The US Equestrian Open Podcast

The Jumping Final is only three weeks away and the momentum across the US Equestrian Open is building.
Annie Bishop and Diarmuid Byrne unpack a busy weekend across the disciplines. In dressage, Genay Vaughn and Gino take over the lead in the series after another big result, while the Nations Cup in Wellington offers a glimpse of the form building among the American contenders ahead of the Jumping Final.
Plus, eventing returns this weekend at Bouckaert with a stacked four-star field. Boyd Martin arrives with four entries, Lucienne Bellissimo looks to defend her lead in the standings, and several exciting younger combinations step up to the level.
Highlights
Genay Vaughn and Gino move to the top of the Dressage leaderboard
Momentum building for the US ahead of the Jumping Final
Eventing returns with the Bouckaert four-star qualifier
Early podium picks from Annie and Diarm
The Open Weekly: https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-bouckaert-opens-vaughn-takes-the-lead-and-cook-shines-at-wef
Shane Sweetnam article: https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/only-80-seconds-stand-between-shane-sweetnam-and-a-podium-finish
Guests
Annie Bishop – Co-host of the US Equestrian Open podcast
Diarmuid Byrne – EquiRatings co-founder

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

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

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

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