Susan Pape Wins 5* Freestyle at 2026 CDI Wellington with 81%+ Score

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2026 CDI Wellington

--- GDF press release, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © Lily Forado

Susan Pape (GBR) punched the air with delight as she concluded her foot-perfect Tom Jones-themed test on Harmony’s Giulilanta in the 5* Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2026 CDI Wellington on Friday night 23 January 2026.

Lovsta Interlude

With only six riders in the 5* Kur to Music, the "Friday Night Lights" entertainment at the Global Dressage Festival had to rely on the interesting national Lovsta Future Challenge class for developing Grand Prix horses - held in the international arena - to boost the evening programme and fill the hours.

For dressage lovers, the Lovsta Future Challenge is a super interesting class though and nine out of ten entered riders showed up for the class. It was won by U.S. Olympic team rider Marcus Orlob on Alice Tarjan's Danish bred JJ Glory Day (by Grand Galaxy Win x Deemster) with 72.706%, ahead of Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven who debuted the newly acquired Oldenburg gelding (former licensed stallion) So Perfect (by Sezuan x Sir Donnerhall) with 71.882

**Pape Reigns 5* Tour**

After the Future Challenge, the 5* Freestyle was held and it saw the winner of the Grand Prix, British Susan Pape, reign supreme. As her winning 81.745% personal best score was announced, she cried happy tears in front of the 2000-strong crowd of enthusiastic fans and spectators. The performance marked a watershed moment in Giulilanta’s career. The now 15-year-old suffered a potentially career-ending injury when she was on the brink of stepping up to grand prix. Now, with the World Championships in August on the not-too-distant horizon, the mare is in the form of her life and has the scores to prove it, having also nailed Thursday’s CDI5* Grand Prix with a career high score.

En route to her resounding success, Giulilanta picked up nines for choreography, music and the canter pirouettes, reinforcing the Jazz x Flemmingh daughter’s upward trajectory.

“I wasn’t sure how she was going to cope with the audience because they were very excited,” said Pape, who rides the attractive chestnut for Leslie and John and Malone of Harmony Sporthorses and is based in Germany for most of the year. “But as soon as I started the test, I felt she was with me. We’re a total partnership, and it makes it so very special.

“This horse amazes me every day. Even though she’s already 15, she hasn’t got so much experience under her belt, but it seems that she just gets better and better. I’m so grateful to John and Leslie who let me ride this incredible horse,” added Pape, whose daughter Laura was awarded the groom’s award.

Although Giulilanta is certainly producing the goods now, Pape explained that it was not always smooth sailing.

“We got her when she was six and struggling with learning the flying changes,” she said. “It took her a very long time to make it up to Fourth Level and Prix St. Georges. Now, this is my second season with her at Grand Prix here in Wellington and she’s spicy but incredibly focused.”

Judge at C Sven Rothenberger agreed, saying, “This class was very good promotion for our sport; it’s always a good sign when we see good riding. I liked how Susan’s horse came in, how elastic she was, and how she did the passage. During the test, there were some people clapping, but the mare was fully with Susan, and it was really enjoyable to watch.”

Marek and Darcourt in the Top Three

The freestyle doubled as a qualifier for the lucrative US Equestrian Open of Dressage series, now in its second year. Seven of this season’s 24 qualifiers are held at AGDF before the final in California in November. Pape’s win put her straight into fifth place in the standings, currently led by Simonson. Marek has moved into seventh place, with Darcourt slotting into fourth, as she now has two results on the scoreboard.

Five nations were represented in the 5* Freestyle with three different flags ultimately adorning the podium. Anna Marek (USA) finished in second place with 76.435% on Fayvel, while Caroline Darcourt flew the flag for Sweden, claiming third with Lord Django on 76.04%.

Marek is known for riding her freestyles with power and flare. Her performance on the 16-year-old Zizi Top gelding Fayvel to a funky Karen Robinson music compilation chosen by owner Cynthia Davila was no exception.

“He always lights up in the Friday night classes,” said Marek, who is based near Ocala, FL, and trains with Anne Gribbons. “I really enjoy riding him in this atmosphere where he gets more excited. At home, we keep things fresh by doing a lot of different stuff like riding out in the field. He’s got such a good temperament that he’s always willing.”

Tinne Vilhelmson's assistant rider at Lovsta Stutteri in Sweden, Caroline Darcourt produced her highest score with Lord Django, Lövsta Stuteri’s 16-year-old Stalypso gelding, in two years with their 76.04% test.

“He is so excited to be back here in Florida—he was injured last year and home in Sweden, so I think he wants to show everyone that he really deserves his place here,” said Darcourt.

Canadians Dominate Inter I

Canadian athletes dominated in the hegemonic * Intermediate I, nailing all three top placings. Best of them was Olympic rider Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu’s commanding test on Jill Irving’s nine-year-old Medoc (Vivaldi x Sir Donnerhall I), which garnered 72.029%, including an eight for harmony from three of the five judges.

Fraser-Beaulieu also took the red ribbon on the Franklin x Tango gelding, Leeghwater—another owned by Irving—with 69.265%. Fellow Canadian Olympian Naïma Moreira Laliberté slotted into third with a 69.088% ride on the12-year-old Jaliska LD (by All At Once x Kigali), which is owned by the company KLM Inc of Naima's father Guy Laliberté. All three top horses are Dutch Warmbloods.