by Nancy Jaffer | May 24, 2026
There hasn’t been a Rolex Grand Slam winner since Great Britain’s Scott Brash accomplished the mission in 2015. But as of Sunday, German rider Richie Vogel could be on his way with a victory in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, a follow-up to taking the Rolex competition at the Dutch Masters in March. Now he’s pointing toward the Rolex class in September at Spruce Meadows and a 1 million Euro bonus if he makes that his third conquest in a row.
Riding the magnificent United Touch S, Richie was among only three riders from a starting field of 40 who were clear in two rounds and the jump-off of the class worth 1.5 million Euros ($1,740,000).
“We’re still breathless, still out of words. It’s a real childhood dream coming through,” a delighted Richie said after dismounting following his brilliant performance.
“Achieving it with such a special horse and such a special story behind the horse, the breeder and owner Julius-Peter Sinnack is here today, the whole team behind United Touch that takes care of him at home and at the shows and ride him at home when I’m not there. It’s a very special story behind the horse.”
The final act, played out before a packed house on the green lawn of a show that is both respected and revered, pitted Richie against his partner, Sophie Hinners, on the Swedish warmblood gelding Iron Dames Singclair and unexpectedly, an Argentine competitor, the well-respected José Maria Larocca Jr. with the Dutchbred gelding Finn Lente.
Though José has Olympic mileage and at 57 is a true veteran of the sport, it was unexpected to see him on the podium when such big names as Scott Brash and his countryman, Olympic multi-gold medalist Ben Maher, as well as defending champion Marcus Fuchs of Switzerland, didn’t even make it into the tie-breaker.
Sophie set a conservative pace of 51.62 seconds over the jump-off route set by Frank Rothenberger, the house course designer at Aachen. Richie went on to blow the doors off aboard his Westfalen stallion with a time of 45.57. It was left to Jose to try to beat that, and his game effort got him close in 47.36 seconds. The last Argentine to win the class at Aachen, Dr. Miguel Arrambide, did it in 1965, and Jose gave a valiant try to have his country take the honors again.
There was a moment of confusion before Richie started his final round, when he asked if a certain jump was part of the route. It wasn’t, so he refocused and got under way with determination.
“I really tried to lay down a good jump-off going in there as a Rolex live contender I really wanted to make sure I had the best time. I would rather risk a rail than being too slow, and I’m just very happy at how amazing United performed,” he said.
Discussing the pressure he faced with a potential Grand Slam on the line, he remarked “It’s a nice pressure to have. The luck was on our side for sure.” But as he pointed out, “My grandpa said, `No one ever won with bad luck,’ so we’ll take it.”
His performance was also praised by the other two riders on the podium.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said José.
“Finishing second behind Richie is an honor.”
And Sophie noted that for her part, “To complete three clear rounds in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen on that hallowed turf – as a rider, one couldn’t dream for more. “My horse fought so hard for me. Standing here on the podium is a lifelong dream come true,” she said.
“I knew I wouldn’t be able to beat Richie.”
It certainly was the truth, but also tactful when talking about her partner.
Richie Vogel and United Touch played to a packed stadium.
United Touch, restive during the awards ceremony, dissed the magnificent Rolex trophy by knocking into the pedestal on which it rested and sending it to the ground. The silver cup was rescued with no harm done.
Two U.S. riders made it into the top 10, but a rail down with Greya in the second round put an end to the incredible winning streak enjoyed by FEI World Cup champion Kent Farrington, who finished eighth, two ahead of Laura Kraut and Bisquetta. Lillie Keenan, winner of Saturday’s class with Kick on, wound up eleventh with a rail and a slower time than her compatriots.
McLain Ward’s mount, High Star Hero, faulted with a mark on the tape at the water jump in the first round to finish twenty-first. But he was quickly on hand to offer a heart-felt hug to his friend, Richie, after the latter left the ring triumphant. The other two Americans competing at the show, Karl Cook and Aaron Vale, did not qualify for the grand prix. Click here for results.
The May Aachen show was a one-off, since the usual Aachen multi-discipline action will be held in a wider forum during August, when the storied facility hosts the world championships for the first time since 2006. At that time, they were called the World Equestrian Games.
In addition to the Rolex competition, a highlight of this weekend was the pas de deux performed by German dressage pillar Isabel Werth and Moritz Treffinger as the Aachen symphony played for 50,000 fans. Where else but Aachen could anyone ever expect to see a performance like that?
by Nancy Jaffer | May 19, 2026
In the wake of the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s National Grand Prix Dressage Championship that wrapped up over the weekend, a group of seven riders and eight horses was named to the short list for August’s world championships at Aachen.
They will travel to Germany to prepare for selection of the U.S. team that is going to ride in the global title meet. Not included in the group was the winner of the championship, Ellesse Gundersen and her homebred Quintessential 4. Ellesse, feeling her horse needed more experience, did not apply for the championships and therefore could not be considered, for the tour, according to the chef d’equipe Christine Traurig.
Some of those selected were no surprise, such as the 2025 national Grand Prix champion, Christian Simonson, with both his freestyle winner Fleau de Baian and Indian Rock, the horse on which he was second in the World Cup finals last month, but who was scratched from the Freestyle at the championships. Christian is the highest-ranked U.S. rider on the international dressage standings, in seventh place. He was fourth overall in the title meet at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla.
Also selected were Olympic medalist Ashley Holzer, second in the championship with Hawtins San Floriana, and Meagan Davis, third in the championship with Toronto Lightfoot. Ashley and Meagan were the only riders selected for the tour who had an average score over 70 percent. Fifth-place Jordan LaPlaca and Gold Play, who were on the winning Nations Cup team in Wellington, also got a nod.
Ashley Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana.
Then came the surprises. Kasey Perry-Glass , an Olympic and world championships medalist, was named with Heartbeat WP, who scratched from the Freestyle at the championships, was thirteenth in both the Grand Prix and the Special.
Anna Marek, who did not appear at the championship, was selected with Fayvel. Also going to Europe are Geñay Vaughn and Gino, whose best finish in Ocala was tenth in the Grand Prix. That combination was fourteenth in the Special and scratched the Freestyle, but was the top qualifier on the list of those eligible to enter the championship.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 14, 2026
Horse-related organizations in Great Britain are collaborating on a free digital resource to support equestrians navigating environmental sustainability issues. Perhaps it’s a concept that should spread elsewhere
Launching this autumn, thehoofprint.com is designed to provide not only equestrian organizations, but also venues and individuals, with the information, training and inspiration for transforming their businesses, stables and events into “resilient and sustainable hives of activity.”
Concepts include everything from rainwater harvesting to paddock care, renewable energy and manure management, among other activities in “every corner of the industry.” That’s also of particular interest in terms of the financial challenges faced by those in the industry.
Website creator Ruth Dancer of White Griffin said, “In order to have a healthy sport, we need everyone to be able to survive and thrive in the changes that lie ahead. This collaboration is a recognition that together, we can support one another in quickly adapting to both protect our industry and the natural world.”
The working group driving the website forward includes Agria, NAF, British Equestrian, British Showjumping, British Dressage, British Eventing, The Pony Club and World Horse Welfare, among others.
The CEO of British Equestrian, Jim Eyre commented; “It’s a core part of our federation-wide strategy to provide our members and the wider industry with the tools, knowledge and support needed to become resilient and sustainable.”
The idea involves showcasing what can be achieved, helping enable equestrians to take on a range of different measures that can save money, drive efficiencies and build resilience, while caring for our horses and protecting the environment.
The team is hoping to track the changes that are taking place in the industry, as well as finding out the information that equestrians want from the website as it is developed “to support the growth and future prosperity of the equestrian way of life.”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 16, 2026
The footing is perfect and the courses are intriguing. So take advantage of the extended entry deadline of May 25 and enter the historic Essex Horse Trials, to be held May 31 at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, N.J. Those entering now will not have to pay a late fee.
After its successful reinvention as a one-day competition last year, Essex took steps toward innovation by offering a Modified division, as well as an intercollegiate team challenge. The event, which offers divisions ranging from Starter through Preliminary, is held at a scenic venue best known as the home of the Far Hills Race Meeting.
The water obstacle on cross-country is always a popular tailgating spot at Essex.
The Modified division bridges the gap in fence height between Training and Preliminary, offering a more gradual increase in the challenge offered. Modified fences have the same dimensions as FEI 1-Star.
The event, which also features more than 20 vendors and five food trucks, is sponsored by Purina, Land Rover and Running S Equine Veterinary Services. Running S sponsors a riders’ lounge with breakfast and lunch provided.
There are lots of wonderful prizes. For the first time, the adult amateur rider with the lowest score in any division will receive the Jean and Elliot Haller award, named after the owners of Hoopstick Farm, site of the first Essex Horse Trials. The winner will receive a gift certificate for a 9” x 12” pastel custom commission portrait of their horse by local artist Andrea Gianchiglia.
The Gladstone Equestrian Association is sponsoring prizes that will go to the rider closet to the optimal time for each division.
Purina will give riders the opportunity to weigh their horse and get an exact number of his or her poundage. But those who can guess the horse’s weight most accurately are in line for a variety of prizes, including a saddle pad, a gift bag and coupons, among other goodies.
Want to be in the midst of the action? Get a tailgate sport and bring your friends to share the excitement.
Go to essexhorsetrials.net to obtain for more information about the competition.
The event is a benefit for the Greater Newark Life Camp that gives city kids an opportunity to get out in the country.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 17, 2026
Dominating the 3-star dressage competition at the World Equestrian Center, Adrienne Lyle and Helix added victory in the Grand Prix Special on Sunday to their 73.213 percent win from the Grand Prix on Friday.
Adrienne and Helix all ribboned-up after their win in the Special.
Adrienne hadn’t done a Special in a CDI (international) show with him since before the Paris Olympics, where the pair was on the U.S. team. Since then, he has changed greatly, and it’s more than the beautiful dapples Helix is sporting in his chestnut coat.
“He’s developed a lot, I think, since Paris. When I go back and watch my videos from Paris, he does not look as strong or as powerful as he is. And obviously, we were a very new combination to each other then. He’s two years older, and he’s got two years more of Grand Prix under his belt (girth?)
“I figured out what works, what doesn’t. You know, like you do with all the horses, it works for a bit, then it doesn’t. You go back, you change your plan, and then you come back out. It’s definitely not, like I said, not a linear process, but I’m happy with where he is right now.
“I’m super proud of him” added Adrienne, noting the 14-year-old Dutchbred son of Apache was kind of a last-minute entry at the show in Ocala, Fla.
“I’m just totally thrilled with him. It’s hot and it’s the end of a long week, so I had to support him a little bit more to help him through the test today. He was just really accepting of that and let me ride him and put in, I think, the best effort that he could. So that’s all you can ask for. I was really happy.”
Adrienne and Helix with their supporters from Zen Elite.
For Adrienne, no matter how well things go, there’s always something else to do.
She has been working on her position, explaining, “It’s how I can sit differently to balance him differently, get more on my seat, and be able to open the frame and lift, and find a more uphill balance. I think we’re starting to click into that.”
Helix went to Europe to be sold last year, but no buyer was found, so he came back to the Zen Elite stables in Florida and Adrienne’s happy about that.
“He is super sweet. He’s very personable. He’s very much a ‘person’ horse. He’s not attached to other horses, but he wants to be out of a stall all day and investigating. You’ll see me wandering around the grounds. I just kind of let him lead me wherever he wants to go. You know, he wants to look in the restaurant window.”
She noted, “There’s not a `no’ in his body. You know, there’s not a negative thought in there, so I really appreciate that.”
While she’s headed to Europe with several horses and her student, Christian Simonson, she doesn’t know what Helix will be doing there yet, though they will be based in Holland, close to Germany. They also will be involved with the U.S. contingent, since Christian likely will be named for the team that competes in August’s world championships in Aachen.
Adrienne will be in touch with the U.S. technical advisor, Christine Traurig.
“Christine is wonderful, and she has got her eyes on everything,” said Adrienne, who started as a working student with Debbie McDonald, so she’s always ready for some pointers.
Adrienne said of Christine, “I can always go to her for advice, and she can come to me. It’s really helpful to have her eyes kind of overseeing the whole program and guiding us.”
Adrienne and daughter Bailey.
Also going to Europe will be Adrienne’s two-year-old baby, Bailey. Yes, of course, she rides her mini. She’s well-traveled and speaks Portugese (her father is from Portugal), Spanish and of course, English. You can bet she also will be learning German while she’s abroad.
click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | May 17, 2026
There was a surprise winner of the U.S. Equestrian Federation Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, and no one was more surprised than Ellesse Gundersen to find herself holding the sterling silver trophy.
An hour after she clinched the honor with her homebred Quintessential 4, she admitted that earning it hadn’t really sunk in yet. But she acknowledged, “I’m really over the moon about it, and he really deserves it, and my entire team the last couple years deserves this more than anything as well, because they’ve been a huge part of it.
“I think we’re going to enjoy it now, and then we are going to make smart decisions and look to the future for this horse.”
Elleesse Gundersen leaves the arena after her freestyle on Quintessential 4.
The title meet was a final test to determine which eight riders will be going to Europe to compete, prior to selection of a team for August’s world championships at Aachen. Ellesse isn’t a candidate for the championships, as she didn’t apply for them, feeling her horse wasn’t quite ready for a test of that magnitude.
I asked if she regretted not applying to ride in the world championships and she was firm in her answer.
“It’s very easy to for me to wish that I could go, but I think I stand behind the decision for my horse that it would have been a lot for him. I 100 percent believe in the athletes and combinations we have that are prepping for it,” she emphasized.
“I think maybe for me, even doing this is going to inspire other riders that thought they were too green, that actually this is how we could take that step towards being part of the team. I hope that I can also be that for the greener combinations coming.”
A Filipina who grew up in Malaysia and became an American three years ago, Ellesse explained why she chose the U.S. for her nationality. The 34-year-old rider said, ” I wanted to be in a team, or in a country, in a sport that really supported the riders, provided opportunities for the riders, and were excited for the riders.
“And, for example, there’s a national championship providing this opportunity and this stage and this atmosphere, it was never provided to me before. I think to become the best rider and the best team and have the best horses, these opportunities have to be part of it and that was a big factor for me when I made the switch. I knew I wanted to be better than I was, and I think the U.S. offers those opportunities.”
The evening was punctuated by thunderstorms that caused delays in the competition. Most affected was Meagan Davis and her Toronto Lightfoot, who had to be warmed up, put away warmed up, put away and finally warmed up to actually compete.
“I was not sure what was going to happen when I tacked him up the third time within a couple hours,” recounted Meagan, who finished third overall.
“But we walked to the warm-up ring, and he was like, ‘Okay, we can do this again.’ For a horse to warm up 20 minutes twice, and then to come out, warm up a third time, 20 minutes, and go in and do a test as well as he did just shows how much heart and stamina he has, and how he loves to perform. I was almost in tears at the end of my ride. It was the first time we’ve done that freestyle, so it was a lot of fun.
Everyone’s choice of music was interesting. Meagan rode to a medley of the Rolling Stones.
Meagan Davis and Toronto Lightfoot.
Ashley Holzer, reserve national champion on Hawtins San Floriana, chose “Coming to America,” thinking of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the fact that she is an immigrant (from Canada). The 62-year-old Olympian was overjoyed with the performance of her mare. And the best part?
“That I’m still here doing it. It’s pretty special to me.”
Ashley Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana.
Ellesse rode to dramatic music put together by Dressage & Music, who also arranged Meagan’s theme.
“For my music,” she said, “they named it, ‘Never Give Up.’ All the music had something special to myself, my husband, my family, and it really reminds about not giving up, both with the horse, but also my husband’s situation (he has been ill.
“It really reminds that we can’t ever give up and we fight every day, no matter what, and we show up, and we’re here for it. So it’s very special to us.”
Defending national Grand Prix champion Christian Simonson won the freestyle with his number two mount, Fleau de Baian, but it wasn’t enough for him to retain the title. He finished fourth in the championships after scratching Indian Rock, on whom he was second last month in the Zen Elite FEI World Cup Finals.
Christian Simonson and Fleau de Baian, winner of the freestyle
He and Rocky had a few mishaps, including a rider error, in the Grand Prix Special. His trainer, Adrienne Lyle, said the horse already had “done a number of freestyles this year. Our intention was that we needed to do a Special and then look forward to the future. It would have been selfish for us to say he’s got to go again because we had a little bobble here and there. He’s done enough this season.”
Click here for freestyle results Click this link for national championships results
by Nancy Jaffer | May 16, 2026
After the first two competitions, results of the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Grand Prix Dressage National Championships didn’t offer much optimism for how the riders would fare at the world championships in August.
In the Grand Prix, only three broke 70 percent in their scoring. In the Special, that was down to one — Ellesse Gundersen with Quintessential 4 — and she’s not even a candidate for the world championships.
But pessimism has no place in the DNA of U.S. Technical Advisor/Chef d’Equipe Christine Traurig.
The World Championships this year aren’t the end game — the U.S. is focused on the 2028 Olympics at home in Los Angeles. Happily, as the home team, the U.S. doesn’t have to qualify for those Games, but medals are the goal there. And before that, there are the Pan American Games next year.
Since the competition doesn’t include the likes of Germany, Belgium, Britain, etc., it’s not as tough as the other major goals, but it is a chance for horse/rider combinations to prove themselves on a big stage and show their potential.
In the meantime, Christine is doubling down on her determination.
“I always look at it this way,” she said.
“Roll up your sleeves, tell them to step it up. It comes down to keep at it; good training, good riding leads to good performance.”
When it comes time for riders to discuss their performances with Christine, “There’s explanations, no excuses,” she told me.
I often mention how impressive Christine was in clinching a bronze medal for the U.S. at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Even before she rode, the Danes already were getting ready to collect the bronze. But her gritty performance clinched the honors for the U.S. and all the Danes could do was untack their horses and go home.
She retains the same brand of determination in preparing the riders.
Christine Traurig was instrumental in the development of Ellesse Gundersen and Quintessential 4, the new U.S. Grand Prix champion combination.
“I think right now with the combinations we choose to go to Europe, they will really say `Okay, we’ve got to train, we’ve got to practice, we’ve got to perform. It’s always like that once the riders go to Europe . They say, `We better straighten up,” Christine observed.
There will be “more of that, I think as we go towards LA, but it also has to happen at home.
“We need to train, we need to produce more horses and not always look to the handful, because things can go wrong.”
A case in point is what happened to defending national champion Christian Simonson and Indian Rock in the Special, where they produced a subpar test that also included a rider error.
“When we only have a few, the ones in that group of the few can also get a little complacent. So within our country, we need to build competition.
I think we have to up our game in the training and develop a bigger group of horses.”
In addition to “the coaching of the riders and training of the riders, we have to look at all aspects of developing horses. We cannot just say, `That’s a good rider, that’s a good horse’ and then see what happens We have to step up our game,” Christine advised.
Christine Traurig
While she expects a great deal from others, she also has a big responsibility.
“I look critically at myself. Do I need to be more clear, do I have to be more firm, does the conversation have to be a little more in depth? For myself, I have to have a strategy, a format, an approach, so the outcome is productive.”
Ellesse and Quintessential 4 are an example of what Christine’s involvement can produce.
“When the horse was nine years old doing the Grand Prix, Christine was a big part in helping me kind of shape the direction to take him,” Ellesse said. “I’ve followed that very carefully for the last three years now, and she wasn’t wrong,” said Gundersen.
“I trust her guidance completely, and like she said, you’re building the team for more than just one event. LA28 is really important. Pan Americans are very important. We need to have a strong presence in all championships.”
While she felt it was too soon for her and her homebred mount to compete at the world championships, she is hoping to gain experience by being among the eight or so riders who will show in Europe before the title meet.
In talking about what needs to happen for U.S. riders to excel on the world stage, Christine mentioned there also is the growing awareness of how to handle social license to operate that must be taken very seriously.
“It’s not only about the movements in the test, it is also that they are very aware of what, nowadays in the sport — after the sport has been under such scrutiny — do the judges want to see?
“The judges are under as much pressure as we as coaches trainers and riders are. We are still in the period of transitioning from what was and what is now, (what) it is going to be and has to be. When the judges are out there, they are being tough. This is what we have look for in order to keep the sport loved and popular.”
Here is Christine’s answer to that: “A horse that is through and gymnasticized. It is adjustable and flexible, uses his body and uses his topline, therefore can create the right amount of energy from the hind quarters. That is not necessarily accomplished by numerous repetitions of exercise for the test. it is the basic work that is just as important.”
Saturday night was the final class of the championship, the Grand Prix Freestyle, but Indian Rock was withdrawn from the start list after his uncharacteristically uneven Special. Christian was still part of the Freestyle, but with his other mount, Fleau de Baian, who won the class. But in the overall standings, he finished fourth, while Ellesse took the title.
Also scratched from the freestyle were Kasey Perry-Glass (Heartbeat WP) and Genay Vaughn (Gino), thirteenth and fourteenth respectively in the Special. Tina Konyot did not break 60 percent in the Special with Grover and thus did not qualify for the Freestyle.
Marcus Orlob, who was the top qualifier for the championships with Jane, was not entered, as the mare was recovering from an injury.
Click here for freestyle results
by Nancy Jaffer | May 15, 2026
The consistency of Ellesse Gundersen and her homebred Quintessential 4 was the good news at the U.S. Equestrian Federation Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, as they moved up from second place in Wednesday’s Grand Prix to first in Friday’s Grand Prix Special.
“I think now he’s showing that he’s very consistent and we know what we’re going to have when we go in the ring. And today, I had the same feeling as I did Wednesday, which was a great feeling,” said Ellesse, whose ride at the World Equestrian Center Ocala was marked at 70.042 percent.
And now for the bad news: the championship is being held to select eight or so riders who will go to Europe for competition in Germany prior to August’s world championships at Aachen. But while Ellesse may well be selected to make the trip abroad, it will only be for mileage. She didn’t apply to be a candidate for the world championships themselves, so she can’t be selected for the U.S. team, no matter how good her scores are when she competes abroad.
Explaining why she didn’t apply, Ellesse noted that she and the horse are both young (age 34 and 12 respectively) saying, “I know we have some very strong combinations that are a little bit more mature than both myself and the horse together. They have a lot of experience, and I think it would be unfair a little bit to throw myself and the horse into such a big event for our first tour in Europe. We have not toured Europe yet together. I think it’s right to let him have a year of touring, without such a big goal, and then continue on to have a very successful horse in the future. He’s only 12, and I’m still young. I hope that we will be a part of the team in the future and be a very strong part of the team.”
It should be noted, however, that she was the only competitor to break 70 percent in the Special, while she was one of three who hit that mark in the Grand Prix.
Here’s more bad news. Christian Simonson, the top-ranked American in the international standings, dropped from first in the Grand Prix to sixth in the special after several mishaps with Indian Rock.
Rocky appeared to be in a mood, bucking once before entering the arena. Then he kicked out in his first piaffe, earning four scores of 4 and one 2. Ouch.
And instead of going into the canter half-pass, Christian started tempi changes as someone in the audience yelled out to him and the bell rang, so he circled, went into the half-pass and was charged with a deduction for the error by the three foreign judges and two U.S. officials.
The mistakes were costly, putting Rocky on 68.532 percent.
Discussing the situation, Christian cited “miscommunication” between himself and his horse, though he noted of the mistake in the half-passes ,”that was just me.”
He added, “Throughout the whole test, I could have done more to get him in better balance.”
He had only done one Special with Rocky, and that was last year. Christian lacked the required Special in order to qualify for the championship, so he was added as a wild card.
He elaborated about the mistakes, “You can have off days. I think there were moments where I probably could have done better as a rider to like prep Rocky in certain positions. I think Rocky also just didn’t have the over-the-topline, pushing power and balance in certain spots that are pretty normal.
“That’s why we had the mistake in the ones today. Upon reflection, it’s a score and it’s lower than normal, but is it bad? I don’t know, because I’ve learned a lot already. That for me is like a huge win, and I’m actually very, very grateful for it. So that’s kind of my rumination and thoughts of today so far. And I think I’ll go back and watch more and understand how I can improve.”
He added, “Throughout the whole test, I could have done more to get him in better balance.” He had only done one Special with Rocky, and that was last year. He lacked the required Special in order to qualify for the championship, so he was added as a wild card.
Christian did finish second with his other mount, Fleau de Baian (like Rocky, a Dutch warmblood owned by Zen Elite Equestrian), nudging 70 percent with a mark of 69.808.
Christian Simonson and Felix.
Saying he was “super proud of him,” Christian noted about Felix, “Throughout the whole test today, he was unbelievably honest. Every step, I felt like he was with me today. The extensions were super fun. I saw his whole front leg during the extensions, and I was like, ‘Oh, cool!’ I’m really proud of him today. He was a super, super good horse.”
Third place went to Jodie Kelly-Baxley on another Dutch warmblood, Grayton Beach, who is by Negro. She was thrilled with her mark of 69.234 on the horse she has trained since he was three, putting in 11 years with him.
“I’ve been blessed that I brought a couple of young horses all the way through the Grand Prix,” she said.
“I have a little more experience under my belt now. I get them as young horses because, well, I own him myself and it’s what I could afford. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I really love that. He and I are our best friends also.
Grayton Beach and Jodie Kelly-Baxley.
“I drag him around with me everywhere. If he’s on the trailer, I’m driving the truck, and that’s the only way it’s ever been. He goes for trail rides once a week and I always trailer him, and we go for the gallops in the fields. We do all the things together. I think that brings the trust down centerline.”
click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | May 13, 2026
Of course Christian Simonson and Indian Rock won big on the first day of the U.S. Equestrian Federation Grand Prix Dressage National Championship.
What else would you expect from the defending national champion and Rocky, who were second in the Zen Elite FEI World Cup Finals last month? And don’t forget that at age 23 — while still eligible for U25 competition — Christian is the top-ranked American on the global standings in seventh place.
On Wednesday, Christian and Rocky marched with authority into the Grand Arena at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, and just took over. With a score of 75.196 percent for the Grand Prix, Christian was nearly five marks ahead of runner-up Ellesse Gunderson on Quintessential 4, who earned 70.348.
The only other entry to be judged at more than 70 percent was third-place Meagan Davis on Toronto Lightfoot. She was delighted with her test, telling her horse loudly enough to be heard in the stands, “What a good boy!” as she walked out of the arena. Her total was 70.065 percent.
Meagan Davis, Christian Simonson, Ellesse Gunderson
Rocky, part of the Dutch Olympic team in 2024 with Emmelie Scholtens in the saddle, became Christian’s partner in 2025, after the stallion was purchased by Zen Elite.
Although the two made their international competitive debut as a combination at WEC last May, the Grand Prix was the first time they had ventured into the Grand Arena, with its imposing pillared backdrop of the Equestrian Hotel. Aside from the World Cup, they have won every outing.
“It’s quite surreal to see a massive hotel as you’re coming down a diagonal, and the stadium itself is so large,” Christian recounted as he discussed his test on the handsome Dutchbred.
“It feels very grandiose, and it’s really fun. I think the venue here as a whole also is just so well designed for the stabling and all the bits in between. To be here is also quite cool.”
Asked about the high points of his performance, he said, “I think the piaffe/passage tour is what I was really, really proud about today. Adrienne (Lyle), my coach who guides me each step of the way, we had a specific game plan for today, and Rocky really understood what exactly we were trying to do and just gave such an amazing feeling. To have Adrienne’s guidance through each step while we get ready for a championship feels so special.”
This is the first time in 12 years that the national Grand Prix championship has been a stand-alone. The USEF dressage championships are held in a group in Illinois each summer, but the idea of a separate competition for Grand Prix was designed to help select the competitors who will be sent to Europe to prepare for August’s world championships in Aachen, Germany.
Having the Grand Prix championship on its own “makes a lot of sense, particularly in a team selection year,” said Adrienne, an Olympian who rode in that 2014 Festival of Champions at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone, N.J.
“The timing of our other national championships just makes it so you’re not going to have the top combinations going there. So it makes a lot of sense, especially from a team selection point of view. It definitely changes the strategy because it’s early in the season. So it’s not like you’re going to have all season to build toward a championship.
“But in a year when the world championships are in August, you need to be `built’ by now. It’s really important for people to go head-to-head; our country is so big it’s too hard to compare apples to oranges otherwise. Everyone’s under the same pressure here.”
The 16 riders participating had to earn their way to this championship by fulfilling qualification requirements. While Christian didn’t have a Grand Prix Special to his credit during the qualification period, he got acceptance as a wild card. How could you send a team to Germany without Christian?
He and Rocky have developed a deep relationship in a relatively short time. They’re more than just pals.
“I feel like I get to be so present with him and each moment it feels like a constant communication back and forth,” he mused.
“I’m like, ‘Hey, let’s do this,’ and he says, ‘Okay, I want to go here.’ We kind of talk back and forth to each other during the test. It does feel like when we compete, I don’t have to really worry about anything else. I could just have an honest conversation and dance with him.”
Rocky got an appreciative kiss from his rider after their performance.
Christian added, “For me, he feels like a horse that would go through fire for me. I wouldn’t ask him to, but that’s just really how he feels. He’s just unbelievable.”
Ellesse, world number 84 in the rankings, is a Filipina who grew up in Malaysia and now rides for the U.S. But what makes her situation really unusual is the fact that Quintessential, or Q as he is known, is a homebred, not a purchase from Europe. She was there when he was foaled. Her history with the son of Quaterback 6 in effect goes even further back. When she was competing in Young Riders, she rode his dam, Corlette, whose bloodlines go back to Cordoba.
Ellesse Gundersen and Quintessential 4
“To really see him come all the way to being one of the best here, I think it means a lot. It’s been amazing, the journey we’ve taken. And then to be up here, he’s just getting better and better. I think that’s a huge win in my heart,” she said of her Hanoverian.
When Q was in the early stages of training, her husband, Henrik Gundersen said “He’d make a really nice hunter.” She short-circuited that in a hurry.
Meagan noted her horse came into the ring “with a little extra exuberance, jumping three feet over the entry. I’m not sure what happened.”
Meagan Davis and Toronto Lightfoot.
She observed that after the momentary lapse from the Oldenburg by Totilas, “he just settled right in and did his job and answered all of my questions. He was a true partner today, and that’s what has really built our relationship, is the partnership we have together, and I can show off our trust we have in each other.”
Missing from the line-up is Alice Tarjan’s Jane, the horse who finished at the top of the qualification. The mare, ridden by Marcus Orlob in the 2024 Olympics, is recovering from an injury.
The competition continues Friday with the Grand Prix Special. Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | May 10, 2026
Great Britain’s great horse and rider combination, Lordships Graffalo and Ros Canter, held their lead from dressage through cross-country and Sunday’s show jumping at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials, adding a mere two time penalties to their original score of 23.7. They became the sole combination to have won the event three times, also logging victories in 2023 and 2025.
“Amazing “is the only word to describe it in the long history of Badminton, which began in 1949.
The winner in the iconic Badminton setting.
Ros and the 14-year-old son of Grafenstolz finished 8.2 penalties ahead of New Zealand’s Tim Price and Falco, who had put in a fault-free show jumping round to move up from a fifth-place tie after cross-country. The scoring differential meant Ros could have had two knockdowns in the final phase. But of course, Walter, as her British Sport Horse is called affectionately, didn’t consider toppling a rail on the route set by Kelvin Bywater.
“He jumped his socks off in there today,” said Ros.
Ros and Waler had the crowd with them as they delivered a round free of jumping penalties.
“I knew my plan and can’t thank everybody enough for all they put in to help me . It takes an army to do this. People say, `You’ve trained him well,’ ” but she insisted, “he really does make my life easy. He loves it and looks and feels a million dollars.”
A knockdown and 0.8 time penalties dropped another British rider, world number one Harry Meade, from second to third with Annaghmor Valoner. He still is waiting to win his first 5-star.
Harry called Ros and Walter winning Badminton three times “staggering. It doesn’t happen in our sport.” Especially considering that it’s less than four months since Ros gave birth to her daughter, Seneh — and was pregnant when she won Burghley last September.
On Mother’s Day (in the U.S., but not the UK) Harry pointed out the fact that “she’s a recent mother and she’s done it with all the excitement and challenges and family life that go with it, it’s outstanding.”
As Harry mentioned, “it is so difficult to get a horse to the start line,” noting from those who were prospects last December, “30 to 50 percent don’t even reach there.
So then, “To go through the whole week and just deliver not only well enough to win, but do it in the style every single time, it doesn’t just happen.”
While “Ros is always wonderful at crediting Walter,” Harry continued, “her technical capability and coolness under pressure means their achievement will stand the test of time, not just for Walter, but for her as an extraordinary achievement.”
Ros Canter and baby seneh.
Tim, who is still recovering from a broken collarbone he suffered in a fall with a bicycle earlier this spring, called Falco “a fantastic little horse. It’s all about his head and his heart. If he’s enjoying himself he gives me everything he’s got to give.”
To start on Eric Winter’s cross-country course on a Badminton first-timer 17-year-old slight make-believe event horse was a little bit nerve-wracking. He just dealt with the course so well. It was such a joy.”
Ros still is processing the fact that she and Walter achieved a three-peat. Once she can get her mind around it, she said, “It will be incredible.”
But Ros had a word of encouragement for aspiring eventers who don’t think they can reach their own pinnacle. She recollected when she was starting out in the juniors, “I really wasn’t very good.”
At the national championships, she was second going into show jumping, but so nervous there, “I couldn’t cope with pressure. at all” and sank to the bottom of the standings after a wipe-out in the triple combination.
This horsewoman has come a long way, but the lesson she wanted to impart is that “you can learn to be good under pressure. It’s not just about learning to ride well, it’s all the other things that go with it.” So for those who are following a dream to compete and win, she advised, “it is possible.”
Cosby Green was the top American in the standings, finishing twenty-second with no jumping faults and just 0.4 time penalties on Jos UFO de Quidam.
The only other U.S. rider to complete the event from four American starters was Tiana Coudray on Cancaras Girl. She had two rails and 1.4 time penalties to wind up fortieth, last of those who finished. But there were plenty who didin’t complete, since the original field numbered 61.
Click here for results
Click here to read the cross-country article or click on the second feature on this site’s main page
