Growing Depth: Morven Park 2025 Raises the Bar
Stacked line-ups and soaring ratings - Morven Park 2025 is shaping up as one of the strongest CCI4*-Ls the US has seen since records began. The stage is set for the US Equestrian Open Final and the best have answered the call.
Morven Park 2025 is poised to become the second-strongest CCI4*-L ever held on US soil since records began in 2015, boasting an Elo field strength of 596. Only The Fork at Tryon in 2020 (605) has assembled a stronger lineup.
Rising to the Top
This marks a significant milestone for American eventing and the US Equestrian Open. Of the 46 CCI4*-L competitions held in the US over the past decade, this competition has established itself as a premier destination for the sport's elite. This will be the venue's fifth consecutive year holding a CCI4*-L and each edition has grown stronger. The 2025 field represents a massive leap in both depth and quality - a jump of 130 Elo points from last year.
Understanding Field Strength
Field strength measures the average Elo rating of the top 20 horses in a competition, providing a clear indicator of both quality and depth. The Elo rating system tracks performance over time, rewarding consistency and results in competitive fields while accounting for the difficulty of each achievement.
The depth throughout the top 20 is remarkable. While Off The Record and Miks Master C headline the field, riders like Phillip Dutton (with both Denim and Possante), Caroline Pamukcu (three horses in the top 15), and Boyd Martin (two in the top four) have brought multiple top-tier mounts, creating a field where any number of combinations could claim victory.
What Makes This Year Different
Several factors have come together to create this historic field. Most notably, this is the inaugural US Equestrian Open Final, the culmination of a year-long series of qualifiers and boasting the largest prize purse ever at this level - $200,000. That combination of prestige, financial incentive, and Morven Park’s growing reputation for world-class footing and course design has drawn many of the nation’s very best to Leesburg.
The US Equestrian Open Final is going to be an exciting chapter of world class competition on home soil as the sport and US Eventing look ahead to LA 2028. With history on the line and $200,000 up for grabs, next weekend promises to deliver drama worthy of the field assembled.
The stage is set and the best have answered the call. Now it's time to see who rises to the occasion.
Don't Miss Out on Bragging Rights
With the US Eq. Open, Boekelo, Maryland, and Pau all packed into October, it’s the biggest month yet on Eventing Manager 2.0. Four big events and four massive chances to score points - but only one can take the crown. Can you rise above the rest and be crowned Manager of the Month?
Play Eventing Manager 2.0 here.
Stay Connected with the US Equestrian Open
The final of the US Equestrian Open is running at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia from the 9th-12th of October. It is the culmination of the series that has been running at CCI4*-S competitions in the US over the past year. With $200,000 on the line in prize money, it is going to be an exciting and competitive competition.
If you want to know more about the US Equestrian Open:
- Follow the Instagram page: @usequestrianopen
- Listen to the podcast: The US Equestrian Open Podcast
- Check out the website: usequestrianopen.org