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<p dir="ltr">Competitors will take to the idyllic TerraNova dressage arena this weekend for the penultimate qualifier of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage. At this stage, every placement and every percentage point matters. Not only will this weekend&rsquo;s performances determine who makes the cut for the Final in California, but leaderboard payouts are also on the line. Thousands of dollars could hinge on which horse decides to cross its legs in just the right way on Saturday night.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Contenders in Motion</h2>
<p dir="ltr">As a Florida stop, it&rsquo;s no surprise that familiar names fill the roster. Among them, <strong>Benjamin Ebeling</strong> and <strong>Kevin Kohmann</strong> are both poised for upward momentum. Each sits on four completed qualifiers, meaning any finish here directly boosts their season total.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Despite only debuting his freestyle with the 15-year-old <strong>Bellena </strong>in April, Ebeling enters the weekend as a favorite, leading Kohmann&rsquo;s average freestyle score by a slim 0.4 percentage points. It&rsquo;s a narrow gap, and one Kohmann will be eager to close aboard <strong>D&uuml;nensee</strong>, who owns the third-highest score of the season (79.240%), behind only Adrienne Lyle&rsquo;s and Helix&rsquo;s 80% performances.</p>
<p dir="ltr">With TerraNova marking their fifth qualifier, both riders will look to climb into the top five overall, a feat a freestyle win could achieve.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Adding a personal twist to the weekend, Kohmann will also face off against his wife,<strong> Devon Kane</strong>, who enters ranked 16th. Even a modest result would move her solidly into the top ten, and with one of the highest freestyle averages in the field, she could easily finish higher still.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-tk8R5" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: TerraNova Dressage II" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/tk8R5/1/" height="706" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">A High-Risk Debut</h2>
<p dir="ltr">On the edge of qualification sits <strong>Jennifer Williams</strong>, currently holding the 18th and final spot on the leaderboard. Rather than bringing her seasoned partner <strong>Joppe K</strong>, Williams will debut a new horse, <strong>Babylon Berlin</strong>, at the Grand Prix level this weekend.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It&rsquo;s a bold move at a critical moment. Even an eighth-place finish would improve her total, but the real intrigue lies in what this debut signals about her strategy for the Final. Joppe K, who has been in Williams&rsquo; program since his early years, carried her to U.S. team selection for Aachen earlier this season, though their outing there was below expectations.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Is Babylon Berlin&rsquo;s first appearance a changing of the guard? Or is this simply a curiously timed debut?&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Shaping the Final</h2>
<p dir="ltr">With Ebeling and Kohmann chasing higher placements, Williams fighting to stay inside the top 18, and the Final just four weeks away, TerraNova will reshape the starting lineup for the desert showdown. Series leader Anna Marek is still safe&hellip; for now. But with Ebeling and Kohmann closing in on their fifth qualifying run, her title spot may be in jeopardy next week.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">For now, settle in for an evening of freestyle in one of the country&rsquo;s most beautiful arenas as riders take one more swing at shaping the Series before the road turns west to California.&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<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>

Kevin Kohmann and Duensee half pass across the arena in trot

The Penultimate Push

<p dir="ltr">Germany&rsquo;s <strong>Felicitas Hendricks</strong> has spent the past ten winters lighting up Wellington&rsquo;s Global Dressage Festival. Now, she&rsquo;s heading west to California for the <strong>US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final</strong> with her longtime partner, <strong>Drombusch OLD</strong>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Their partnership is nearly a decade in the making. Hendricks has brought the 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding up the levels herself, from six-year-old prospect to international Grand Prix winner.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;Every day I think, I don&rsquo;t want him to get older,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I just want to freeze him and have him forever.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">That bond was on full display earlier this year when the pair opened their Open campaign with a 78% freestyle win, one of the highest scores in the Series. Their upbeat disco routine&mdash;set to the same &lsquo;80s hits her mother once danced to&mdash;has become a crowd favorite. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s such a big personality,&rdquo; Hendricks laughed.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;I really believe he knows his music. When the crowd starts clapping, it&rsquo;s our favorite part.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">Despite early hesitation about the long trip from Germany to California, Hendricks says there was no question she&rsquo;d make the journey once she qualified. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got the perfect horse right now, and he&rsquo;s such a good traveler. I had to take the chance,&rdquo; she explained.</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;[The Final] is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">Listen to the full episode of the US Equestrian Open Podcast to hear Felicitas share stories from her season, her preparations for Thermal, and what it means to bring Drombusch to one of the sport&rsquo;s most exciting new finals.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Listen to the full podcast <a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710/dressage-felicitas-hendricks-on-drombusch-disco-and-the-road-to-la" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/38572145/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/no/custom-color/001c54/time-start/00:00:00/hide-show/yes/hide-playlist/yes/hide-subscribe/yes/hide-share/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

New Podcast: Felicitas Hendricks Takes the Long Flight West

<p data-start="406" data-end="767">For six-time Olympian <strong data-start="428" data-end="446">Steffen Peters</strong>, dressage has always been about connection. Between horse and rider, yes, but also between sport and audience. His partnership with <strong>Suppenkasper</strong> (&ldquo;Mopsie&rdquo;) captured the world&rsquo;s imagination during the Tokyo Olympics, when their electric freestyle earned millions of views and a nickname that stuck: <em data-start="748" data-end="764"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc92GJphMqA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Rave Horse</a></em>.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/38339040/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/no/custom-color/5883c8/time-start/00:00:00/hide-show/yes/hide-playlist/yes/hide-subscribe/yes/hide-share/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p data-start="769" data-end="1071">&ldquo;I knew when we designed that freestyle that it would likely be my last,&rdquo; Peters shared on the&nbsp;<strong data-start="881" data-end="923">US Equestrian Open of Dressage Podcast</strong>. &ldquo;I wanted music you&rsquo;d play at a party &mdash; something that makes people want to get up and dance. That&rsquo;s the essence I wanted to share with Mopsie.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="1073" data-end="1360">And, it almost didn&rsquo;t happen. Fifteen minutes before the Olympic freestyle began, Peters realized he&rsquo;d submitted the wrong music file.</p>
<blockquote>
<p data-start="1073" data-end="1360">&ldquo;We were calling Florida at three-thirty in the morning to get the right version sent to Tokyo,&rdquo; he laughed. &ldquo;The tower was not happy, but it worked out.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 data-start="1362" data-end="1389">The Energy of a Crowd</h2>
<p data-start="1390" data-end="1683">From Tokyo to Aachen, the crowd has become part of the performance. In a normal Grand Prix test, Mopsie, who is a fairly noise sensitive horse, would probably react. But in a freestyle? He feeds off it.</p>
<blockquote>
<p data-start="1390" data-end="1683">"The American crowd gets so into it. They bring the score up. There&rsquo;s no doubt in my mind.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<p data-start="1685" data-end="2044">That bond &mdash; between horse, rider, and audience &mdash; is what Peters hopes to see again when he joins the <strong data-start="1786" data-end="1814">US Equestrian Open Final</strong> commentary team this fall. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m excited to be there with empathy,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;When someone has a mistake, I feel it. When someone has a great ride, I&rsquo;ll react to that emotionally. I know what it feels like to be in that moment.&rdquo;</p>
<h2 data-start="2046" data-end="2073">The Power of the Open</h2>
<p data-start="2074" data-end="2553">Peters also sees the <strong data-start="2095" data-end="2129">US Equestrian Open of Dressage</strong> as something transformative not just for riders, but for fans discovering the sport. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s such a wonderful idea to have this Series here in the United States,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s bringing dressage into the mainstream, where people who might not know the sport can suddenly fall in love with it. We saw that with Mopsie &mdash; millions of people saw him online and thought,&nbsp;<em data-start="2497" data-end="2516">this is dressage?</em> That&rsquo;s what the Open can do, too.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="2555" data-end="2951">He highlighted the Open&rsquo;s coast-to-coast reach and the significance of holding its inaugural Final in California &mdash; a reflection, he said, of the strength and depth of West Coast dressage. With world-class footing, an energetic atmosphere, and a venue built to bring fans closer to the action, Thermal represents exactly what the Series stands for: connection, excitement, and exceptional sport.</p>
<p data-start="2953" data-end="3232">For Peters, it&rsquo;s also about community. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not the Pan Ams, it&rsquo;s not the Olympics, but it&rsquo;s still a big stage,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<p data-start="2953" data-end="3232">&ldquo;It gives riders and horses the chance to shine under pressure and fans the chance to be part of something special. That&rsquo;s what keeps the sport growing.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 data-start="3234" data-end="3255">Words of Wisdom</h2>
<p data-start="3256" data-end="3541">As for advice to riders fine-tuning their freestyles ahead of the Final? Peters encourages balance and intuition. Success, he believes, comes from partnership rather than pressure. &ldquo;Let your horse tell you how far you can go,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t ride the scoreboard. Ride your horse.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="3256" data-end="3541">Listen to the full podcast <a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710/dressage-steffen-peters-on-freestyle-fans-and-finding-balance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>

New Podcast: Steffen Peters on Freestyle Joy, Olympic Lessons, and Riding for the Dance Floor

<p dir="ltr">Rain soaked through show coats on Saturday night as freestyles began in the Dixon Oval. Polished boots and plaited manes became waterlogged as the evening wore on. The storm didn&rsquo;t deter spectators, though. Enthusiastic fans packed Devon&rsquo;s pale blue grandstands and clapped along to familiar tunes.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Bellena&rsquo;s Big Step</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Benjamin Ebeling</strong> and Ann Romney&rsquo;s 15-year-old Hanoverian mare, <strong>Bellena</strong>, earned a combination-best of 77.665% to secure the win. The atmosphere didn&rsquo;t seem to faze Bellena, perhaps thanks to her stint in Europe over the summer. The pair has been on a steady climb since their freestyle debut in April, notching multiple wins and consistently raising their scores. With this result, Ebeling moves to a tie for sixth on 77 points, momentum that comes at a pivotal moment with Finals just six weeks away.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no place like Dressage at Devon,&rdquo; Ebeling said. &ldquo;This was a big step in getting my horse acclimated in big environments in an arena like this.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Kohmann Climbs, Bergeron Learns, Marek Falters</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Kevin Kohmann</strong> and <strong>D&uuml;nenesee </strong>placed second with 77.005%, a performance that launched them eight places up the leaderboard into ninth on 69 points. With only two qualifiers left, Kohmann is now comfortably positioned for a Finals berth. True to form, the freestyle was steady and lyrical, with D&uuml;nenesee&rsquo;s calm presence making the rain-soaked Dixon Oval look easy.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;It feels like a big show in Europe. I love it here,&rdquo; Kohmann said. &ldquo;This was the show where I rode this freestyle the first time and I&rsquo;m here one year later to ride it again.&rdquo;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Canada&rsquo;s <strong>Camille Carier Bergeron</strong> looked set for a podium finish, but an error proved costly. Riding ahead of her music, she over rotated a pirouette &mdash; a violation of FEI rules that slashed her degree of difficulty score and left her with 68.450%. Even so, Bergeron&rsquo;s ninth-place finish earned her 10 leaderboard points, moving her into 13th overall. Her climb adds another layer of pressure for riders heading to the Final.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Saturday was not <strong>Anna Marek</strong> and <strong>Fire Fly&rsquo;s</strong> night. Whether it was the rain or the unfamiliar arena, the 15-year-old KWPN gelding never settled fully into the test. The pair earned 72.790% for fourth place, a respectable score but several points below their average of 75.683% and well off their last freestyle outing. That&rsquo;s the tricky thing about sensitive horses. They can deliver brilliance at their best, but that same sensitivity can also unravel under pressure.<strong><br></strong></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Title Picture Shifts</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Marek and Fire Fly have proven themselves in Wellington as regulars at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. But the Finals will be held at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, CA, a venue Fire Fly has experienced. Devon provided a preview of what that challenge could look like: a charged atmosphere outside their comfort zone. Fire Fly&rsquo;s personal best came at the Pan American Games in Santiago, proof that the potential is there, but consistency in new environments remains the question.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That decision is complicated further as the title fight is no longer only between Marek and Kohmann. Ebeling is charging into contention, Bergeron is climbing, and <strong>Genay Vaughn</strong> &mdash; undefeated queen of the West Coast &mdash; awaits them all on her home turf in Thermal.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Next Stops: TerraNova and Tryon</h2>
<p>With Devon behind us, attention now turns to the final two qualifiers: TerraNova in early October and Tryon, South Carolina, just two weeks before the Final. Every ride left on the calendar has the potential to shape who arrives in Thermal as a favorite. And, who doesn&rsquo;t.&nbsp;</p>
<p>For the full calendar of events and standings updates, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usequestrianopen.org</a>. 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</a>, and 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>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d35d5aa9-5dcf-4eb2-b1fa-746c463761a5?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage Series"></p>
<hr>
<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>

15-year-old Hanoverian mare, Bellena, in the Dixon Oval against the background of the pale blue grandstands

Devon Delivers Drama as Finals Near

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Dressage at Devon</strong> has always been a prestigious stop on the calendar, but as a qualifier in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage, it takes on a new identity. For the first time this season, the Grand Prix is more than just a warm-up. With 17 entries, only 15 will advance to the freestyle (and from there, just 10 earn Series points). The math makes Friday matter.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As the inaugural Final approaches, leaderboard pressure is at an all-time high. The Top 18 secure their ticket, but leaderboard placing also dictates the payout. Thousands of dollars hinge on who climbs and who slips. With the largest field of the season, Devon is set to be the most consequential qualifier yet.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/dc686f53-1d70-4561-86e2-c5911c577b2d.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Graphic showing first place earns 20 points, 2nd and 3rd earn 17, 4th and 5th earn 15, and 6th through 10th earn 10 points."></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Devon&rsquo;s Math Problem</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Wellington&rsquo;s fields were often large and packed with talent, but even their biggest qualifier (AGDF 3) topped out at 15 riders, which meant everyone advanced to the freestyle. Not so in the Dixon Oval. Here, the Grand Prix does more than seed the freestyle &mdash; it&rsquo;s a filter. With 17 starters, two combinations will be cut before Saturday night. And once the freestyle begins, only the top 10 will earn Series points.</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-5jpFK" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: Dressage at Devon" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/5jpFK/1/" height="894" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<p dir="ltr">That&rsquo;s the first equation. The second is the leaderboard math. Six of the current top 18 are competing this weekend, which guarantees movement in the standings. Riders can climb into new payout tiers&hellip; or slide down them.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Take <strong>Benjamin Ebeling</strong>. He comes in 14th with 57 points, but a podium here would launch him as many as seven spots into the top seven. A win could tie him for 6th. In dollar terms, that&rsquo;s the difference between a $1,000 payout and a $3,000 payout, with another qualifier still to come in his Florida backyard.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ae89e81d-61fa-4edc-9f49-59aff5d5517f.png?width=1080&amp;height=866" alt="A graphic showing how the $50,000 prize money is allocated based on season-end standings. "></p>
<p dir="ltr">But leaderboard math cuts both ways. With a field this deep, it&rsquo;s not just about who climbs. It&rsquo;s also about who siphons points away. Several riders in this week&rsquo;s field sit outside the top 18, meaning they won&rsquo;t qualify for the Finals, but they can still shape the standings by stealing points from those who will. Six combinations are averaging within 1.5 percentage points of one another, a cluster that includes Series number 10 <strong>Charlotte Jorst</strong>. She&rsquo;ll be chasing at least 10 points to solidify her spot, while the likes of Laine Ashker, Meagan Davis, Tiago Ernesto, Mathilde Blais Tetreault, and Allison Carmichael will be looking to disrupt her path.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Final Equation</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Series leader <strong>Anna Marek</strong> and runner-up <strong>Eline Eckroth</strong> go head-to-head in Devon with an unusual twist: both have already logged six of six qualifying runs. That means the only way to add to their leaderboard totals is to improve on past results.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Eckroth&rsquo;s path is easier. She still carries two 10-point scores, so a finish of fifth or better would raise her total. Marek, though, faces a tougher equation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">She improves only if she wins. Despite leading the Series by nearly twenty points, she has just one victory to her name. With second and third both worth 17 points, only a first place adds to her total. Remarkably, she could also lose the lead this weekend. If Eckroth were to win, Marek&rsquo;s 19-point cushion would vanish. It&rsquo;s statistically unlikely based on averages, but in this sport, certainty is never guaranteed.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Few More Combinations to Watch</h2>
<p dir="ltr">With a field this deep, every rider brings a storyline. It would be difficult to tell them all, but here are a few more combinations worth a watch this weekend.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Kevin Kohmann &amp; D&uuml;nensee</h3>
<p>Devon reunites one of Wellington&rsquo;s favorite rivalries: Kohmann&rsquo;s lyrical D&uuml;nensee versus Marek&rsquo;s powerful Fire Fly. The two are often separated by a single percentage point, and Kohmann holds the highest personal best in the field (79.240%). Marek has the winning record against D&uuml;nensee, but if she leaves points on the table, D&uuml;nensee will be there to scoop them up.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Benjamin Ebeling &amp; Bellena</h3>
<p dir="ltr">On the rise since their freestyle debut in April, Ebeling and Bellena set a new personal best of 76.615% in Austria this summer. With a 75%+ average, they&rsquo;re one of Marek&rsquo;s strongest challengers.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu &amp; Jaccardo</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Jaccardo has only one FEI freestyle on record &mdash; a 76.125% &mdash; but that score alone tops the rest of the field&rsquo;s averages. Add Fraser-Beaulieu&rsquo;s Olympic experience and proven freestyle record with All In, and this pair could upset the top five.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Camille Carier Bergeron &amp; Finnlanderin</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Finnlanderin made her freestyle debut at Devon last year and earned a 77.280% personal best. Bergeron has been building steadily since, and another high-70s ride could move her from a top-five lock into podium contention.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Wild Cards</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Several combinations logged summer personal bests at national shows, including Kobus (76.225%), DSP Dauphin (75.113%), Zeppelin (74.925%), Toronto Lightfoot (73.675%), and Don Divino (70.650%). If they can translate that form to a CDI in Devon, they can disrupt the points race. One to watch in particular is <strong>Francine Gentile&rsquo;s</strong> Don Divino, making his first-ever CDI freestyle start. At 70%, he isn&rsquo;t a podium pick, but he could deny leaderboard climbers valuable points.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Looking Ahead</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Dressage at Devon will shape not only who qualifies for the Final but also how much money riders take home at season&rsquo;s end. Winning here is an achievement in its own right, yet this year it doubles as positioning for November. The Grand Prix matters now in the same way it will at the Final, where only the top 15 move on to the freestyle and a $200,000 prize pool awaits. In many ways, this weekend is the dress rehearsal.</p>
<p>Tune in live to<strong> <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/16989" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USEF Network</a> </strong>to watch the Grand Prix action starting Friday night.</p>
<p>For the full calendar of events and standings updates, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usequestrianopen.org</a>. 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</a>, and 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>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d35d5aa9-5dcf-4eb2-b1fa-746c463761a5?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage Series"></p>
<hr>
<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>

Anna Marek and Fire Fly at the final halt salute

Dressage at Devon: The Series Returns

<p dir="ltr">A crisp chill hung in the autumn air as a 14.2-hand Connemara&ndash;Thoroughbred cross trotted into the famed Dixon Oval. Far smaller than his competitors, not that he knew it, Seldom Seen commanded attention. The flashy grey was about to dance his final Grand Prix freestyle. Piloted by Olympian Lendon Gray, the superstar in a pony&rsquo;s body rode to victory, sweeping Devon&rsquo;s top classes that year. He was then honored with a retirement ceremony, stepping away as a crowd darling who proved heart matters as much as size.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">These moments, the ones that become legendary stories, are why <strong>Dressage at Devon</strong> carries a special weight in American dressage. Each autumn, careers are tested, champions are crowned, and Olympic horses are made against the pale blue grandstands of the Dixon Oval.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Dressage at Devon (DAD) was founded in 1975 by the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association (DVCTA). As the show grew in popularity, it began adding breed divisions, exhibitions, and larger classes. The show became a World Cup qualifier in 1990 and quickly became the biggest stage for East Coast dressage.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Turning 50 this year, DAD again hosts a week-long dressage festival, with vendors, masterclasses, and of course, the most elite classes in the sport. This weekend&rsquo;s Performance Division not only kicks off the 2026 World Cup Finals qualifiers, but it also hosts one of the final qualifiers for the U.S. Equestrian Open of Dressage Final.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">This is a destination show, a bucket list item. For U.S. riders, riding Devon&rsquo;s Saturday Night Freestyle is not unlike running cross-country at Kentucky. It&rsquo;s iconic, with the crowds close, the lights hot, and the atmosphere electric. For international riders, it&rsquo;s a chance to experience U.S. dressage at its most iconic. Six-time dressage Olympian Robert Dover called Devon, &ldquo;the standard by which all American horse shows should be judged.&rdquo;</p>
<p dir="ltr">As one of the last three qualifiers in the U.S. Equestrian Open, Saturday&rsquo;s Freestyle will have lasting effects on who makes it to the Final. With 17 riders entered, it is the largest qualifying class we&rsquo;ve seen all season, and the list is stacked. Kevin Kohmann, Charlotte Jorst, Camille Carier Bergeron, Benjamin Ebeling, Eline Eckroth, and of course, series leader Anna Marek on Fire Fly. A big freestyle here could push a rider into qualifying territory&hellip; or knock someone out.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">In the coming days we&rsquo;ll break down the data on the field of competitors. For now, tune into the breed division and get excited because CDIs are back on American soil.</p>

Fifty Years of Dressage at Devon

<p dir="ltr">With just three qualifiers left before the inaugural US Open of Dressage Final, each venue on the calendar becomes part of the unfolding story. From the historic charm of Devon to the modern beauty of TerraNova and the scale of North Carolina&rsquo;s Tryon International, every stop in this final stretch has its own unique magic and offers riders a distinct opportunity. In the latest US Equestrian Open podcast, announcer Noah Rattner joined us to give a venue-by-venue preview of what makes this stretch of the calendar unforgettable.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/38048160/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/4c414c/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Dressage at Devon</h2>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/9964d31c-7cca-40bb-b8c2-e02bb0a1a241.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=633" alt="" is=""></p>
<p dir="ltr">If you&rsquo;ve never been to <strong>Dressage at Devon</strong>, this is the year to go. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this US Equestrian Heritage Competition is part elite sporting event, part time capsule. Held at the iconic Devon Horse Show Grounds &mdash; complete with the storied Dixon Oval and charming grandstands tucked into the Philadelphia suburbs &mdash; Devon is where history meets horsepower. The week begins with the world&rsquo;s largest open breed show, then transitions midweek to high-stakes FEI competition. This year, it kicks off the North American League for the 2026 World Cup and serves as a US Open qualifier. With legendary footing upgrades, packed crowds, and freestyles under the lights, Devon is the soul of American dressage.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">TerraNova Equestrian Center</h2>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/66a393f7-35c9-4ac2-a122-a5d76ad56ebb.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=658" alt="" is=""></p>
<p>TerraNova Equestrian Center is one of the newest and most visually striking venues in the sport. Tucked into the palm-lined outskirts of Sarasota, this Florida facility is a purpose-built oasis: six all-weather arenas, horse-first infrastructure, lakeside competition rings, and a modern pavilion that spans the Grand Prix arenas. TerraNova is breathtakingly beautiful. Its layout mirrors many elements of the Final&rsquo;s venue in California, giving riders a chance to fine-tune in familiar surroundings. With top-tier accommodations and a production team among the best in the sport, it&rsquo;s more than a tune-up show. As the penultimate qualifier, it&rsquo;s a critical stop for those navigating the late-season schedule with intent and precision.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Tryon International Equestrian Center</h2>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e74e2fcd-a95c-4ba1-8f7d-f2fc064edbea.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=652" alt="" is=""></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Tryon International Equestrian Center </strong>is no stranger to big moments. It hosted the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games and remains one of the most versatile venues in U.S. equestrian sport. With 1,200 stalls, 12 arenas, and a stadium that lights up the Northern Carolina foothills,Tryon delivers scale, polish, and atmosphere. Dressage riders entering the final qualifier here will feel like they&rsquo;re already on a world stage. Tryon has built a reputation as a finely tuned machine that delivers on logistics and spectacle alike. For riders seeking last-minute points, this is the last opportunity to make the cut. The venue is built to run like a championship, and for athletes who haven&rsquo;t yet competed on a world-stage-sized platform, this is a crucial step. Expect a deep field, tight margins, and a sense of urgency in every performance.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Desert International Horse Park</h3>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/34b4195a-4e0b-4701-872b-03e1cabfce19.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=632" alt="" is=""></p>
<p dir="ltr">And then &mdash; <em>it&rsquo;s California. </em></p>
<p dir="ltr">The <strong>Desert International Horse Park</strong> in Thermal will host the first-ever US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final, and it&rsquo;s hard to imagine a more fitting stage. Nestled between the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains, this massive equestrian complex just outside Palm Springs rises from the desert with Olympic-caliber arenas, luxury infrastructure, and a skyline of mountains and palms. Known as the West Coast capital of show jumping, DIHP has in recent years embraced dressage, and this fall the discipline takes center stage. With $200,000 in prize money on the line and hospitality that feels more like a five-star resort than a horse show, the Final promises both competition and celebration.&nbsp;</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Let the Final Chapter Begin</h1>
<p dir="ltr">We&rsquo;ve followed riders all year through triumphs, setbacks, strategy shifts, and musical reinventions and now we&rsquo;re headed into the most exciting stretch yet. It all begins at Dressage at Devon on September 23rd. Whether you&rsquo;re a die-hard fan or a newcomer drawn in by freestyle soundtracks and world-class sport, now is the time to tune in.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Join us at Devon. Pack your bags for Thermal. The road to the Final starts here.</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>

A Podcast Tour of Devon, TerraNova, Tryon, and Desert International

<p dir="ltr"><em>Hello, silence, our old friend&hellip;</em>&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The summer stillness drags on as we head into late-August, with the leaderboard dormant and the Series on pause.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Eight of the top ten riders haven&rsquo;t competed in an international competition since May. That means current No. 1 Anna Marek, No. 2 Kristina Harrison-Antell, co-No. 2 Eline Eckroth, No. 5 Genay Vaughn, and others through the top ten haven&rsquo;t stepped foot into a CDI arena. Where have you gone, Anna Marek?</p>
<p dir="ltr">In fairness, FEI competitions on US soil all but vanish in the summer months. This leaves riders the option to stay home and train in their own arenas, travel locally for USEF shows, or fly abroad to test their mettle against international opponents.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Of course, downtime has its value: conditioning, fine-tuning, schooling, and perhaps most importantly, giving horses (and riders) a mental and physical break. Showing is exhausting, with its constant travel, early mornings, disrupted routines, and new atmospheres taxing both horse and human alike. So, save for a few restless travelers, most seem to be sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon this summer.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">But, not everyone has been on pause. Two of the top ten have kept themselves sharp abroad: <strong>Evelyn Eger and Denielle Gallagher.</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Eger &mdash; you&rsquo;ll remember she <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/qualifier-8-recap-when-the-numbers-dont-tell-the-whole-story">led the Series</a> through much of the spring &mdash; has returned to Europe and competed in 14 FEI classes since her last Wellington appearance in March. Her summer string has included younger horses, but most notably her freestyle mount, Tabledance 3. The pair came first in a CDI5* in Munich, where they earned a 76.855% &mdash; a score just shy of their PB (77.235%) and two and a half points above their career average of 74%. A month later, the pair again earned first with an above-average score, this time at a CDIO4* Nations Cup in Sweden, earning 75.335%.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It remains a mystery whether Eger and the 12-year-old mare will return to the US in the fall for the Equestrian Open Final, but if they do, it&rsquo;s clear they will pose a threat to the riders competing on home soil.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gallagher has not been able to capitalize on the same summer success as Eger. She has competed in France twice since we last saw her in Ocala with her 13-year-old Lusitano gelding, Come Back De Massa. Both outings fell below her average of 71.290%. Still, international arena experience is international arena experience. So while her results may not sparkle on paper, every unfamiliar arena adds mileage. That mileage may pay off in November, when the Florida-based pair make their first trip to Thermal, CA, for the Finals.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Outside of the top ten, only a few competitors have ventured quietly into summer competition.</strong> Felicitas Hendricks (No. 11) has one freestyle under her belt &mdash; a very strong 79.340% &mdash; in an under-25 competition in Kronberg. A strong result, yes, but an age-restricted junior division. Devon Kane (No. 13) competed at Hagen&rsquo;s CDI3* in June, but scored well below her average due to an unfortunate <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/new-podcast-devon-kane-on-freestyle-magic-life-on-the-move-and-why-vamos-wasnt-for-sale-after-all">floor plan issue</a> that omitted a required element and resulted in zeroes for the movement.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The rest of the leaderboard has remained muted&hellip; with one inevitable outlier (because of course there&rsquo;s an outlier &mdash; would sport be any fun without one?).</p>
<p dir="ltr">The one outlying pair, singing in an otherwise quiet field, is <strong>Ben Ebeling and Bellena</strong>. Our nation turns its lonely eyes to him.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Since we last saw them in May, Ebeling and Bellena have competed in seven FEI classes, including three Aachen's Nations Cup in June. And while their freestyle score in Aachen was below their average, the pair scored a new combination best of 76.615% at the prestigious Achleiten CDI in Austria this July. It was also a new career-best score for Bellena. Their time has come to shine.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ebeling and Bellena have a freestyle average of 75.310%, a number that has grown steadily throughout their season. They debuted as a freestyle pair back in April and have impressed from the very first halt salute. Their recent win in Austria, topping a field of 12, only reinforced their status as a threat abroad &mdash; and soon, back home, too. At 14th on the leaderboard, Ebeling currently holds a Finals ticket. If he stays above the cutoff for the last three qualifiers, he could walk out of Thermal with a very large check in hand.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Final is still nearly three months away, with qualifiers on hold until the famed Dressage at Devon in late September. But when the Pennsylvania moon rises over an open field, <em>the silence of summer will finally break.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Follow the US Equestrian Open of Dressage</strong></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stay updated on news and standings for the US Equestrian Open Series on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.</a>&nbsp;Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/22433326-f7d7-4286-930b-62c3a1ba80f2.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Show calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage"></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.</em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>

The Sound of Silence

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

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

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

Dressage