Larissa Pauluis (BEL) and Flambeau - winners of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2025/26 qualifier in Mechelen (BEL) © FEI / Dirk Caremans
Belgian Dressage continues its upward trajectory and showed no signs of slowing down at the traditional season finale in Mechelen (BEL). Larissa Pauluis (BEL) claimed victory in both the Grand Prix and the Freestyle with her 15-year-old Flambeau, sealing the win in the Freestyle with an impressive personal best of 82.975%.
To complete the home celebration, Justin Verboomen (BEL) finished second with Djembe de Hus OLD. His score of 82.450% left him narrowly behind Pauluis. Third place went to Joao Pedro Moreira (POR) with the black Drosa Fürst Kennedy OLD on 79.280%.
Top three remains unchanged
The podium remained unchanged in a sold-out and festively decorated Nekkerhal, with Pauluis, Verboomen and Moreira again leading the way. Behind them, however, the standings saw significant changes compared to the Grand Prix.
That Dressage is clearly on the rise in Belgium, traditionally a nation dominated by Jumping, was evident from the atmosphere in the arena. The compact Nekkerhal was packed to capacity, and the crowd enthusiastically supported their home favourites throughout the Freestyle.
Several combinations who had a less successful Grand Prix returned strongly in the Freestyle. That was certainly the case for first starter Ingrid Klimke (GER) with her mare First Class 92 (owned by Gut Hülsen). After costly flying-change mistakes in the Grand Prix, the pair delivered a more polished Freestyle to finish ninth on 74.985%.
An even bigger climb in the rankings came from Emmelie Scholtens (NED) with the powerful Kyton (owned by Bruver BV and Stal Rom Vermunt). After tension led to errors and a 15th place in the Grand Prix, the pair returned with greater focus and a superb rhythm in the piaffe-passage work, to finish seventh on 76.005%.
Emotional farewell for Botticelli
It was a special day for Charlotte Defalque (BEL) and her 19-year-old Botticelli (owned by the athlete and Marie-France Defalque-Scohier). The pair rode down the centre line together for the final time, closing a partnership that began in the youth classes and grew into one of Belgium’s most reliable championship combinations.
Following his retirement, Botticelli received a standing ovation, flowers and treats, and Defalque’s eighth-place finish on 75.475% earned her a place in the prize-giving as a fitting final chapter.
Consistent performances
For Luxembourg, European Championship finalist Nicolas Wagner Ehlinger produced a strong performance with Quater Back Junior FRH (owned by the athlete and Soc. Hippique Et D’Elevage SA), finishing sixth on 76.150%.
Marieke van der Putten (NED) slipped from fourth in the Grand Prix to fifth in the Freestyle with Zantana RS2 OLD N.O.P. (owned by Saskia Lemmens-Reijnen and Jacques Lemmens). The elegant mare impressed with her talent and expression, but a costly mistake in the right pirouette impacted the score, which settled at 76.605%.
Camille Judet Chéret (FRA) also delivered two solid tests in Mechelen with Herelja Higgins (owned by Françoise Bourgeois and S.A.S. Pamfou Dressage), earning strong marks for the gelding’s piaffe and passage.
Moreira and Kennedy and their special journey
After catching the eye in the Grand Prix, Joao Pedro Moreira repeated his strong performance in the Freestyle with Drosa Fürst Kennedy OLD (owned by the athlete and Roberto Pedrosa Haras do Drosa). The talented black gelding worked with ease through the movements, showing focus great abilities to collect, to secure third place on 79.280%.
Moreira has had Kennedy since he was just two and a half years old, and the pair share a deep bond. Their journey together has not been without challenges. One day before the Grand Prix at the Paris Olympic Games last year, Kennedy required emergency colic surgery.
“Last year at this time of the year we were only just able to trot lightly again under saddle. Kennedy has made an incredible recovery. To be here now and finish the 2025 season like this is a privilege. I am so proud of him, he is very special and he always tries his hardest for me,” Moreira states.
Home victory to remember
The Belgian stars from the Grand Prix appeared late in the starting order, with Pauluis entering the arena first. Her 15-year-old Flambeau (owned by Caroline and Emmanuel Lepage, Jean Pauluis and Marie Christine Pauluis) continues to develop, and their Freestyle score marked a convincing personal best.
Flambeau danced through the rhythmic choreography, effortlessly linking demanding combinations of exercises. The crowd joined in early on the final centre line, clapping along in unison. The final score of 82.975% secured victory for Pauluis.
“For me it has always been a dream to win in Mechelen. The support from the crowd was incredible, the atmosphere during the Freestyle was wonderful. Flambeau keeps developing. He started his career as a Jumping horse and only became a Dressage horse at nine, so we are still improving. It has not always been easy with him, but in terms of quality he has no limits. Today he was dancing with me. We are still finding new gears and dimensions.”
Larissa Pauluis
(BEL)
Verboomen delivers again
The revelation of Mechelen 2024 returned once more. Justin Verboomen made his breakthrough in the Nekkerhal last year with Zonik Plus, winning the Grand Prix and finishing second in the Freestyle. This time he presented his other Grand Prix horse, Djembe de Hus OLD (owned by S.A.R.L. Haras de Hus).
With a soft hand and great feel, Verboomen guided the less experienced chestnut through both tests, earning two second-place finishes.
“It has been a crazy year,” said Verboomen. “What happened over the past year is unbelievable. Zonik Plus is having a bit of rest now, which is why I brought Djembe de Hus. My main goal here was to give him confidence. The indoor arena, the music, the applause, he found it all quite exciting. In the Freestyle he really tried to listen and we had a special connection during the test.”
World Cup standings
After the fifth FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier in Mechelen, Raphael Netz (GER) remains in the lead of the World Cup standings with 48 points. Pauluis makes a significant move up the rankings and now sits second with 47 points. The next FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier will take place in Basel (SUI) on 9 and 10 January. Don’t miss a hoofbeat.