Unpredictable but Pivotal: Why WEC Could Reshape the Leaderboard

This weekend’s qualifier shifts to the World Equestrian Center, with three of the current top six US Equestrian Open of Dressage riders set to compete. Leaderboard movement is inevitable—yet the field is notably missing star power: no Olympic team members, no reigning series leaders. Still, this week is a rare one. It’s both unpredictable and important. And there’s no scenario where the leaderboard doesn’t shift.

The Five to Watch

Five riders stand to make an impact this weekend, each with a unique twist on the series narrative.

1. Benjamin Ebeling & Bellena

Benjamin Ebeling and 14-year-old mare Bellena are arguably the favorites based on personal bests and averages. Bellena holds the highest PB in the field—76.105%, earned with Ebeling’s father, Jan Ebeling—and a competitive average of 73.441% in the Grand Prix Freestyle. The caveat? This marks Benjamin and Bellena’s series debut—and their first Grand Prix Freestyle together. If they come anywhere near Bellena’s past peak, they could take the win. That wouldn’t just launch Ebeling onto the leaderboard in stylish fashion—it would also block riders like Eline Eckroth, Denielle Gallagher, or Karen Lipp from earning those critical 17–20 point finishes.

2. Charlotte Jorst & Zhaplin Langholt

Charlotte Jorst is one of the most accomplished amateur riders in the US, having competed at the 2016 World Cup Finals and made the Olympic shortlist in 2021. She returns this weekend aboard 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding Zhaplin Langholt. While they’ve entered two qualifiers this year, they’ve only earned points in one. That single result, however, was a big one— a win at the Gold Coast Opener in January that netted 20 points. The following weekend, they posted a strong 72.800% at AGDF 3, but narrowly missed the placings in a stacked field, finishing 11th. With just one qualifying score, Jorst is only just getting started in the series. But if Zhaplin Langholt lands on the podium, as expected, she’ll almost certainly vault into the top 15. She’s not a title contender yet, but she can absolutely steal points from those who are. That’s the trouble for riders like Lipp. It’s not just about who climbs, it’s about who gets bumped.

3. Karen Lipp & Infinity

Karen Lipp currently sits third on the leaderboard with six of six qualifying results logged. That means she can only gain points by dropping her lowest score: a 10. Lipp’s consistency has been impressive. All of her scores have come from deep fields at Wellington, where she’s placed 6th through 10th in all but one of her qualifying results—a win in the CDI3* during Week 8. Despite cracking the top five just once, that steady accumulation has carried her into the leaderboard top three. To gain any ground, Lipp must place 5th or better, and even then, only a win would improve her total by the full 10 points, bringing her to 80. She can’t catch Anna Marek or Evelyn Eger this week, but a podium keeps her in range. With the AGDF season now over and many top riders abroad, Lipp could find herself in more forgiving fields. Her average of 71.451% puts her well within top-five potential here.

4. Eline Eckroth & Daphne

If Lipp is the series’ consistency queen, Eline Eckroth is chasing results through a different strategy: podiums in smaller fields. Eckroth and her 14-year-old mare, Daphne, have made smart use of the series format. Their scores may not always be flashy, but final placings matter more in this series—and so far, that’s working in Eckroth’s favor. They’ve earned three top-three finishes in four qualifiers. She enters this weekend with two scores still to add. Even a finish at the bottom of the standings (7th) would earn her 10 points, bringing her to 76. Although unlikely, a second-place finish to anyone other than Lipp would propel her into the overall top two. And if she makes the podium again next week, she’s a legitimate threat for the series lead.

5. Denielle Gallagher & Come Back de Massa

With only three qualifying results so far—two of them wins—Denielle Gallagher may be the most dangerous rider in the field. She currently sits sixth overall with 57 points. A third win this weekend would tie her with Eger at 77. But unlike Eger, Gallagher has not yet maxed out her six scores. With two more qualifying results still to come, she has plenty of room to rise. Her potential path? A win here takes her to 77. A solid podium next week could launch her into the 90s—above Marek. With her trajectory and remaining opportunities, Gallagher may be the dark horse in the race to the Final.

Depth of the Field

Qualifier 15’s scoring spread is notable. The difference between the highest and lowest average Grand Prix Freestyle score is 6.6%—a sizable gap. But that spread narrows significantly when you focus on the top five contenders. Less than three percentage points separate Come Back de Massa (the fifth-highest average) and Bellena (the highest). Zhaplin Langholt, ranked second on averages, is only 0.875% ahead of Hatsjie B. At this level, one mark, from a single judge, can be the deciding factor. 

This may not be a star-studded cast, but it’s a pivotal week for leaderboard restructuring. Whoever wins here doesn’t just collect points—they shift the pressure onto the riders sitting out, especially those hoping to coast on early-season success. As the second half of the season rolls along, Ocala offers an opening to gain ground—or to get passed. The race to Thermal is far from over, and this weekend’s results will help define who’s still in it. Tune in Friday night for live coverage of the freestyle action. 

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