Young American rider achieves childhood dream with stunning freestyle performance in Wellington
Christian Simonson made his Friday Night Stars debut one to remember, scoring a career-best 81.445% with Indian Rock in the IDA Development FEI World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida.
The 23-year-old American and the powerhouse 13-year-old Apache x Vivaldi stallion danced their way to victory in front of packed grandstands and a sold-out International Club during Lloyd Landkamer Memorial week, the opening week of the 12-week AGDF circuit.
The performance, set to a Joost Peters music medley from the Rocky films, secured Simonson’s qualification for the World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas, in April, and put him atop the standings for the US Equestrian Open of Dressage with 40 points.
“At the end of the test I was shaking my head in absolute disbelief,” said Simonson, who trains with three-time US Olympian Adrienne Lyle. “Since I started riding, I’ve been coming to this show and always hoped that one day I could do Friday Night Stars because it’s the epitome of amazing dressage freestyles in Florida.”
An unbeaten partnership
Simonson only began his international career with Indian Rock, owned by Heidi Humphries of Zen Elite Equestrian, in May 2025. The pair have remained unbeaten in eight starts together, building a remarkable record in less than a year.
“I am so lucky to ride this special horse,” Simonson said. “Hopefully I made Adrienne proud. Rocky will have a rest now, because he really deserves it. Then, we’ll build up again.”
The young rider credits the strong bond they’ve forged to the “hours and hours a day” he spends with “Rocky.” Their stellar performances have positioned them well not only for the World Cup Final but also for a potential team spot at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, in August.
All-American podium
It was a night of personal bests, with an all-American podium celebrating home talent. Geñay Vaughn and her mother Michelle Vaughn’s 15-year-old Bretton Woods gelding Gino claimed second place with 75.79%, whilst Ashley Holzer scored 75.01% on Hawtins San Floriana for third.
For Vaughn, riding last in the starting line-up of eight, the trip from her California base proved fruitful. Like Simonson, she was competing in her first Friday Night Stars.
“We drove for four days and arrived on Christmas,” Vaughn said. “The atmosphere here is amazing and I was really thankful that I got to take Gino down centre line at Friday Night Stars and experience this. I always have fun with my freestyle music. I used Donna Summer, the Ohio Players, and my dad’s favourite song, Never Too Much by Luther Vandross. It really embodies who I am and the music I grew up on.”
Vaughn now sits second in the US Open standings with 30 points.
Holzer used a patriotic theme with Neil Diamond music for her performance on the hot mare Hawtins San Floriana, owned by Holzer and Diane Fellows.
“I’m an immigrant,” explained Holzer, who rode for Canada at four Olympics before switching codes. “I’m appreciative to be an American, and I think the Neil Diamond music suits her. It felt pretty amazing to feel everything come together in the test and have her trust me a bit more.”
New awards for 2026
Two new awards have been introduced for AGDF 2026. Simonson is the early leader in the new Leading International Freestyle Rider standings, presented by Stillpoint Dressage, whilst Vaughn earned the Leading Lady Freestyle Rider Award, sponsored by Frank & Eileen, a weekly presentation.
Simonson’s groom, Marina Lemay, was also recognised with the groom’s award, presented by The Horse of Course.
Canadian success
Canada’s Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu triumphed in Friday’s daytime CDI1* Intermediate I on her friend and compatriot Jill Irving’s 11-year-old gelding Knight, earning 71.294%. Fellow Canadian Laurence Blais Tétreault placed fourth riding Lennon with 66.618%.
The Adequan Global Dressage Festival continues through 29 March, hosting seven weeks of CDI competition at the world-class Wellington International venue.