The new year started off with a bang for Christian Simonson, whose new partner Indian Rock arrived stateside in the first week of 2025. Competed to 11^th place in the freestyle at the Paris Olympic Games by Dutch rider Emmelie Scholtens, “Rocky” (Apache—Crisjena, Vivaldi) is the newest addition to Simonson’s string, owned by Heidi Humphries of Zen Elite Equestrian. 

“He’s so special, it’s hard to describe,” 22-year-old Simonson said. “He’s one of the most special horses I’ve ever interacted with. He’s, of course, physically incredible, and he has beautiful gaits, and he has so much scope in all of his work. But his mind is also amazing. He’s like a little human or something. It’s just the way he carries himself and the way he thinks through things. He’s incredibly smart, and he is just one of the most special personalities I’ve ever been fortunate enough to be around.” 

When the “stars aligned” and Simonson learned he could try the 12-year-old stallion in Europe, it was an opportunity he simply couldn’t pass up. From the moment he set his foot in the stirrup, he said, he knew he had found his next partner.

“Now, every time I go and take care of him in the mornings, he comes up to me and he snuggles with me. It’s already really turning out to be such a special relationship,” he said. 

The stallion is familiar face in the international dressage ring. Piloted by Scholtens, his CDI starts include the 2018 World Young Horse Championships (the Netherlands), the 2022 FEI World Championships (Denmark), and the 2023 European Championships (Germany). Rocky’s extensive experience has given the stallion confidence in and out of the arena, Simonson said. 

“I’ll take him to graze in the pastures for a while, and things that would normally scare a horse or would make them spook or freak out, he just doesn’t. He’s like, ‘Oh, no problem.’ And then at the same time, when I ride him, he immediately rises to the occasion. He’s always just like, ‘OK, let me give you the right answer. Let me try harder,’ ” said Simonson. “To have both of those at the same time—the sensibility and the ability to rise to occasion—is just so special.” 

Since arriving in Wellington, Florida, at Zen Elite Equestrian Center, Rocky has settled in well. Simonson’s goal for the stallion’s immediate future is to continue developing their bond as a team. The 2025 Florida circuit is always tempting, but until their relationship is more established, Simonson’s taking it “day by day” with Rocky. 

“We’ll have to see how everything goes and see how it unfolds,” he said. “We’ll have to see how Rocky and I get along, which so far has been really swimmingly. So I’m hoping that that he and I will keep being on the same page, but that really will dictate everything for our plans.” 

Nothing is set in stone for Rocky’s future in the breeding shed, either. Supporting North American breeders will be a priority once he fully settles into his life in the States and his competition schedule is determined, Simonson said. 

In the meantime, Simonson has several other horses to campaign while he is getting to know Rocky at home. Most recently, he earned top honors with Zen Elite’s Guinness MT in the Prix St. Georges at the Wellington Classic Winter Challenge (Florida), held Dec. 20-22. His win with “Gus” (Grand Galaxy Win—Anastasia, Romanov Blue Hors) was particularly hard-fought, said Simonson. 

“He had West Nile virus almost a year ago. He went from basically not knowing where he was, where his legs were, to building up day by day with the help of our amazing team of grooms and veterinarians. He’s been our little miracle child,” Simonson said. “I’m really hopeful that we’ll keep building him up throughout the season, and he’ll be one for the future.” 

Though the survival rate depends on the severity of the infection and the horse’s clinical signs, West Nile virus is often a fatal diagnosis. Of the horses that do survive, most have residual neurological or behavioral symptoms. Gus seems to have recovered well so far, Simonson said. 

“It was such a sad thing to happen to him, but he’s such a fighter,” he said. “He really just built up strength day by day, and now he’s doing so well. And he’s so much fun to ride every day, and he’s such a sweet character.” 

Simonson hopes to make it down the centerline with his 2023 Pan American Games (Chile) gold medalist Son Of A Lady (Soreldo—Western Lady, Welt Hit II) owned by Christina Morgan and Clifton Simonson, and Zen Elite’s Fleau de Baian (Jazz—Fidora, Ulft), purchased from Dutch Olympian Adelinde Cornelissen in December 2023, this season as well. 

At 22 years old, Simonson has what many equestrian professionals spend their entire careers trying to find: a productive partnership with a generous sponsor. Rather than take any of the credit for himself, he attributes his early success to Humphries’ unparalleled commitment to the future of dressage.

“I feel like I’m definitely one of the luckiest riders in the world,” he said. “Every day I just wake up and I kind of pinch myself; to have Heidi [Humphries] and Zen Elite’s support motivates me so much more to be with the horses and to be the best horseman that I can. She’s an amazing person, and her commitment to the sport and for the country as a whole, not just for individual horses, but also what she’s doing for the youth programs, is incredible. 

Humphries has been a longtime sponsor of American dressage and jumper riders. Last year, her Zen Elite Equestrian began sponsoring a “rising star of the month” grant program to help up-and-coming dressage riders cover the costs of show entries, clinic fees, or lesson fees to enhance their education. Zen Elite was also the title sponsor of the 2025 USEF Dressage Training Series for high-performance youth athletes. 

“She’s trying to help the equestrian sport as a whole in the United States, and I think it’s just so special to see someone that that wants to help the country, not just on the on the sponsorship level of matching high-performance riders to horses, but also to help everyone in between,” Simonson said.  

After the Florida season is over, Christian and his horses will either head home to Colorado, or across the pond to compete on the European summer circuit. Regardless of where they end up, Simonson is pumped for what’s to come. 

“I’m so excited for the future relationship that I’m building with Rocky, and I’m just really excited for the future with him,” he said.