News
Podiums aplenty in French Nations Cup opene
- Written By: British Dressage | Camille Peters
- Published: Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:00
A strong British quartet enjoyed a fantastique French foray for the first FEI Nations Cup of the season, with a promising podium finish and some great individual results (16 – 19 April 2026).
Team thriller
Germany edged a high-quality field to win the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ in Fontainebleau, with Isabell Werth sealing the result in the final ride. Anchored by Werth and led by Chef de’Equipe Monica Theodorescu, the team of Benjamin Werndl, Svenja Kämper-Meyer, and Frederic Wandres posted a winning total of 230.065 after producing high scoring consistency in the Grand Prix.
With Olympic medallists Carl Hester, Lottie Fry and Fiona Bigwood in the starting line up, alongside Lewis Carrier, Britain fielded an exciting team which achieved promising results. Top ten placings for Carl, Lottie and Fiona resulted in a close second for Great Britain on 228.630.
The lead changed hands throughout the competition, putting pressure on the final combinations. Belgium’s Justin Verboomen delivered the top individual score of 83.500%, while Charlotte Fry scored 80.848% to briefly move Great Britain into the lead. Werth then needed at least 79.152% to secure victory and delivered 80.587% despite minor errors. With Verboomen’s test winning score, Belgium finished on the podium in third with 224.761%.
Individual highlights
Charlotte Fry enjoyed a standout week with Glamourdale, producing some of the strongest performances of the competition and pushing eventual winner Justin Verboomen all the way. In the 5* Grand Prix, the pair scored an impressive 80.848% to finish second, showing trademark power and expression to earn high points, particularly in the flying and extended work. They returned in the Freestyle to deliver another exceptional test, earning 88.225% — again finishing second behind Verboomen but closing the gap in a thrilling contest at the top of the leaderboard.
There was also Small Tour success for Lottie Fry with her rising star Ilegro. The handsome eight-year-old son of Inclusive topped the 1* Prix St Georges on the first day of competition, with a fantastic score of 71.912%. Third place in the 1* Intermediate I followed, this time with 68.333% - an immensely promising start for this top talent in his first season of international competition at the level.
Carl Hester and Fiona Bigwood’s stallion Fame (Bordeaux x Rhodium) produced ever-reliable performances at the top level, finishing fifth in the 5* Grand Prix with 76.152% before stepping up in the Grand Prix Special to claim second place on 77.319%. Their results contributed valuable experience and a podium finish in a highly competitive international field.
Fiona Bigwood brought her exciting 10-year-old prospect Donna Bella to Fontainebleau and delivered consistent high-quality results. The duo placed tenth in the 5* Grand Prix with 71.360%, before improving to third in the Grand Prix Special on 72.276%. The exciting mare is by Don Juan de Hus and out of Atterupgaards Orthilia – Fiona’s silver medal winning ride at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Lewis Carrier and the Spielberg-sired Diego V gained valuable experience in elite company, finishing 24th in the 5* Grand Prix with 67.674% before enjoying a great ride in the Freestyle to place 11th on 73.705%.
In the 3* Big Tour competition, Tom Goode flew the flag with Richard Jackson’s Furstenrausch PS, placing sixth in the 3* Grand Prix (67.587%) and seventh in the Grand Prix Special (67.170%), showing consistency at international level.
Congratulations to all involved on a great start to the top flight international season. The FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ series continues at Lier (BEL) on 23 May.
Results – top three and British riders
1* Prix St Georges
1. Charlotte Fry and Ilegro, 71.912% (GBR)
2. Denise Nekeman and L’Unique STH, 70.392% (NED)
3. Jonna Schelstraete and Manila Grace van de Osseweide, 69.069% (NED)
1* Intermediate I
1. Sophia Boje Obel Jørgensen, 69.363% (DEN)
2. Jonna Schelstraete and Manila Grace van de Osseweide, 68.333% (NED)
3. Charlotte Fry and Ilegro, 68.333% (GBR)
3* Grand Prix
1. José Antonio Garcia Mena and Quatre-Quarts a L’Orange, 69.304% (ESP)
2. Evelyn Eger and Global Power OLD, 69.217% (GER)
3. Pierre Volla and Malcom X De Massa, 69.195% (FRA)
6. Thomas Goode and Furstenrausch PS, 67.587% (GBR)
3* Grand Prix Special
1. Evelyn Eger and Global Power OLD, 70.340% (GER)
2. Jeanine Nekeman and Game Boy STH, 68.787% (NED)
3. José Antonio Garcia Mena and Quatre-Quarts a L’Orange, 68.511% (ESP)
7. Thomas Goode and Furstenrausch PS, 67.170% (GBR)
5* Grand Prix
1. Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus, 83.500% (BEL)
2. Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale, 80.848% (GBR)
3. Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine, 80.587% (GER)
5. Carl Hester and Fame, 76.152% (GBR)
10. Fiona Bigwood and Donna Bella, 71.360% (GBR)
24. Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 67.674% (GBR)
Nations Cup
1. Germany – 230.065
2. Great Britain – 228.630
3. Belgium – 224.761
5* Grand Prix Special
1. Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine, 79.893% (GER)
2. Carl Hester and Fame, 77.319% (GBR)
3. Fiona Bigwood and Donna Bella, 72.276% (GBR)
5* Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus, 91.855% (BEL)
2. Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale, 88.225% (GBR)
3. Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth OLD, 81.085% (GER)
11. Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 73.705% (GBR)
