Reigning European champions and present world quantity ones Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus prolonged their extraordinary run of kind with a commanding win within the FEI Dressage World Cup qualifier grand prix at Equita Lyon – breaking the 80% barrier for the primary time with a private better of 81.2%. The consequence smashes their earlier mark of 79.08%, set on the European Dressage Championships in Crozet simply two months in the past.
It’s the sixth consecutive private finest for the Belgian pair, whose grand prix scores have risen by nearly seven proportion factors for the reason that begin of 2025 – an astonishing price of progress at this degree.
For context, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro’s world file of 87.46%, set on the London World Cup qualifier in 2014, nonetheless stands as the game’s benchmark.
Whether or not Justin and Zonik Plus can ultimately attain that territory stays to be seen – significantly in an period of extra conservative scoring – however at simply 9 years outdated, the stallion’s trajectory suggests there’s nonetheless lots extra to return. On present kind, they appear each bit the very best mixture on this planet proper now.
“Each time he goes out in a contest, he matures, and I really feel he’s nonetheless bettering,” Justin mentioned. “After the European Championships, I attempted to work a bit extra with Zonik at residence, in actually peaceable circumstances.
“As a lot as doable, I attempted to launch the stress and strain that had constructed up over earlier occasions. I believe it paid off within the grand prix, as a result of he was tremendous relaxed.”
Zonik’s piaffe and passage have been delicate, uphill, and fantastically balanced, incomes a number of nines and even a ten from the Dutch choose at C, Francis Verbeek-van Rooy, for the ultimate piaffe on the centre line.
However it was his pirouettes that stole the present – completely centred and managed – with two extra 10s awarded throughout the board. A slight hesitation within the one-time modifications and a short lack of rhythm within the transition from stroll to passage have been the one blemishes in an in any other case flowing, expressive check. Even then, these moments nonetheless scored sevens – the bottom mark on their sheet.
“Pleasure is the overwhelming feeling I’ve after this class, above and past the private file,” Justin added. “I’m actually happy with my horse. He’s very delicate and offers rather a lot. He’s at all times had this capacity to essentially deal with me and my encouragements. So, we’ve tried to construct on that through the years.
“Final yr, on the indoor circuits, he bought extremely popular and was affected by the environment. However right here the world is large and open, so it’s very nice to experience right here.”
Britain’s Becky Moody and Jagerbomb have been subsequent into the world, and would have wanted to beat their very own private finest by greater than 4% to win. Jagerbomb impressed with some huge modifications, scoring 8.5s, and his actions from the prolonged trot into the ultimate centre line helped carry their mark – Becky at all times finishes sturdy.
Catching Justin and Zonik Plus was at all times going to be a stretch, however Becky’s polished spherical noticed them into second on 76.2%, nearly precisely matching their season common. Poland’s Sandra Sysojeva accomplished the rostrum with Maxima Bella, scoring 72.63%.
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Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus win particular person gold on the 2025 European Dressage Championships.
Credit score: FEI/Leanjo de Koster
Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus land a second gold medal on the 2025 European Dressage Championships.
Credit score: FEI/Leanjo De Koster
Justin Verboomen overwhelmed after profitable gold within the grand prix particular on Zonik Plus on the European Dressage Championships.
Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
Credit score: Future
H&H dressage and sport horse editor
Oscar graduated from York St John College with a grasp’s diploma in Literature in 2021 and joined Horse & Hound in October 2023. Oscar labored for high dressage rider Emile Faurie for 4 years after ending an equine administration course at school. Beneath Emile’s tutelage, Oscar competed on the 2015 Nationwide Dressage Championships and travelled with Emile’s horses to CDIs at Aachen, Vidauban, Saumur and Achlieiten. Oscar continues to compete in dressage, alongside his day job.
