Fort Worth, Texas – Christian Simonson and Indian Rock led the way for USA Dressage on the first night of the Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup Final, earning a well-deserved podium finish in the class of 16 entries, after receiving a score of 75.412% from the judging panel. Becky Moody (GBR) and Jagerbomb took the top spot in the class with a score of 76.761%, while Patrik Kittel (SWE) and Touchdown earned third with a 72.869%. The highlight Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup Final Grand Prix Freestyle will close out dressage competition on Saturday, April 11, starting at 7:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. ET.
“He's an amazing horse; he and I really have a partnership and friendship together. We spend a lot of time together grazing and hand walking and having a really good time together,” said Simonson, describing his relationship with Indian Rock. “I'll often go sit with him for hours in the field with him grazing around, and he's just a good, easy boy. I think we do really have that trust together as well.”
In their FEI Dressage World Cup Final debut, Simonson (Ventura, Calif.) and Indian Rock, a 2013 KWPN stallion (Apache x Exquis Vivaldi) owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center and cared for by Marina Lemay, were impressive in the FEI Grand Prix test, earning a near 77% from the judge at M, which was followed by consistent scores above the 74% mark for their work inside the arena. Simonson, who took over the ride on Indian Rock in 2025, discussed how much the pair’s partnership has grown since that time and the incredible feeling the impressive stallion gave in the arena on the first evening of dressage competition at the venue. The pair’s second-place finish also marked the highest placing for a U.S. combination in an FEI Dressage World Cup Final since 2019.
“I just want to have a clean, harmonious test on Saturday. We’ve been working hard on our choreography and making sure the music really suits his gaits. If we can go out there and show everyone what we’re capable of, I’ll be happy regardless of the score. It’s just about enjoying the moment and showing off all the hard work we’ve put in to get here.”
Kevin Kohmann (Wellington, Fla.) and Duenensee, a 2009 Hanoverian gelding (Dancier x Davignon I) owned by Diamante Farms and cared for by German Rodriguez, marked their third consecutive FEI Dressage World Cup Final appearance together, earning a 68.674%, after drawing third in the overall order, to finish ninth at the conclusion of the first day of competition. Ben Ebeling (Wellington, Fla.) and Bellena, a 2010 Hanoverian mare (Belissimo M x Wellfair) owned by Vantage Equestrian Group II LLC, and cared for by Olivia Colella, received a 67.717% for the work in their test, which would place them thirteenth overall. Both combinations will return Saturday with a starting place in the highlight Zen Elite FEI Dressage World Cup Final Grand Prix Freestyle.
Results
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