Simonson and Davis Triumph in Grand Prix at WEC December Dressage CDI-W

International dressage competition returned to World Equestrian Center – Ocala on Thursday, December 11, 2025, for the WEC December Dressage CDI-W, presented by Hampton Green Farms. Meagan Davis (USA) and Toronto Lightfoot, owned by Scott Durkin, captured the first CDI win of the week in the Grand Prix for Special CDI3*, presented by MARS Equestrian. In the Grand Prix for Freestyle CDI-W, presented by MARS Equestrian, Christian Simonson (USA) and Indian Rock, owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center, led the victory gallop for their fifth international victory in a row.

With a personal best score of 70.239%, Davis and Toronto Lightfoot rose to the top of the class. Anna Marek (USA) and Fayvel, a 15-year-old KWPN gelding by Zizi Top x Houston owned by Cynthia Davila, placed second with 68.435%. Third place went to Chase Shipka (USA) and Gladstone Zee T, her 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Apache x Jazz, with a score of 67.522%.

Toronto Lightfoot had not shown in CDI competition previous to Davis’s start with him three years ago. She has brought him along to the grand prix level while based at her parents’ farm in Loxahatchee, FL, in the winter and at Durkin’s Skyfall Farm in Saugerties, NY, in the summer. Durkin has supported Davis throughout her professional career, which began 15 years ago when she was 21 years old. Durkin brought his Friesian horse for training with her then, and it has evolved into more horses and a supportive partnership ever since, culminating with Toronto Lightfoot at the top level.

“He was a little spooky when we first got him, so we took the time to really gain his trust, and he's just blossomed,” described Davis of the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Totilas x Onassis. “Scott is so supportive of us and anything that I think will benefit the horse. He's fully behind us, and he really wants to see his horse do well, so it's exciting.”

Davis has been working toward breaking the 70% mark with Toronto Lightfoot. This was their first international win as well.

“We've really been working hard to get the nose and the neck a little bit longer in the frame, but maintaining the power from behind,” explained Davis. “I think today was the first day we really achieved that in the ring, and it was really exciting. His tempis felt really good today. The trot half-passes felt like a highlight too.”

The pair will compete next in Saturday’s Grand Prix Special CDI3*, a test that both Davis and her horse enjoy.

“He likes the special as much as I do,” she remarked. “I like the technicality of it where you have to be very precise, and it makes you think quicker. I want to keep his neck nice and soft, the top line nice and supple, throughout all of those difficult transitions and the trot tour. That's my goal.”

Simonson and Indian Rock Continue to Cement Partnership

In May 2025, Simonson and Indian Rock won their first Grand Prix test together with a score of 70.543% at the WEC May Dressage CDI3*. They improved two shows later to another win, this time with a score of 73.369%. Second place in the Grand Prix for Freestyle CDI-W went to Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu (CAN) and Jaccardo, an 11-year-old KWPN gelding by Desperado x Jazz owned by Jill Irving, with a score of 71.304%. With 68%, Ellesse Gundersen (USA) and Quintessential 4, her 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Quaterback x Cordoba), placed third.

“At each show we're always working on small tweaks here and there,” said Simonson. “I’m learning so much show after show of not only how to ride at the Grand Prix, but all the prep in between. I'm really happy with the outcome today. It was a clean test, and he tries so hard.

“I was really happy with the changes,” he continued, “and with the pirouettes and the trust. Each day I try to pick different things apart and see what's going to happen on that day. For me personally, I always think, ‘How can I do my best in this movement, at this time, in this present moment?’”

Living in the moment has helped Simonson since he started riding Indian Rock in January 2025. The talented horse, a 2024 Olympic Games veteran with Dutch rider Emmelie Scholtens (NED), brought the spotlight on Simonson. With the purchase of “Rocky” by Zen Elite Equestrian Center and Heidi Humphries, as well as training with Olympian Adrienne Lyle, Simonson has gotten an incredible opportunity to advance his career.

At just 23 years old, he has ascended through the levels of dressage quickly, having had success in the Under 25 division and at Small Tour, where he helped the U.S. team win the gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.

“I get to learn from Rocky,” he related. “He and I have such a close partnership already, which is kind of cool. I trust him so much, and I think he trusts me so much that it makes me feel really comfortable in there with him no matter where it is.”

Between working with Rocky in the barn and schooling at home, Simonson feels like their partnership has solidified over the past year. Winning every class they’ve entered is icing on the cake.

“I always try to go for it, but I think it kind of goes back to that no matter what the test is, I try to think of how can I do the best in those minutes that I have for a test and how I can do the best job I can for Rocky and the team,” he admitted. “I don’t think about winning streaks, but it is a cool bonus.

“Obviously there are expectations of having a horse like him,” he went on to say, “but for me, I never really thought of it a lot that way. As my relationship with Rocky is growing more and more, I get to have more and more fun with him. Partnership is the number one thing. I just feel really lucky.”

Simonson and Indian Rock will focus next on Friday evening’s Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, which is a qualifier for the 2026 U.S. Open for Dressage Final as well as the 2026 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final, held in Texas in April.

Grand Prix for Freestyle Results 

Grand Prix for Special Results

Full Show Results and Ride Times 

The WEC December Dressage CDI-W continues on Friday, December 11, with classes for Young Riders, Juniors, and Amateurs, along with the Intermediate I CDI1*. The highlight class, the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W presented by MARS Equestrian, will start at 6:20 p.m.