News
Positive outcomes in Lier for British Team with a Nations Cup podium
- Written By: British Dressage | Maddie Hinchliff
- Published: Wed, 27 May 2026 13:38
The British team made a powerful mark at the second leg of the 2026 FEI Nations Cup, turning Lier (21–24 May) into a showcase of strength with podium finishes. Delivering under pressure against top international competition, the squad combined consistency and flair to secure standout results.
Photo: British Equestrian
Team Competition
The Belgian team took the win on a staggering score of 225.542, with a standout performance from Justin Verboomen (BEL) riding Zonik Plus, where the combination took home the individual win, nearly seven percent ahead of second place. Zonik Plus is proving to be unbeatable this season, winning the previous ten events with scores rarely dipping below 80%, and is currently placed third in the FEI World Ranking. Aboard the Hanoverian stallion, Justin won the 5* Grand Prix with a staggering 80.391%, followed by Larissa Pauluis (BEL) riding Flambeau who finished second with 73.522%. Third place was earned by Dutch rider Marieke Van Der Putten riding Kuvasz RS2, who completed with a final score of 72.978%.
British riders Susan Pape and Sadie Smith both finished within the top ten. Susan Pape riding her own and Harmony’s Sporthorses Harmony’s Guilianta finished in fifth with 72.065%, and Sadie Smith finished in ninth with her own British bred mare Swanmore Dantina on a final score of 71.239%. Laura Tomlinson finished in 21st position riding her own and Ursula Bechtolsheimer’s Full Moon II with 68.913% with a result that Laura described online as “a fabulous time with the team. Couple of silly mistakes put our score down, but as always, it was a valuable day and a privilege to be on the team”.
Lewis Carrier riding his own, Andrew and Helen Carrier’s Diego V finished 13th with 70.087%: “The Grand Prix had a lot to like. I feel like the piaffe and changes were his highlight for sure! One of the pirouettes lacked enough steps (sorry Carl!) but overall, I was super pleased with how we performed. We were first to go in the whole class of 36… it was great to hold a top place for quite a while as the whole class progressed. To finish second as a team was the cherry on top. Laura, Sadie and Susan pulled off super tests and to slot in right behind the championship team from Belgium is the best we could have hoped for. Results like this really do mean a lot. We all work so hard to compete at these events and to be there is an honour, but to produce results you know you can achieve on the day is extra special.”
Individual Achievements
Following team success in the Grand Prix, riders went on to compete in the Grand Prix Special or Freestyle. Lewis Carrier was the sole British rider to compete in the Freestyle, where he delivered an outstanding personal best result, finishing fifth in an incredibly hot class on 77.135%. “The freestyle was, as always, the most fun to ride to! Equidance have done such a great job with the music and I’m always confident the judges will enjoy how upbeat it is. Diego was on it from the first halt and although he had a little blip in the extended trot (which was completely my fault) it was definitely our best freestyle to date. A PB for that music and 1% higher than when we won back at Lier 3* earlier in the year. There are always bits to improve, but finishing fifth behind combinations and riders who have won many medals at senior level is a win for us. Having been to Lier a couple of times and had some great results, I was really keen to go back again – it’s definitely our favourite venue in Europe! It has such a lovely atmosphere, and the organising team couldn’t be more helpful. The facilities are second to none!”
The Freestyle was won by Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus by a nine percent lead, to finish on 90.015%. Larissa Pauluis (BEL) and Flambeau finished second with 81.750%, and Semmieke Rothenberger (GER) riding Farrington finished third with 79.745%.
In the Special, Susan Pape secured herself a podium finish, scoring 72.468% to secure third place, with just over half a percentage point separating her from the winner. The 15-year-old KWPN mare boasted an incredibly strong scoresheet, proving herself as another top ride for Susan. Laura Tomlinson secured tenth place with 69.681% aboard the 10-year-old Fürstenball-sired gelding Full Moon II. Bred by Laura’s late father Dr Wilfred Bechtolsheimer, the duo have had a successful start to the year, finishing fifth in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the same venue in the March CDI. They also finished eleventh and twelfth in the Grand Prix and Special at the CDI4* in Hagen at the end of April with two 69% scores. Sadie Smith finished just behind Laura in 11th, with a final score of 69.490% in the combination’s debut endeavour of the Grand Prix Special. In the high temperatures, Sadie commented on social media that Swanmore Dantina (Dia) struggled a bit with the hot temperatures, but the combination has set a strong baseline to get stronger and grow from.
Congratulations go to the riders, and to the grooms, owners and whole team involved as we look forward to the next international fixture.
Results – top three and British riders
Saturday 23 May
CDIO4* Grand Prix
1. Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus, 80.391% (BEL)
2. Larissa Pauluis and Flambeau, 73.522% (BEL)
3. Marieke Van Der Putten and Kuvasz RS2, 72.978% (NED)
5. Susan Pape and Harmony’s Guilianta, 72.065% (GBR)
9. Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 71.239% (GBR)
13. Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 70.087% (GBR)
21. Laura Tomlinson and Full Moon II, 68.913% (GBR)
Nations Cup Team Results
1. Belgium - 225.543
2. Great Britain - 213.391
3. Germany - 211.804
Sunday 24 May
4* Grand Prix Special
1. Wim Verwimp and Jedai de Massa, 73.107% (BEL)
2. Maria Caetano and Hit Plus, 73.042% (POR)
3. Susan Pape and Harmony’s Guilianta, 72.468% (GBR)
10. Laura Tomlinson and Full Moon II, 69.681% (GBR)
11. Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 69.490% (GBR)
4* Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus, 90.015% (BEL)
2. Larissa Pauluis and Flambeau, 81.750% (BEL)
3. Semmieke Rothenberger and Farrington, 79.745% (GER)
5. Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 77.135% (GBR)
