Belgian rider Justin Verboomen and his Rheinlander stallion Zonik Plus delivered an outstanding performance at the FEI dressage Nations Cup in Fontainebleau, France, achieving a personal best score of 83.50% in the CDIO5* Grand Prix. Their test was highlighted by exceptional pirouettes, earning multiple perfect scores of 10, and marked Verboomen as a rising star in modern dressage. Despite this, the German team secured first place overall with a combined score of 230.06 points, followed by Great Britain in second and Belgium, led by Verboomen and teammates Larissa Pauluis and Charlotte Defalque, finishing third.

Verboomen expressed excitement about Zonik’s progress, noting the horse’s increasing independence and ease in the arena, though he feels there is still room for growth. The Nations Cup series will continue with the next event in Lier, Belgium, on May 23, as the competition among top dressage nations intensifies.