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The final class of the FEI Dressage World Cup at Jumping Mechelen once again carried a strong Belgian flavour. In a sold-out Nekkerhal, Larissa Pauluis confirmed her outstanding form by adding the Grand Prix Freestyle to her earlier Grand Prix win. Together with her 15-year-old gelding Flambeau, she produced a personal best score of 82.975%, sealing an emphatic home victory.

The result was anything but accidental. Pauluis and Flambeau delivered a freestyle that continued to build, marked by suppleness, power and control. The crowd sensed it instantly and created a warm, electric atmosphere throughout the test. The duo’s final trot steps matched the rhythm of the applause, which quite literally carried them across the finish line. Behind Pauluis, Justin Verboomen finished second once again, just as in the Grand Prix, with the young Djembe de Hus. His score of 82.450% left him close on her heels. Third place went to João Pedro Moreira, who impressed once more with Drosa Fürst Kennedy and earned 79.280%.

A lifelong dream

In the packed Nekkerhal, Pauluis clearly felt the support of the home crowd. “Winning in Mechelen has always been a big dream of mine,” she said afterwards. “The support from the public was incredible. It gave me so much energy, both yesterday and today.”

She also experienced a special moment with Flambeau. Already in the Grand Prix she felt her horse was completely in tune with her, but in the freestyle everything came together even more beautifully. “Today he was really dancing with me,” she smiled. “That feeling was simply heavenly.” The sensation was reflected in her personal best score of 82.975%.

Despite the record, Pauluis stressed that Flambeau is still progressing. The gelding only started his dressage career at the age of nine, after first competing in show jumping. “I’m convinced he will keep improving until the end of his career. It hasn’t always been easy working with him, but in terms of quality he has no limits.” Trust, she added, remains essential. “He can be a bit insecure at times, you even see that during the prize-giving. But as long as I have his trust, he’s capable of incredible things.”

The victory earns Pauluis valuable FEI Dressage World Cup points. In the overall standings she now moves up to second place, just one point behind leader Raphael Netz. Still, she remains realistic about what lies ahead. “Honestly, I don’t know yet if the final is realistic,” she said. “It’s a very long journey and he’ll be sixteen next year. That’s demanding for a horse and I want to think it through carefully.” The focus is already shifting towards the longer term. “In 2026 we’ll continue building our partnership, with Aachen as an important reference point.”

Djembe’s debut

Justin Verboomen can also look back on Jumping Mechelen with satisfaction. Riding Djembe de Hus, he secured second place, once again just behind his compatriot. For Verboomen, who has risen from relative anonymity to world number one in the space of a year, the emphasis this weekend was firmly on the further development of his new partner. “It’s been quite a year for me,” he admitted. “My main goal here was to give Djembe confidence, and that definitely worked. He did very well.”

The young stallion faced a completely new challenge in the indoor arena. “He’d never competed in an environment like this before, with so much music, a big crowd and loud applause. That can be quite intimidating. Still, I clearly felt how focused he was on me and on the test. I felt a special connection, and that’s what matters most to me.”

From young prospect to World Cup podium

For João Pedro Moreira, third place in Mechelen carried an extra emotional weight. “We bought Drosa Fürst Kennedy when he was just two and a half,” Moreira explained. “We went through all the young horse classes together and eventually reached Grand Prix level when he was eight.” That journey also included a major setback. “Kennedy had surgery not that long ago,” he said. “The entire past season was about recovery. Exactly a year ago, we were only just allowed to start trotting again. This really was our comeback year.”

That made the result at Jumping Mechelen all the more meaningful. “He wants to give his best every single day, and that’s what makes him special. Finishing third in such a strong field and in an atmosphere like this is a privilege.”

Although Kennedy is still young and lost almost a year due to injury, Moreira looks ahead with confidence. “There are still many details to improve, including on my side as a rider. But I’m very happy with where we are now.” The next major goal is already set. “Aachen is our target. I’ll prepare him carefully so that we can arrive there in top form.”

Emotional farewell

There was also an emotional moment for Charlotte Defalque, who entered the arena for the final time with her 19-year-old Botticelli. Their long partnership, which began in the youth ranks and grew into championship appearances, came to a close with an eighth-place finish and a standing ovation from the crowd.

The dressage competition in Mechelen thus ended on a fitting note, with a Belgian winner who not only underlined her own ambitions but also demonstrated that Belgian dressage fully belongs at the highest level.

The rise of the discipline in Belgium was tangible throughout the arena: full stands, an engaged crowd and a Nekkerhal that once again proved to be a perfect stage for top-class sport.