Smith’s Twin Rivers weekend put her out of reach in the Open leaderboard. Here’s what that means for prize money, the Final at Morven Park, and the next events and entry deadlines affecting U.S. eventers.
Practical calendar items: multiple U.S. events opened or closed entries this week and 2027 Defender Kentucky tickets are now on sale for the event’s 50th anniversary.
# What happened Tamie Smith won the US Equestrian Open of Eventing series after a win and a second place in the CCI4*-S at Twin Rivers. Her six best results accumulated to 265 points, which puts her out of reach for the remaining qualifiers. That secures the winner's split of 50% of a $50,000 series cash prize.
# Why it matters The Open Final is the CCI4*-L at Morven Park (October 8–11) and carries a $200,000 purse. Smith has a strong chance to pursue the Final prize money, but she has not confirmed travel plans or entries yet. Even a single Final placing would likely make travel financially worthwhile.
# Where the leaderboard stands
Caroline Pamukcu (210 points) and Lucienne Bellissimo (175 points) still have mathematical shots at finishing in the top three during the upcoming Stable View Oktoberfest and Woodside qualifiers.
# Upcoming events and entry deadlines Opening entries this week include Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (FL), Fleur de Leap H.T. (LA), and River Glen Fall H.T. (TN). Closing entries this week include Morven Park International & Fall H.T. (VA), Poplar Place Farm October H.T. (GA), Redefined Equestrian H.T. (CO), and The Event at Isaacks Ranch (NM). Eventers planning late-season runs should check those closing dates immediately.
# Training and education notes The training tip of the day: control begins behind the horse's head—riders should remain aware of the foundational role of balance and connection behind the bit rather than overfocusing on what's ahead. A practical educational opportunity: the Waredaca Eventing Education Foundation is offering a Steeplechase clinic led by Olympic event rider Stephen Bradley that includes pace work for Roads & Tracks and practice over steeplechase brushes used in the Waredaca Classic Three-Day. Registration is through Strider.
# What to watch next
A familiar face was back in action (and winning form) this weekend at The Fork at Tryon (NC): Boyd Martin finally got his five-star partner, Luke 140, back to the four-star level with a CCI4*-S/US
We’re wishing a very happy formal retirement to Oliver Townend’s multi-five-star winner and Olympic medalist, Ballaghmor Class. “Thomas,” who our U.S. fans will be quite familiar with as a former winner of both Defender Kentucky
One Big Thing: Concussion Research Suggests a Potential Flag for Equestrians University of Miami researchers say the standard concussion tests could be comparing riders to the wrong baseline. In a study highlighted by US Equestrian
View this post on Instagram A post shared by London International Horse Show (@londonhorseshow) Exciting news! The organizers of London International Horse Show are delighted to announce the introduction of an exciting new competition, The
It’s a big week at the Agira Blenheim Palace International, with a full display of four-star competition on tap between the 8/9-Year-Old CCI4*-S Championships, the notoriously challenging CCI4*-L and a new competition for developing riders
Equestrian Canada’s 2026 Across the Nation Clinics head into the fall season with three stops remaining, giving eventers from beginner through EV115 the chance to train with National Team Program athletes while raising funds for
Loading more related stories...
Open the app view to save this story, compare related coverage, and continue from the same source.