Christian Simonson is a rising star on the dressage scene. After numerous top results as a young rider, he moved up to the senior level and has continued his success. Christian rode Son of a Lady at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, helping the U.S. Dressage Team win gold. He and one of his current mounts, the experienced Indian Rock, have a promising partnership, already collecting several wins such as the Grand Prix Champion title at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival Champions.

• Hometown: Ventura, California
• Current homebase(s): Wellington, Florida and Greenwood Village, Colorado. “I train with Adrienne Lyle at amazing facilities in Florida and Colorado.”
• Specialty: Dressage
• What first drew you to horses? “What drew me to horses is the companionship with animals. I have always loved animals, but something about horses and their power and grace. Also, horses are real black and white creatures; a horse will never lie to you. I think in my life being able to experience companionship with horses and being a good steward for them has taught me so much, not only about life but also about myself as well. I’m just a big horse guy, and riding them is so fun.”
• Favorite horse growing up: “Rudy, who was a very naughty little Lusitano pony. I basically got my real start in dressage with him.” 
• Career highlights: “Some of my biggest highlights are team gold at the 2023 Pan American Games, being the U.S. Grand Prix champion and U25 champion in 2025, and winning FEI North American Youth Championship medals (young rider team and individual gold in 2021, young rider team silver in 2018 and junior team gold in 2017).”
• Mentors: “Adrienne Lyle is my biggest mentor.”
• Most influential horse in your career: “I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of amazing horses in my career. Zeaball Diawind was one. Son of a Lady was definitely another, and I went from the youth level to more serious senior competitions with him. Now, there is Indian Rock, or ‘Rocky,’ and we are seeing how that journey unfolds. He may be the most influential, but it is to be determined.”
• Competition superstitions: “I used to be really superstitious about competitions, and then at some point I realized this is more disabling than enabling. Now, I just try to have a really simple routine beforehand of going through my tests in my head and usually a light meal, but I try not to make it too grandiose to the point that it takes forever.” 
• When you’re not riding, where can find you? “I’m probably at the gym or spending time with my family and friends. Some people may not know that I used to fly planes, but I haven’t done it in a long time.”
• Any other four-legged family members (besides horses)? “It’s just the horses at the moment.”
• Favorite eats: “Chipotle.”
• Favorite book and/or movie: “My favorite movie is the very first ‘Iron Man.’ I just think that’s super cool. My favorite book is ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ by Maurice Sendak. Maybe that’s a niche, children’s book, but I like the nostalgia of that one.” 
• Mares or geldings? “I think a good horse is a good horse, but I’m a little biased to stallions right now. I think they just they have a lot of try.”
• What’s kept you involved in the sport? “For me, it’s the love for horses and animals in general.”
• Learn more: christiansimonson.com

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