At the prestigious CDIO5* Nations Cup held in Aachen, Germany, on July 3, 2025, Isabell Werth delivered a personal best performance on her Olympic gold medal mount Wendy de Fontaine, leading Germany to a commanding team victory with a score of 232.065. Belgium secured silver, largely thanks to Justin Verboomen’s impressive runner-up individual finish on the nine-year-old Zonik Plus, while Sweden took bronze. Germany’s strong showing positions them well to claim the trans-Atlantic series title for the third consecutive year. Werth praised Wendy’s focus and continuous improvement since they began competing together in early 2024, highlighting the mare’s clarity and performance under pressure.
The event was not without controversy, as the United States’ Kevin Kohmann was eliminated due to a judge’s ruling of blood in the horse’s mouth, a decision that sparked debate among spectators and media, especially since the subsequent swab test was compromised by coffee contamination. Organizers stated the decision was final under FEI rules, though they are investigating the circumstances. Other notable performances included Frederic Wandres and Katharina Hemmer contributing to Germany’s team success, and Verboomen expressing pride in Zonik Plus’s rapid development in the Big Tour circuit. The Aachen Nations Cup remains one of the most prestigious team dressage events globally, second only to the Olympics and international championships.
