The US Equestrian Open Podcast

US Equestrian
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Dive into the heart of equestrian sport with the US Equestrian Open Podcast. Join us for expert analysis, inspiring stories, and behind-the-scenes insights from top athletes, rising stars, and industry leaders. Whether you're a dedicated fan or new to the sport, this podcast brings you closer to the action and celebrates the competition, community, and culture that make equestrian sports so unique.

  1. 20 HR AGO

    Isabel's Night, McLain's Win & a Conversation with Brooke Burchianti

    It was a weekend that felt like momentum. In Wellington, Isabell Werth delivered an 82 percent freestyle under Friday Night Lights aboard Special Blend. A late call-up horse. A borrowed test. A record score in front of a packed stadium. Behind her, Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu produced a personal best, while Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel's Goldstrike continued one of the sport's great partnership stories. In the five-star jumping, McLain Ward added another Wellington win to his record, James Kann Cruz extended a remarkable podium streak, and Nina Mallevaey's Dynastie de Beaufour entered rare statistical territory. Plus, Brooke Burchianti reflects on her first five-star eventing season, producing Cooley Space Grey, and building the next chapter. Highlights Werth's record-setting US Open freestyle A globally diverse dressage podium McLain Ward's five-star triumph James Kann Cruz's extraordinary consistency Nina Mallevaey's historic run Brooke Burchianti on five-star ambition Guests Brooke Burchianti – US five-star event rider and producer of Cooley Space Grey

    1h 3m

  2. 18 FEB

    Pressure, Points and Possibility

    Mimi Gochman wins her first five-star 160 at WEC with Iron Maiden, the only double clear in a class that demanded everything. At 22, she adds five-star winner to a résumé already stacked with results and suddenly the season looks very different. Diarmuid Byrne and Annie Bishop unpack what it takes to win at this level, why clear rates matter, and what this means for the U.S. team picture as the US Equestrian Open Final approaches. Attention then turns to a heavyweight Dressage Freestyle qualifier at Global. Isabel Werth returns. Susan Pape brings the highest Open score of the season. The leaderboard could change again. As Devin Kane lines up this weekend, Annie and Diarm also revisit her competition mindset and what it is like to compete at the top level alongside her husband. You can revisit Annie's previous conversation with Devon Kane, here. Plus, Annie sits down with West Coast event rider Megan McIver to talk long-term goals, building a system, and saying your ambitions out loud. Highlights Mimi Gochman's first five-star 160 victory What this means for the U.S. team race Dressage leaderboard shake-up at Global Megan McIver on ambition and planning for the future Guests Diarmuid Byrne – EquiRatings co-founder Annie Bishop – Co-host of the US Equestrian Open podcast Megan McIver – U.S. event rider and seventh-place finisher in the 2025 US Equestrian Open series

    56 min

  3. 11 FEB

    From Dressage Lights to Five-Star Heights

    Friday night dressage under the lights. A packed Wellington crowd. And the first five-star Grand Prix of the season setting the tone. Annie Bishop reports back from WEF with what it actually felt like to be there, from the atmosphere at Global to the buzz around Saturday night's Fidelity Investments Five Star. Together with Diarm Byrne, they break down the standout dressage moments, the pressure points in the Grand Prix, and what the result tells us about the road to the US Equestrian Open Final. With Ocala next on the calendar and early eventing entries starting to land, the storylines are beginning to take shape across dressage, jumping, and eventing. Highlights Friday night dressage at Global, atmosphere and standout performances The first five-star Grand Prix of the WEF season What the result means for the US Equestrian Open race Ocala dressage preview and Valentine's weekend ahead Early Bouckaert eventing entries and fan favourites to watch Hosts Annie Bishop Diarmuid Byrne

    39 min

  4. 4 FEB

    Super Bowl Special

    It's Super Bowl week, and we couldn't resist bringing sport and fandom together. Annie is joined by a panel of die-hard Seahawks and Patriots supporters from across the equestrian world for a lively, opinionated, and occasionally ruthless debate. Expect strong loyalties, big predictions, and a reminder of why sport pulls us in long before kickoff. Highlights Seahawks vs Patriots, broken down by people who care a lot Predictions, point spreads, and zero agreement Dynasty talk, underdogs, and playoff pressure What the Super Bowl gets right about fandom, storytelling, and spectacle Why sport pulls us in long before kickoff Guests Annie Bishop – US Equestrian Open host and analyst. Diarmuid Byrne – EquiRatings co-founder Max Corcoran – International groom and industry pro Jonathan Elliott – Event organizer and course designer Morgan Rowsell – Event organizer and selector Joanie Morris– U.S. event owner and long-time supporter of American eventing

    50 min

  5. 28 JAN

    Personal Bests and Early Season Markers

    Personal bests in Dressage, a returning star in Eventing, and early clues from Wellington as Jumping inches toward its first five-star week. Susan Pape resets the Open benchmark, Jaguars Duende reminds everyone she's still here, and Lillie Keenan's depth becomes impossible to ignore nine weeks from the Final. Highlights Giulilanta goes top of the Open leaderboard Jaguar Duende returns with a win The 3* pipeline: why it keeps predicting future 5* horses Week 5 WEF preview: who arrives and why it matter Guests Diarm Byrne, EquiRatings co-founder Hosted by Annie Bishop

    35 min

  6. 21 JAN

    Opening Statements: Highway Shines & Fayvel Returns

    The new season is taking shape. With dressage already scoring, nine weeks to the first jumping final, and six weeks to the first four-star short, Annie Bishop and Diarm Byrne break down the early movers, the storyline shifts and the names establishing momentum across the Open's three Olympic disciplines. From new partnerships winning straight out of the gate to returning eventers and a strengthening dressage field, it's the first real read on 2026 form and how the year may unfold. Highlights Lillie Keenan & Highway make an immediate statement in Florida Scott Brash vs Kent Farrington vs string strength Eventing entries resurface: Jaguars Duende, Possante, Cooley Candyman Boyd Martin named International Rider of the Year and what that signals for 2026 Dressage heats up: Marek & Fayvel debut, leaderboard context, scheduling dynamics The Open ecosystem: points, invitations, depth, and how pathways evolve Guests Diarm Byrne, EquiRatings co-founder Hosted by Annie Bishop

    30 min

  7. 14 JAN

    The US Equestrian Open: A Look Ahead to 2026

    The US Equestrian Open is back for 2026. With the new season underway and ten weeks to the first jumping final, Annie Bishop catches up with Diarm Byrne to unpack where the Open stands one year on, how the mission is evolving, and why the off-season thinking matters just as much as in-season competition. From unified storytelling across dressage, jumping and eventing to the early movers, breakout names and pathway shifts already shaping the year ahead, it's a state-of-play conversation to kick off the season. Highlights A 2025 debrief and what the Open learned in year one The calendar: ten weeks to the Jumping Final, dressage wall-to-wall, and eventing six weeks out Early jumping storylines: Lilli Keenan's string, Richard Vogel's choices, Vogel vs Farrington vs Brash Dressage shake-ups: Indian Rock's record run, scoring changes, and Genay Vaughn's coast-to-coast trip Eventing preview: Lucienne Bellissimo out early, Coleman's depth, and a rising U25 generation What fans should watch next and why the season starts now Guests • Diarm Byrne, EquiRatings co-founder • Hosted by Annie Bishop

    45 min

  8. 03/12/2025

    Eventing: Where Patience Meets Potential with Kate Sand

    There is something special about talking to a rider who has brought a horse all the way up the levels. The patience, the instinct, the thousand quiet decisions that shape a partnership long before the big results ever appear on a scoreboard. And for Kate Sand, 2024 was the year all those years came into focus. From the three-year-old off the track with no real record to speak of, to a second place finish at Bouckaert, and a rise into the top four of the US Equestrian Open standings. This is a story built on feel, faith, and a horse who keeps proving he is more than anyone expected. A once in a lifetime type, even if he has not quite figured that out himself. Highlights The Facebook ad that started it all  How a self described kick ride rewrote Kate's idea of what she wanted in a horse Training with Ali Knowles and the early hints from Karen O'Connor that this might be a top level horse The first step up to four star, what went wrong, and how the pair rebuilt with more confidence Bouckaert, the test tweaks, the show jumping accuracy, and the cross country run that put them second fastest of the day The plan for 2025, intermediate to advanced in Aiken, a likely return to Carolina, aiming at long formats, and why Morven, Bromont, and Rebecca Farm are each on the table A look at Kate's small Kentucky program, her love of developing horses, and why keeping it manageable matters Guests Kate Sand, US Equestrian Open rider, joined by host Annie Bishop. Stay Connected For the most up-to-date series calendar and latest standings, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org. Engage with us on Instagram and Facebook — and use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

    37 min
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About

Dive into the heart of equestrian sport with the US Equestrian Open Podcast. Join us for expert analysis, inspiring stories, and behind-the-scenes insights from top athletes, rising stars, and industry leaders. Whether you're a dedicated fan or new to the sport, this podcast brings you closer to the action and celebrates the competition, community, and culture that make equestrian sports so unique.

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