Susan Pape Aces Plus-81% 3 Graces Dressage CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle Win on ‘Incredible’ Mare
By Alice Collins for Wellington International
Wellington, Fla. – January 23, 2026—Susan Pape (GBR) punched the air with delight as she concluded her foot-perfect Tom Jones-themed test on Harmony’s Giulilanta in the 3 Graces Dressage CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle during week three of the 12-week 2026 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.
Watch The Winning Freestyle
As her winning 81.745% personal best score was announced, she cried happy tears in front of the 2000-strong crowd of enthusiastic fans and spectators. The performance marked a watershed moment in Giulilanta’s career. The now 15-year-old suffered a potentially career-ending injury when she was on the brink of stepping up to grand prix. Now, with the FEI World Championships in August on the not-too-distant horizon, the mare is in the form of her life and has the scores to prove it, having also nailed Thursday’s CDI5* Grand Prix with a career high score.
Five nations were represented in the CDI5* Freestyle with three different flags ultimately adorning the podium. Anna Marek (USA) finished in second place with 76.435% on Fayvel, while Caroline Darcourt flew the flag for Sweden, claiming third with Lord Django on 76.04%.
En route to her resounding success, Giulilanta picked up nines for choreography, music and the canter pirouettes, reinforcing the Jazz x Flemmingh daughter’s upward trajectory.
“I wasn’t sure how she was going to cope with the audience because they were very excited,” said Pape, who rides the attractive chestnut for Leslie and John and Malone of Harmony Sporthorses and is based in Germany for most of the year. “But as soon as I started the test, I felt she was with me. We’re a total partnership, and it makes it so very special.
“This horse amazes me every day. Even though she’s already 15, she hasn’t got so much experience under her belt, but it seems that she just gets better and better. I’m so grateful to John and Leslie who let me ride this incredible horse,” added Pape, whose daughter Laura was awarded the groom’s award, presented by The Horse of Course.
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