On home soil, beneath skies that looked anything but Belgian, the national dressage team set the record straight once more. Victory in the Nations Cup at Lier, a second consecutive win at home, and above all, a growing sense that Belgium is no longer just the pleasant surprise of European dressage. It is becoming a nation that matters. With the World Championships in Aachen only months away, the outline of the team is taking shape. And honestly? It looks seriously impressive.

Lier, Belgium’s dressage capital

A few years ago, hosting a Dressage Nations Cup in Belgium still felt almost like an act of militant optimism. Today, Lier welcomes eight nations, carries the atmosphere of a major international fixture, and fields a Belgian team that wins. Twice in a row.

With a total of 225.543 points, Jeroen van Lent’s Belgium dominated Great Britain (213.391) and Germany (211.804). A clear victory. Clean. Controlled. The kind of success that confirms a trend rather than delivering a one-weekend upset.

« These riders continue writing the history of Belgian dressage ”, summed up the chef d'equipe. And it is hard to argue with him.

Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus, the driving force behind belgium’s project

There are solid teams. And then there are teams that possess a partnership capable of lifting an entire stadium to its feet.

Already impressive in 2025 during their Nations Cup debut, Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus now seem to have entered another dimension. In Lier, they produced a Grand Prix score of 80.391%, with pirouettes rewarded by 9.5s. Yes, 9.5s. Only weeks after an enormous 83.500% performance in Fontainebleau.

The most unsettling part for the competition? Verboomen himself felt things were “ not exactly as planned .” The eternal dissatisfaction that defines the very best.

As for the gelding, he continues to rise. More importantly, he gives Belgium something it has never truly had before: a combination capable of chasing a world medal without feeling the need to apologise for believing in it.

And the message is clear: Lier was the final competitive outing before the World Championships in Aachen this August.

A team no longer reliant on one superstar

That may well be Belgium’s biggest development in 2026. This victory was collective.

Larissa Pauluis delivered one of the finest tests of her career with Flambeau (73.522%), riding with remarkable fluidity. Charlotte Defalque held her ground (69.848%), with the partnership with Valentin continuing to develop positively, while Wim Verwimp contributed his experience with a 71.630% score.

In other words: Belgium now wins with depth.

Larissa Pauluis is not simply riding the Belgian wave. She is helping create it.

« This was probably the best Grand Prix I’ve ever ridden with him. »

That detail matters. Because at the highest level, teams capable of fighting for medals are rarely the ones relying on a single phenomenon. Having four dependable combinations is rare. And that is precisely what Belgium is beginning to build.

The Belgian project gains real substance

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this victory is not even the result itself.

It is the feeling of continuity.

Same staff. Same momentum. Same riders progressing together. Belgian dressage, long overshadowed by the German, Dutch, and British powerhouses, is finally moving forward with a clear structure and identity.

Symbolically, seeing Wim Verwimp perform while simultaneously directing the event says a lot about the state of the project: committed people involved at every level.

« Seeing the event grow like this makes me very proud, ” he explained.

Lier is becoming more than a competition. It is turning into a showcase for the new Belgian dressage.

Aachen in sight

Of course, nobody hands out medals in May. Germany still leads the Nations Cup standings with 32 points, while Belgium and Great Britain follow with 23.

But from a sporting perspective, something is shifting.

Belgium heads to Aachen with:

• a credible world-class leader,
• a stable team,
• rising scores,
• and above all, a collective confidence that is beginning to resemble that of the sport’s traditional giants.

In dressage, a discipline where cycles are built slowly, this kind of momentum matters enormously.

And for once, Belgium is no longer tiptoeing into the arena. It enters the rectangle broad-shouldered and unapologetic.

Find the full results of the Lier Dressage Nations Cup here.

(Photos © FEI/Dirk Caremans)