Simonson and Indian Rock, Ebeling and Bellena Ride to the Top of Grand Prix on First Day of WEC May Dressage CDI3* at World Equestrian Center – Ocala
Ocala, FL – Two grand prix classes were held under the lights in the WEC Stadium on Friday, May 23, 2025, on the opening day of the May Dressage CDI3* presented by Hampton Green Farm at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). In the first class, the Grand Prix for Freestyle CDI3* presented by The Fix Aesthetic Clinic, the winner’s blanket was placed on Bellena, ridden by Benjamin Ebeling (USA) and owned by Vantage Equestrian Group. Rounding out the night was the Grand Prix for Special CDI3* presented by The Fix Aesthetic Clinic with Christian Simonson (USA) taking the win aboard Indian Rock, owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center, in their international debut.
With a score of 70.543% in their first international Grand Prix test together, Simonson and Indian Rock, a 12-year-old KWPN stallion by Apache x Vivaldi, topped the Grand Prix for Special CDI3*. Just behind in second place with a score of 70.109% was Simonson’s 2023 Pan American Games gold medal teammate, Anna Marek, with Fire Fly, a 15-year-old KWPN gelding (Briar Junior x OO Seven) owned by Janet Simile. Katie Duerrhammer (USA) and Vividus QRE, a 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Zaladin MI x Don Charly) owned by Kylee Lourie, finished third with 68.304%.
Simonson started riding Indian Rock in January 2025 when the horse was brought to the U.S. from Holland, where it showed successfully with previous rider Emmelie Scholtens (NED), including at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Simonson and Indian Rock took some time to get accustomed with each other before competing at the national level in April. Simonson still communicates regularly with Scholtens to discuss Indian Rock so he can learn more about the horse.
“He and I spend a lot of time together, just hanging out and grazing, and I take care of him along with the team,” said Simonson of Indian Rock. “He is such a kind soul, and he’s so smart. Even for the little things in the barn, he just thinks through everything.
“And then, of course, riding him gives you the most amazing feeling,” he continued. “He feels like a freak under saddle. He can do the most amazing half passes, and his collection work is incredible, and so both of that together, it just feels like a really, really special horse to ride. He’s really incredible.”
Read more:
