At the 2025 Lyon World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle, Belgian rider Justin Verboomen and his nine-year-old Rhineland stallion Zonik Plus secured first place with an impressive score of 87.075%. This victory followed their previous day’s Grand Prix win with a score of 81.195%, marking their first time surpassing 80% at this level. Despite Zonik being “a little bit tired,” the pair notched their 12th win in 18 Big Tour starts over the past 11 months. Their performance earned them 20 points in the highly competitive Western European League, moving them closer to qualifying for the Final in Fort Worth, Texas.
British rider Becky Moody, on the 11-year-old KWPN gelding Jagerbomb, finished second with 85.175%, receiving higher artistic marks from some judges but trailing Verboomen in technical scores. Larissa Pauluis of Belgium placed third on Flambeau with 79.560%. The event was the second of ten Western European qualifiers, with the next competition scheduled in Stuttgart, Germany. The results highlight the strong competition among top riders aiming for the World Cup Final, showcasing a blend of technical precision and artistic expression in dressage.
