There isn’t much that’s more American than the inaugural US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final CCI4*-L ending with an all-U.S. podium. A bald eagle might as well have swooped down over the awards ceremony, eating a hot dog.

In its first ever running, held at Morven Park, it wasn’t so much a question of whether an American would end up on top as which American would end up on top. Heading into the show jumping phase, Virginia local Will Coleman led with Off The Record, and world number five Boyd Martin trailed just behind in second place aboard Miks Master C. 

In a dramatic finale, Martin and Miks Master C’s clear round pushed them to the top as Coleman and Off The Record dropped one rail in the triple combination. Martin’s name was written into the history books as winner of the first-ever US Equestrian Open of Eventing.

But there was another American who had her hand in the podium results as well, even though she’s been out of competition for over a year. Liz Halliday developed the winning 13-year-old gelding prior to her 2024 accident. Martin humbly took over the reins after always admiring him from afar.

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