Christian Simonson is the 2025 U.S Under 25 and Grand Prix Champion

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2025 U.S. Dressage Championships

-- USEF press release, edited by Eurodressage

Christian Simonson pulled a historic feat as he won the Under 25 and Senior Grand Prix division at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Championships held at Lamplight equestrian center in Wayne, ILL, on 18 - 24 August 2025.

The 22-year old is the youngest rider ever to win the national senior Grand Prix title. This is also his second, consecutive Under 25 title, having won gold last year on the now sold horse, Son of a Lady.

Senior Grand Prix: Indian Rock On Top

The U.S. Grand Prix Championships is usually quite a lack lustre event as none of the A-squad/ elite high performance riders make the effort to travel their horses to Illinois. This year it was no different with none of the U.S. Olympic team riders of 2024, or 2022 WEG team riders there with horses. Olympian Adrienne Lyle, however, took over the coaching role and sent two of her students in the Grand Prix division, a field with only six (!!) riders in total.

Christian Simonson (originally from Ventura, Calif. but based in Florida and Colorado throughout the year) rode Indian Rock, a 2013 KWPN stallion (Apache x Crisjena), owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center, to the title with an average of 74.393%. He won unopposed by scoring 73.783% in the Grand Prix, 73.191% in the Special and 79.430% in the Kur

For Simonson, the moment was nothing short of surreal. “It’s been amazing, and like a true childhood dream come true,” he shared. “I think I’ve watched this show for I don’t even know how many years now and being able to compete here, with him of all horses, at a senior championship, I just have to pinch myself. To be given this opportunity from Zen Elite Equestrian Center is just unbelievable. I’m so grateful to them.”

The partnership between Simonson and Indian Rock, known around the barn as “Rocky,” is still relatively new, which makes this victory even more meaningful. “To come here with him, and to already feel this kind of connection in the ring, it’s something really special,” he said.

Meagan Davis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Toronto Lightfoot, a 2013 Oldenburg gelding (Totilas out of Okima Lightfoot), owned by Scott Durkin, captured the Reserve Champion title with a score of 68.711%, marking a major milestone in their partnership. “It was a huge goal of mine. Last year at this time we did our fifth Grand Prix ever,” Davis said. “It was just a huge accomplishment to get here at this point a year later, and then to win Reserve Champion was icing on the cake.” Davis shared that the highlight of their freestyle came during the one-tempis: “The second line of one-tempis, I got all 15 in, and I was like, ‘Okay, now we're ready to roll.’”

At home, Toronto Lightfoot, fondly called “TT,” has just as much charm as he does talent. “Toronto is a sweetheart. He loves bananas, so I actually have banana keychains on things, it’s a running theme,” she said with a smile. “He tries super hard, and we got him three years ago when he was in Prix St. Georges. We moved him up to I-2 and then bumped him up to Grand Prix. I just think that shows his talent and willingness to be a partner.”

Karen Lipp (Ball Ground, Ga.) guided Infinity, her own 2013 KWPN gelding (Dream Boy out of Ultraster) to round out the top three with a score of 68.064%. In addition to her top three finish, Lipp was honored with the Soft Hands Award, presented by Neue Schule, which recognizes exceptional harmony and lightness in the rider’s contact. She was presented with a sash and a Neue Schule saddle pad in celebration of her achievement.

Under 25: Simonson Takes Two

Christian Simonson added a second national title to his record by winning the Under 25 Championship aboard Fleau de Baian, finishing on a cumulative score of 69.528%. The pair delivered a strong performance highlighted by expressive canter work and powerful piaffe-passage transitions to secure the championship.

Fleau de Baian, a 2010 KWPN stallion (Jazz x Ulft), owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center, is a full brother to the legendary Parzival. Simonson affectionately calls him “Felix,” and describes him as the perfect partner. “He’s just like his brother Rocky. He would go through fire for you,” Simonson shared. “It’s the most amazing feeling. I remember when I first sat on him, I thought, wow, this horse would just give you everything. And he really proved that this weekend.”

Their freestyle sealed the win with a final centerline that Simonson called one of his best moments of the competition. “That last centerline with the double fan each way—I’ve been really trying all week with both my boys to mentally click into that spot in the piaffe-passage. Today it just clicked. It felt like I had already won, no matter the score.”

Simonson and Fleau de Baian have been a pair since December 2023 but the horse was not competed for a year before the duo showed their partnership in the competition ring.

Caroline Garren and Quantaris, a 2010 Oldenburg gelding (Quarterline out of Super Susi), owned by Oded Shimoni, claimed the Reserve Championship following a polished performance that left them just behind Simonson’s winning score, finishing with a score of 68.101%. “He felt great today,” said Garren. “We had a clean test that I was proud of. A couple of moments could have been a little more collected, but I really enjoyed our music and I’m happy with the choreography we chose for the freestyle.”

Garren, who is preparing to step into the senior Grand Prix ranks, praised both her mount and her support system. “I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to ride Quantaris. He’s such a joy in the barn, he’s super snuggly, and I love that about him. I’m grateful to Oded for believing in me, developing me as a rider, and giving me these opportunities. Doing the Brentina Cup this season has been wonderful preparation for the senior level, and I feel so lucky to have people investing their time and energy in my growth as a rider.”

Josh Albrecht (Oroville, Calif.) and Goldenboy Vickenburgh (by Apache x Olivi), Coalcyn Equestrian LLC’s 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding, finished third with an overall score of 67.753%