NEUMÜNSTER, Germany, Feb. 15, 2026–Larissa Pauluis on her two-time Olympic mount Flambeau assured the Belgian partnership of a start in the World Cup Final in Fort Worth with a victory in the qualifying Freestyle Sunday.
The personal best score of 84.015% for Larissa and the 16-year-old gelding pushed team mate Justin Verboomen on Djembé de Hus OLD into second place and boosted her to the top of the Western European League and most likely and invitation to the Final in Fort Worth, Texas in April.
Larissa and Flambeau competed in both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics and the World Cup Final last year. The duo had beaten Justin and his 11-year-old mount in the World Cup qualifier at Mechelen, Belgium at the end of 2025. They, however, had placed second behind Justin and despite their personal best score in Saturday’s Grand Prix.
Justin, ranked No. 1 rider in the world on Zonik Plus, his European Championship partner, was runner-up on Djembé de Hus on 81.985%.
Portugal’s João Pedro Moreira on the 11-year-old stallion Drosa Fuerst Kennedy OLD placed third on 81.080%, also a personal best.
The next Western European World Cup qualifier is in Gothenberg, Sweden later this week, the second last in the league before the Final in Texas.
Results:
| Rank | Competitor | Score | E | H | C | M | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Larissa Pauluis (BEL) Flambeau | 84.015% | 86.775 | 85.950 | 82.000 | 81.400 | 83.950 |
| 2. | Justin Verboomen (BEL) Djembé de Hus OLD | 81.985% | 84.325 | 81.250 | 83.075 | 81.550 | 79.725 |
| 3. | João Pedro Moreira (POR) Drosa Fuerst Kennedy OLD | 81.080% | 81.700 | 81.150 | 80.950 | 80.450 | 81.150 |
| 4. | Raphael Netz (GER) Great Escape Camelot | 80.940% | 80.725 | 79.300 | 82.575 | 81.000 | 81.100 |
| 5. | Moritz Treffinger (GER) Fiderdance | 78.365% | 78.250 | 78.600 | 79.375 | 77.275 | 78.325 |
| 6. | Alexander Yde Helgstrand (DEN) Inspiration PF | 77.430% | 76.500 | 78.025 | 79.550 | 76.125 | 76.950 |
| 7. | Alexa Fairchild (BEL) Fairplay | 77.280% | 78.050 | 77.625 | 77.550 | 75.550 | 77.625 |
| 8. | Ingrid Klimke (GER) First Class 92 | 76.250% | 76.200 | 76.300 | 75.350 | 77.050 | 76.350 |
| 9. | Laura Strobel (GER) Sisters Act MT OLD | 76.055% | 76.225 | 76.600 | 77.425 | 74.025 | 76.000 |
| 10. | Bettina Kendlbacher (AUT) Broadmoars Don Alfredo AWO | 74.415% | 72.700 | 77.425 | 74.450 | 71.800 | 75.700 |
| 11. | Delia Eggenberger (SUI) Fairtrade | 74.160% | 74.550 | 74.875 | 76.000 | 73.125 | 72.250 |
| 12. | Thamar Zweistra (NED) Kingsdale | 73.940% | 74.575 | 72.775 | 76.325 | 73.875 | 72.150 |
| 13. | Theodora Livanos (GRE) Robinvale | 73.190% | 74.625 | 71.575 | 72.700 | 73.675 | 73.375 |
| 14. | Karoline Rohmann (DEN) Jakas Don Louvre | 72.830% | 70.275 | 73.425 | 75.375 | 73.175 | 71.900 |
| WD | Annabella Pidgley (GBR) Gio | withdrawn | |||||
 Find details on Equestrian Hub |
