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Belgians in the Dressage World Cup

Tekst: Kris Van Loo

The Dressage World Cup consists of 11 legs, with Mechelen hosting the sixth leg. So far, only Larissa Pauluis and Isabel Cool have competed. Larissa Pauluis (44) and her 14-year-old Flambeau achieved a personal best of 80.395% in the Freestyle to Music at Stuttgart, securing second place. This marked the first time the Olympic pair from Tokyo and Paris exceeded the 80% mark. Earlier in Lyon, Pauluis finished seventh with 77.420%. Isabel Cool (Herr Charmeur Coolhorses) scored 73.440% to place 13th in Stuttgart.

Belgian dressage is on the rise. Last year, the national team qualified for the Paris Olympics at the European Championships, where they achieved an unexpected fifth-place finish. Of that Olympic team, only Larissa Pauluis is currently active in the World Cup. Olympian Domien Michiels, the only Belgian to ever win a World Cup leg, suffered a shoulder injury and will make his return in Mechelen with Intermezzo van het Meerdaalhof—his first competition since the Olympics. Belgian Champion Flore De Winne, the best Belgian in Paris, sold her Olympic stallion in October and will not compete in Mechelen.
However, the following Belgians will be in action: Larissa Pauluis, Domien Michiels, Isabel Cool, Jorinde Verwimp en Justin Verboomen.