Marcus Orlob on Jane, Christian Simonson on Indian Rock Named to US Elite Program
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Feb. 2, 2026
Marcus Orlob on Jane and Christian Simonson on Indian Rock have been named to the U.S. Elite Program for the first changes to the top rated category in three years.
Elevation of the two combinations to the elite program that had none since 2022 came the same day the two pairs displayed their highest ever world rankings, Christian to No. 9 and Marcus to 18th.
To earn the places at the top of American dressage rider and horse combinations have to attain two scores of at least 74% at CDI Grand Prix/Special.
Marcus of Loxahatchee, Florida and Jane, 12-year-old mare owned by Alice Tarjan, posted 75.979% in a Grand Prix Special Jan. 24 and 74.681% two weeks earlier.
Christian based in Wellington, Florida and Indian Rock, 13-year-old stallion owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center, scored 76.043% at Grand Prix Jan. 8 and 74.804% at TerraNova near Sarasota, Florida last Oct. 17.
Kasey Perry-Glass of Wellington on the 12-year-old Heartbeat W.P. was moved into the Pre-Elite category with its requirement of a score of at least 71%. She joins Anna Marek of Dunnellon, Florida and Fayvel and Endel Ots of Wellington on Zen Elite’s Bohemian at that level.
The U.S. Pathway Programs were re-introduced last year after a years long hiatus following the retirement of several top horses competed by Americans.
“I’m thrilled with the updates to our program lists, and I feel we have some exciting momentum we can continue to build on as we move through the year,” said Christine Traurig, US Federation chef d’equipe and technical advisor.
“With two of our combinations meeting the criteria for the Elite list, it’s a testament to the work, training, and collaboration, which has been so inspiring over the past few months and I’m really looking forward to what we have ahead.”
