Rivalries, Rankings, and One Last Shot at Basel

This week’s qualifier takes place at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, one of Wellington’s most historic competitions. The Derby was created in 1983 at a time when dressage had little presence in South Florida — a prospect that’s hard to fathom today. What started as one of Florida’s first major dressage competitions is now a key stop on the winter circuit. 

This week also marks the final North American qualifier for the FEI Dressage World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland. Anna Marek and Kevin Kohmann are the last two riders in contention for a World Cup Finals berth, but only one will earn the ticket to Basel.

Kevin Kohmann & Dünensee

Marek vs. Kohmann: A Ticket to Basel

The last time Anna Marek and Kevin Kohmann met, it came down to the slimmest of margins — just 0.21 percentage points separated them in Week 4’s freestyle, with Marek taking the win.

Marek returns on Fire Fly, her 15-year-old KWPN gelding and Olympic-shortlist mount, looking for her second US Equestrian Open victory of the season. She took top honors in Week 4 and followed it up with a second-place finish in Week 6, that time aboard her up-and-coming horse, Fayvel.

As Marek said in a recent US Equestrian Open Podcast:

“[Fire Fly] has taught me more than any other horse about patience and when to slow down”

Fire Fly wasn’t a finished Grand Prix horse when he arrived in her barn — he had the talent but needed time to overcome mental roadblocks. Instead of pushing too hard, Marek took a measured, long-term approach, allowing him to develop at his own pace.

That patience has paid off. Fire Fly has earned some of the highest scores in the Series so far. A win this week would put Marek within reach of Series leader Evelyn Eger as the second half of the season unfolds.

Kohmann’s average (74.825%) is just below Marek’s (75.438%), but his personal best of 77.720% shows he has the scoring power to take the win. He and Dünensee, a 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding, have broken the 77% barrier in two of their last four outings — meaning another down-to-the-wire showdown is entirely possible.

P.J. Rizvi: Can She Keep the Momentum?

Few riders have made a debut as memorable as P.J. Rizvi. Aboard her Lusitano stallion, Vanilla Ice, she delivered a standout first Grand Prix Freestyle performance — a crowd favorite set to the “Ice Ice Baby.” 

Now, the question is: Can she do it again?

It’s not uncommon for riders to deliver a strong first impression in their debut, but maintaining that performance takes another level of skill. While Rizvi isn’t in contention for a World Cup Finals spot, she could shake up the Series standings. Another top-three finish would earn her 17 points — potentially disrupting the leaderboard race for riders like Karen Lipp, who have been steadily accumulating scores all season.

Karen Lipp: The Power of Showing Up

It’s not always about having the highest scores — sometimes, it’s about consistently showing up.

Karen Lipp has been one of the most active riders at AGDF this season. That steady participation has placed her third in the Series with 50 points, fresh off a win in the CDI3* last weekend.

Lipp doesn’t have the highest average in the field (71.863%), but her commitment to competing regularly has put her in a strong position. A top-10 finish this week would move her into a tie for first in the Series standings, while a top-five finish would guarantee her the sole lead.

It’s a different approach from someone like Geñay Vaughn, who sits on 40 points despite only competing twice — proving that fewer starts can work, but only if you win big.

This trend isn’t unique to Lipp — Series leader Evelyn Eger has also followed a high start-volume strategy, and it’s kept her in control of the leaderboard. But with Eger taking a break this week, Lipp has a clear path to the top.

Is consistency the underrated key to success, or will this strategy fade as we move into the second half of the season?

What’s on the line this weekend?

Top 10 Placings on the Series Leaderboard Coming into the Palm Beach Derby:

See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier, here.

Marek and Kohmann are battling for a World Cup Finals spot, but every ride also carries major implications for the US Equestrian Open leaderboard. With the Series leader absent, Lipp has a chance to take over, and Rizvi could shake things up once again.

But not every rider in Wellington is chasing leaderboard points. For some, just getting to these events is a victory of its own — something Adriane Alvord knows well. A few weeks ago, she posted about her three-mile walk home with her horse after the show — a reminder that not everyone in Wellington has six-figure horses and luxury trailers. In a sport often associated with deep-pocketed sponsors, her story struck a chord. It’s a different kind of perseverance, but just as real.

No matter what’s on the line — World Cup Finals qualification, Series points, or simply the chance to compete — every rider has something to fight for this weekend.

Tune in Friday night to watch the US Equestrian Open Freestyle Qualifier at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby where history, rivalries, and leaderboard shake-ups are all in play.

You can livestream it all with a free USEF Network Fan membership!

Stay Connected

For the most up-to-date series calendar and latest standings, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org.

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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at USEquestrianOpen@usef.org.

For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at cweilminster@usef.org. 

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at lgriffin@usef.org.