World dressage rankings Verboomen back at the top, 10 Germans in the top 50, Charlott-Maria Schürmann jumps to 18th place

Change of leadership at the top of the world dressage rankings: Belgian rider Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus have once again taken over the top position in the FEI dressage world rankings. After winning the Nations Cup with the Belgian team in Lier – on home soil – the pair have displaced Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour from first place. Verboomen has 2,026 points, the Dane 2,018. Charlotte Fry (GBR) remains third with 1,971 points.

The horses’ ranking reflects the athletes’ ranking exactly: Zonik Plus ahead of Mount St John Freestyle and Glamourdale. Isabell Werth – still in fourth place in the athletes’ rankings – also shoots up from 111th to sixth place with the ten-year-old Viva Gold OLD. Three international tournaments, six tests, five victories – mission accomplished! And thus a back-up for the WEG in Aachen, should top horse Wendy be unable to compete, as she has already told EQUI PAGES in an interview.

Ten Germans in the top 50, but only Werth in the top 10

Of the ten Germans who have made it into the top 50 of the world rankings, nine are ranked 30th or higher. However, only Isabell Werth makes it into the top 10, while Raphael Netz (13th), Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (14th) and Katharina Hemmer (17th) are relatively unchanged in their positions.

Huge leap for Charlott-Maria Schürmann

Charlott-Maria Schürmann has made up 20 positions. A huge leap towards the top of the world rankings, which she owes to the series of victories with Dante’s Pearl OLD (incidentally 19th in the horse rankings and therefore fourth best horse behind Wendy. Viva Gold and Times Kismet). Ingrid Klimke (20th), Frederic Wandres (23rd), Benjamin Werndl (26th) and Moritz Treffinger (30th) and Svenja Kämper-Meyer (43rd) complete the two handfuls of German riders in the top 50.

Justin Verboomen: Tournament break until the World Cup

Jsutin Verboomen and Zonik Plus had dominated the rankings since the European Dressage Championships in Crozet (FRA) in August 2025 – a historic double gold for Belgium for the first time. At the end of March, Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour took over the lead. The reason: a planned competition break for the then still young stallion at the start of the season.

Now, after just three tournaments and an unblemished record this season, the pair are back in pole position. Zonik will now get another break. The preparation for the WEG in Aachen should be a quiet one. No pressure!

Of course it’s wonderful to be top of the world rankings again. It’s great recognition for the work I’ve done – but it’s not my main goal. For me, the most important thing is that my horse feels good, remains happy in his work and wants to continue learning.

Justin Verboomen

However, the world number one is not without ambition: “Zonik still has enormous potential. I feel that we have not yet shown everything he is capable of. I hope that we can continue to build together, step by step, and show even better things in the future.”

Teamwork instead of lone wolves

Verboomen emphasizes the importance of his environment – especially his sister Clarisse, who is by his side as his nurse: “A place as world number one is never achieved alone. I am lucky to be very well surrounded. My sister plays an essential role with Zonik, and all of that contributes to our results.”