The US Equestrian Open Podcast

The Jumping Final is only three weeks away and the momentum across the US Equestrian Open is building. Annie Bishop and Diarmuid Byrne unpack a busy weekend across the disciplines. In dressage, Genay Vaughn and Gino take over the lead in the series after another big result, while the Nations Cup in Wellington offers a glimpse of the form building among the American contenders ahead of the Jumping Final. Plus, eventing returns this weekend at Bouckaert with a stacked four-star field. Boyd Martin arrives with four entries, Lucienne Bellissimo looks to defend her lead in the standings, and several exciting younger combinations step up to the level. Highlights Genay Vaughn and Gino move to the top of the Dressage leaderboard Momentum building for the US ahead of the Jumping Final Eventing returns with the Bouckaert four-star qualifier Early podium picks from Annie and Diarm Guests Annie Bishop – Co-host of the US Equestrian Open podcast Diarmuid Byrne – EquiRatings co-founder

It was a weekend that felt like momentum. In Wellington, Isabell Werth delivered an 82 percent freestyle under Friday Night Lights aboard Special Blend. A late call-up horse. A borrowed test. A record score in front of a packed stadium. Behind her, Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu produced a personal best, while Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel's Goldstrike continued one of the sport's great partnership stories. In the five-star jumping, McLain Ward added another Wellington win to his record, James Kann Cruz extended a remarkable podium streak, and Nina Mallevaey's Dynastie de Beaufour entered rare statistical territory. Plus, Brooke Burchianti reflects on her first five-star eventing season, producing Cooley Space Grey, and building the next chapter. Highlights Werth's record-setting US Open freestyle A globally diverse dressage podium McLain Ward's five-star triumph James Kann Cruz's extraordinary consistency Nina Mallevaey's historic run Brooke Burchianti on five-star ambition Guests Brooke Burchianti – US five-star event rider and producer of Cooley Space Grey

Mimi Gochman wins her first five-star 160 at WEC with Iron Maiden, the only double clear in a class that demanded everything. At 22, she adds five-star winner to a résumé already stacked with results and suddenly the season looks very different. Diarmuid Byrne and Annie Bishop unpack what it takes to win at this level, why clear rates matter, and what this means for the U.S. team picture as the US Equestrian Open Final approaches. Attention then turns to a heavyweight Dressage Freestyle qualifier at Global. Isabel Werth returns. Susan Pape brings the highest Open score of the season. The leaderboard could change again. As Devin Kane lines up this weekend, Annie and Diarm also revisit her competition mindset and what it is like to compete at the top level alongside her husband. You can revisit Annie's previous conversation with Devon Kane, here. Plus, Annie sits down with West Coast event rider Megan McIver to talk long-term goals, building a system, and saying your ambitions out loud. Highlights Mimi Gochman's first five-star 160 victory What this means for the U.S. team race Dressage leaderboard shake-up at Global Megan McIver on ambition and planning for the future Guests Diarmuid Byrne – EquiRatings co-founder Annie Bishop – Co-host of the US Equestrian Open podcast Megan McIver – U.S. event rider and seventh-place finisher in the 2025 US Equestrian Open series

Friday night dressage under the lights. A packed Wellington crowd. And the first five-star Grand Prix of the season setting the tone. Annie Bishop reports back from WEF with what it actually felt like to be there, from the atmosphere at Global to the buzz around Saturday night's Fidelity Investments Five Star. Together with Diarm Byrne, they break down the standout dressage moments, the pressure points in the Grand Prix, and what the result tells us about the road to the US Equestrian Open Final. With Ocala next on the calendar and early eventing entries starting to land, the storylines are beginning to take shape across dressage, jumping, and eventing. Highlights Friday night dressage at Global, atmosphere and standout performances The first five-star Grand Prix of the WEF season What the result means for the US Equestrian Open race Ocala dressage preview and Valentine's weekend ahead Early Bouckaert eventing entries and fan favourites to watch Hosts Annie Bishop Diarmuid Byrne

It's Super Bowl week, and we couldn't resist bringing sport and fandom together. Annie is joined by a panel of die-hard Seahawks and Patriots supporters from across the equestrian world for a lively, opinionated, and occasionally ruthless debate. Expect strong loyalties, big predictions, and a reminder of why sport pulls us in long before kickoff. Highlights Seahawks vs Patriots, broken down by people who care a lot Predictions, point spreads, and zero agreement Dynasty talk, underdogs, and playoff pressure What the Super Bowl gets right about fandom, storytelling, and spectacle Why sport pulls us in long before kickoff Guests Annie Bishop – US Equestrian Open host and analyst. Diarmuid Byrne – EquiRatings co-founder Max Corcoran – International groom and industry pro Jonathan Elliott – Event organizer and course designer Morgan Rowsell – Event organizer and selector Joanie Morris– U.S. event owner and long-time supporter of American eventing

Personal bests in Dressage, a returning star in Eventing, and early clues from Wellington as Jumping inches toward its first five-star week. Susan Pape resets the Open benchmark, Jaguars Duende reminds everyone she's still here, and Lillie Keenan's depth becomes impossible to ignore nine weeks from the Final. Highlights Giulilanta goes top of the Open leaderboard Jaguar Duende returns with a win The 3* pipeline: why it keeps predicting future 5* horses Week 5 WEF preview: who arrives and why it matter Guests Diarm Byrne, EquiRatings co-founder Hosted by Annie Bishop

The new season is taking shape. With dressage already scoring, nine weeks to the first jumping final, and six weeks to the first four-star short, Annie Bishop and Diarm Byrne break down the early movers, the storyline shifts and the names establishing momentum across the Open's three Olympic disciplines. From new partnerships winning straight out of the gate to returning eventers and a strengthening dressage field, it's the first real read on 2026 form and how the year may unfold. Highlights Lillie Keenan & Highway make an immediate statement in Florida Scott Brash vs Kent Farrington vs string strength Eventing entries resurface: Jaguars Duende, Possante, Cooley Candyman Boyd Martin named International Rider of the Year and what that signals for 2026 Dressage heats up: Marek & Fayvel debut, leaderboard context, scheduling dynamics The Open ecosystem: points, invitations, depth, and how pathways evolve Guests Diarm Byrne, EquiRatings co-founder Hosted by Annie Bishop

The US Equestrian Open is back for 2026. With the new season underway and ten weeks to the first jumping final, Annie Bishop catches up with Diarm Byrne to unpack where the Open stands one year on, how the mission is evolving, and why the off-season thinking matters just as much as in-season competition. From unified storytelling across dressage, jumping and eventing to the early movers, breakout names and pathway shifts already shaping the year ahead, it's a state-of-play conversation to kick off the season. Highlights A 2025 debrief and what the Open learned in year one The calendar: ten weeks to the Jumping Final, dressage wall-to-wall, and eventing six weeks out Early jumping storylines: Lilli Keenan's string, Richard Vogel's choices, Vogel vs Farrington vs Brash Dressage shake-ups: Indian Rock's record run, scoring changes, and Genay Vaughn's coast-to-coast trip Eventing preview: Lucienne Bellissimo out early, Coleman's depth, and a rising U25 generation What fans should watch next and why the season starts now Guests • Diarm Byrne, EquiRatings co-founder • Hosted by Annie Bishop

There is something special about talking to a rider who has brought a horse all the way up the levels. The patience, the instinct, the thousand quiet decisions that shape a partnership long before the big results ever appear on a scoreboard. And for Kate Sand, 2024 was the year all those years came into focus. From the three-year-old off the track with no real record to speak of, to a second place finish at Bouckaert, and a rise into the top four of the US Equestrian Open standings. This is a story built on feel, faith, and a horse who keeps proving he is more than anyone expected. A once in a lifetime type, even if he has not quite figured that out himself. Highlights The Facebook ad that started it all  How a self described kick ride rewrote Kate's idea of what she wanted in a horse Training with Ali Knowles and the early hints from Karen O'Connor that this might be a top level horse The first step up to four star, what went wrong, and how the pair rebuilt with more confidence Bouckaert, the test tweaks, the show jumping accuracy, and the cross country run that put them second fastest of the day The plan for 2025, intermediate to advanced in Aiken, a likely return to Carolina, aiming at long formats, and why Morven, Bromont, and Rebecca Farm are each on the table A look at Kate's small Kentucky program, her love of developing horses, and why keeping it manageable matters Guests Kate Sand, US Equestrian Open rider, joined by host Annie Bishop. Stay Connected For the most up-to-date series calendar and latest standings, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org. Engage with us on Instagram and Facebook — and use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

It's Thanksgiving Eve and we've dragged Jon Holling away from his turkeys, his Packers jersey and his very detailed holiday schedule. Between Bloody Mary debates, and the yearly "do we have enough food" panic, we get a real glimpse into Jon's world. We talk horses stepping up, young ones learning the ropes, the long road to making them competitive, and what it actually feels like to build your own string from the ground up.  A Thanksgiving special with all the good bits. Highlights Thanksgiving in the Holling house, from two turkeys to 25 guests Why Zelda feels like the horse who changes everything Producing horses from scratch and the long game behind it The emotional whiplash between "I love this" and "why do I do this" Friends, loyalty, and the people who keep you sane in this sport What Jon would be doing if he hadn't ended up an eventer Guests Jon Holling - rider, coach, host of the John & Rick Show, professional Thanksgiving over-caterer and currently two horses deep into building his next top string.   Stay Connected For the most up-to-date series calendar and latest standings, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org. Engage with us on Instagram and Facebook — and use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

TerraNova gave us blue skies, big movement and a four star that absolutely shaped the conversation. Annie was there watching it unfold. Diarmuid was in the desert watching the Dressage Final under very un-California weather. And between the two weekends we learned a lot. About form. About depth. And about who is heading into the winter with momentum. Settle in. There's plenty to talk about. Highlights What TerraNova told us about the depth in the four star short How the Dressage Final played out and why the result mattered Who delivered at the right time and who signalled big things for 2026 The young guns making serious moves and why that matters for the US and Canada Time penalties, tough show jumping and the class dynamics you might have missed What the winter break means for big names and big ambitions Guests Annie Bishop with all the key details from on the ground at TerraNova Diarmuid Byrne with the view from the Dressage Final in the desert Stay Connected For the most up-to-date series calendar and latest standings, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org. Engage with us on Instagram and Facebook — and use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

Big week ahead. The very first US Equestrian Open Dressage Final lands in Thermal and it already feels like a proper championship moment. Annie is with Noah Rattner and DiarmByrne to size up the field, the atmosphere and the storylines building as fourteen combinations head for the desert. This one has everything. Top Americans hitting form at the right time. Felicitas Hendricks back on US soil. Jan and Ben Ebeling lining up together. Riders still tweaking floorplans, pushing their degree of difficulty and deciding where to take the risks. And a venue that gives you that big-stage feeling the minute you walk in. Highlights Why Thermal delivers a true championship atmosphere The degree of difficulty choices that can swing the result Joker lines, late edits and the tactics behind a winning freestyle The combinations bringing serious momentum How this final feeds into Aachen 2026 and LA 2028 Music, pressure and the feel of a first-ever title on the line Guests Noah Rattner, international dressage commentator Stay Connected For the most up-to-date series calendar and latest standings, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org. Engage with us on Instagram and Facebook — and use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

It is Terranova week and there is a lot on the line. Annie and Diarm look ahead to a field stacked with returning stars, big step-ups, and the last chance to score crucial Open points before the winter break. From Diabolo's long-awaited comeback, to Dyri's red-hot momentum, to the rise of Meg Pellegrini and the next wave of US riders, this is a weekend with stories everywhere you turn. They break down the Prediction Centre, the tactics at play, the form horses, and the key combinations shaping the early 2026 landscape. Plus, a quick look at the four-long, where qualifications are on the line. Highlights Why Terranova is the most influential late-season qualifier Diabolo's return and what Will Coleman needs heading into 2026 Dyri's surge toward series leadership Meg Pellegrini's three-horse step-up and what it signals for the under-25 landscape Who could shake up the standings and who needs a result Tactical reads from the Prediction Centre and the form horses to watch A four-long with championship implications Guests: Hosted by Annie Bishop and Diarm Byrne Stay Connected For the most up-to-date series calendar and latest standings, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org. Engage with us on Instagram and Facebook — and use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

The 2025–2026 U.S. Equestrian Open season is underway, and Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri have started on top. Annie and Diarm break down a win that reinforces Lucienne's 2025 form, makes it eight international victories this year, and gives her an early lead in the Open standings. The team reviews the key results from Bouckaert, including Kate Sand and Top Shelf in second, Buck Davidson and Cerafino in third, and updates on Hot Bobo and Fernhill Salt Lake ahead of TerraNova. With points already on the board, the leaderboard is beginning to take shape. Highlights: Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri open the season with a clear win Lucienne's 2025 record puts her ahead for international wins by a British rider Kate Sand and Top Shelf deliver a strong second-place finish Buck Davidson and Cerafino continue to build form Hot Bobo and Fernhill Salt Lake updates as riders plan their next runs Early leaderboard picture and what to expect at TerraNova Guests: Hosted by Annie Bishop and Diarm Byrne

Listeners, we're back and can you believe the 2026 U.S. Equestrian Open season is officially underway. Annie Bishop and Diarm Byrne are diving into the first qualifier at Bouckaert, looking at the stories, the riders, and the horses that could shape the season ahead. Lucienne Bellissimo's Dyri headlines the field, Hot Bobo is back for Karl Slezak and Canada, and Buck Davidson's Carafino D is one to keep an eye on. They talk form, predictions, and a Bouckaert track that's only seen four clear inside the time. It might be early in the year, but every point counts. Highlights Include: Dyri back in business and looking sharp for Lucienne Bellissimo Karl Slezak and Hot Bobo return after 15 months away from the level Buck Davidson's Carafino D catches Annie's attention as one to watch The challenge of Bouckaert: who can make the time? Early-season tactics and the first points of the 2026 leaderboard Guests: Hosted by Annie Bishop and Diarm Byrne, with a special message from Lucienne Bellissimo on Dyri, confidence, and what's ahead this winter. Stay Connected For the most up-to-date series calendar and latest standings, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org. Engage with us on Instagram and Facebook — and use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

At just 24, Germany's Felicitas Hendricks has already made her mark on the international dressage stage. From her first junior CDIs in Wellington to European medals and a standout U.S. Open season with her beloved Drombusch, her rise has been shaped by patience, partnership, and personality. In this episode, Annie sits down with Felicitas to talk about the journey behind the results, building trust with a horse she's produced since six, how disco beats became the soundtrack to their freestyle, and what it means to take that partnership across the Atlantic for the U.S. Equestrian Open Final in Thermal, California. Highlights Include From Wellington to Hagen: the rhythm of two continents Drombusch's personality and the story behind their 80s freestyle Lessons from a European gold and bronze medal season Preparing for Thermal and what it takes to travel horses worldwide How a pipeline of young horses shapes the future Guests Felicitas Hendricks — German international dressage rider and U25 European medalist Stay Connected Follow the US Equestrian Open for series updates, results, and highlights at usequestrianopen.org and on Instagram and Facebook.

The first-ever U.S. Equestrian Open Final delivered everything you could hope for from a season finale. From Boyd Martin's emotional win with Miks Master C to Will Coleman's class performances across his string, Morven Park set the stage for a weekend of real sport. Annie and Diarm look back on the moments that defined it, Sharon White's standout test with Claus 63, Caroline Pamukcu once again proving her pace, and the depth of form that shows just how strong U.S. eventing has become. Highlights Include Boyd Martin and Miks Master C making history Will Coleman's trio of top-level rides Sharon White's brilliant start with Claus 63 Caroline Pamukcu and the rise of U.S. speed Why Morven Park delivered the perfect finish Guests Annie Bishop and Diarm Byrne Stay Connected For the most up-to-date series calendar and latest standings, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org. Engage with us on Instagram and Facebook — and use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

Dressage is done and dusted at Morven Park and what a day it was. Sharon White and Claus 63 threw down a personal best, 25.2, her best ever at four-star level, and slotted straight into second behind Will Coleman and Off The Record. It was one of those moments that just felt big. Sharon's had a tough season, she's at her home venue, the crowd was buzzing, and she absolutely delivered when it counted. At the top, it's the "old shoe" himself, Will Coleman and Timmy, who've taken the early advantage. A 25.1, classy, calm, and confident. The Achen winner, the fastest horse in the field, and now the one they've all got to catch. But as Diarm and Annie remind us, no one wins it on Friday night at Morven. The real battle comes on Saturday, and making the time here is a tall order. Highlights Sharon White's career-best 25.2 with Claus 63, her third-best score ever and a home-soil high Will Coleman and Off The Record lead after the first phase, looking every bit the old pro Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton, and Tamie Smith all within striking distance heading into cross country Why Morven's Leaf Pit could be the question that defines the weekend Derek Di Grazia's course: tight time, bold lines, and classic "ride the line, not the stride" questions Predictions and podium picks: who's built for speed, who's built for survival Guests Diarm Byrne & Annie Bishop On the ground at Morven Park with reaction from Sharon White, Will Coleman Stay Connected For the most up-to-date series calendar and latest standings, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org. Engage with us on Instagram and Facebook — and use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

It's the one we've been building toward all season. The US Equestrian Open Final at Morven Park is this weekend, and we have the Preview Show ready for you. The field is deep, the form is fascinating, and for the first time, we'll see how the year's biggest combinations measure up head-to-head. Annie Bishop, Diarm Byrne, and Sinead Maynard look at what's on the line this weekend, from Off The Record arriving as joint favourite to Miks Master C stepping up with Boyd Martin, and Lauren Nicholson's growing connection with Larco Z. With Will Coleman, Phillip Dutton, Caroline Pamukcu, and Tamie Smith all in the mix, it's a field that feels both competitive and defining for the direction of US eventing right now. Highlights The form horses heading into the US Equestrian Open Final Will Coleman's dual chances with Off The Record and Very Dignified Lauren Nicholson's momentum with Larco Z after Arville Boyd Martin's new chapter with Miks Master C Caroline Pamukcu's pace with Double Sixteen How the Open series has sharpened US competitiveness this season Guests Annie Bishop, Diarm Byrne, and Sinead Maynard Stay Connected For the most up-to-date series calendar and latest standings, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org. Engage with us on Instagram and Facebook — and use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

He swooped in late, stole the series, and left Phillip Dutton wondering where the prize money went. Now Boyd Martin rolls into Morven Park as the first ever US Open Eventing Series Champion, and he's not done yet. Boyd joins Diarm Byrne and Annie Bishop to talk about winning the inaugural title, the pressure of leading into Morven, and why the US Open is shaking up American eventing for good. Highlights Boyd on what it really felt like to take the series from Phillip Dutton at the last minute Managing risk, fitness, and MERs ahead of Morven Park Inside his rides: Mix Master C and Shanroe Cooley How the US Open is changing the game for U.S. riders From Aachen to Maryland, how America became the "promised land" for eventing Guests Boyd Martin, US Open Series Champion Diarm Byrne, EquiRatings Annie Bishop, U.S. Equestrian Open podcast host Stay Connected For the most up-to-date series calendar and latest standings, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org. Engage with us on Instagram and Facebook — and use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.