Leesburg, Va. — The inaugural US Equestrian Open Eventing Final came to an exciting conclusion at Morven Park International Equestrian Center with four-time Olympian Boyd Martin and Miks Master C delivering a standout performance in the final jumping phase to capture the historic win. The pair’s victory marked the conclusion of an exciting week of world-class competition, which was ultimately decided by the triple combination of the final line in the last phase. Martin and Miks Master C solidified their victory after producing a clear round in the Grand Prix Arena and finished the weekend on a final score of 28.7.
Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and the Miks Master C, a 2012 U.S.-bred Swedish Warmblood gelding (Mighty Magic x Qui Luma CBF), owned by Ocala Horse Properties, LLC., Deborah Palmer, and Rachael Isaacson, and cared for by Stephanie Simpson, completed the weekend on a final combined score of 28.7 after producing a clear round int the main arena secure their win and take home the lion’s share of the $200,000 prize pot. Both Martin and Miks Master C’s names will now be added to the perpetual US Equestrian Open trophy, marking their place in history as the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final’s first-ever champions. Additionally, Martin was also awarded the MARS American Bred Talent Trophy which was award to the top-finishing U.S.-bred horse in the competition in the CCI4*-L division.
Miks Master C is a newer mount for Martin, having previously been campaigned by fellow U.S. Eventing Team athlete Liz Halliday before joining Martin’s program just over a year ago. The partnership has now found its rhythm at the top levels of the sport, with Martin noting this victory holds special significance for him, personally, his team, and the supportive team behind Miks Master C. Martin reflected on the journey of taking over the ride following Halliday’s accident in 2024, and the growing partnership he’s developed with the talented gelding.
“I’m so grateful to the owners for trusting me with one of Liz’s top horses. Miks Master C is a legend. He was Liz’s top hopeful, and this whole year we’ve just been getting to know each other. He’s an incredible horse with the right mix of power, grit, and heart.”
Martin shared that though he was still getting to know “Mikki” this year, he has always admired him. “When Liz first bought him, I was extremely jealous,” he said with a laugh. “Mikki is totally my type of horse. He has a lot of Thoroughbred in him. He’s one of those horses that moves like a Warmblood, but thinks like Thoroughbred – a true three-day eventer with an amazing gallop.”
After a thrilling cross-country phase yesterday, which featured a traditionally challenging and technical Derek di Grazia (USA)-designed track, Will Coleman (Ocala, Fla.) and his veteran partner Off The Record entered Sunday’s jumping phase as the overnight leaders on their impressive dressage score of 25.1 However, one rail at B of the triple combination ultimately opened the door for Martin and Miks Master C to move to the top of the leaderboard.
Coleman’s strategic and polished riding across all three phases secured both second and third place aboard Off The Record, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (VDL Arkansas x Drumagoland Bay), owned by Off The Record Syndicate, and cared for by Erin Jarboe, and Very Dignified, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse mare (Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet x Kateys Gem), owned by Jerome Broussard, Elizabeth Lendrum, and Gloria Callen, also cared for by Jarboe, respectively. Coleman piloted both horses to just two of the three clear rounds yesterday around the CCI4*-L track, keeping both horses competitively inline on the leaderboard. Ultimately, Off The Record would finish on a final three-phase score of 29.1, while Very Dignified, earned a 35.4, in the pair’s CCI4*-L debut together.
For the Virginia-native Coleman, the introduction of the US Equestrian Open concept to the already historic importance of the Morven Park venue in the region’s deep traditional connection to horses and horse sport, allowed the competitive atmosphere to be elevated while also offering the opportunity to showcase the sport at its best.
“It’s an awesome cross-country course on one of the best eventing-specific venues in the U.S.,” said Coleman. “Anyone who is curious about eventing or wants to see what eventing all is about; they got such an awesome taste of that here at Morven Park this weekend.”
Both riders commended course designer Chris Barnard’s (USA) track on the final day for its technical demands and tight time allowed, which kept the pressure of the moment palpable to the very last ride of the class.
“The course was good and very technical,” Martin noted. “You had to ride it almost like a jump-off. It rewarded forward, efficient riding and showed how beneficial it is to practice pure show jumping on the side.”
When asked about the future of the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final and Series, and what the athletes hope to see as it continues to evolve and grow, Coleman shared his optimistic outlook.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “What US Equestrian has built with this series is something that’s going to continue to grow, build more momentum, attract bigger crowds, and more prize money, which is really exciting for us as athletes, for our owners, and for our teams.”
View full US Equestrian Open Eventing Final results here.
— Edited Press Release
