Winner Justin Verboomen & Zonik Plus - Photo © one_photographiefrance.
On the final day of this FEI European Dressage Championship, the audience turned out in large numbers to cheer on the eighteen best combinations from the Grand Prix Special, competing today in the Grand Prix Freestyle. At the end of the competition, Belgian rider Justin Verboomen claimed his second European gold medal, confirming his status as the new leader of the Belgian team, while Dane Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and German Isabell Werth took silver and bronze, respectively.
As horses danced to the rhythms of U2, Coldplay, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, the tension rose in the early afternoon when the most anticipated riders entered the arena. World No. 1 Charlotte Fry presented a new freestyle program on “Glamourdale Airlines,” as she even sings in her musical theme. The British rider had to manage a slightly too energetic stallion and finished with a score of 79.579%, leaving the best British performance to Becky Moody and Jagerbomb, who finished fourth with 86.982% after a strong freestyle themed around the Beatles.
Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine delivered an excellent performance today. Repeatedly scoring over 9s on piaffes and the final pirouette, the German rider set a very high bar before the last competitors entered the arena, achieving a score of 88.046%. The entire German team, visibly emotional as she left the arena, seemed well aware of this achievement. Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour also left the arena with a broad smile. Clenching her fist, the Dane narrowly surpassed the multi-medalist German by nearly a point, earning 89.821% from the jury chaired by French judge Raphael Saleh.
But in this very tight competition, the new star of Belgian dressage was still to come. Crowned European champions after the Grand Prix Special two days ago, Justin Verboomen and his Zonik Plus executed an excellent start to their freestyle and, despite a small mistake in a lateral movement, quickly regained their rhythm toward victory. With a score of 89.964%, by just a few hundredths, he added another gold medal to his young record.
A tight championship, combinations cheered on by an enthusiastic audience along the final centerline, sunshine, and even a view of Mont Blanc in the background, made this last day at Jiva Hill Stables truly memorable. European dressage now has a new, solid top trio, and the consistency of the performances throughout this championship bodes well for the future of the discipline.
They said:
Justin Verboomen, 2025 European Champion with Zonik Plus "I really can’t believe it, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting this gold medal at all today! Especially after the mistake we made in the laterals. I’m very happy tonight! I asked my producer to create a rather calm, slightly dark musical theme to showcase Zonik Plus, and I think it worked really well!"
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, 2025 European Vice-Champion with Mount St John Freestyle "I was really happy with my freestyle. I made a small mistake at the end of the first flying changes in two-time, but I managed to redo them, so I didn’t completely fail. I actually didn’t watch Justin’s freestyle because I was too nervous! Of course, I’m a little disappointed today compared to yesterday, as it was very tight, even among the judges. But that’s how it goes. I’m really proud to see a new ‘small nation’ emerging here. I know Justin showed incredible riding. And I’m almost certain we’ll have some great duels in the future."
Isabell Werth, 2025 European Bronze Medalist with Wendy de Fontaine "I’m very, very happy today. I’m very proud of Wendy because, as I said, we started the season very late. She improved day by day. We had a very good Grand Prix, which helped secure the gold medal for the German team. We did a good Special—not perfect, but I know we still have things to improve. And today, she was really fantastic. There were a few small mistakes in the canter work, but honestly, we all made mistakes. So it was a very tight duel, a very competitive event. In the end, I think any of us could have been third, second, or first—it didn’t matter. It was an exciting competition for all of us, and for the spectators too, and we are really happy to be here. A big thanks to the organizers for setting up this European Championship in just 10 months so professionally and successfully. Overall, I’m very happy with what happened, for me, for the team, and I think for all the riders here. We look forward to the next championship. It will be really exciting, and I hope Justin will feel our breath on his neck—as well as the judges’! So we can’t wait."
Etienne Zeller, President of the Organizing Committee "I would like to thank the entire extended family we have worked with for nine months preparing this European Championship. We are all horse enthusiasts first and foremost, and everyone worked passionately in the same direction. We dedicated all our time and energy to preparing for this week. Now, Cassandre and I ask ourselves, ‘What will we do tomorrow?’ This championship was an important challenge. Thanks to everyone’s trust and commitment, we were able to succeed. I sincerely thank the International Equestrian Federation, especially Ronan Richard and Raphaël Saleh, who supported and helped us greatly! Hosting this FEI European Championship was an honor, and we hope to see everyone again next year for more competitions!"
Cassandre Allainguillaume, Director of the FEI European Dressage Championship "This week, we welcomed more than 5,500 people in the stands and over 1,000 in our hospitality areas. We accredited about 1,200 people, which was a real challenge for us because we did not expect such a turnout. A huge thank you to our 160 volunteers, who were crucial to the success of this event."