
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<hr>
&nbsp;
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.

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