TerraNova Showdown: Coleman Arrives, Pamukcu Pushes, and Dutton Sets The Bar

🔥 Coleman Joins the Chase

After sitting out the first few legs of the Open, Will Coleman finally enters the arena—and he’s not easing into it. He arrives with Off The Record, the Aiken showcase winner and one of the most decorated US horses in the field.

“His absence was a story in itself,” Diarmuid said. “Now he enters the same weekend Philip Dutton could lock in his sixth qualifying result. It’s game on.”

Off The Record has the form—but will he deliver the points? While capable of a 22 dressage, recent scores hover around 30. If Coleman wants to challenge the leaders, it has to start now.

🧠 Big Brains, Bold Moves: Dutton’s Four-Horse Strategy

Philip Dutton has already made his presence felt in the Open, and TerraNova could be his final qualifying run. He brings four horses—Denim, Possante, Jewelent, and Quasi Cool—and all have strong credentials.

But there’s a catch: time penalties.

“They all jump well, but they consistently pick up double-figure time faults,” said Diarmuid. “This may not be the track for them to shine.”

In fact, Diarmuid goes all in: none of Philip’s horses will finish in the top five. A big call—especially considering his depth—but time could be the decider at TerraNova.

🚀 Speed + Strategy: Caroline’s Got Both

No one rides TerraNova quite like Caroline Pamukcu. She comes armed with two strong contenders:

• HSH Double Sixteen (6-run avg: 35.2)

• Redfield Dexter (6-run avg: 28.5, fastest horse in the field by TSP)

“I’m confident Caroline will land two in the top five,” Annie said. “They’re quick, they’re ready, and they’re built for this kind of test.”

With others chasing consistency, Caroline could simply outrun them.

🌟 Other Names to Watch

• Alyssa Phillips & Oskar – Defending champion at TerraNova, started on a 29.3 last year and finished on 34.1. If she’s within range after dressage, she’s dangerous.

• Hallie Coon & Cute Girl – Back from a strong European campaign and full of pace. Look for a statement comeback after Aiken.

• Lauren Nicholson, Lynn Symansky – Both enter the series for the first time this weekend, adding more depth to an already stacked lineup.

🏆 Podium Predictions

Diarmuid’s Picks:
🥇 Alyssa Phillips & Oskar
🥈 Hallie Coon & Cute Girl
🥉 Caroline Pamukcu & HSH Double Sixteen

Annie’s Picks:
🥇 Will Coleman & Off The Record
🥈 Hallie Coon & Cute Girl
🥉 Alyssa Phillips & Oskar

An all-female podium for Diarmuid, and a Coleman-led comeback for Annie. One thing’s for sure—TerraNova will shake up the leaderboard.

🎥 Watch the Action

📺 Livestream available at usequestrianopen.org
📱 Follow on social: @usequestrianopen

“This is why the Open was created—clear stakes, great names, and every weekend with something on the line.”