Christian Simonson, 2021 Recipient of Fiona Baan Memorial Trophy

Thu, 09/09/2021 - 10:52
U.S.A.
Roberta Williams a,d young rider Christian Simonson with the Fiona Baan trophy at the 2021 North American Youth Championships :: Photo © USEF

The United States Dressage Federation announced that Region 7 Young Rider, Christian Simonson, of Ventura, CA, and his nine-year-old, Danish Warmblood gelding, Zeaball Diawind, were awarded the Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy at the North American Youth Dressage Championships, held during the 2021 North American Youth Championships.

This trophy, which is on permanent display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, is awarded to the Young Rider who earns the highest combined average score in the three dressage tests: FEI Young Rider Team, Individual, and Freestyle. Simonson placed first in the team, individual, and freestyle tests, with scores of 73.588%, 75.353%, and 78.935% respectively, securing the win with an overall combined average of 75.959%.

The “Pursuit of Excellence” is the legacy Fiona Baan left to all FEI Young Riders, and indeed, to everyone who ever knew or worked with her. For nearly 30 years, Ms. Baan worked tirelessly with great dedication to the United States Equestrian Team (USET). She was U.S. Dressage Team Leader for the 1976 Olympics Bronze Medal team, the 1987 Pan Am Games, and for the bronze medal dressage team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

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