The final FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier of the year in Mechelen (BEL) turned into an exciting contest between Dutch and Belgian combinations. In the festive arena, the home crowd witnessed Belgian dressage performances of a calibre rarely seen before. Ultimately, it was Dinja van Liere (NED) and Hermès N.O.P. who disrupted the Belgian celebration with a winning score of 83.240% in the Freestyle.
The FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier in Mechelen was the sixth leg of the season and gave the home audience much to cheer for. The excitement started early in the Grand Prix on Saturday, when Justin Verboomen (BEL), World Cup-debutant and first combination of the day, delivered a sensational performance with the only eight-year-old Zonik Plus. They posted an impressive score of over 74%, which held up against even the most experienced athletes, including Olympians Dinja van Liere and Larissa Pauluis (BEL).
Van Liere bounces back in the Freestyle
Dinja van Liere brought her top horse Hermès N.O.P. (owned by Joop van Uytert) to Mechelen. The pair achieved fourth place at the Paris Olympics, but Hermès found the atmosphere in the Mechelen Grand Prix overwhelming, leading to costly mistakes and a fourth-place finish. “In the Grand Prix, we really lost each other,” Van Liere explained. “He was scared and spooked, so it was a difficult ride.”
However, Van Liere restored order in the Freestyle. Despite minor errors in the two-tempis and one pirouette, Hermès appeared far more settled, delivering a relaxed and harmonious performance with outstanding piaffe and passage-work, to claim victory. Their score, though impressive, remained around 5% below their Olympic peak.
A vibrant arena
Mechelen’s arena, with the crowd close to the action and a lively and noisy atmosphere, proved challenging for several horses. Among those who managed to excel was Camille Cheret Judet (FRA), who rode the energetic Herelja Higgins (owned by Francoise Bourgeois and S.A.S. Pamfou Dressage) to a score of 76.295%, finishing eighth. Belgian Olympian Domien Michiels raised the bar further with Intermezzo van het Meerdaalhof (owned by Marc Steeno), delivering a precise and correct Freestyle for 77.305% and sixth place.
Belgium’s Larissa Pauluis, riding her Olympic partner Flambeau, gave a near-flawless performance in the Freestyle. Their expressive freestyle with well-fitting rhythmical music earned them a score of 79.920%, securing third place. Reflecting on her horse’s development, Pauluis said, “It’s taken me years to get where we are today, and he keeps improving. In the beginning of our career, he was very difficult to ride in the double bridle, but the contact keeps getting better. I’m so proud of him.”
A rising star: Verboomen and Zonik Plus
The most memorable moment of the weekend came from Justin Verboomen and his own Zonik Plus. Competing in just their second international Grand Prix and their first World Cup competition, the pair delivered a standout performance. After winning the Grand Prix on Saturday, they scored a sensational 81.730% in the Freestyle, finishing second.
Verboomen discovered Zonik Plus as a 2.5-year-old in Portugal and has since developed him into a rising star. The stallion already has impressive achievements under his belt, including sixth place in the six-year-old finals at the Longines FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses. Now, he looks poised to become a world-class competitor.
Reflecting on his journey together with the talented stallion, Verboomen said, “It’s been an incredible journey, and his best years are still ahead of him. He’s such a generous horse, full of courage and always in a good mood.”
Final highlights
Dorothee Schneider (GER), the last athlete in the Freestyle, also delivered a strong performance with her Grand Prix star Dayman (owned by Lian-United GmbH). After placing third in the Grand Prix, they had errors in the one-tempis and one piaffe in the Freestyle, earning 77.325% for fifth place. Schneider was narrowly surpassed by Corentin Pottier (FRA) and Gotilas du Feuillard (owned by Maryse Pottier, Herve Pottier and Camille Judet Cheret), whose harmonious and error-free performance earned 77.340% and fourth place.
Borja Carrascosa (ESP), fifth in the Grand Prix, slipped down two places after the Freestyle. Riding the elegant stallion Frizzantino FRH (owned by the athlete and Alexander Brenninkmeijer), he earned 76.985%, with slight mistakes in the extended trot and some transitions affecting their score.
Looking ahead
With Van Liere now fourth in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ standings after her Mechelen victory, she is eyeing a spot in the Finals but is yet to decide which horse she will take: Hartsuijker or Hermès N.O.P.
The next leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ is scheduled for Basel (SUI), on January 2025, so don’t miss a hoofbeat…
Full results here.
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