USA’s Christian Simonson to World No. 9, Marcus Orlob to 18th, Canada’s Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu 21st
6 days ago StraightArrow Comments Off on USA’s Christian Simonson to World No. 9, Marcus Orlob to 18th, Canada’s Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu 21st
Feb. 2, 2026
By KENNETH J. BRADDICK
Christian Simonson and his success on Indian Rock has moved the American dressage partnership into the top 10 in the world for the first time while Marcus Orlob on Jane has climbed into the top 20. Canada’s Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu and Jaccardo are not far behind in the top 25.
The 23-year-old Christian became the 9th ranked rider in the world at the end of January, up from 15the at end of 2025 which had been a meteoric rise from 151st at the end of November.
Indian Rock, the 13-year-old stallion, jumped to 8th in the world from 13th the previous month in the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) rankings that lists horses and rider separately.
In the past month, scores for Christian and Indian Rock, based in Wellington, Florida where they are coached by three-time Olympian Adrienne Lyle, included a personal best 81.445% Freestyle to clinch a start at the World Cup Final in Fort Worth in three months, taking one of three spots reserved for North America at the annual championship of 18 horse and rider combinations from around the globe.
Christian and Indian Rock, owned by successful Florida entrepreneur Heidi Humphries’ Zen Elite Equestrian Center, have been unbeaten in eight international starts since their inaugural CDI in May last year
U.S. Olympic team rider Marcus Orlob of Loxahatchee, Florida logged the biggest jump in the top rankings, to 18th from 50th with three victories in four starts in January.
Jane, the 12-year-old black mare that he competes for owner Alice Tarjan, moved even higher, to 15th place from 47th over the month.
Close behind based on results in January’s Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu of Canada also showed a huge increase in ranking, up to 21st from 36th. Her mount, Jaccardo, owned by Jill Irving, was up to 19th from 33rd. The rider had been 184th just two months ago.
In the CDI1* Small Tour world rankings, Brittany was ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the CDI2* Medium Tour standings.
Victories at Wellington’s Global Dressage Festival by Susan Pape of Great Britain enabled her to go to 17th from 33rd over the month while the U.S.-owned Harmony’s Giulilanta that she competed shot up to 14th from 175th.
Another big move into the top 50 was by U.S, Olympian Kasey Perry-Glass up to 47th from 65th over the month.
And Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin was up a couple of places to 11th but Alive and Kicking in which she is a significant part-owner shot up to 10th from 127th over the month.
For complete rankings:
