Christian Simonson, who wrapped up his Under 25 career in style at the Aachen, Germany, show, this summer, has been named to the short list for the U.S. dressage team at the Pan American Games in Chile during October.
He is the only rider in the group of eight to be named with two horses, Zeaball Diawind and Son of a Lady. (To read more about Christian, click here.)
Christian Simonson and Zeaball Diawind. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Each rider in the group will have to compete at an FEI show by Sept. 10 to remain eligible. U.S. Equestrian Federation Dressage High Performance Pathway Advisor George Williams will serve as the chef d’equipe in Santiago.
The Pan Ams offers an opportunity for less-experienced riders to get mileage at a championship event. Much of the pressure has been eased, however, because the U.S. qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics with a sixth-place finish at the world championships last year. Adrienne Lyle, who trains Christian, rode on that team. She will not be in Chile, however, as she awaits the birth of her first child.
Others named to the short list are Susie Dutta and Don Design DC; Codi Harrison (Katholt’s Bossco), Charlotte Jorst (Zhaplin Langholt); Kevin Kohmann (Duenensee), Anna Marek (Fire Fly), Sarah Tubman (First Apple) and Jennifer Williams (Joppe K)