WAYNE, Illinois, Aug. 20, 2025–Christian Simonson on Indian Rock dominated the U.S. national championship Grand Prix Wednesday to put the rider on a path to become the youngest ever to capture the title since its creation 34 years ago.
Christian, who will be 23 years old in six days, and the 12-year-old KWPN stallion were awarded 73.783% from the panel of five American judges. Christian is based in Wellington where he is coached by three-time Olympian Adrienne Lyle.
Meagan Davis of the Wellington area community of Loxahatchee was runner-up on Toronto Lightfoot, 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding, on 67.935% in which only six combinations started in the Grand Prix.
Karen Lipp of the Atlanta area’s Ball Ground, Georgia, and Infinity, also a 12-year-old KWPN gelding, placed third on 67.565%
Indian Rock was bought by Heidi Humphries’ Zen Elite Equestrian Center of Ft. Lauderdale, an hour south of Wellington, after being ridden by Emmelie Scholtens on the Netherlands team at the Paris Olympics last summer.
The international career of Emmelie and Indian Rock began as a 5-year-old at the World Young Horse Championships then on Dutch teams at the 2022 World Championships, the 2023 European Championships and the Paris Olympics last summer.
Christian competed Indian Rock at the horse’s first and only CDI in Ocala, Florida in May as well as at two national events.
Christian was the youngest U.S. rider in the Pan American Games when he rode Son of a Lady on the gold medal team at 2023 Pan American Games. He was successful at five North American Youth Championships from 2016 through 2021.
The championship Grand Prix Special is scheduled for Thursday and the Freestyle Saturday.
Results:
| Rank | Competitor | Score | E | H | C | M | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Christian Simonson (USA) Indian Rock | 73.783% | 75.109 | 72.500 | 75.652 | 72.717 | 72.935 |
| 2. | Meagan Davis (USA) Toronto Lightfoot | 67.935% | 68.370 | 68.913 | 67.935 | 66.848 | 67.609 |
| 3. | Karen Lipp (USA) Infinity | 67.565% | 67.826 | 68.152 | 68.043 | 66.739 | 67.065 |
| 4. | Ali Potasky (USA) Inxs | 67.109% | 67.717 | 67.935 | 67.826 | 66.739 | 65.326 |
| 5. | Christina Morin-Graham (USA) DSP Dauphin | 67.000% | 68.804 | 67.500 | 66.522 | 67.283 | 64.891 |
| 6. | Katie Duerrhammer (USA) Vividus QRE | 66.783% | 66.413 | 68.043 | 66.957 | 66.957 | 65.543 |
 Find details on Equestrian Hub |
