From Rising Star to European Champion and World Number One: Justin Verboomen’s Rise to the Top

Dressage history has been written in golden letters. Justin Verboomen, Belgium’s 38-year-old equestrian star, has accomplished what no Belgian rider has ever done before: claiming the number one spot in the FEI World Dressage Rankings. Following his breathtaking double gold triumph at the European Championships, the Belgian sensation has now officially reached the summit of international dressage, establishing himself as the world’s premier rider in the discipline.

A historic European Championships debut

Just days ago at the 2025 European Dressage Championships in Crozet, France, Justin Verboomen made history. Riding his incredible 9-year-old stallion Zonik Plus, he delivered what can only be described as a masterclass performance, securing Belgium’s first-ever individual championship gold in dressage.

The magic began with the Grand Prix Special, where Justin scored a personal best of 82.37% – a performance so compelling that it left the dressage world speechless. Never before has a senior Grand Prix rider won individual gold at their first FEI Championship, but Justin didn’t just win once. He followed up with a second gold medal, cementing his place in dressage history with a golden double that few could have predicted.

The Aachen breakthrough

The writing was on the wall earlier this summer when Justin conquered one of dressage’s most prestigious venues: CDIO Aachen. At the self-proclaimed “mecca of horse sports,” he claimed victory in both the Grand Prix Freestyle and Grand Prix Special. In the Grand Prix Freestyle, the duo came tantalizingly close to the magical 90% mark. The 6,000-strong crowd gave him a standing ovation, recognizing they were witnessing something truly special.

The partnership that changed everything

At the heart of this remarkable success story is the extraordinary partnership between Justin and Zonik Plus. This 9-year-old stallion, has become the perfect dancing partner for Justin’s vision and skill. Their teamwork and harmony in the arena is obvious to everyone watching. From their breakthrough performances at smaller competitions to dominating the world’s most prestigious arenas, Justin and Zonik Plus have rewritten the script of what’s possible in modern dressage.

Looking to the future from the top

Now standing proudly at the summit of world dressage as the FEI’s number one ranked rider, Justin Verboomen has achieved what every dressage rider dreams of. His journey from ambitious rider to European Champion and world number one is a testament to the power of dedication, talent, and an extraordinary partnership with Zonik Plus.

As Belgium’s first world number one in dressage, Justin has not only made history for himself but has put Belgian dressage on the map in a way never seen before. His achievement serves as inspiration to riders everywhere that with the right combination of skill, determination, and partnership, even the highest peaks can be reached.

What makes this story even more incredible is the timing: Justin delivered these insane results just one week after becoming a brand-new Stephex Horsetrucks ambassador. While we’d love to joke that his brand new STX truck is his lucky charm, we know this phenomenal success is purely down to his extraordinary talent and partnership with Zonik Plus! We’re honored to support athletes like Justin as he represents everything we value in equestrian sport, and we couldn’t be prouder to have him as our ambassador.

As he continues to inspire audiences around the world with his artistry and Zonik Plus’s brilliance, one thing is certain: Belgian dressage has found its champion, and the world has discovered a truly special partnership that will undoubtedly continue to captivate and inspire for years to come.

Follow Justin’s continued journey as he represents Stephex Horsetrucks on the world stage, carrying our Belgian colors with the pride and excellence that defines his remarkable career.