$100,000 LiftMaster GPE Showcase: Can Anyone Stop Boyd & Commando 3?

Bruce's Field, Aiken, SC | February 27 – March 1, 2026

There is no better way to kick off the eventing season than the $100,000 LiftMaster Grand Prix Eventing Showcase presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services. This calendar staple returns to Bruce’s Field in Aiken this weekend, drawing some of the most exciting horse-and-rider combinations in the country to compete for one of the richest prize funds in the eventing calendar. 

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What It Takes to Win

Previous editions tells a clear story: Every winner since 2019 has come from the top three after dressage, and only once has a winner scored in the 30s in the first phase (Liz Halliday with De Niro Z in 2020).

The average dressage score of a Showcase winner is 25.2, and the average winning score is 26.3. The record finish, set last year, stands at 19.7.

No winner has ever knocked a rail in the show jumping. Six of the seven show jumping leaders have gone on to win the event.

The one exception? Doug Payne, who picked up XC time faults that proved too costly. Only 10% of starters  (23 from nearly 250) have managed to finish on their dressage score. 

The Dressage Phase (Friday, February 27)

Based on the EquiRatings 6RA (the average of the combinations last 6 international tests), the best dressage horses in the field are 

• Monica Spencer and Artist - 26.9
• Boyd Martin and Commando 3 - 27.6
• Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Connor - 28.9

Phillip Dutton and Denim (30.2) and Lauren Nicholson's Landmark's Jungle Gold (30.9) also have the ability to produce scores that could keep them in contention.

The score to beat?

Will Coleman set the Showcase dressage record last year with a 17.3 aboard Chin Tonic HS. Coleman returns this year with Fahrenheit Addict.

The Show Jumping Phase (Friday, February 27)

Show jumping will take place on Friday afternoon and it has a strong influence on the final result. The arena has a huge atmosphere, surrounded by a big crowd and the VIP tent. This kind of atmosphere can be difficult for younger or fresh horses, especially as the fixture is so early in the season. To top it off, it is is always a difficult and up-to-height course. 

The all-time clear rate here is 32%, meaning keeping the poles up is far from guaranteed. 

To find the best showjumpers in the field, each horse is ranked using three numbers. First, each horse’s average jumping penalties from their last six FEI runs. That figure is then compared to the average penalties recorded by all competitors over those same courses, to reflect how difficult the tracks were. The final number adjusts the horse’s average against the course average. The lower the figure, the better. It shows a horse jumping better than the overall level of difficulty would suggest.

• Sportsfield Lumiere & Hayley Frielick (-3.9)
• HSH Connor & Caroline Pamukcu (-3.6)
• Imprerio Magic & Mary Bess Davis (-3.5)

The Cross Country Phase (Saturday, March 1)

Bruce's Field is compact, atmospheric, and unlike anywhere else on the eventing circuit. Fences are jumped almost on top of spectators. The galloping lanes are tight. There is no room to settle into a rhythm... it is off the turn and you are going.

That type of course rewards horses that are quick-footed and rideable over big-moving gallopers who need time and space to find their stride.

The fastest horses in the field, based on the EquiRatings Top Speed Percentage (TSP):

• Humble Glory and Sophia Hill (96%) - Known for their elite speed, especially at 5* level. On their last start at Maryland 5*, they were one of just four combinations to finish inside the time.
• Fernhill Salt Lake and Waylon Roberts (95%) - At TerraNova CCI4*-S, the final US event of the 2025 season, they jumped clear inside the time — only the fifth combination to do so from 166 starters at that venue.
• HSH Double Sixteen and Caroline Pamukcu (94%) - Clear inside the time at Stable View’s CCI4*-S in late September, they became just the second combination in the past five years to achieve the time.
• Commando 3 and Boyd Martin (91%) - This pair are the most established in the field and will likely head to the World Championships in Aachen in August. While they may not always catch the time, they are often very close and have a big enough cushion from their strong first two phases.

Only 26% of combinations have ever jumped cross country clear within the time here. On average, a rider will finish 11 to 12 seconds over the time.

 

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Who Wins?

Sydney Elliott & QC Diamantaire 

One of the Showcase's most consistent combination with three top-10 finishes but still to crack the podium. QC Diamantaire leads the win chance predictions at 19%, with a top-three chance of 40%. The horse is an accomplished show jumper, has good four-star experience, and Elliott is a measured, intelligent rider. The question is whether they can produce a dressage score competitive enough to give the cross country phase room to breathe.

Boyd Martin & Commando 3

Commando 3 was on the podium at both Kentucky and Maryland at five-star level last year. The thirteen-year-old can produce dressage in the mid-20s. He is also an excellent showjumper and was clear in his last four international show jumping rounds. Boyd Martin loves a big occasion, loves competing for prize money, and has won this event before. More importantly, Commando 3 fits the statistical profile of a Showcase winner almost perfectly: competitive dressage, reliable show jumping, and elite cross-country performance. On paper, this is his to lose... and he has two more rides in the field if lightning doesn't strike first time.

Monica Spencer & Artist

Artist leads the dressage ranking in the field. He scored a 23.7 at his last event (Maryland 5*) and is known for his thoroughbred speed. The question mark is the show jumping - he has had rails at recent national events, though he has also jumped clear rounds at this level before, including here in 2024. If he clears the poles, it is hard to see past him. 

Caroline Pamukcu & HSH Connor

A wildcard. HSH Connor was second at Le Lion as a six-year-old. He won internationally four times on the bounce in 2023, and has jumped clear in his last eight international show jumping rounds. He has less four-star mileage than several others in the field, but what he has going for him is a sensible head in a spicy atmosphere, an excellent show jumping record, and a rider who is famously quick and competitive cross country. Pamukcu also has HSH Double Sixteen and King's Especiale in the field.

Will Coleman & Fahrenheit Addict

The defending champion does not have Chin Tonic HS in tow this time. Fahrenheit Addict is one of his horse's coming up the levels. Coleman took his time introducing him to the four-star level last year and has been quietly building the partnership. His 6RA dressage (32.0) suggests he will not be leading after phase one although he could be in touching distance. Don't forget: this is Will Coleman riding! He knows how win here and he likes to win here. 

Waylon Roberts & Fernhill Salt Lake

Speed is Waylon Roberts' calling card, and Fernhill Salt Lake is rated as the second-fastest horse in the field for cross country (95% top speed percentage). The horse has solid four-star experience and Roberts has been one of the fastest riders across country at this venue in previous years. He is probably starting too far off the pace in dressage to win, but worth watching closely on cross country day/

Check Out the Fan Guide for More       Stats & Storylines

How to Follow

Live coverage streams on ClipMyHorse.TV throughout the weekend, with Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Sinead Maynard on commentary.

Dressage takes place Friday February 27, with show jumping to follow before cross country on Saturday March 1.

Stay tuned on the EquiRatings socials for more content about this year's $100,000 LiftMaster GPE Showcase!

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