Aachen, Germany – Christian Simonson (Ventura, Calif.) bid farewell to the 2026 FEI Dressage World Championships Aachen, riding Fleau de Baian in the Grand Prix Special for The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team. The FEI Dressage World Championships are hosted in Aachen, Germany, from August 11-15, 2026.
Simonson, 23, posted a score of 68.456 percent after a mistake in the order of the Grand Prix Special movements resulted in an error mark. Despite the score, Simonson spoke about the overall performance of “Felix,” a 2010 KWPN stallion (Broere Jazz x Ulft), with pride.
“He felt amazing in the ring today—with me at each step—and the passage and the extension work I was so happy with,” he said of Fleau de Baian, owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center and cared for by Georgia Morgan. “I had a cheeky little mistake coming into the first half-passes where I did some changes thinking I was still in the Grand Prix test.
“It's been an amazing journey,” continued Simonson with his signature positive attitude. “I feel very grateful to learn and grow while continuing my career. This was an example of that today; I’m very happy to be here and happy with today.”
Simonson took over the reins on Fleau de Baian in late 2023 from Adelinde Cornelissen, who also rode Fleau De Baian’s full brother Parzival at two Olympic Games. Big goals were set for the stallion, but a World Championship appearance was a dream that started early in Simonson’s career.
Reflecting on the debut experience, Simonson concluded by saying, “I get to ride horses professionally at the biggest stages in the world. Whether it's a good day or a bad day, or somewhere in between, I can’t believe I get to do this and follow this passion.”
Final Results
Team | Individual
Competition Information
The 2026 FEI Dressage World Championships will be a pinnacle of international dressage competition this season and hosted during the first week of the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany. Competition is set to begin on Tuesday, August 11, with the first day of FEI Grand Prix team competition starting at 8:00 a.m. GMT+2/2:00 a.m. ET. The second day of FEI Grand Prix competition to determine team medals will begin at 8:00 a.m. GMT+2/2:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, August 12. Dressage competition will get back underway in the Main Stadium at Aachen on August 14, with the start of the FEI Grand Prix Special for individual medals, starting at 10:50 a.m. GMT+2/4:50 a.m. ET. The final day of competition, the highlight FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, will determine individual medals and is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. GMT+2/1:00 p.m. ET under the lights in the main stadium to conclude dressage competition.
Schedule | Watch | Results | US Equestrian’s Content Hub
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