Justin Verboomen receives FEI Best Athlete Award 2025
A year full of triumphs
November 8, 2025 at 2:42 AMBy a.schaefer
During the FEI General Assembly 2025 in Hong Kong, the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award was presented to Belgian dressage rider Justin Verboomen. The award was preceded by impressive sporting successes, including European Championship gold medals and a rise to first place in the world rankings.
A remarkable season for Justin Verboomen
Verboomen, who enjoyed outstanding success in 2025 with his horse Zonik Plus, secured gold twice at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Crozet (France) and also took first place in the FEI Dressage World Ranking. He also triumphed at the CHIO Aachen, where he won both the Grand Prix Special and the Grand Prix Freestyle. Another highlight was his victory in the World Cup Grand Prix in Lyon with an impressive score of 81.195%. These successes mark a historic milestone for Belgium.
Find out more about Zonik Plus HERE in his horse profile and watch his last two rides for free!
An exceptional partnership
The partnership between Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus is the result of years of patience and trust. Ever since the Belgian met the then two-year-old horse Zonik Plus, a special bond developed that led them to extraordinary successes. In his acceptance speech, Verboomen himself emphasized the emotional significance of this bond and expressed his deep gratitude for the trust he was able to experience from his horse. "Zonik is not just a sport partner, but a part of my family," the rider explained.
Photo: The FEI Awards Gala 2025 presented by Longines In Hong Kong. Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete 2025 - Justin Verboomen (BEL). Photograph taken by Liz Gregg. Copyright of Liz Gregg / FEI.
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