Fontainebleau crowns Justin Verboomen as his king

Last day of dressage in Fontainebleau. And what a day it was. Besides the expected victory of Isabell Werth & Wendy de Fontaine this morning in the Grand Prix Special with 79.893% ahead of Carl Hester & Fame at 77.319% and Fiona Bigwood & Donna Bella at 72.276% (see HERE), Justin Verboomen & Zonik Plus offered the Fontainebleau public another high performance this afternoon which brought this week dedicated to dressage to a beautiful end.

Could the Printemps des Sports Equestres have hoped for anything more captivating than another Belgian-British battle ? Surely not. From the very first notes, Justin Verboomen and his 10-year-old stallion presented a whole world capable of bringing tears to the eyes of spectators in the stands and those watching on screens. Apart from a few tail swishes... what can be said except that they achieved a new record: 91.855%. Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus began their outdoor season in remarkable way; the start of a trajectory that will certainly lead them to the Nations Cup in Lier in a month. Belgium has its "Philippe," and the dressage world, already at their feet, may well have its "Justin" next summer.

Second place in this freestyle test logically went to Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale and their "Glamourdale Airlines"; a piece of music that was certainly dynamic but perhaps lacked the extra emotional depth offered by the Belgian pair. The British rider and her black stallion delivered a freestyle performance without major faults, although there were some losses of activity in the piaffes, and they left the arena with a score of 88.225%.

The podium was completed by Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth Old. Sometimes a little slow to settle into their piaffe, the Germans had joined feet in a canter pirouette. The 16-year-old gelding also reacted to the leg aids, which nevertheless didn't prevent him from delivering a consistent performance, scoring 81.085%.

Full results HERE

picture : PSV. J.Morel