Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus posted back-to-back personal bests at the Fontainebleau CDIO5*, winning Saturday’s Nations Cup grand prix (18 April) on 83.5% then lifting the mark again to 91.86% in Sunday’s freestyle to underline their status as the pair to beat in 2026.
First of the three anchor riders to go in a closely contested team competition, the European champions set a benchmark the rest of the field could not reach.
The test drew 10s for the canter pirouettes and earned the highest individual score of the weekend, built on ground-covering tempi changes, seamless transitions into passage and the kind of near-invisible riding judges are increasingly rewarding at the top of the sport.
“Zonik was absolutely fantastic. I haven’t quite grasped the progress yet,” said Justin. “I’m not quite able to do everything I truly want to do yet, but he showed tremendous progress today.
“In my dream, the horse is even more independent in the arena, with a sense of ease.”
Sunday’s freestyle pushed the benchmark higher still. Returning to the arena to a packed grandstand, the pair scored 91.86% – their second personal best of the weekend – with what Justin described as the strongest two routines of their career.
“Fontainebleau is an absolutely exceptional setting,” he said. “I was really looking forward to riding Zonik in an outdoor event because I felt that he would want to put on a show in this environment.
“For our return to outdoor action this week, we performed the two best routines of our career. I’m just so happy. At the end of the test, when you leave the arena and during the prize ceremony, it’s great to see all the people supporting you.”
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale were runners-up in both tests – and look on top form ahead of this summer’s World Championships – scoring 80.85% in the grand prix and 88.23% in the freestyle. Germany’s Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth OLD took third in the freestyle on 81.09%.
The strong British team finished second in the Nations Cup behind Germany.
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