The first real marker of the 2026 season has been laid down. The Setters' Run Farm Carolina International always brings a good field, but this year it was stacked. Margins tight from the first phase, no one making the time, and a track that kept shifting the leaderboard right to the end. Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 didn't lead it from the front, but when it mattered, they were the ones who delivered. Fastest cross-country round of the day, the only sub-30 finish, and suddenly a horse a lot of people hadn't seen much of is right in the conversation. Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake put down a serious marker. Jennie Brannigan's FE Lifestyle does what he always does at Carolina. And further down, horses like Diabolo and Miks Master C ran exactly the rounds they needed to, with bigger plans clearly in mind. Highlights Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 take the four-star win with the fastest cross-country round Margins tight after dressage, the top five separated by less than a penalty No one makes the time, across both jumping phases Caroline Pamukcu moves to the top of the US Open standings FE Lifestyle delivers again at Carolina Big names execute controlled runs with Kentucky in mind Guests Holly Hudspeth EquiRatings Eventing Podcast Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.