Belgium wins FEI Dressage Nations Cup once again on home soil

After making history last year by securing Belgium’s very first FEI Dressage Nations Cup victory, the Belgian team once again lived up to expectations in front of the home crowd in Lier. Even without the score of top combination Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus, Team Belgium had already secured the win. The Grand Prix itself was convincingly won by Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus, followed by Larissa Pauluis and Flambeau, while Dutch rider Marieke van der Putten finished third.

President of the Ground Jury Alice Schwab praised the overall quality of the competition and especially the harmony seen throughout the Belgian team performances. “It was truly fantastic sport. We saw so many very good rides and excellent horsemanship today. As a judge, it was a real pleasure to sit there and watch. Of course, there was one absolutely outstanding combination. The harmony between Justin and Zonik Plus is something very special to see. But overall, the entire Belgian team performed at a very high level.”

Pressure takes away
Despite delivering another winning performance, Justin Verboomen admitted the day started with some nerves because of the changing weather conditions. “I was a little stressed before my test today because of the weather conditions, but we tried to adapt where possible. We were lucky to warm up indoors. Zonik Plus is a horse full of surprises”, Justin laughed afterwards. “Not everything went exactly as planned, but I’m really proud of the result and also of the entire team.” When told Belgium had already secured the Nations Cup victory even without his score, Verboomen smiled: “That definitely takes away a bit of pressure.”

Nations Cup debut
For Charlotte Defalque, the FEI Nations Cup in Lier marked a very special milestone. Together with First-Step Valentin, the Belgian rider made her debut for Team Belgium in front of the home crowd. “It’s amazing. I really love this place and I truly enjoy riding Valentin. To make my Nations Cup debut here in Lier is a very special experience for me.”

‘Best Grand Prix ever’
Larissa Pauluis once again underlined the strength and progression of Belgian dressage. Together with Flambeau, she delivered what she described as her best-ever Grand Prix performance. “I’m really proud to be part of this team. We truly do this together, and the level within the Belgian team keeps growing all the time. Today you could see that with Charlotte and Wim as well. And for me personally, this was probably the best Grand Prix I have ever ridden with Flambeau. It was the first time he felt this relaxed and easy to ride in the ring. That felt really special. This is exactly the direction we want to continue in as a team.”

CDIO Lier is growing
That feeling of growth was shared by rider and show director Wim Verwimp, who watched CDIO Lier once again attract combinations from all over the world. “It’s really fantastic to see how this event keeps growing. Last year we hosted the FEI Nations Cup for the first time, and already we had so many international riders. This year the event has grown even more, and that makes me very proud, both as show director and as part of the Belgian team. We also have many riders competing in the Small Tour because of the selection process for the Asian Games. It makes me happy that we can give riders these opportunities here in Lier.”

Eyes on Aachen
With the World Championships in Aachen slowly appearing on the horizon, Belgian Chef d’Équipe Jeroen van Lent sees a team growing in confidence at exactly the right moment. “It is incredibly important to have shows like this. To repeat the victory from last year here at home is amazing. These riders continue making history for Belgian dressage, and that honestly makes my job as Chef d’Équipe quite easy”, he laughed. “Of course Aachen is still a long way away, but I hope we can maintain this form and maybe improve even a little more towards the championship. We are very fortunate to have combinations like Justin and Zonik Plus performing at this level, and that makes me very proud.”

Top three
Belgium ultimately secured the FEI Dressage Nations Cup victory with a total score of 225.543, finishing ahead of Great Britain on 213.391 and Germany on 211.804 after an afternoon of top-level sport in front of the home crowd in Lier. Individually, Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus claimed a convincing Grand Prix victory with 80.391%, followed by Larissa Pauluis and Flambeau on 73.522%. Dutch rider Marieke van der Putten finished third together with Kuvasz RS2 on 72.978%. In total, eight nations lined up for the FEI Dressage Nations Cup in Lier. The action at Azelhof continues tomorrow with the Grand Prix Special and the Freestyle to Music still on the programme.

Results