Christian Simonson on Fleau de Baian Wins Wellington CDI3* Special

Christian Simonson on Fleau de Baian completed his first international Grand Prix Special for victory at Wellington's Global Dressage Festival CDI3*.

Christian, the top ranked American at No. 9 in the world, scored 70.000% on the 16-year-old Dutch-bred stallion with the barn name of Felix in the fifth Big Tour start for the partnership. Fleau de Baian was developed and competed from a youngster to Big Tour by Netherlands team member Adelinde Cornelissen and was bought by Heidi Humphries' Zen Elite Equestrian Center of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida just over two years ago. After an initial international outing by Christian in May last year was out of competition for eight months recovering from an injury in a turnout paddock.

Ashley Holzer of Wellington on the 14-year-old British-bred mare Hawtins San Floriana was runner-up on 69.447%. The duo won the Grand Prix two days ago.

Jennifer Williams, also of Wellington, on Joppe K, 12-year-old U.S. Nations Cup team gelding, placed third on 68.872%.

Christian, at 23 years of age and who has risen to within the top 10 in the world on the 2024 Dutch Olympic team horse Indian Rock is coached by three-time U.S. Olympian Adrienne Lyle in Wellington.

He described Felix as "a mini macho man... he loves showing off. Whenever he's around in the barn, he loves to yell at the other horses, but he never is wild. He just will scream, but he doesn't actually do anything.

"We call him like a little lion because he loves roaring at everyone else but is then very good natured. I think it's similar to Rocky and the other horses; he has such a good heart he'll really try his hardest. I think that's another testimony of today where he really is like, 'okay, I'm gonna try harder and harder for you'."

Results:

CDI3* Grand Prix Special Rank Competitor Score

1 Christian Simonson (USA) Fleau de Baian 70.000%

2 Ashley Holzer (USA) Hawtins San Floriana 69.447%

3 Jennifer Williams (USA) Joppe 68.872%

4 Pablo Gómez Molina (ESP) Ulises de Ymas 68.680%

5 Jordan LaPlaca (USA) Gold Play 68.341%

6 Bianca Berktold (USA) Imperial 66.851%

7 Michael Klimke (GER) Harmony's Zomancier 66.149%

8Tina Konyot (USA) Grover 66.000%

9 Megan Shea (CAN) Sir Schiwago 65.787%

10 Micah Deligdish (ISR) Carpe Diem De Massa 65.510%

11 Karen Lipp (USA) Infinity 64.489%

12 Naïma Moreira Laliberté (CAN) Inspire 63.510%

13 Matthew Johnson (USA) Petersborg's Qasanova 58.787%

Leonardo Antonio Godoy (ARG) Marques do Lis ELIM

Photo: Christian Simonson on Fleau de Baian in Wellington CDI3* Grand Prix Special. © 2026 Ken Braddick/DRESSAGE-NEWS.com