Justin Verboomen & Zonik Plus smash their record at the Grand Prix in Fontainebleau!

Charlotte Fry, Isabell Werth, and Dorothee Schneider in 2023, Emmelie Scholtens, the Glamourdale rider again in 2024, and Becky Moody in 2025: for the past three years, Fontainebleau has attracted and captivated the best riders. And this 2026 edition is no exception; indeed, it confirms it with a particularly strong field for this first Fontainebleau Nations Cup and an anticipated battlle between the first two mentioned and the Belgian Justin Verboomen. A look back at a Grand Prix that lived up to all expectations with a solid contest between Germany and Great Britain and seven teams competing.

The team competition was just won by Germany, thanks to Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine's score of 80.587%, which earned them third place in the Grand Prix. After two small steps in the rein-back and some correct piaffes on the spot, the daughter of Sezuan looked tense in the collected walk and broke into a canter during her transition from collected walk to passage. She was also quite nervous in the passage after her final piaffe. Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth Old took fourth place with 76.826%: the 16-year-old gelding delivered an excellent halt before a less-than-perfect finish to the rein-back. Aside from some minor, non-faulty tension on the two-times changes, the Kasselmann stables pair became disunited at the end of the extended canter. Still on the German side, Benjamin Werndl & Quick Decision took 7th place at 72.652%, just a hair's breadth behind Svenja Kämper-Meyer & Amanyara M in 9th at 72.369%.

finishing second in the team competition, Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale also secured second place in the Grand Prix. Always incredibly impressive in his flying changes, the van Olst stallion also presented two very tight pirouettes, though his piaffes were somewhat small and modeste; a performance nonetheless scored a remarkable 80.848%. Behind the leading figures of British dressage was its icon: Carl Hester. Still partnered with the sensitive Fame, Carl Hester, as always, had to contend with a sometimes short neck despite exemplary contact. Always active, the son of Bordeaux displayed a pleasing rein-back, an extended walk that could have been more grand covering, a slight hesitation in the corner before the two-beat flying changes, but quickly returned to his rider's aids before making a mistake at the start of his one time changes ; a Grand Prix scored at 76.152%, placing him 5th. Their victory at 72.217% in the Hartpury CDI last month opened the doors to the national selection: Fiona Bigwood was indeed back with the English team, for the first time since 2022, with her Donna Bella, a 10-year-old daughter of Don Juan de Hus born to Atterupgaards Orthilia, her former Grand Prix mare; a good result as they were 10th at 71.630%, far ahead of Lewis Carrier & Diego V, 24th at 67.674%.

Belgium completes the podium thanks to its two strong pairs. What a day for Justin Verboomen… and what a demonstration! Fluid, effortless, harmonious… it's hard to choose just one adjective. While a few tail swishes were still noticeable sometimes , as well as a flying change that was perhaps a little short behing, the discreet Belgians made the difference thanks to the quality of their piaffe, perfectly in place, their passage, their incredible pirouettes (!)… and what quality of contact! Another masterclass in horsemanship given by the belgian master, rewarded with a score of 83.500%. Larissa Pauluis, who delivered a clear round, finished 6th with 73.022%: free from the contact problems she sometimes has, and despite a slightly high and short head at the collected walk, the friendly rider from Braine-l'Alleud had every reason to be satisfied. She was also alongside her compatriot Charlotte Defalque, who was presenting her First Step Valentin for the first time in a team competition; a debut in which they finished 22nd with 68.239%. The day was more difficult for Wim Verwimp & Jedai de Massa, who had to settle for 28th place with 64.631%.

Full results ICI

crédit photo : PSV. Morgan Froment