Top Five Dressage Horses to Watch at Morven Park CCI4*-L

Let's take a look at who might lead after dressage at the US Equestrian Open Final of Eventing. While dressage doesn't win it - 3 of last 4 champions came from the top 2 after dressage. Today sets the tone.

The final of the US Equestrian Open Championship promises top-quality dressage, and based on EquiRatings' 6RA scores (the average of a horse's last six international dressage tests), here are the five horses most likely to lead after the first phase.

1. Miks Master C | Boyd Martin | 6RA: 25.9
Test Time: 11:00 AM Friday

This new ride for Boyd boasts the lowest 6RA in the field, though only two of these six tests have been with Martin - the horse was previously campaigned by Liz Halliday. In their partnership so far, they've scored 27 and 27.9, but this talented horse has gone as low as 20.1 with Liz back in 2023. Can Boyd unlock that potential again or will it take a bit more time to get to know eachother?

2. Possante | Phillip Dutton | 6RA: 28.8
Test Time: 1:42 PM Friday

One of Phillip's two rides here, Possante has a bit of a mixed record but finished on a strong note with a 24.5 just three weeks ago (September 18th). Earlier this year at Aachen, they scored 34.2, though the field was marked particularly harshly across the board. Expect Phillip to be extremely competitive this weekend as he was pipped last minute in the Series race.

3. Very Dignified | Wil Coleman | 6RA: 30.1
Test Time: 11:14 AM Thursday

A previous 4*-L winner, this horse has four of his last six tests with Will - the other two were with Robbie Kearns in Ireland. Coleman has been steadily improving the dressage with scores beginning to creep lower. Going early on Thursday morning, they're likely to set the standard as day one leaders.

4. Off The Record | Will Coleman | 6RA: 30.3
Test Time: 11:56 AM Friday

Joint-most likely winner according to the Prediction Centre (alongside Miks Master C), this Aachen winner has demonstrated that he can be extremely accurate and correct. They went as low as 21.8 when winning Kentucky - a new venue record and the horse's personal best. Their next outing saw a 35.6 (Aachen), so it's likely we can expect them somewhere in the middle of that spectrum.

5. Kynan | Tamra Smith | 6RA: 30.4
Test Time: 1:21 PM Friday

Tamie will be bringing her A game here as a previous Morven Park winner while also holding the lowest finishing score record on US soil at CCI4*-L level. Kynan is remarkably consistent, hovering around the 30 mark without much variation, so you can bank on them delivering right around their 6RA.

 


 

Dressage takes place Thursday and Friday at the Grand Prix arena, with CCI4*-S tests also interspersed throughout the schedule.

Check out the fan guide here:  https://usequestrianopen.info/thefinal2025/

 


 

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:

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