Susan Pape Rode Harmony’s Giulilanta to Wellington Freestyle Victory for British Rider’s First CDI5* Wins
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By KENNETH J. BRADDICK
WELLINGTON, Florida, Jan. 23, 2026–Susan Pape rode her “spicy” Harmony’s Giulilanta to victory in the Global Dressage Festival Freestyle Friday night under lights a day after capturing the Grand Prix to mark the British rider’s first ever top rated CDI5* wins.
Susan and the 15-year-old mare she owns with John and Leslie Malone as owners of Harmony Sporthorses of Colorado scored a personal best 81.745% before a crowd of 2,000 spectators.
Anna Marek of Dunnellen on Fayvel, the 16-year-old gelding that was her 2024 World Cup Final mount and top placed in the inaugural U.S. Open series in 2025, was runner-up on 76.435%.
Sweden’s Caroline Darcourt on the 16-year-old gelding Lord Django placed third on 76.040%.
Susan, in her 11th year competing on Wellington’s winter circuit, described the ride as “just amazing… that seems to get better and better” despite the horse’s age.
“Just, just amazing,” Susan declared after her ride. “This horse, she amazes me every day. Even though she’s already 15, but she hasn’t got so much experience under her belt, and, but, it just seems that she gets better and better.”
She got the horse when she was aged six, and struggled learning the tempi changes so it took a long time to get to Prix St. Georges. When ready for Grand Prix, she had a severe injury that took two years to get back into condition.
“Even though she’s a very spicy horse, she’s so focused,” she said. “If it comes to getting into the arena, she really wants to give her best.”
Susan said she plans to compete in the World Cup qualifier in Wellington next month which will include Isabell Werth in the lineup, then fly home to Germany. She plans a Nations Cup and the main goal is to be selected for the British team for the World Championships in Aachen, Germany in August.
Anna Marek said that Fayvel “always lights up in the Friday night lights, so I really enjoy riding him in the atmosphere. He’s always been a horse that gets a lot better with atmosphere, and getting a little bit more excited for me.”
Results:
| Rank | Competitor | Score | E | H | C | M | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Susan Pape (GBR) Harmony’s Giulilanta | 81.745% | 81.700 | 83.175 | 81.325 | 81.175 | 81.350 |
| 2. | Anna Marek (USA) Fayvel | 76.435% | 76.100 | 78.800 | 76.875 | 76.800 | 73.600 |
| 3. | Caroline Darcourt (SWE) Lord Django | 76.040% | 74.325 | 78.650 | 76.475 | 74.400 | 76.350 |
| 4. | Frederic Wandres (GER) Verrenberg | 75.855% | 73.650 | 79.175 | 74.625 | 77.700 | 74.125 |
| 5. | Ashley Holzer (USA) Hawtins San Floriana | 75.290% | 75.100 | 77.400 | 74.325 | 75.925 | 73.700 |
| 6. | Chris von Martels (CAN) Londoncrown | 70.325% | 70.175 | 73.425 | 69.525 | 69.750 | 68.750 |
 Find details on Equestrian Hub |
