Entering to the unmistakable opening chords of “Eye of the Tiger,” Christian Simonson and his own Rocky floated like butterflies through the IDA Development FEI World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle on Friday night—and straight to another personal-best score and the eighth win of their unbeaten international career.

This opening week of the 2026 Adequan Global Dressage Festival marks the one-year anniversary of Simonson’s partnership with Indian Rock, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Apache—Crisjena, Vivaldi) owned by Zen Elite Equestrian. To celebrate, they have scored a pair of personal bests between Thursday’s Grand Prix test (76.04%) and Friday’s freestyle, which scored 81.44%, just edging past their previous top freestyle mark of 81.40%.

For Simonson, the chance to ride under the lights at AGDF, to a Joost Peters-designed medley from the “Rocky” films for the stallion he calls “Rocky,” was a dream fulfilled. 

“At the end of the test, I was shaking my head in absolute disbelief,” said Simonson, 23, who trains with U.S. Olympian Adrienne Lyle. “Since I started riding, I’ve been coming to this show and always hoped that one day I could do Friday Night Stars, because it’s the epitome of amazing dressage freestyles in Florida. So, on that last centerline, I was just thinking, ‘Whoa, this is me doing this with the Indian Rock. I can’t believe it.’ It’s weird having a childhood dream come true in real time; this whole show has been surreal.” 

Watch their winning freestyle, courtesy of Wellington International:

Simonson credited the “hours and hours a day” he spends with Rocky for the strong bond they have forged in their year together. Their performances in AGDF’s season-opening Lloyd Landkamer Memorial week, in front of a sold-out grandstand, qualified them for the FEI World Cup Finals, to be held April 8-12 in Fort Worth, Texas. They also give the pair an early lead in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage series ahead of Thursday and Friday’s second-placed pair, Geñay Vaughn and Gino—as well as generating buzz around a possible team selection for the upcoming FEI Dressage World Championships to be held in August in Aachen, Germany. 

“I am so lucky to ride this special horse,” Simonson said. “Hopefully I made Adrienne proud. Rocky will have a rest now, because he really deserves it. Then, we’ll build up again.” 

California-based Vaughn, who was also riding in her first Friday Night Stars, scored 75.79% Friday with Gino to repeat her Thursday placing and earn the second podium spot. 

“We drove for four days and arrived on Christmas,” she said. “The atmosphere here is amazing, and I was really thankful that I got to take Gino down centerline at Friday Night Stars and experience this. I always have fun with my freestyle music. I used Donna Summers, the Ohio Players, and my dad’s favorite song, ‘Never Too Much’ by Luther Vandross. It really embodies who I am and the music I grew up on.” 

Third-place Ashley Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana (75.01%) rode to patriotic music. 

“I’m an immigrant,” said Holzer, who rode for Canada at four Olympics before switching citizenship to the United States. “I’m appreciative to be an American, and I think the Neil Diamond music suits her. It felt pretty amazing to feel everything come together in the test and have her trust me a bit more. She’s a hot mare with a lot of energy, and I was happy to feel her joyful in the ring.” 

Two new awards have been introduced for ADGF 2026. Simonson is the early leader in the new Leading International Freestyle Rider standings, and Vaughn earned the Leading Lady Freestyle Rider Award. Simonson’s groom, Marina Lemay, was awarded the groom’s award.

See complete results here.

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