The Grand Prix Freestyle at WEC Ocala this week has three legitimate contenders and no obvious favorite. Jennifer Williams and Joppe K, Ashley Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana, and Claire Darnell and Harrold S are separated by less than a percentage point in career average. Their personal bests span barely more than a point.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-cL7DH" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: WEC Ocala April CDI3*" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/cL7DH/1/" height="666" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Top 3</h2>
If you need to hand someone the slight edge, recent form points to Williams. She&rsquo;s logged back-to-back 75.455s with a last-three average just above 75% and a scoring range of just over a point. That's a pair executing consistently near the top of what they've shown. But "slight edge" is more of an educated shrug than a full-blown prediction.&nbsp;
Darnell and Harrold S, meanwhile, are trending sharply upward. Their last three scores &mdash; 73.450, 74.315, 74.365 &mdash; form a tight, rising sequence, with their most recent result the best of the bunch. The issue is simple arithmetic: that 74.365 is essentially Williams's recent floor. For Darnell to win, she'd not only need to put in a personal-best-level performance, but would also need Williams to have an off day. Now granted, Darnell&rsquo;s personal best with this horse is a 77.015%, but that score was posted more than three years ago. Her current form is a more honest read of where the pair sits.&nbsp;
Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana are the wildcard. Their recent scores span from 73.555 to 75.290. That two-point spread means Holzer can beat anyone in this field on the right day, or lose to the other favorites on the wrong one. Hawtins has yet to win a Grand Prix Freestyle, which remains true after eight starts together. A sharp ride this weekend could break that curse. But that's the thing about a wide-open field: a career first is on the table, and so is third place.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-OmzsS" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Recent Freestyle Form" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/OmzsS/1/" height="469" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Line chart" data-external="1"></iframe>
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">A Race Within A Race</h2>
The more interesting story this weekend may not even be who wins the class. It's what Holzer and Darnell do to each other on the leaderboard.
Wandres currently leads the Series, but he's not competing this weekend. Whether he's still leading when scores post depends entirely on how Holzer and Darnell finish &mdash; and relative to each other, not just the field. Darnell sits just behind Wandres. Holzer is close behind her. If both place in the top three, Wandres loses the lead, and whoever places higher between the two of them takes it. The only scenario where Wandres holds on requires Darnell to fall outside the top three, and even then, only if Holzer also doesn't finish first or second.
That makes this a race within a race, and given how close these two score, it runs through every movement of both freestyles.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-g6jy9" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="US Equestrian Open: Leaderboard Scenarios" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/g6jy9/1/" height="320" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
&nbsp;

WEC Preview: Wandres Could Lose the Lead And He’s Not Even There

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Main

The Kentucky Horse Park needs no introduction. One of the most storied venues in eventing, it has hosted some of the sport's most iconic moments and this weekend, the Cosequin&reg; Lexington CCI4*-S returns for its sixth consecutive year.
<div style="text-align: center; margin: 20px 0;"><a style="display: inline-block; background-color: #1a5fa8; color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; padding: 14px 28px; border-radius: 6px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/kentucky4s2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more about Kentucky in the Fan Guide</a></div>
If last year is anything to go by, it will be one of the standout events of the entire series. In 2025, it drew the largest field of any qualifier and ranked in the top three for overall field strength. The 11th qualifier of 2026 is shaping up to match it.
And the timing matters. The leaderboard has been shifting constantly through the opening ten qualifiers, and two of the biggest names in the title race arrive here with serious skin in the game. Tamie Smith, with three entries,&nbsp;and Lucienne Bellissimo, with Kitsch Couture HPK, sit third and fourth in the standings and both still have one open scoring slot. With space for six counting scores each, this could be one of the last chances for either to add a fresh result rather than trying to improve on an existing one.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/87e9abcf-8db2-4446-8f96-373fbcec5349.png?width=712&amp;height=417" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 20 173003">
The points at stake here are also significant. With Kentucky operating on the large qualifier scale, a win is worth 50 points, enough to move either combination sharply up a tight leaderboard.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f4c60395-4300-4ffc-a11d-a722b69c73c4.png?width=717&amp;height=397" alt="Points Scale for Blog Inserts">
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The favorite: Tamie Smith &amp; Lillet 3</h2>
Tamie Smith &amp; Lillet 3 lead The<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/kentucky_4s_2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a> on an 18% Win Chance. The ten-year-old produced the highest High Performance Rating (HPR) recorded at a US Equestrian Open qualifier this season&mdash;a 99 at Carolina&mdash;to win a big, competitive class.
<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/kentucky4s2026/who-wins--top-scores" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9fdbd7e8-08a3-4ca0-b77d-7c194ce11292.png?width=1174&amp;height=1678" alt="N4 Ocg Who Wins the Cosequin Lexington Cci4 S "></a>
Tamie arrives with six international wins already this season and serious momentum behind her. She&rsquo;s in form, in rhythm, and riding one of the strongest strings in the country right now. Tamie also brings her experience campaigner Danito (10% Win Chance) and Kynan (3% Win Chance) who finished in the top 10 in this class last year.
Read more about Tamie's 2026 campaign&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/six-horses-two-weekends-why-tamie-smith-is-the-series-favorite" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5b0cb64b-8068-48b4-999a-c15a2fc2b2c2.jpg?width=4000&amp;height=2667" alt="Tamie Smith Lillet 3 05449">Tamie Smith &amp; Lillet 3 on the way to winning Carolina CCI4*-S. Photo: Liz Crawley Photography
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Course experience: Sydney Elliott and Dan Kreitl</h2>
The two horses below Lillet 3 on the prediction centre bring something the favorite can't claim: a proven track record in this specific class.
Sydney Elliott &amp; QC Diamantaire arrive with a 12% win chance having competed at the Kentucky Horse Park four times with two of those appearances being in the CCI4*-S. They finished third in 2023 and eighth in 2024 with a double clear on both occasions. That kind of consistency over a course of Kentucky's standard is not something to overlook.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/447bcae5-293e-488e-b18f-1d3cb098a595.png?width=1536&amp;height=748" alt="M6 Hq I Qc Diamantaire S Record at Kentucky Horse Park ">
On a 11% win chance, Dan Kreitl and Carmango have a strong record at this venue, finishing fourth in 2022 and fifth in 2023. In 2022, they led the class after cross-country before an unlucky show jumping phase dropped them out of the medals but they came back the following year and jumped clear, proof that this course holds no demons for them.
After missing the entire 2025 international season, they returned at the TerraNova qualifier with a convincing third-place finish, starting on a 21 in the dressage. That mark is the lowest four-star dressage score recorded globally in 2026 so far.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3ed71fed-7af3-4d79-85e0-aa3e0fcc4ed0.png?width=1536&amp;height=536" alt="S Jyyv Carmango S Record at Kentucky Horse Park ">
These two combinations account for the only horses in this field with a top-five finish at this competition. That track record earns its place in any preview, win chance aside.
&nbsp;
<div style="text-align: center; margin: 20px 0;"><a style="display: inline-block; background-color: #1a5fa8; color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; padding: 14px 28px; border-radius: 6px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/kentucky4s2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more about Kentucky in the Fan Guide</a></div>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Quick Access Links:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Results: <a href="https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/results" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results Link</a></li>
<li>Start Times: <a href="https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/entries-and-ride-times" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Start Time Link</a></li>
<li>Live Stream: <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_EU/events/18573/2026-defender-kentucky-three-day-event-the-kentucky-international-csi5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Live Stream Link</a></li>
<li>Watch Kentucky for free with a USEF memberships: <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Get a free Fan membership</a></li>
</ul>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts">
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast.</a>&nbsp;
The Mission of the Open The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US Equestrian sport.
Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines.&nbsp;
With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season. The Series is anchored by core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic entertaining experience onsite.

Tamie Smith & Lillet 3 cross-country at Carolina

Who wins the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S?

After winning both the $1M Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix and the FEI World Cup Final at Fort Worth, the EquiRatings Elo rankings have a new world number one. Greya&nbsp;sits at 787 - two points clear of&nbsp;Point Break&nbsp;and&nbsp;United Touch S, who are both on 785. The best horse in the world right now is&nbsp;Kent Farrington's&nbsp;mare.
<a href="https://www.equiratings.com/top-horses/jumping-current" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7d417a59-af4e-49bc-80dc-d9f08c06de5d.png?width=1434&amp;height=1554" alt="9d Wo1 the Current Top 10 Elo Rated Horses in the World 20 04 2026 "></a>
The climb has been rapid and recent.&nbsp;Greya&nbsp;moved from 777 to 781 after the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix in Wellington. The World Cup Final in Fort Worth pushed her from 781 to 787. Two major wins in the space of three weeks, and a global ranking to show for it.
Toulayna sits fourth in the world on 783 after her role in Thursday's speed class at Fort Worth. Farrington now holds two of the four highest-rated horses globally.
<a href="https://www.equiratings.com/top-horses/jumping-all-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/62ef62a8-848f-482e-a8a7-e1e38ad66462.png?width=1698&amp;height=1662" alt="P1t2o the Top 10 Us Elo Rated Horses of All Time Since 2010 "></a>
It also makes her the highest-rated US horse of all time since EquiRatings began tracking in 2010, clearing the previous US record of 784 held by&nbsp;McLain Ward's&nbsp;HH Azur&nbsp;at her peak in 2018.&nbsp;HH Azur&nbsp;set that bar as a World Cup champion herself, winning on home soil in Omaha in 2017 and claiming multiple WEF five-star Grand Prix including the Week 12 final in 2019. She was the standard for what a US horse could be.&nbsp;Greya&nbsp;has now surpassed it.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-weekend-wins-and-greya-is-officially-the-greatest" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast.</a>&nbsp;
The Mission of the Open The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US Equestrian sport.
Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines.&nbsp;
With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season. The Series is anchored by core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic entertaining experience onsite.

Greya the Great(est) is now the highest-rated horse in the world

Five editions in and the <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/kentucky4s2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosequin&reg; Lexington CCI4*-S&nbsp;</a>has established itself as one of the most competitive CCI4*-S classes in the US. Over the past five years, the field has grown in size, strength, and prestige. This weekend, two of those winners return looking to add their names to the list again.
<div style="text-align: center; margin: 20px 0;"><a style="display: inline-block; background-color: #1a5fa8; color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; padding: 14px 28px; border-radius: 6px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/kentucky4s2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more about Kentucky in the Fan Guide</a></div>
 <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1a9dcdb9-cadf-4136-b1df-fcab4615adef.png?width=1196&amp;height=972" alt="Dqe Gz Who S Won Before (1)">
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The back-to-back champion: Will Coleman</h2>
Will Coleman has won this class more than anyone having had back-to-back victories on two different horses, Diabolo in 2024 and Off The Record in 2025. He also finished third in 2024 with Off The Record, meaning he held first and third on the podium that year. Diabolo is in the five-star this week, and Off The Record has yet to compete internationally this season, likely being managed carefully on the road to World Championship selection.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/835ef1d4-cbe6-453a-a463-9be6c866f0bf.jpeg?width=2500&amp;height=2014" alt="Copy of C Y6 A0108">Will Coleman &amp; Diabolo winning the 2024 edition of the Cosequin&reg; Lexington CCI4*-S
Coleman brings two other rides this year: Fahrenheit Addict and Very Dignified. Fahrenheit Addict is relatively inexperienced at the level, with just four previous CCI4* runs, and this will certainly be a step up in both atmosphere and intensity for the 11-year-old.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/mikki-dora-and-six-boyd-will-and-caroline-three-exciting-partnerships-from-the-us-equestrian-open-eventing-final" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Very Dignified&nbsp;or &lsquo;Dora&rsquo;</a> did something no other combination managed at last year&rsquo;s US Equestrian Open Final: she finished on her dressage score (FOD) to take third place. The ability to FOD stands out given the history of this class. It has only happened twice before&mdash;Hot Bobo in 2023 and Diabolo in 2024&mdash;and on both occasions, it led to the win.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/13cdffba-f4af-41c8-b81a-16c17c83c94a.jpg?width=4160&amp;height=2775" alt="Very Dignified Will Coleman. Credit Devyn Trethewey &amp; Us Equestrian. From Open Final 2025 (2)">Will Coleman &amp; Very Dignified at the 2025 US Equestrian Open Final
&nbsp;
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The inaugural winner: Alyssa Phillips</h2>
Alyssa Phillips is back for the first time since she took the first-ever edition of this class aboard&nbsp;Oskar in 2021. She returns this time with Rockett 19 - a horse <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-crystal-ball-how-data-predicts-the-next-generation-of-us-superstars" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings has flagged as one to watch</a> for some time. He made his four-star debut at TerraNova earlier this season, scoring a 27 in dressage and jumping clear before picking up time penalties on cross-country, though he was held on course so that figure may not tell the full story. Together they have scored as low as 22.3 (albeit at three-star) and they have never finished outside the top ten in an international start.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9d7c80a1-bcec-4a69-92e8-89663bb6e1ba.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="C E5 A8517">Alyssa Phillips &amp; Oskar competing at Aachen in 2024
<h2 data-path-to-node="9">Check out the Fan Guide</h2>
An <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/kentucky4s2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings fan guide</a> does more than list who's entered: it tells you who's actually favoured and why, using win percentages, Elo ratings, and form data you won't find anywhere else in one place.
It gives context to every phase: who to watch on the dressage leaderboard, who's built for cross-country, and where the competition could turn.
Read it in a few minutes and you'll follow the weekend like someone who knows the sport inside out.
<div style="text-align: center; margin: 20px 0;"><a style="display: inline-block; background-color: #1a5fa8; color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; padding: 14px 28px; border-radius: 6px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/kentucky4s2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more about Kentucky in the Fan Guide</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin: 20px 0;">&nbsp;</div>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Quick Access Links:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Results: <a href="https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/results" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results Link</a></li>
<li>Start Times: <a href="https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/entries-and-ride-times" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Start Time Link</a></li>
<li>Live Stream: <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_EU/events/18573/2026-defender-kentucky-three-day-event-the-kentucky-international-csi5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Live Stream Link</a></li>
<li>Watch Kentucky for free with a USEF memberships: <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Get a free Fan membership</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts">
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast.</a>&nbsp;
The Mission of the Open The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US Equestrian sport.
Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines.&nbsp;
With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season. The Series is anchored by core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic entertaining experience onsite.

Will Coleman & Off The Record winning at Kentucky in 2025

Cosequin® Lexington: Who's won and who's back?

<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Eventing: Two FODs from two winners, and a leaderboard that's moving fast</h2>
Next Qualifier: Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S (April 22) |&nbsp;The Final: Morven Park 4*-L, October 8th
It was a weekend that produced two winners, leaderboard movement, and a statistical rarity that happened twice in the same weekend across two different venues. The double-header delivered.
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Fair Hill: Pamukcu &amp; HSH Double Sixteen catch the clock</h3>
Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Double Sixteen won the Fair Hill CCI4*-S by doing what almost nobody does at this venue, making the cross-country time. They were only the second combination in Fair Hill history to do so across 143 starters, and they finished on their dressage score (FOD) of 37.7 as a result. It was the second FOD of the 2026 Series, following&nbsp;Lucienne Bellissimo&nbsp;&amp; Dyri at Stable View a fortnight ago.
Read the full review of Caroline's win<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/caroline-pamukcu-hsh-double-sixteen-speed-to-the-top-at-fair-hill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> here.</a>
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Ocala: Smith steers Jump To Day D to a win in just his second 4*</h3>
Down in Florida, Tamie Smith &amp; Jump To Day D won the Ocala CCI4*-S and they did it with an FOD of their own, finishing on their dressage score of 31.5. Just three combinations had ever finished on their dressage score in this event&rsquo;s history, all before the move from the Ocala Jockey Club. Smith becomes the fourth and the first at this venue (Ocala Festival of Eventing). She also placed fifth with Spiro P on his four-star debut.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXVVQdCjGpt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7ac6f3c2-8f6f-47f0-953a-d91cb150d951.png?width=904&amp;height=1099" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 20 121920"></a>
Read more on EquiRatings' prediction that Tamie Smith will win the 2026 Series<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/six-horses-two-weekends-why-tamie-smith-is-the-series-favorite" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> here.</a>
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Leaderboard</h3>
Caroline Pamukcu extends her lead to 185 points, while Boyd Martin moves into second on 160 after finishing second and third at Fair Hill. Tamie Smith jumps to third on 155 and heads to Kentucky with three horses entered. With neither Caroline nor Boyd competing in the US Equestrian Open qualifier this week, this could be Tamie&rsquo;s chance to get ahead.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c56d96de-cd72-42a9-94a1-6d9c3c125ab4.png?width=706&amp;height=495" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 21 100037"></a>
<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">What's Next</h3>
This is it... the countdown to the&nbsp;"Best Weekend All Year" is nearly over. As the horse trailers roll (and planes land!) into the Kentucky Horse Park, everyone is buzzing from a weekend of dual-coast qualifiers that dramatically shifted the leaderboard. There will be plenty of content across the week from previews, predictions, form guides, and more. So stay tuned on <a href="usequestrianopen.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usequestrianopen.org</a>, socials and the <a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/254e09dd-d92e-4194-986b-baf0dbd8460b.png?width=1080&amp;height=158" alt="Read More Eventing"></a>
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Jumping: Greya becomes the highest-rated horse in the world</h2>
If you have noticed how often we have mentioned Greya this year, we're not sorry. When a horse becomes the highest-rated in the world, it's worth talking about. We have been calling her Greya the Great for a number of month but the numbers have now made it official.
After winning both the $1M Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix and the FEI World Cup Final at Fort Worth, the EquiRatings Elo rankings have a new world number one. Greya sits at 787 - two points clear of Point Break and United Touch S, who are both on 785. The best horse in the world right now is Kent Farrington's mare.
<a href="https://www.equiratings.com/top-horses/jumping-current" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7d417a59-af4e-49bc-80dc-d9f08c06de5d.png?width=1434&amp;height=1554" alt="9d Wo1 the Current Top 10 Elo Rated Horses in the World 20 04 2026 "></a>
The climb has been rapid and recent. Greya moved from 777 to 781 after the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix in Wellington. The World Cup Final in Fort Worth pushed her from 781 to 787. Two major wins in the space of three weeks, and a global ranking to show for it.
Toulayna sits fourth in the world on 783 after her role in Thursday's speed class at Fort Worth. Farrington now holds two of the four highest-rated horses globally.
<a href="https://www.equiratings.com/top-horses/jumping-all-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/62ef62a8-848f-482e-a8a7-e1e38ad66462.png?width=1698&amp;height=1662" alt="P1t2o the Top 10 Us Elo Rated Horses of All Time Since 2010 "></a>
It also makes her the highest-rated US horse of all time since EquiRatings began tracking in 2010, clearing the previous US record of 784 held by McLain Ward's HH Azur at her peak in 2018. HH Azur set that bar as a World Cup champion herself, winning on home soil in Omaha in 2017 and claiming multiple WEF five-star Grand Prix including the Week 12 final in 2019. She was the standard for what a US horse could be.&nbsp;Greya has now surpassed it.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a>
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Dressage: Schwartsman Sets a Personal Best at Del Mar</h2>
Next Qualifier: WEC Ocala (April 24)&nbsp;| The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)
Nadine Schwartsman &amp; Royal Flash R won Saturday's CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle at Del Mar with a 73.675%, marking a personal best for both horse and rider. Almost exactly a year ago, their freestyle debut together produced a 67.990%. Nearly six points of separation in twelve months is no small achievement.
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXXZr31AAUj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/72990c18-68c7-47cc-8a80-18273b3b480d.png?width=702&amp;height=847" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 21 101416"></a>
G&uuml;nter Seidel &amp; Equirelle finished second at 71.455%, their second freestyle score of the season after withdrawing from the March qualifier. Kristina Harrison-Antell &amp; Finley were third at 70.730%, a step back toward form after the 68.835% in March that raised questions. Cyndi Jackson &amp; Florisson, who won this class a month ago,&nbsp;were fourth at 68.700%.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/dressage/708" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5a83ab82-1eec-4619-8c8a-7baec6a9a488.png?width=709&amp;height=373" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 21 101140"></a>
Schwartsman moves to 12th with 31 points and Jackson to 13th with 29, both with three of four qualifying scores banked. Those are good positions to be in with only seven qualifiers left. The window for anyone outside the top 18 to mount a late campaign is narrowing as the schedule thins into summer. For these two, one more west coast stop remains on the calendar&mdash;the Ginny Rattner Memorial in Oregon&mdash;and that's a straightforward opportunity to solidify or improve upon their leaderboard position.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/df3afaab-1f25-4fab-a1dc-c46c608169fb.png?width=1080&amp;height=171" alt="Read More Dressage"></a>
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<h2 data-path-to-node="4">Stay in the loop with The Open Weekly</h2>
Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a>&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast.</a>&nbsp;
<h3>The Mission of the Open&nbsp;</h3>
The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic&nbsp;Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US&nbsp;Equestrian sport.&nbsp;Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines.&nbsp; With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the&nbsp;vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season.&nbsp;The series is anchored by&nbsp;core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic&nbsp;entertaining experience onsite.

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