Verboomen and Zonik Plus Enthuse Crowds on Hot Sunday Conclusion of 2026 CDIO Lier

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2026 CDIO Lier

-- BDE press release, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © Astrid Appels

Five days of top-level dressage at 2026 CDIO Lier came to an impressive conclusion on Sunday afternoon 24 May 2026 with the 4* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music. The Belgian crowd at Azelhof was treated to outstanding sport throughout the afternoon, not only thanks to the magical performance of home favourite Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus, but also with strong performances from the rest of the international field.

Enthuses the Crowds

The undisputed star of the afternoon was once again Belgium’s own Justin Verboomen with the sensational Zonik Plus (by Zonik x Hohenstein) . Competing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, the pair broke the magical 90% barrier with a winning score of 90.015%, further confirming their status as one of the most exciting combinations in international dressage today.

“The trot work felt really easy today, and the pirouettes were better than yesterday," Verboomen said afterwards. “I really tried to give him confidence and comfort in the ring, and I did my best to help him," Justin explained. "I was for sure very happy with our test and I'm incredibly proud of him, he is still so young. After the small mistakes yesterday, I didn’t feel completely confident, but once again Zonik Plus made me so proud.”

Two 16-year olds

Belgian rider Larissa Pauluis also gave the home crowd plenty to cheer for. Together with her experienced 16-year-old partner Flambeau (by Ampere x Zeoliet), she rode to second place with a strong score of 81.750%.

Pauluis and Verboomen in the lap of honour

Third place in the freestyle went to Germany’s Semmieke Rothenberger and 16-years-old Farrington, scoring 79.745%, who continued an impressive week in Lier. Just one day earlier, the 26-year-old rider made her Nations Cup debut for Germany.

From Lier to Dutch Championships

Dutch rider Marieke van der Putten also impressed the crowd with a strong freestyle performance aboard Kuvasz (by Glamourdale x De Niro). Despite a costly mistake in the one-tempi changes, the Dutch combination showed clear progression, leaving Van der Putten genuinely delighted with her horse afterwards.

“I’m really, really happy," Van der Putten smiled afterwards. “Of course I’m a little disappointed about the mistake in the one-tempis because that was a very expensive one. But overall, I’m super happy. He keeps improving so much. The piaffe and passage are getting better and better. He really fought for me today. This is the first competition where I can ride him in the arena the same way he feels at home. He is becoming mature and this was very good preparation for the Dutch Championships next week.”

Wim for the Win

Earlier on the final day of CDIO Lier, the audience was also treated to high-quality sport during the CDIO Grand Prix Special. Belgian rider Wim Verwimp claimed victory aboard Jedai de Massa, much to the delight of the home crowd. Portugal’s Maria Caetano followed in second place with Hit Plus, while Great Britain’s Susan Pape completed the podium in third with Harmony’s Giulilanta.

Once again, CDIO Lier proved itself as one of Europe’s leading dressage events, bringing together world-class combinations, passionate supporters and outstanding sport in a unique atmosphere at Azelhof. The organisation now looks forward to welcoming riders, owners and spectators back to Lier next Wednesday for the start of the Belgian Dressage Championships.