Simonson and Davis Triumph in Grand Prix at WEC December Dressage CDI-W
International dressage competition returned to World Equestrian Center – Ocala on Thursday, December 11, 2025, for the WEC December Dressage CDI-W, presented by Hampton Green Farms. Meagan Davis (USA) and Toronto Lightfoot, owned by Scott Durkin, captured the first CDI win of the week in the Grand Prix for Special CDI3*, presented by MARS Equestrian. In the Grand Prix for Freestyle CDI-W, presented by MARS Equestrian, Christian Simonson (USA) and Indian Rock, owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center, led the victory gallop for their fifth international victory in a row.
With a personal best score of 70.239%, Davis and Toronto Lightfoot rose to the top of the class. Anna Marek (USA) and Fayvel, a 15-year-old KWPN gelding by Zizi Top x Houston owned by Cynthia Davila, placed second with 68.435%. Third place went to Chase Shipka (USA) and Gladstone Zee T, her 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Apache x Jazz, with a score of 67.522%.
Toronto Lightfoot had not shown in CDI competition previous to Davis’s start with him three years ago. She has brought him along to the grand prix level while based at her parents’ farm in Loxahatchee, FL, in the winter and at Durkin’s Skyfall Farm in Saugerties, NY, in the summer. Durkin has supported Davis throughout her professional career, which began 15 years ago when she was 21 years old. Durkin brought his Friesian horse for training with her then, and it has evolved into more horses and a supportive partnership ever since, culminating with Toronto Lightfoot at the top level.
“He was a little spooky when we first got him, so we took the time to really gain his trust, and he’s just blossomed,” described Davis of the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Totilas x Onassis. “Scott is so supportive of us and anything that I think will benefit the horse. He’s fully behind us, and he really wants to see his horse do well, so it’s exciting.”
Davis has been working toward breaking the 70% mark with Toronto Lightfoot. This was their first international win as well.
“We’ve really been working hard to get the nose and the neck a little bit longer in the frame, but maintaining the power from behind,” explained Davis. “I think today was the first day we really achieved that in the ring, and it was really exciting. His tempis felt really good today. The trot half-passes felt like a highlight too.”
The pair will compete next in Saturday’s Grand Prix Special CDI3*, a test that both Davis and her horse enjoy.
“He likes the special as much as I do,” she remarked. “I like the technicality of it where you have to be very precise, and it makes you think quicker. I want to keep his neck nice and soft, the top line nice and supple, throughout all of those difficult transitions and the trot tour. That’s my goal.”
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Simonson and Davis Triumph in Grand Prix at WEC December Dressage CDI-W | World Equestrian Center
