May 4, 2026
Christian Simonson and Indian Rock are ranked No. 7 in the world to become the American combination with the highest standings since separate rider and horse rankings were launched four years ago.
Both the 23-year-old rider and Indian Rock, a Dutch-bred stallion aged 13, climbed five places from 12th at the end of March to 7th after claiming reserve championship at the World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas last month.
Christian, based in Wellington, Florida where he is coached by three-time U.S. Olympian Adrienne Lyle, had earlier this year ranked as high as 9th in the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) standings.
He is also atop the Dutta Corp. standings for the national Grand Prix Championships to be staged in Ocala next week. Although he did not attain all the scores required to qualify for Ocala–no Grand Prix Specials as he focused on qualifying for the World Cup–his clear lead in the Grand Prix will earn him a “wild card” entry.
The national championships will also determine selection of a squad of U.S. combinations for Europe that will focus on the Nations Cup competition in Hagen, Germany the first week of July ahead of the naming of a team for the World Championships in Aachen, Germany in August.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, star rider for Denmark, remained No. 1 in the world as did Mount St. John Freestyle, her equine partner.
Britain’s Charlotte “Lottie” Fry moved up to No. 2 as did Glamourdale while Justin Verboomen on Zonik Plus dropped to 3rd.
Becky Moody of Britain, who won her inaugural World Cup Final in Texas on her home-bred Jagerbomb, was ranked No. 5, the same as the previous month.
