THERMAL, Calif.--Ben Ebeling on Bellena won the Freestyle to be the inaugural US Equestrian Open Dressage Final Champion on Saturday evening, Nov. 15.
Ben Ebeling on Bellena (Photo by Avery Wallace)Ebeling on Bellena had a personal best score of 79.903% for their freestyle composition to a mix of iconic female pop artists.
Felicitas Hendricks of Germany on Drombusch OLD was second on a score of 78.260%, and Anna Marek on Fayvel finished third on 77.830%.
The competition this week at Desert International Horse Park also marked the first-ever CDI5* hosted on the West Coast.
The day before, Marek on Fayvel had won the FEI Grand Prix CDI5*
“Every time I ask this horse to come through for me, she is just so clutch," said Ebeling. "She’s just an incredible competitor and I’m so lucky to have her by my side and in that arena. We’ve been working together for a year now and we’re just continuing to build this synergetic and symbiotic bond. I’m just so proud of her. As I’ve said, a rider is nothing without their horse, so really, thank you, Belle."
Ebeling of Wellington, Fla., took over the ride from his father, Olympian Jan Ebeling, in late 2024, and the pair have continued to improve with Bellena’s growing consistency and attitude.
“OUR FREESTYLE really highlights her personality as a diva mare and is a testament to strong powerful women," said Ebeling. "The freestyle includes sections of songs from artists like Rihanna, Beyonce, and Gwen Stefani, and honestly, I don’t think anyone can do it better than a mare and that’s been the inspiration behind this freestyle.”
Anna Marek on Fayvel (Photo by Devyn Trethwey)“I think it’s such a great way to capture the hearts and minds of a wider audience," said Ebeling of the evening performance. "It’s an amazing opportunity for our sport and to show that we can make it fun and entertaining, while highlighting the incredible attributes of our horses. Getting to have my name inked on this trophy with other greats, including two Olympians, it just motivates me more to keep going and keep pushing.”
On Drombusch OLD, Hendricks scored 78.260% to put the pressure on both Ebeling and Marek to deliver.
Hendricks, who earned her qualification during the Wellington season in her campaign last spring, competed in the desert for the first time.
“I’ve been with this horse for a long, long time and he just never stops impressing me. I think today was one of the best feelings we’ve had together,” said Hendricks. “It’s special when you have been partners for as long as we have and you still feel like you’re continuing to grow and develop together - getting better with every ride. I’m so thankful for him and to be able to experience this together.”
Marek of Dunnellon, Fla., on Fayvel placed third in the final class of the week, capping an incredibly strong season for the pair, which included their overall series win, alongside their FEI Grand Prix CDI5* win on Friday evening.
“What’s really fun about showing this horse is that he’s uncomplicated to ride," said Marek. "He lets me really ride and not hold back. With Fayvel, I can really go for it and on a night like tonight, when the pressure is on, I know I’m going to fight for it and he’s going to be right there with me every step of the way and we don’t need to hold back. It’s been an amazing week here for us in California and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to compete here with him.”
A total of 12 competed in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI5* under the lights, with four different riders earning personal bests among the competitors representing the U.S., Canada, and Germany.
On Friday, evening, Marek on Fayvel won the FEI Grand Prix CDI5* on a score of 70.804%, with Ebeling on Bellena second on 70.522% and Hendricks on Drombusch OLD third on 70.500%, with the top three just three-tenths of a percentage of one another.
“I had a very excited Fayvel to start the test and he started to settle as it went on," saidMarek. "After the first extended trot I was like ‘Hey buddy, we need to get it together before this next movement,’ and after that the rest of the test just flowed so well. What I loved about it was the energy I had, and he was so rideable at the same time, which is the goal.”
Marek had begun to aim for the Finals at the beginning of the year, targeting the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle in four CDI competitions together to earn their qualification berth.
Ultimately, with two mounts competing at Grand Prix, Marek totaled 105 points at the conclusion of the qualifying season to earn the overall Series title and a $12,500 bonus.
“My first impression of the venue, when I checked out the show arena, which wasn’t even completely set up yet, I looked around and just thought it was just one of the most incredible and beautiful venues I’ve ever been to,” she said of the atmosphere and venue of the US Equestrian Open Dressage Final. “Then when the ring was set up with all of the banners and the red, white, and blue flowers – it’s just so incredibly well done.”
