Beezie Madden and Simon lead the field as the the 2013 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final kicked-off Thursday, April 25, with the first of four rounds of competition in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Simon is a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Abigail Wexner. He placed third in 2011 with former rider Jeroen Dubbledam.
The U.S. has four other riders in the top 15 after Thursday’s opening round. Katie Dinan, a freshman at Harvard, rode Nougat Du Vallet to a clear round and is in ninth place. McLain Ward, who rode Belgain Warmblood stallion Super Trooper De Ness, is in 10th, Charlie Jayne on Chill R Z, a 10-year-old Zangerscheide stallion, is in 11th and Reed Kessler is in 13th with her 2012 Olympic mount Cylana.
Roanoke Equestrian 