Rising Stars to Watch: Horses Ready to Shine in the 2025 US Equestrian Open

As the start of the eventing season approaches, anticipation builds for the next generation of rising stars. Among them are horses who delivered standout performances in 2024 with the best CCI3* finishing scores on US soil. From seasoned campaigners to breakthrough talents, these horses are poised to make their mark in the 2025 US Equestrian Open.

Tamie Smith’s Leading Contender: Kynan


Tamie Smith and Kynan. Photo by Ride On Photo.

Horse age: 10 | Owners: Kynan Syndicate LLC

Kynan delivered two CCI3* wins in 2024, including last season’s best finishing score at the level on U.S. soil (27.4 at Woodside 3*-S). Finding form at the CCI4* level, Kynan is set to be a top contender for Tamie Smith if she targets the US Equestrian Open.

A Rising Star in Tamie’s String: Sumas Tina Turner


Tamie Smith and Sumas Tina Turner. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Horse age: 9 | Owner: Julianne Guariglia

The nine-year-old Sumas Tina Turner made a strong transition to US competition in 2024 under Tamie Smith’s guidance, winning the Rebecca Farm 3*-S on her dressage score (27.9) and finishing third in the Stable View Oktoberfest 3*-S two months later. Previously produced in the UK by Kevin McNab and Isabel English, this talented mare is poised to make a significant impact in the coming season.

The Exciting Prospect: Lillet 3


Tamie Smith and Lillet 3. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Horse age: 9 | Owner: Molly Duda

With the highest EquiRatings Elo score (551) among Tamie Smith’s young prospects, Lillet 3 turned heads in 2024 as one of the most exciting additions to her string. Of the mare’s three international starts with Tamie last season, Lillet finished top three in all of them, including a win in October’s Galway Downs 3*-L where she finished on her dressage score of 29.0.

Tamie is expected to rack up leaderboard points with the depth of young talent in her string, especially when the Open heads to the West Coast in April.

Will Coleman’s Under-the-Radar Contender: Cold Red Rum


Will Coleman and Cold Red Rum. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Horse age: 12 | Owners: Cold Red Rum Syndicate

Will Coleman’s Cold Red Rum, a lightly campaigned 12-year-old, secured a CCI3* win in 2024 (The Fork 3*-S). Now qualified for the CCI4* level, this horse may make a splash in the early stages of the US Equestrian Open as Will bids to get some points on the board in his Open campaign.

Lauren Nicholson’s Show Jumping Star: Larcot Z


Lauren Nicholson and Larcot Z. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Horse age: 12 | Owner: Jacqueline B. Mars

Larcot Z impressed with a win at TerraNova 3*-S in spring 2024, finishing on a competitive score of 28.7. After stepping up to the CCI4* level later in the year, the horse remains a top prospect, bolstered by an incredible streak of 15 consecutive clear show jumping rounds at the international level (he hasn’t knocked an international rail since October 2021).

Sharon White’s Breakthrough Talent: Jaguars Duende


Sharon White and Jaguars Duende. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Horse age: 9 | Owner: Sharon White

Jaguars Duende is the highest rated nine-year-old in the USA according to the EquiRatings Elo (603). Of the mare’s nine international completions, she has been on the podium every time, including four wins (Virginia 2*-S 2022, Carolina 3*-S 2024, Tryon 3*-L 2024, Maryland 3*-L 2024). With those three 2024 victories at the CCI3* level, Jaguars Duende’s transition to CCI4* is one of the most highly anticipated developments of the year and she’s likely to earn Sharon points in any Open qualifier they enter together.

Alexandra Baugh’s Breakthrough in the Making: Hubert des 3 Arbres

Horse age: 12 | Owner: Altorac Farm LLC 

Despite a quiet end to the 2024 season, Hubert des 3 Arbres and Alexandra Baugh showed potential at CCI3* with two strong sub-30 finishes last year: they won the Stable View Spring 3*-S on a 29.3 after adding just 0.4 cross-country time penalties, and they placed second at Plantation 3*-S by finishing on their 29.6 dressage score. A breakthrough year at the CCI4* level could be on the horizon for this combination.

Consistent Performers: RF Redfern, Rock Phantom, and Landmark’s Monaco


Ema Klugman and RF Redfern. Photo by Sally Spickard.

With Ema Klugman, RF Redfern (12 YO owned by Team Fern) made her mark in 2024 with a second-place finish in the US Equestrian Open qualifier at Morven Park, securing 35 leaderboard points heading into 2025 (sitting equal-fifth currently).

Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Rock Phantom (14 YO owned by Edith Rameika) partnered with Sara Kozumplik to claim victory at Bouckaert this past autumn, registering 40 points for Sara who now sits equal-third in the Series standings. Look for “Rocky” and Sara to reliably register Series points as 2025 unfolds.

See the full series standings, which are continually updated, here.

Kimmy Cecere and Landmarks Monaco. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Meanwhile, Landmark’s Monaco (18 YO owned by Jacqueline B. Mars) and Kimmy Cecere produced three top-three placings at the CCI3* level last year, including a win in October’s Bouckaert 3*-S to wrap up their season. A reliable campaigner with two sub-30 finishes at CCI3*, Landmark’s Monaco is another to watch at the CCI4* level in the coming season.

Who Will Make Their Mark?


The 2025 US Equestrian Open is shaping up to be an unforgettable season. Will one of these rising stars seize the spotlight, or will an unexpected contender emerge to steal the show? Stay tuned for all the action and updates throughout the season.

For continual leaderboard updates, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org.

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