Belgian rider Justin Verboomen and his nine-year-old stallion Zonik Plus have emerged as new stars in international dressage following a standout performance at the 2025 CHIO Aachen. The pair won the MEGGLE-Prize grand prix special with a score of 80.75%, narrowly beating Olympic gold medallist Isabell Werth and her horse Wendy. This marked a breakthrough for the relatively new partnership, which had only recently burst onto the scene with impressive performances, including a grand prix debut at Kronenberg CDI3*. Their success continued as they claimed the Lindt-Prize freestyle with a personal best score of 89.4%, making Verboomen the first Belgian to win this prestigious title.
Zonik Plus, bred in Portugal and developed quietly by Verboomen since he was two, impressed with his natural talent, elegance, and calm demeanor despite some minor tensions in complex movements. Verboomen believes the stallion has even more potential to grow and refine his performances. Their harmonious connection and emotional freestyle routine captivated the audience, drawing comparisons to legendary performances like Totilas’ 2009 Windsor freestyle. Fellow competitors praised the duo’s remarkable achievements, highlighting their rapid rise and bold challenge to established champions on the world stage.
