At just 23 years old, Christian Simonson is still well inside the eligibility window for under-25 competition. However, he blasted to the top of the leaderboard during the first Friday Night Stars evening of freestyle competition at the 2026 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL. With a new personal best in the IDA Development FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle, he also booked his place to the World Cup™ Final, set for April in Fort Worth, Texas.

Photo – Christian Simonson & Indian Rock. (©Centre Line Media)

He and the powerhouse Indian Rock danced their way to a dazzling 81.445% victory in front of packed grandstands and sold out International Club during Lloyd Landkamer Memorial week, the first week of the 12-week AGDF circuit. Simonson only began his international career with the 13-year-old Apache x Vivaldi stallion owned by Heidi Humphries of Zen Elite Equestrian in May 2025, and they remain unbeaten in eight starts together.

All-American

It was an all-American podium, with Geñay Vaughn and her mother Michelle Vaughn’s 15-year-old Bretton Woods gelding, Gino—last to go in the starting line-up of eight—claiming second place with 75.79%. It was a night for personal bests, with Ashley Holzer pulling off another for her 75.01% performance on her own and Diane Fellows’ 14-year-old San Amour mare, Hawtins San Floriana.

The class doubled as a qualifier for the US Equestrian Open of Dressage, now in its second season. This year it features 24 qualifiers—seven of which are held at AGDF—before the final in California in November. Simonson now sits atop the standings with 40 points, and Vaughn is second with 30.

For Simonson, the chance to ride under the lights at AGDF, to his Joost Peters music medley from the Rocky films, was a dream fulfilled.

“At the end of the test I was shaking my head in absolute disbelief,” said Simonson, who trains with three-time U.S. 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. So, on that last centre line, I was just thinking, ‘Whoa, this is me doing this with the Indian Rock. I can’t believe it.’ It’s weird having a childhood dream come true in real time; this whole show has been surreal.”

Strong Bond

Simonson credits the “hours and hours a day” he spends with “Rocky” for the strong bond they have forged. Their stellar performances have set them up nicely not only for the World Cup™ Final, but for a shot at a team spot at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, in August.

“I am so lucky to ride this special horse,” added Simonson, whose groom Marina Lemay was awarded the groom’s award, presented by The Horse of Course. “Hopefully I made Adrienne proud. Rocky will have a rest now, because he really deserves it. Then, we’ll build up again.”

Two new awards have been introduced for ADGF 2026. Simonson is the early leader in the new Leading International Freestyle Rider standings, presented by Stillpoint Dressage. Vaughn earned the Leading Lady Freestyle Rider Award, sponsored by Frank & Eileen, a weekly presentation.

Vaughn’s trip from her California base proved fruitful, with more valuable World Cup™ and US Open points accrued with Gino. Like Simonson, she was also riding in her first Friday Night Stars.

Amazing Atmosphere

“We drove for four days and arrived on Christmas,” she 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 Summers, 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.”

Holzer also used punchy music, this time with a patriotic theme, to secure her podium finish on Hawtins San Floriana.

“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. She’s a hot mare with a lot of energy, and I was happy to feel her joyful in the ring.”

Click here for full results from the IDA Development FEI World Cup™ Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle.

Video ©Richards Equine Video