Justin Verboomen reclaims his throne: the world number one is back

Two months. That's how long the interlude lasted. After surrendering the world number one spot to Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour at the end of March, Justin Verboomen has already reclaimed his seat at the top of the FEI World Rankings in May. Just eight points now separate the two leaders, who continue their game of cat and mouse at the summit of international dressage.

The king returns

This month’s FEI rankings place a Belgian rider back at the very top. Thanks to Belgium’s victory in the Nations Cup in Lier last month, Justin Verboomen regains control of the world rankings with 2,026 points.

Close behind, Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour sits on 2,018. Just eight points. A margin as fine as a hoofprint on freshly harrowed footing.

Charlotte Fry completes the podium on 1,971 points, while the remainder of the Top 10 remains virtually unchanged.

Zonik Plus reaches new heights

The horse rankings tell exactly the same story. Zonik Plus also regains his status as the world’s number one horse, ahead of Mount St John Freestyle and Glamourdale.

After a carefully planned winter break, the ten-year-old star has returned as if he had never been away. Three competitions this season, three victories. Maximum efficiency.

Since their historic double European title in Crozet last August, a first for Belgium, Verboomen and his stallion have continued to deliver benchmark performances. From 29 international FEI starts, they have already recorded 20 victories and have finished outside the Top 3 only twice.

Belgium can already look towards Aachen

At 38, Verboomen is not obsessed with the world number one ranking.

« It's wonderful recognition for the work we've done, but it's not my main goal explains the Belgian rider, who consistently emphasises his horse’s welfare and long-term development above all else.

The pair will now ease off before methodically preparing for the World Championships in Aachen, the major target of the season and a crucial milestone on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Pauluis still firmly inside the top 10

There is more good news for Belgian dressage. Larissa Pauluis retains her solid eighth place in the world rankings, further underlining the depth of Belgium’s current squad, which has become one of the leading forces in international dressage.

Two world number ones for the price of one

As if Justin Verboomen’s return to the top were not enough, Belgium also places another rider at the summit of the FEI rankings. Shirley Vanerom has now climbed to world number one in the Children category. A deserved reward for the young rider and yet another sign of the excellent health of Belgian dressage, which continues to shine both in age-group divisions and on the senior international stage. With Verboomen, Pauluis and now Vanerom leading the charge, Belgium’s black-yellow-red colours have every reason to stand proud.