Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus unbeatable once again with new Personal Best

Once again, the Belgian national anthem echoed through Lier today. Justin Verboomen and his horse Zonik Plus continue to put Belgian dressage on the map, and themselves in the spotlight. This successful duo consistently surpasses their own performances, and today was no exception. With an impressive score of 86.155%, they won the Grand Prix Freestyle presented by VGP Group, setting a new personal record in the process.

Larissa Pauluis completed the Belgian celebration by taking third place with Flambeau, earning 77.085%. German rider Svenja Kämper-Meyer managed to break up the Belgian dominance, finishing second aboard Amanyara M FRH with 77.300%. These past few days have been an outstanding showcase of Belgian dressage.

“Still feels unreal”
It was at the Belgian Championships in Lier, one year ago, that the meteoric rise of Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus began. Back then, they were crowned national champions in the Medium Tour. This weekend, Verboomen made his debut as part of the Belgian Nations Cup team. What does that mean to the modest Belgian rider? “It still feels unreal. I always believed in Zonik Plus, and if I ever dared to expect something this big from a horse, it was from him.” Following the Nations Cup, Verboomen couldn’t hold back his emotions. “The team competition was incredibly emotional for me. The whole team was so motivated, so many people were there supporting us, and then the sunshine on top of that. It was just really special.”

A happy horse
How does Justin Verboomen reflect on CDIO Lier? “This weekend was truly fantastic. I really enjoyed the Grand Prix. Today, I felt I needed to be even more focused to support Zonik as best I could. He’s still not completely used to these big competitions, and today he seemed a little more tired, but he stayed super focused and was so responsive. I’m incredibly proud of him.” And rightly so, the stallion once again delivered a test filled with harmony and ease. What’s their secret? “Zonik is just naturally such a happy horse. I just have to keep him fit, healthy, and happy,” Verboomen says with a smile.

A well-earned break
For now, the stallion will get a break from competition. “We’re not competing at all in June. If everything goes well, I hope to ride in Aachen. Until then, I’ll train him at home, and he’ll do some breeding.” Verboomen is clear about what matters most: “Keeping him healthy is the most important thing. And of course, I hope we can achieve many more sporting successes together.” The European Championships this summer seem well within reach. “I really love Zonik Plus, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Off to the Belgian Championships with Djembe de Hus
Zonik Plus will enjoy a day off tomorrow, but not Justin Verboomen. “Next week is the Belgian Championships, and I’m competing with five horses, so not much rest for me,” he laughs. Which horses will he bring? “I think I’ve got a few very promising ones. I don’t have a lot of show experience with them yet, but the feeling is good.” One of those promising talents is Djembe de Hus (by Damon Hill). The Belgian Championships begin on Wednesday, with nearly 700 horses set to compete.

Dreams came true
Four incredible days of CDIO Lier have come to an end, and the organizers look back on this first edition with great pride. The Belgian team’s success certainly played a major role. This weekend, dreams came true, and new ones were born. With these Belgian combinations, the European Dressage Championships this summer hold a world of potential. Could they make history once again?

Results

Photo: Digishots