The leaderboard that will open 2026 is set after the final two early qualifiers for the second season of the US Equestrian Open of Eventing. Lucienne Bellissimo is the series leader, picking up points at both Bouckaert International and TerraNova this fall to set herself up with 80 points to start the new year. Will Coleman, hot off a win in the 4*-S qualifier at TerraNova with Diabolo, is in second with 60 points, and Canada’s Waylon Roberts picks up 55 points for third in the standings. These standings are, of course, highly likely to shift majorly as the 2026 season kicks off (and let’s not talk about it just yet — the off-season has only just begun!), but it’s still exciting to see who’s making an early statement, and it’s a nice look at who will be ones to watch in the spring.
You can view the full series leaderboard and more information about the US Open here.
U.S. Events This Weekend
SAzEA Fall H.T. (AZ): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scores] [Volunteer]
News & Reading
The LA28 organizing committee is making progress towards their final site plans ahead of the next Olympic Games. Equestrian events will be held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA. During this month’s FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong, officials from LA28 shared some updates on the development of the property to accommodate multiple sports (and no racing). An equestrian specialist will be starting on the ground January, and a test event will be held at some time in 2027 yet to be named. You can read a further summary of the update here.
TerraNova officials responded to public outcry, both from competitors as well as from spectators and other riders, following a particularly influential CCI3*-L cross country course this past weekend. Some riders took to social media to express frustration with the difficulty of a rail ditch combination that was heavily influential, causing problems for nearly half the field. Officials’ responses, given to The Chronicle of the Horse, also garnered mixed reactions on social media. You can read COTH’s full write-up here.
Big news for the horse industry in Maryland: this week, Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order creating a new Maryland Horse Industry Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan will be delivered by a steering committee made up of state agencies and representatives of the Maryland horse industry (who were not specified in the press release). Let’s hope eventing is represented on the steering committee and in the final Strategic Plan, which will help guide the nearly $3 billion equine industry in the state. You can read more in the announcement here.
Sponsor Corner: Stable View
If you’re looking for some cold weather practice, Stable View’s upcoming “Winter Wonderland” Dressage Show is just the ticket. Registration closes on November 24 for the December 6-7 show, which also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 USDF Championships. You can view more information and enter here.
Video Break
A former NFL player tries out an air vest!
