Belgium’s Justin Verboomen has written his name into dressage history books after claiming double gold medals at the FEI European Dressage Championship 2025 in Crozet, France. Riding his nine-year-old stallion Zonik Plus, Verboomen secured Belgium’s first-ever dressage championship medals with victories in both the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle.
Historic Achievement for Belgium
The 31st August marked a momentous day for Belgian dressage as Verboomen and Zonik Plus delivered a sublime freestyle performance, scoring 89.964% to claim gold. This achievement follows their Grand Prix Special victory on Friday, making them the first Belgian combination to win European dressage medals.
“It’s so beautiful having an arena where people are so close, but what happens is the horses get a little nervous. It’s incredibly loud in there,” reflected the Belgian rider after his historic win at Jiva Hill Stables, set against the stunning backdrop of Mont Blanc.
British Team Shows Fighting Spirit
Three British combinations qualified for the Grand Prix Freestyle finale, with each rider bringing their unique strengths to the competition. The British team, in partnership with Agria, had already secured team silver on Thursday, setting the stage for individual medal hopes.
Becky Moody’s Beatles Masterpiece
Becky Moody delivered the performance of her championship debut, finishing tantalizingly close to a medal in fourth place. Riding Jagerbomb, whom she co-owns with Jo Cooper, Moody showcased why she’s considered a Grand Prix Freestyle genius with her meticulously crafted Beatles medley.
The test, awarded a demanding 10.0 degree of difficulty, opened with dramatic flair – a halt straight into canter and pirouette, followed by supremely confident two-time canter flying changes on a circle. The choreography was pure Beatles bingo, with chart-toppers perfectly timed to Jagerbomb’s movements: ‘Day Tripper’ accompanied huge, ground-covering extended trot, whilst ‘Get By With a Little Help From My Friends’ flowed over fluent passage work.
“I think, bit by bit, we’re getting a little more energy – but I still want a bit more!” laughed Moody, who had to contend with a slightly more relaxed ‘Bomb’ than usual throughout the week. “I still haven’t got that piaffe-passage that I know we can have, but it was a little bit of a risk – a lot of horses have been struggling with how loud it is, so I kept his ear cover on today.”
Despite a rider error in the two-time changes, Moody’s 86.982% score wasn’t quite a personal best but demonstrated the partnership’s continued upward trajectory. Having produced Jagerbomb from day one, her confidence in the horse’s training was evident throughout the demanding routine.
Looking ahead, Moody faces decisions about campaigning the World Cup series this year, having narrowly missed qualification last season. “I will definitely do London – I love that show, it’s amazing – but, other than that, I need to make some decisions. I’ll definitely be campaigning for the World Championships next year, though.”
Carl Hester’s Emotional Thirteenth Championship
At 57, Carl Hester proved that experience and artistry remain unmatched in championship dressage. Riding in his 13th European Championships aboard Fame – a horse he shares with long-term friend Fiona Bigwood and her daughter Mette Dahl – Hester delivered another masterclass in horsemanship.
Questions around Hester’s retirement plans were firmly pushed aside as he and the perky bay stallion Fame executed their tried-and-tested floorplan from Paris 2024. The 9.9 degree of difficulty routine was cleverly choreographed to showcase Fame’s best attributes, opening with a super square halt before flowing into clever half-pass in passage.
The piaffe pirouettes in both directions demonstrated the ultimate test of control and communication between horse and rider, whilst Fame’s relaxed demeanour shone through in the extended walk where Hester could truly give the reins and let him stretch. The canter work was a masterclass in training, showing both ends of the spectrum – ground-covering extended canter condensing seamlessly into a double pirouette for ultimate collection.
“He’s so clever and so in tune with me – he felt fantastic to ride in the test,” reflected Hester after scoring 81.029%. “I had a few ‘old man’ mistakes, but they were my mistakes, not his, and he gave me a lovely ride.”
The crowd’s emotional response, singing along to Mary Hopkins’ ‘Those Were The Days’, captured the poignancy of what many wondered might be a farewell performance. “Thirteen may be unlucky for some, but it’s been lucky for me,” Hester mused. “My team has been fantastic and amazing to be around – it’s nice to be part of such a ‘family’.”
With commitments at Defender Burghley Horse Trials and the LeMieux British National Championships ahead, Hester confirmed that Fame will “definitely have a holiday now with Fiona!”
Charlotte Fry Battles Technical Difficulties
World number one Charlotte Fry faced her biggest challenge not from the competition, but from a malfunctioning sound system that threatened to derail months of preparation. Riding Glamourdale, owned by Van Olst Horses and herself, Fry had teased fans with hints of a revolutionary new floorplan featuring a ‘flying’ theme and a maximum 10.0 degree of difficulty.
As the tannoy announced “Welcome aboard Glamourdale Airlines…” the excitement was palpable, but it quickly became apparent that the music volume was dangerously loud. The black stallion ‘Glammy’ immediately felt the overwhelming sound, losing rhythm and struggling to concentrate on his rider during the opening passage half-pass.
“I think he was absolutely amazing today – he felt on fire! It’s a real shame because I definitely didn’t have the music that loud in the sound check,” explained a philosophical Fry. “That wasn’t the idea, but we had to go with it – not really much choice there.”
Despite the setback, Fry’s expertise shone through as she restored confidence and communication with her special partner. Once into their showcase canter work, the pair settled, with Glamourdale channelling his inner Concorde in the extended canter and enormous two-time flying changes. A standout double canter pirouette to the right was certainly the best of their championship week.
The aeronautical-themed music continued throughout, with Fry’s own voice providing commentary – “It’s my voice that you can hear in there – I’m talking in the Freestyle. It’s something a bit different, and it was really fun to ride.” The innovative approach, whilst not delivering the desired result with a score of 79.579%, showcased the creativity that keeps dressage freestyle evolving.
When asked if the flying theme hinted at LA 2028 ambitions, Fry remained coy: “You never know, but I’d love to do a few more championships with him. I think he’s in such great form and has a good few years still to come.”
Final Championship Standings
The freestyle podium mirrored Friday’s Grand Prix Special results:
- Gold: Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus (Belgium) – 89.964%
- Silver: Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle (Denmark) – 89.821%
- Bronze: Isabell Werth and Wendy De Fontaine (Germany) – 88.046%
British final placings:
- 4th: Becky Moody and Jagerbomb – 86.982%
- 6th: Carl Hester and Fame – 81.029%
- 10th: Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale – 79.579%
Championship Legacy
The FEI European Dressage Championship 2025 made history as France’s first time hosting the event. Jiva Hill Stables rose to the challenge with limited notice after the original venue withdrew, creating a spectacular setting in the foothills of the Alps.
Belgium’s breakthrough medals mark a significant moment for the sport, with Verboomen and the nine-year-old Zonik Plus proving that age is no barrier to championship success at the highest level.
Looking Ahead
The championship series continues in Ermelo, Netherlands, where Europe’s elite para dressage stars will compete from 3-7 September across five grades for team, individual, and freestyle medals.
For British dressage, the performances in Crozet provide optimism ahead of future championships, with Moody’s fourth-place finish particularly promising for a rider making her European Championship freestyle debut, whilst Hester’s continued excellence and Fry’s innovative approach ensure the sport’s evolution continues.
The FEI European Dressage Championship 2025 concluded with Belgium celebrating their first-ever dressage medals, whilst Britain’s team demonstrated the depth, experience, and innovation that continues to make them a formidable force in international dressage competition.
