At the FEI dressage World Cup final held at Jumping Mechelen, Belgian rider Larissa Pauluis delivered a standout performance, winning the Grand Prix Freestyle with her 15-year-old gelding Flambeau and achieving a personal best score of 82.975%. The sold-out Nekkerhal crowd energized the duo, who showcased a freestyle marked by suppleness, power, and control. Pauluis, who had already won the Grand Prix earlier, expressed deep satisfaction with the home victory and highlighted Flambeau’s ongoing progress despite his late start in dressage and occasional insecurities.

Justin Verboomen and João Pedro Moreira completed the podium, with Verboomen securing second place on the young stallion Djembe de Hus, focusing on building confidence in the challenging indoor arena environment. Moreira earned third place with Drosa Fürst Kennedy, marking a significant comeback after the horse’s recent surgery and recovery. The event also featured an emotional farewell for Charlotte Defalque and her longtime partner Botticelli. Overall, the competition underscored Belgium’s rising prominence in dressage, highlighted by a passionate home crowd and top-level performances.