Pape on point in Wellington

Susan Pape built on winter form to prove the rider to beat during week three of the 12-week 2026 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (21 – 26 January 2026) in Wellington, Florida, earning two high scoring wins with her top class mare Harmony’s Guililanta.  

Opening the 5* competition with a super test, Susan Pape scored 73.630% on board her Jazz x Flemmingh bred mare to top the Grand Prix class ahead of American Olympic combination Marcus Orlob and Jane.  

In front of 2,000 people, the combination went on to perform a personal best-achieving Freestyle test, scoring 81.745% to claim their second win of the week by five percent. Performing her Tom Jones programme, Susan showed her mare’s quality and harmony, earning nines for choreography, music and the canter pirouettes.  

“I wasn’t sure how she was going to cope with the audience because they were very excited,” said Pape, who rides the attractive chestnut for Leslie and John and Malone of Harmony Sporthorses and is based in Germany for most of the year. “But as soon as I started the test, I felt she was with me. We’re a total partnership, and it makes it so very special. 

“This horse amazes me every day. Even though she’s already 15, she hasn’t got so much experience under her belt, but it seems that she just gets better and better. I’m so grateful to John and Leslie who let me ride this incredible horse,” added Pape, whose daughter Laura was awarded the groom’s award, presented by The Horse of Course. 

“We got her when she was six and struggling with learning the flying changes,” she said. “It took her a very long time to make it up to Fourth Level and Prix St. Georges. Now, this is my second season with her at Grand Prix here in Wellington and she’s spicy but incredibly focused.”  

Judge at C Dr. Sven-Günter Rothenberger agreed, saying, “This class was very good promotion for our sport; it’s always a good sign when we see good riding. I liked how Susan’s horse came in, how elastic she was, and how she did the passage. During the test, there were some people clapping, but the mare was fully with Susan, and it was really enjoyable to watch.” 

Results  

5* Grand Prix  
1. Susan Pape and Harmony’s Giulilanta, 73.630% (GBR)  
2. Marcus Orlob and Jane, 73.587% (USA)  
3. Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu and Jaccardo, 72.783% (CAN) 

5* Grand Prix Freestyle 
1. Susan Pape and Harmony’s Giulilanta, 81.745% (GBR) 
2. Anna Marek and Fayvel, 76.435% (USA) 
3. Caroline Darcourt and Lord Django, 76.040% (SWE) 

Image: Centre Line Media / Wellington International