History-making day for Belgium in Lier

Team Belgium - Michiels Domien, Pauluis Larissa, Van Lent Jeroen, Defalque Charlotte, Verboomen Justin - winners of the FEI Dressage Nations Cup - Lier (BEL) at CDIO Lier 2025 © FEI/Hippo Foto Media- Dirk Caremans

The motivation was high for the home nation Saturday at CDIO4* Lier, as the country of Belgium hosted its first ever FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ event. Its athletes left their mark, securing a victory and denying Germany its third straight victory of the season. 

Led by Chef d'Equipe Jeroen van Lent, the Belgium squad of Domien Michiels (Intermezzo van het Meerdaalhof), Charlotte Defalque (Botticelli), Justin Verboomen (Zonik Plus), and Larissa Pauluis (Flambeau) posted a winning total score of 220.825, less than two points ahead of Germany (218.892). The Netherlands finished third (212.131).

"I think everybody was very motivated, but they had to do it here, in this place. It was quite difficult, but we were prepared. We're really happy."

Jeroen van Lent

(BEL)

Verboomen, 37, had never before competed on a Nations Cup team, but he made his debut unforgettable with the 9-year-old stallion, Zonik Plus. In their first outdoor competition of the year, the duo shattered their personal best and posted a score for the Grand Prix test that was nearly four points higher than any other competitor (78.543%). It was truly a breakout moment as they catapulted their team to the top of the leaderboard, receiving exceptional marks from the judges in their canter work, particularly in the pirouette and flying changes. 

"I believe in [Zonik Plus]. He's the whole package. The potential for this kind of horse is amazing."

Justin Verboomen

(BEL)

Pauluis and her Paris Olympic mount Flambeau held strong as the anchor combination, recovering after a miscue in the flying changes to score 72.478%. Defalque produced the third score for the team, earning 69.804% with her longtime partner, the 19-year-old stallion Boticelli.

With just three riders comprising the German team, all of their scores counted toward the team total, with no drop score available. Isabell Werth posted high marks with the inexperienced Special Blend 3, but mistakes in both their entrance and the rein back brought their score down (71.739%). Katharina Hemmer rallied the group with her 74.857% aboard Denoix PCH, but there was a little too much ground to make up.

"We hope we can stay on this level in Rotterdam, in Aachen and in Crozet (for the FEI Dressage European Championships)," van Lent said. "[This win] is very important...I think in the dressage world, it's very difficult to get to this level. Now, thanks to the riders, the horses, and the [support teams], we are now here for the first time, and we hope we can stay here for a long time at this level."

Germany continues to lead the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ standings, possessing 35 points. The Netherlands sits second with 20 points, followed by Belgium and Portugal, with 19 points apiece. CDIO5* Rotterdam (NED) hosts the next FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ event on 19 June 2025.

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