MYAKKA CITY. Fla.--Phillip Dutton placed both first and second in Qualifier 3 of the US Equestrian Open at TerraNova, placing first on Azure on a score of 43.2 and second on Quasi Cool with a score of 55.6
File photo of Phillip Duton on Azure fromm 2023 (Photo by Cealy Tetley)Dutton will start the series in 2025 as the outright leader in the US Equestrian Open standings with 75 points.
The US Equestrian Open series format is designed to reward both participation and performance across multiple qualifiers.
With its innovative structure, the series offers a place for both seasoned professionals and emerging competitors to showcase their skills and make their mark.
With $200,000 in prize money and an additional $50,000 series award, the competition is designed to bring the best eventing athletes together from across the country.
This was Dutton's first win in the CCI4*-S at TerraNova
Coming in as the strong favorite, Dutton capitalized on his horses’ CCI5* experience and prior wins at this level, showing why he’s one of the most consistent performers in the sport.
The course at TerraNova once again highlighted cross-country speed as the defining factor.
AZURE, the fastest horse in the field based on EquiRatings Speed Ratings, was the only horse to keep time penalties in single digits, adding just 9.6.
This speed, combined with solid performances in the earlier phases, was decisive in securing victory.
The only rider ever to jump clear and make the time on this course remains Lauren Nicholson with I'll Have Another, who accomplished the feat in March last spring.
Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis on Briggs Surratt,finished third and fourth, placing third on Flower Girl on 68.8andfourth on Corture with a score of 69.5.
Surratt’s consistent ride with Flower Girl further cements her position as a strong contender in the series.
Like Morven in Leg 1, TerraNova proved to be a venue where the cross-country was the biggest factor—a hallmark of this exciting series.
The series was born from a commitment by the US Equestrian Board in July 2023 to grow the sport's awareness, exposure, and engagement and is designed to create a commercially significant and identifiable championship model for the three Olympic disciplines: eventing, dressage, and jumping.
The US Equestrian Open marks a bold step forward in elevating equestrian sports across the United States.
The eventng series continues on March 6-9 at Bouckaert, March 13-16 at Carolina and March 27-29 at TerraNova,
The series continues with events monthly and concludes Oct. 3-5 at Woodside.
