World number one and double European Champion Justin Verboomen (BEL) continued his winning streak with another stunning performance aboard Zonik Plus at the second leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2025/2026 Western European League in Lyon (FRA). The Belgian athlete achieved a new personal best of 81.195% in the Grand Prix and went on to win the Freestyle with 87.075%.
Britain’s Becky Moody and her home-bred Jagerbomb came very close with a brilliant, fault-free Freestyle on 85.175%, while Belgium’s Larissa Pauluis completed the podium with Flambeau (owned by Caroline and Emmanuel Lepage, Jean and Marie Christine Pauluis) on 79.560%.
A rising star
Less than a year ago, few in international Dressage had heard of Justin Verboomen and his gorgeous black stallion Zonik Plus (owned by the athlete). But since their breakthrough win in the Grand Prix at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ in Mechelen (BEL) last December, their rise has been meteoric. Today’s victory in front of a packed Eurexpo Arena marked their first FEI Dressage World Cup™ Freestyle triumph.
Since their European Championship double gold in Crozet (FRA), Zonik Plus has shown even more harmony, softness and correctness in Lyon.
“In the Grand Prix, Zonik Plus gave me an amazing feeling, it was our best test ever,” said Verboomen. “During the Freestyle, we had a few small mistakes. The arena was suddenly full and quite warm, and Zonik Plus was a little impressed by the crowd. I tried to keep his attention on me, which led to the mistakes in the tempi changes. At home we keep working on even more suppleness, confidence and harmony.”
Belgian strength in depth
Belgium celebrated more success through Larissa Pauluis and Flambeau, who finished third after a powerful and expressive test, with some mistakes in the tempi changes. “I’m a bit disappointed with myself because of the mistakes in the Freestyle,” Pauluis admitted. “Flambeau has a lot of character and I always have to manage his emotions in the arena. But I’m still very happy with the overall result, for myself and for Belgium.”
Belgium fielded no fewer than four athletes in Lyon, all of whom finished inside the top ten. Domien Michiels and Intermezzo van het Meerdaalhof (owned by Marc Steeno) produced a correct and nicely framed test to place ninth on 73.590%, where the horse could show a bit more push from behind. Meanwhile Wim Verwimp and Jedai de Massa (owned by Eon Jin Chin, J-Tack Korea and Jorinde Verwimp) impressed with their piaffe-passage work to complete the top ten on 73.560%.
Strong performances across the board
Switzerland’s Delia Eggenberger rode a much fresher Fairtrade (owned by Isabelle Ros) to climb from thirteenth in the Grand Prix to seventh in the Freestyle on 75.175%. Just behind her, Luxembourg’s Fie Christine Skarsoe and the Lusitano Imperador Dos Cedros (owned by Manon Ackermann) placed eighth on 73.755%.
Thamar Zweistra (NED) produced a classy test with her only nine-year-old chestnut Hexagons Luxuriouzz N.O.P.T. (owned by Stal Hexagon B.V. and the athlete), scoring 78.220% for fifth place. Luxuriouzz, has a lot of ease and fluency, linked the difficult movements effortlessly, although the length in the neck remains a point of attention.
Sandra Sysojeva (POL) and her black mare Maxima Bella (owned by the athlete and Dominika Kraskp Bialek) were unable to hold on to their third place from the Grand Prix. The energetic mare can sometimes become a little over-eager, which today led to a few moments of tension. Their 76.560% placed them sixth overall.
French favourite back in form
Home favourite Pauline Basquin (FRA) delighted the Lyon audience with Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE (owned by Institut Français du Cheval et de l’Équitation). The pair, who won in Madrid (ESP) last season, showed that they are back on form, taking fourth place with 78.855%.
“We had a hard time during the 2025 summer season,” said Basquin. “Now we are finding each other again. We’re coming back in shape and I’m very happy with the tests in Lyon. We’re ready for the season!”.
Moody makes you smile
Last to go in the Freestyle, the ever-smiling Becky Moody (GBR) and her home-bred Jagerbomb charmed the crowd with their cheerful Beatles-themed performance. Their harmonious and flawless test scored 85.175%, placing them just behind Verboomen.
“I was smiling all the time!” said Moody. “The crowd here was amazing. I’m so lucky to ride Jagerbomb, I always enjoy riding him. He is very consistent, has an incredible temperament and is very trainable. He makes my life easy, but you can always have a good or bad day. In the Grand Prix I was a bit frustrated with myself, not with Bomb. Today everything felt super.”
The season continues in Stuttgart
After this second leg in Lyon, Verboomen now sits ninth in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ standings. Fie Christine Skarsoe leads the series, followed by Thamar Zweistra and Germany’s Raphael Netz.
The next leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League will take place in Stuttgart (GER) on 14 and 15 November, so don’t miss a hoofbeat!
Full results here.
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