June 2, 2026
Justin Verboomen and his stallion Zonik Plus are back at the top of the world rankings at the same time as newer prospects from Germany and Great Britain made big gains.
In the standings that have seen the top horses swap places over the past two years, Justin and his 10-year-old Zonik jumped to the top from third over the month based on leading Belgium to Nations Cup victory at home in Lier.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour of Denmark on Mount St. John Freestyle, now 17 years old, dropped from the top spot last month to second at the end of May.
Britain’s Charlotte Fry and her 2022 World Champion mount Glamourdale were both third in the rankings that are determined separately for riders and horses.
Isabell Werth of Germany and her Paris Olympic gold medal mount Wendy de Fontaine remained in fourth while on the 10-year-old Viva Gold OLD that she began competing at Big Tour three months ago shot up to 6th from 111th at the end of April.
World Cup champion Beck Moody and her home-bred Jagerbomb were in fifth
USA’s Christian Simonson, reserve champion at the World Cup, maintained his 7th rank while his equestrian partner Indian Rock slipped one place to 8th.
Some of the biggest moves upward included Charlott-Maria Schürmann of Germany to 18th from 38th on Dante’s Pearl OLD, the Dante Weltino offspring that climbed to 19th place after the duo recorded four victories in six starts in the past two months.
The greatest move, though, was Fiona Bigwood of Britain up to 34th from 200th with her Donna Bella on the same trajectory.
Fellow Briton Sadie Smith climbed to 47th from 202nd and her mount, Swanmore Dantina up to 48th.
Charlotte Dujardin remained in 15th spot but Brave Heart that has been her primary competition mount recently moved up to 37th from 214th.
