Winning comeback for Fleau de Baian

Sold two years ago, Fleau de Baian, the former's Adelinde CornelissenGrand Prix horse , made a winning comeback this week on Wellington's CDI 3* Grand Prix Special.

Parzival's full broher, 18th of 5-year-old Dutch Championship and 7th of th 7 yo World Championships Fleau de Baian made his Grand Prix debut in December 2019. Since his sale, he has been partnered with the young American rider Christian Simonson, who has also qualified for the upcoming World Cup Final with Indian Rock. The KWPN stallion had only competed lightly, with a single show in 2025 in Ocala, scoring 67.500% in the Grand Prix and 72.330% in the Freestyle. For their return, they took 3rd place in Thursday's Grand Prix with a 67.805% and yesterday they won the Grand Prix Special with 70%, despite some mistakes in flying changes ; that was the first Grand Prix Special.

" This was our first special and I’ve only done a couple of them total, so it’s been really fun,” he sayed. “It’s very different than the grand prix or freestyle because there are so many transitions. Last season, we were only focusing on the U25 with Felix, so it’s been kind of a refinement. At home, we’re focusing on suppleness and elasticity with him. Around the barn, he loves showing off and yelling at the other horses, but he is never wild and is good-natured. He’ll scream, but doesn’t actually do anything, which is cute. We call him a little lion because he loves roaring at everyone. "

source : Wellington International - crédit photo : Wellington International Centre Line Media