On day one of the four-day 2025 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, which began on Thursday, October 30, four of the 37 titles on offer were captured by fresh champions. The show, which offers $125,000 in prize money, unfolded under autumnal conditions, so competitors and spectators were especially appreciative of the show’s new home at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Wilmington, OH, which hosts all championship classes indoors.

Photo – Lauren Chumley took the Intermediate II Championship with 68.48% aboard the nine-year-old U.S.-bred Leeloo Dallas in the mare’s first year at the level. (SusanJStickle.com.)

Leeloo Dallas Delivers Again

Lauren Chumley and Leeloo Dallas continued their smooth glide up the dressage totem pole, winning the Intermediate II Open Championship with 68.48% in a class of 14 starters. The duo won the Prix St. Georges title at the 2023 Finals and the Intermediate I Freestyle last year.

“This is Leeloo’s first year at I-2, and I’ve had some really good and some not-so-great rides,” said Chumley of the nine-year-old mare by Gaspard De La Nuit DG x Negro. “She’s never naughty, but she’s green at this — she’s only been doing this level for, like, 30 seconds. She was good in the test, but she was amazing in the warm-up, so that was a feeling of what’s to come. I can’t wait until I can have it all in the ring.”

Chumley has trained Leeloo Dallas up the levels herself since buying her unseen as a foal from her breeder Racheal McKinney in Arizona. Initially, she couldn’t afford her, but when her price was reduced, she was able to cobble together the funds.

“When she arrived, I realized I’d never asked how big she was,” added Chumley. “She’s a hair under 16.1hh now, which is actually fine as I’m not that tall.”

Venue Praise

Chumley, who made the nine-hour drive from her winter base in Pittstown, NJ, is “endlessly grateful” to her coach Michael Bragdell, who finished fourth in the same class. This was Chumley’s second visit to WEC – Wilmington with Leeloo Dallas, and she praised the venue.

“The decorations are incredible, and they’ve created a super atmosphere here. I’m just wondering what the pumpkin budget is as I think I’ve seen about 3,000 of them,” she laughed. “I love that everything is indoors because it’s been pouring with rain. Plus, the footing is phenomenal.”

Since coming to prominence with Finals wins, Leeloo Dallas has attracted some hefty offers from potential purchasers. “I’m not wealthy and this money would change my life, but I don’t care; she’s not for sale!” concluded Chumley.

Heather Mason Hones Her Craft

Finals specialist Heather Mason wasted no time with getting her winning groove on at this year’s show, bagging another title that will be heading back to New Jersey. On the eight-year-old Manuskript SCF — the joint youngest horse in the class — she clinched the Prix St. Georges Open Championship with 70.392%, the only plus-70%. The victory earned them the Miki Christophersen Perpetual Trophy, presented by USDF Region 4. Manuskript (by Jazz x Krack C) will also contest both Open Intermediate I classes on Friday.

Check out the latest coverage of the 2025 Finals, including behind-the-scenes photos and daily releases here. Live results and start times can be found here.

Competition resumes on Friday, October 31, with nine championship titles up for grabs from Training Level to Grand Prix during the day and the evening gala. The full digital show program is available here. Follow the action via the USDF Facebook page, USDF Instagram page, and the US Dressage Finals website, plus live online streaming from the Sanctuary Arena on USEF Network with expert commentary from Kathy Connelly.