United States Eventing Association

Leesburg, Va.— Oct. 11— The dressage phase of the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final CCI4*-L concluded on Friday at Morven Park International Equestrian Center. Sixteen horse-and-athlete combinations took their turn down the centerline, making up the second half of the 30 total starters of the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final field. Will Coleman (Ocala, Fla.) and Off The Record delivered a record-setting performance with a score of 25.1 penalties to take over the lead. This is the lowest dressage score ever recorded at Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials at the four-star level and Coleman’s personal best CCI4*-L dressage score to date.

The 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (VDL Arkansas x Drumagoland Bay), owned by Off The Record Syndicate, and known around the barn as “Timmy,” impressed the judging panel with his expressive and precise work in the ring. The pair’s effort earned them particularly strong marks for his collected canter and flying changes throughout the test.

“Timmy is as professional as they come,” said Coleman following his dressage test. “He’s so laid back that sometimes it feels like he’s half asleep going through his business in [the arena], but he knows the job. He really was just excellent for me today. I’m so appreciative of him.”

Coleman and Off The Record’s season successes include a win in the 2025 Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and a strong fourth place finish over the summer in the 2025 UBS-Cup CCIO4*-S at CHIO Aachen. The duo will look to carry their momentum into Saturday’s cross-country phase over a challenging track designed by Derek di Grazia.

“It’s a stiff enough course,” Coleman said. “There are plenty of places where you have to be incredibly accurate and get your horse in the right canter to prepare for what Derek has set out there. Timmy’s not the most gifted galloper, but he has a good engine, so if I’m hyper efficient, I’m hoping we can jump around clean and maybe get close to the time.”

Sharon White (Summit Point, W. Va.) and Claus 63, her own 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Catoo x Tina II), were close behind Coleman and Off The Record with a score of 25.2 penalties. The pair executed a spectacular test with strong collected and extended canter work. Rounding out the top three was Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Miks Master C, a 13-year-old U.S.-bred Swedish Warmblood gelding (Mighty Magic x Qui Luma CBF), owned by Ocala Horse Properties, LLC. and Deborah Palmer, who earned a score of 29.5 penalties. Martin and Miks Master C were first to compete on the second day of dressage, earning high collective marks that reflected their harmonious partnership.

The competition continues on Saturday morning with the CCI4*-L cross-country phase beginning at 10:30 am EST, followed by the show jumping finale on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 pm EST, where the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final Champion will be crowned.

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