{"id":48730,"date":"2026-04-18T19:36:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T17:36:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/?p=48730"},"modified":"2026-04-18T19:36:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T17:36:54","slug":"coupe-nations-dressage-fontainebleau-allemagne-verboomen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/en\/news\/2026\/04\/18\/coupe-nations-dressage-fontainebleau-allemagne-verboomen\/","title":{"rendered":"Fontainebleau: Germany Clinches It at the Finish, Verboomen on Fire, and a High-Tension Grand Prix"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2014securing the individual win with a new personal best. A day of dressage just as we like it: technical, tight, and brutally unpredictable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"(Isabell
(Isabell Werth & Wendy de Fontaine)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A three-way duel\u2026 until the very end<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stage? The Carri\u00e8re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very costly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 K\u00e4mper-Meyer (72.369%), and Frederic Wandres (76.826%) laid the foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"(Frederic
(Frederic Wandres & Bluetooth Old)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But behind them, the pressure never eased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verboomen sets Fontainebleau alight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then came Justin Verboomen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"(Justin
(Justin Verboomen & Zonik Plus)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2014and Verboomen briefly pushed them into the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"(Larissa
(Larissa Pauluis & Flambeau)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fontainebleau held its breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fry strikes back\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right behind, Charlotte Fry<\/strong> and Glamourdale<\/strong> entered the arena. The British pair showcased their strengths: spectacular extensions, pinpoint flying changes. 80,848 %<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great Britain moved ahead. Belgium slipped back. And everything now rested on a single test. Just one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"(Charlotte
(Charlotte Fry & Glamourdale)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026and Werth seals it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last to go: Isabell Werth<\/strong>The legend. The one who has won everything\u2014and still sets the standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Wendy de Fontaine<\/strong>the test built in intensity. A powerful final passage, a solid centerline, and a score of 80,587 %<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"(Isabell
(Isabell Werth & Wendy de Fontaine)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Not the highest of the day, but the most decisive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Germany moved into the lead with 230,065 %<\/strong>, ahead of 228,630 %<\/strong> for Great Britain\u2019s. End<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standings: tight at the top, solid behind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n