News Releases

Christian Simonson Awarded Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Lexington, KY (August 24, 2021) - The United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) is pleased to announce that Region 7 Young Rider, Christian Simonson, of Ventura, CA, and his nine-year-old, Danish Warmblood gelding, Zeaball Diawind, were awarded the Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy at the North American Youth Dressage Championships, held during the 2021 FEI North American Youth Championships. This trophy, which is on permanent display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, is awarded to the Young Rider who earns the highest combined average score in the three dressage tests: FEI Young Rider Team, Individual, and Freestyle. Simonson placed first in the team, individual, and freestyle tests, with scores of 73.588%, 75.353%, and 78.935% respectively, securing the win with an overall combined average of 75.959%.

The “Pursuit of Excellence” is the legacy Fiona Baan left to all FEI Young Riders, and indeed, to everyone who ever knew or worked with her. For nearly 30 years, Ms. Baan worked tirelessly with great dedication to the United States Equestrian Team (USET). She was U.S. Dressage Team Leader for the 1976 Olympics Bronze Medal team, the 1987 Pan Am Games, and for the bronze medal dressage team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

For more information about the North American Youth Dressage Championships, the Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy, or the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.