Ocala, Fla. – Ellesse Gundersen and Quintessential 4 were crowned national champions under the lights at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) on Saturday, May 17, 2026, after finishing atop the overall leaderboard of the US Equestrian (USEF) Grand Prix Dressage National Championship following three days of competition. The pair concluded their week with a score of 76.055% in the Grand Prix Freestyle to secure their title on a final combined championship score of 71.082%. Ashley Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana finished as Reserve National Champions with an overall total of 70.350%, while Meagan Davis and Toronto Lightfoot rounded out the podium with overall third place. Christian Simonson and Fleau de Baian led the class in the Grand Prix Freestyle with an impressive score of 76.240%.

The 2026 USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship saw 16 total combinations start at the beginning of the week, with the overall champion determined by a calculation of their scores throughout the week, with the Grand Prix counting for 45% of their overall total, 40% for the Grand Prix Special, and the Grand Prix Freestyle earning them the final 15% of their score.

Ellesse Gundersen (Wellington, Fla.) and Quintessential 4 have marked a career-defining week at WEC during these championships, securing three consecutive podium finishes, including two wins across the three days of competition. Gundersen, who developed “Q” herself, was thrilled with the duo’s ability to produce consistency and precision throughout the week, which resulted in three personal best scores at the level.

“He showed, again, that he was reliable, and he was meant to be here,” said Gundersen of the 2014 Hanoverian gelding (Quaterback x Cordoba) owned by Ellesse Gundersen, Marcia Radosevich, and Henrik Gundersen and cared for by Kelsi O’Hara. “I'm really over the moon about it. 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.”

The pair has drawn positive attention from the judges, spectators, and their peers for their harmonious picture and poise throughout their performances. Today’s freestyle highlighted Q’s strengths, including his extended movements and fluidity of transition between collected and extended work.

“My music is named ‘Never Give Up,’” said Gundersen. “It really reminds us 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. It's very special to us.”

As the pair continues their journey together, aiming for more major moments and gaining experience internationally is high up on their to-do list as they look ahead with great aspirations in the next two years.

She noted, “I think the U.S. has a great plan in place for us, and they're on the same page as me on how we can further develop myself and the horse and the future of U.S. dressage.”

Ashley Holzer (Wellington, Fla.) and Hawtins San Floriana, a 2012 British Hanoverian mare (San Amour I x Florestan I) owned by Diane Fellows and Ashley Holzer and cared for by Ali Conti, earned a 75.355% from the judging panel in their freestyle, to ultimately take reserve champion honors and mark another milestone step in the pair’s partnership together.

“She's worked very hard,” commented Holzer. “We knew that I had to get her acclimated to events that had a lot of atmosphere. She just kept improving, and now she walks to the ring, happy as a clam. I pick up the reins, she knows it's her job, and she goes off and does it. I've had a lot of horses in my life, and I know when they want to go down that centerline and do the job for you. It is remarkable, and we have to cherish that.”

Holzer noted that it has taken time to build trust with Hawtins San Floriana, but they’ve continued to form a stronger bond this season, which is reflecting in their performances in the ring.

“It was a very tricky adjustment for me,” acknowledged Holzer. “I had a very difficult time when I first had her, and we just spent a lot of time becoming partners. It's an amazing feeling to have a horse that you know is always going to be dependable. When you win over that trust, they really want to do it for you. I think that has been more and more obvious to me during this entire season.”

Aboard Toronto Lightfoot, Meagan Davis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) rounded out the top three combinations in the overall standings after a solid freestyle pushed them just ahead of Simonson and Fleau de Baian. The duo received a 74.390% from the panel for their freestyle, which earned them a final total championship score of 70.016%.
 

Davis ended up going last in the class due to rain delays, but she took it all in stride, as did her horse. “To 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,” she said of the 2013 Oldenburg gelding (Totilas x Onassis) owned by Scott Durkin and cared for by Bill Davis.

“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,” she expressed.

Christian Simonson (Ventura, Calif.) and Fleau de Baian, a 2010 KWPN stallion (Broere Jazz x Ulft) owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center and cared for by Marina Lemay, won the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, earning a class-high score of 76.240%. The duo finished fourth overall in the championship standings.

Jordan LaPlaca (Ledyard, Conn.), and Gold Play, a 2015 Oldenburg gelding (Grey Flanell x Sir Donnerhall II) owned by Nancy Hutson and cared for by Caitlin LaPlaca, earned fifth place, just ahead of Jodie Kelly-Baxley (Destin, Fla.) and Grayton Beach, a 2011 KWPN gelding (Negro x UB 40), who rounded out the top six finishers in the 2026 USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship.

The USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Champion receives a $150 gift certificate from LeMieux, $150 gift certificate from Horseware Ireland, and $100 from SmartPak, while the Reserve National Champion received a $150 gift certificate from LeMieux, $150 from Horseware Ireland, and $75 from SmartPak. 

National Championship Grand Prix Freestyle Results

Overall 2026 USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship Results

Full National Championship Results and Ride Times

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