With a weekend full of exciting finales ahead, Aude Verheecke in the Young Riders and Liezel Everars in the U25 already set the tone. Both riders claimed victory in their respective classes with scores of 69.529% and 69.794%. With large and competitive fields, the coming days promise to deliver thrilling finals in both youth divisions.

Dream horse for Aude Verheecke

Aude Verheecke and Koen may only recently have become a combination, but the partnership already looks perfectly matched.
“We have only been together since January, but things are going incredibly well. My tests are becoming more and more consistent, and I’m really happy with what we showed today,” Aude explained. Her 11-year-old gelding is a dream both in character and under saddle. “What makes him such a wonderful horse? His character. He’s an amazing horse to work with, not only when riding but also around the stable. He’s incredibly easy in everything he does. Even in busy environments like this one, he’s not impressed at all. During the test there was a lot happening near the stables and quite a bit of noise, but he just keeps going as if nothing is happening,” said the proud rider, who made her international debut with the horse only two weeks ago.

 

Best test so far for Liezel Everars

In the U25 division, we also spoke to a delighted winner, as Liezel Everars and Venere topped the leaderboard. “I had such a great feeling throughout the entire test. She’s such a wonderful horse, she never says no when you ask something of her and she always wants to work with you. Even when she finds something difficult, she still tries her absolute best,” Liezel said about the mare with whom she has been partnered for around two years. “I think this was our best test ever at this level. I’m incredibly proud!” Liezel dreams of competing at Grand Prix level with Venere, and she has every confidence in the mare’s future. With performances like this as a stepping stone toward the Big Tour, this combination looks set for a very promising future.

Results Young Riders 

1. Aude Verheecke & Koen: 69.529%
2. Victoria Evrard & Jordy HBC: 68.059%
3. Victoria Evrard & Botticelli: 67.677%

Results U25

1. Liezel Everars & Venere: 69.794%
2. Jette De Jong & Heavenly Charming: 69.000%
3. Zoë Niessen & Paco Rabanne: 68.235%

Maybe you’ve already noticed: CDIO Lier has gained an even stronger black-yellow-red touch. We are proud to welcome Lotto as the new official partner of the Nations Cup, a competition in which the home team has claimed victory for the past two consecutive years.

This partnership perfectly reflects the shared values of sport, experience, and social commitment. “This partnership perfectly matches the growing ambitions of CDIO Lier, and we are extremely proud to join forces with such a respected and inspiring partner”, according to Thomas Eyckmans, one of the organisers of CDIO Lier.

Lotto’s mission is deeply rooted in giving back to society. Each year, 100% of its profits are reinvested into projects that create a positive impact across Belgium. Through its continuous investment in sport, Lotto helps athletes, events, and federations grow, while making it possible for sport in Belgium to keep developing at every level.

We are therefore extremely proud that Lotto is joining forces with the CDIO Lier Nations Cup and, together with us, wants to contribute to the visibility and continued growth of international dressage sport in Belgium.

Five days of top-level dressage at CDIO Lier came to an impressive conclusion on Sunday afternoon, with the 4* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music providing a beautiful final highlight of the event. The Belgian crowd at Azelhof was treated to outstanding sport throughout the afternoon, not only thanks to the magical performance of home favourite Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus, but also through strong performances from the rest of the international field.

The undisputed star of the afternoon was once again Belgium’s own Justin Verboomen with the sensational Zonik Plus. Competing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, the pair broke the magical 90% barrier with a winning score of 90.015%, further confirming their status as one of the most exciting combinations in international dressage today. “The trot work felt really easy today, and the pirouettes were better than yesterday”, Verboomen said afterwards. “I really tried to give him confidence and comfort in the ring, and I did my best to help him”, Justin explains. “I was for sure very happy with our test and I’m incredibly proud of him, he is still so young. After the small mistakes yesterday, I didn’t feel completely confident, but once again Zonik Plus made me so proud.”

Two 16-years-old
Belgian rider Larissa Pauluis also gave the home crowd plenty to cheer for. Together with her experienced 16-year-old partner Flambeau, she rode to second place with a strong score of 81.750%. Third place in the freestyle went to Germany’s Semmieke Rothenberger and 16-years-old Farrington, scoring 79.745%, who continued an impressive week in Lier. Just one day earlier, the 26-year-old rider made her senior Nations Cup debut for Germany.

“You saved us!”
“It is always an honour to represent your country”, Rothenberger said afterwards. “This was my senior debut, although I’ve competed at many championships before, so I know what pressure feels like. But I didn’t realise my score would still be important for the bronze medal in the Nations Cup. When I came out of the arena, my teammates told me: ‘Semmie, you saved us!’”, she laughed. Rothenberger was also full of praise for the organisation in Lier. “It truly feels like a show organised by and for horse people. Everything is top class: the stables, the footing, the entire atmosphere. Ferri loves coming here and always performs so well in Lier.”

From Lier to Dutch Championships
Dutch rider Marieke van der Putten also impressed the crowd with a strong freestyle performance aboard Kuvasz RS2. Despite a costly mistake in the one-tempis, the Dutch combination showed clear progression and maturity, leaving Van der Putten genuinely delighted with her horse afterwards. “I’m really, really happy”, Van der Putten smiled afterwards. “Of course I’m a little disappointed about the mistake in the one-tempis because that was a very expensive one. But overall, I’m super happy. He keeps improving so much. The piaffe and passage are getting better and better. He really fought for me today. This is the first competition where I can ride him in the arena the same way he feels at home. He is becoming mature and this was very good preparation for the Dutch Championships next week.”

Grand Prix Special
Earlier on the final day of CDIO Lier, the audience was also treated to high-quality sport during the 4* Grand Prix Special. Belgian rider Wim Verwimp claimed victory aboard Jedai de Massa, much to the delight of the home crowd. Portugal’s Maria Caetano followed in second place with Hit Plus, while Great Britain’s Susan Pape completed the podium in third with Harmony’s Giulilanta. Once again, CDIO Lier proved itself as one of Europe’s leading dressage events, bringing together world-class combinations, passionate supporters and outstanding sport in a unique atmosphere at Azelhof with over 250 riders and 300 horses. The organisation now looks forward to welcoming riders, owners and spectators back to Lier next Wednesday for the start of the Belgian Dressage Championships.

Results

With nearly 60 combinations lining up throughout the week, the Small Tour classes at CDIO Lier were among the busiest of the entire event. Riders from all over the world travelled to Azelhof, with many combinations using Lier as an important qualification opportunity for the upcoming Asian Games. In a field packed with quality and consistency, it was Belgium’s Suraya Hendrikx who managed to stand out day after day, claiming no less than three victories across the week with her horse Benicia.

“It has been a really nice week in Lier, although definitely a long one with such a big group of Small Tour combinations”, Suraya smiles afterwards. “I really tried to keep my horse as fresh as possible throughout the week, and I think that worked out well. She felt really good in all three tests and I’m happy I managed to keep that consistency. Hopefully we can continue this line into next week.”

Freestyle wasn’t the plan
Originally, riding the freestyle was not even part of the plan. “At first I didn’t really think I would ride the freestyle because of the long week”, she explains. “So I wasn’t completely prepared for it myself. But I have ridden this freestyle for a long time already, so I know exactly what to do. If I can improve one thing, it’s that I rushed a little bit through the corners. Next week I want to bring a bit more calm into the test.”

“I would love to breed a foal from her”
“She is such a lovely Small Tour horse and I will definitely keep her at this level. I don’t think she can physically handle Grand Prix. A few years ago she broke her splint bone, so honestly I’m already very grateful that I can still compete her successfully in the Small Tour.” That connection also makes the mare far too special to ever leave the stable. “She is absolutely not for sale”, Suraya says firmly. “And when she eventually retires from the sport, I would love to breed a foal from her.”

Looking forward to the Belgian Championships
Breeding is already an important part of the ambitions at home. One of the mares in their breeding programme produced the three-year-old champion stallion Avici ECH, a horse Hendrikx is closely following for the future. “I really have high hopes for him and I hope he will become something very special.” There is little time to rest, though. Next week already promises another busy schedule for the Belgian rider, who will compete multiple horses and levels while combining sport with coaching her students. “Next week I will ride Grand Prix, Level 4 and Prix St. Georges, with four of my own horses. It’s going to be a very busy week with many students as well, but honestly I’m really looking forward to it.”

Results:
1. Suraya Hendrikx & Benicia: 73.755%
2. Jorinde Verwimp & Karnival Zee T: 72.995%
3. Anke Moordtgat & Benefit: 72.805%

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