Fontainebleau: Germany Clinches It at the Finish, Verboomen on Fire, and a High-Tension Grand Prix

It took until the very last ride to determine the outcome of this Dressage Nations Cup in Fontainebleau. In a Grand Prix suffocating in precision, Germany snatched victory right under the noses of the British, while Belgian rider Justin Verboomen delivered a standout performance—securing the individual win with a new personal best. A day of dressage just as we like it: technical, tight, and brutally unpredictable.

A three-way duel… until the very end

The stage? The Carrière des Princes in Fontainebleau, in five-star mode, kicking off a European season heading straight toward the World Championships in CHIO Aachen this summer. Seven nations, four combinations each, a no-margin Grand Prix, and one simple rule: the slightest mistake is costly.

Very costly.

For much of the day, Germany set the tone. Solid, deep, almost mechanical in their ability to stack clean scores: Benjamin Werndl (72.652%), Svenja Kämper-Meyer (72.369%), and Frederic Wandres (76.826%) laid the foundation.

But behind them, the pressure never eased.

United Kingdom stayed within striking distance thanks to Fiona Bigwood (71.630%), Carl Hester (76.152%), and Lewis Carrier (67.674%). Nothing flashy, but enough to stay in contention.

Verboomen sets Fontainebleau alight

Then came Justin Verboomen.

With Zonik Plus, the Belgian European champion produced a masterclass. Harmony, elastic contact, balance, and above all, canter pirouettes that raised eyebrows. The verdict: 83,500 %a personal best and immediate command of the individual standings.

For a few minutes, Belgium dared to dream even bigger. With Charlotte Defalque (68.239%), Wim Verwimp (64.631%), and Larissa Pauluis (73.022%), the team held firm—and Verboomen briefly pushed them into the lead.

Fontainebleau held its breath.

Fry strikes back…

Right behind, Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale entered the arena. The British pair showcased their strengths: spectacular extensions, pinpoint flying changes. 80,848 %.

Great Britain moved ahead. Belgium slipped back. And everything now rested on a single test. Just one.

…and Werth seals it

Last to go: Isabell WerthThe legend. The one who has won everything—and still sets the standard.

With Wendy de Fontainethe test built in intensity. A powerful final passage, a solid centerline, and a score of 80,587 %.

Not the highest of the day, but the most decisive.

Germany moved into the lead with 230,065 %, ahead of 228,630 % for Great Britain’s. End

Standings: tight at the top, solid behind

🇩🇪 Germany – 230,065 %
🇬🇧 Great Britain – 228,630 %
🇧🇪 Belgium – 224,761 %
🇵🇹 Portugal
🇪🇸 Spain
🇳🇱 Netherlands
🇫🇷 France

Individually, Justin Verboomen takes the win ahead of Charlotte Fry and Isabell Werth, with Frederic Wandres just off the podium. Carl Hester, Larissa Pauluis, Benjamin Werndl, and Maria Caetano complete the Top 8.

A hierarchy already emerging

In the Nations Cup standings, Germany takes the lead with 23 points.. Great Britain follows (13 pts), while Belgium settles into third place (11 pts), just ahead of the United States.

An early-season signal: the heavyweights are here, margins are minimal, and every test counts double.

Fontainebleau didn’t just launch the season, it laid the groundwork for a high-stakes summer. Between a razor-sharp Germany, an ultra-competitive Britain, and a red-hot Justin Verboomen, European dressage has already found its first heroes.

And above all, its first battles.