Belgian Dressage Golden Generation Gallops to New Heights
Belgian dressage is experiencing an unprecedented golden era. The national team secured its second consecutive FEI Dressage Nations Cup victory at CDIO4* Lier on 23 May 2026, confirming Belgium’s emergence as a genuine global force in the discipline. Led by reigning European Champion Justin Verboomen and his exceptional stallion Zonik Plus, the team now sets its sights on the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, where Olympic qualification for Los Angeles 2028 is at stake.
A Dominant Home Victory
Belgium finished with a commanding total score of 225.543%, defeating traditional powerhouses Great Britain (213.391%), Germany (211.804%), and the Netherlands (210.826%), according to FEI Inside. The result marks the second year running that Belgium has won the Nations Cup on home soil, with the first-ever dressage Nations Cup event held in the country taking place in 2025.
The Belgian squad — comprising Wim Verwimp (Jeadai de Massa), Charlotte Defalque (First-Step Valentin), Larissa Pauluis (Flambeau), and Justin Verboomen (Zonik Plus) — delivered a cohesive team performance under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Jeroen van Lent.
Verboomen and Zonik Plus: A Partnership for the Ages
Justin Verboomen anchored the team with an outstanding individual score of 80.391% on Zonik Plus, the highest of the competition, earning 9.5 marks for his pirouettes. This follows a personal best of 83.500% at Fontainebleau in April 2026, as reported by La Libre/Belga.
“I was a little stressed before my test today because of the weather conditions, but we tried to adapt where possible,” Verboomen told the FEI press team. “Zonik Plus is a horse full of surprises. Not everything went exactly as planned, but I’m really proud of the result and also of the entire team.”
Verboomen became the first Belgian rider ever to win European Championship gold in dressage in August 2025 — a historic achievement in the competition’s 62-year history. Now ranked among the world’s top five riders, with Zonik Plus among the top three dressage horses globally, the pair are legitimate contenders for the world title.
Team Spirit Driving Success
Beyond individual brilliance, a remarkable team culture has propelled Belgium’s rise. Larissa Pauluis, an Olympian from Paris 2024 and world number eight, delivered a fluid test with Flambeau, scoring 73.522%. She described it as “probably the best Grand Prix I have ever ridden with Flambeau.”
Notably, Pauluis lent one of her horses to Charlotte Defalque to strengthen the national team — a rare act of solidarity in an individual sport, as highlighted by RTBF.
Chef d’Equipe Jeroen van Lent praised the team’s progress: “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.”
Eyes on Aachen 2026
Verboomen has confirmed that Lier was Zonik Plus’ final preparatory competition before the World Championships in Aachen (11-23 August 2026). The stallion will now enjoy a rest period through June and July, with Verboomen focusing on fine-tuning at home.
“Zonik Plus feels really good,” Verboomen told Eurodressage. “I’ve mainly focused on the small details: relaxation in the canter, the connection. But ultimately, those aren’t details. That’s actually the foundation.”
The World Championships carry enormous stakes: the top six finishers will secure qualification slots for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. With Germany leading the Nations Cup series on 32 points, followed by Belgium and Great Britain tied on 23, the competition remains fierce.
A New Chapter for Belgian Equestrian Sport
Belgium has long been a powerhouse in show jumping, but dressage has traditionally remained in the shadow of dominant nations such as Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Denmark. That narrative is rapidly changing. The creation of Belgium Dressage Events and the CDIO Lier competition has provided a world-class platform, while a golden generation of riders has emerged simultaneously.
As Wim Verwimp, who also serves as event director for CDIO Lier, noted: “It’s really fantastic to see how this event keeps growing. 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.”
With the World Championships on the horizon, Belgium enters Aachen as a serious medal contender. Whether Verboomen and Zonik Plus can maintain their extraordinary form through the rest period and deliver on the biggest stage remains the defining question of the season. One thing is certain: Belgian dressage has never been stronger, and the world is taking notice.