Kim Severson Takes Lead at US Equestrian Open
The veteran rider leads the CCI4*-L dressage standings after the opening day of competition in Leesburg.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Equestrian
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Kim Severson and the 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Cooley Corraghy Diamond earned a 29.8 score to lead the CCI4*-L dressage standings. They currently hold the top spot ahead of Katie Lichten and Woods Baughman.
Why it matters
The performance marks a significant return for the pair, who missed spring competition due to required training for flying changes and minor health issues. Severson’s lead demonstrates the successful integration of these new technical skills during the dressage test.
Severson and Cooley Corraghy Diamond lead with a score of 29.8, followed by Katie Lichten and HTS Jensen R at 31.4. Woods Baughman and Hopak de Greenbay Z currently sit in third place with a 32.1 score.
The players
Kim Severson
A veteran equestrian rider based in Charlottesville, Virginia, known for her successful performance record in high-level eventing.
Cooley Corraghy Diamond
A 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Roslyn and William Johnson who is currently competing at the CCI4*-L level.
Katie Lichten
An eventing competitor who currently holds second place in the standings with her horse HTS Jensen R.
Woods Baughman
An equestrian athlete who holds third place in the dressage standings riding Hopak de Greenbay Z.
The details
Judges Bea di Grazia, Peter Gray, and Christian Steiner evaluated the field during the first day of dressage. The leading pair successfully executed two precise flying changes, a technical maneuver that was a primary focus of their recent training regime.
Timeline
October 24, 2026: The first day of dressage began at the US Equestrian Open.
October 25, 2026: The dressage phase for the CCI4*-L is scheduled to conclude.
Season Trajectory
This performance builds upon Severson's recent success at the 2026 CCI4*-S at Bouckaert Equestrian, signaling her return to form. The result shifts the momentum for the remainder of the US Equestrian Open as riders prepare for the subsequent phases of the competition.
The current leaderboard math sets a tight margin, with only 2.3 points separating the top three riders. This narrow gap forces a high-pressure environment for the remaining phases, as any error in jumping will now cause significant movement in the standings.
The takeaway
Technical precision in dressage is the deciding factor for top contenders in this field. Riders must successfully integrate complex maneuvers like flying changes to secure a podium position in high-stakes eventing competitions.
What happens next
The CCI4*-L dressage phase is scheduled to conclude on October 25, 2026, at 1 p.m. EST.
Further reading
For more updates on tournament standings, visit the Equestrian section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chronofhorse.
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