Two newcomers in the top ten of the FEI dressage world rankings

There are two notable newcomers to the top ten in the current FEI World Dressage Rankings: Belgian rider Justin Verboomen moves up from 18th to 9th place, while Sandra Sysojeva from Poland makes history with 7th place - she is the first Polish rider ever to make it into the top ten.

Verboomen and Zonik Plus (Zonik x Hohenstein I) impressed shortly after their international Grand Prix debut in November. With consistently strong performances, including at the World Cup stops in Mechelen and the Dutch Masters in 's-Hertogenbosch, the pair not only secured a podium place in the freestyle, but also set a new personal record with 84.16%.

Sysojeva and her mare Maxima Bella (Millennium x Christ) moved up from 11th to 7th place at the CDI Lier thanks to two second places, thus setting a milestone for Polish dressage sport.

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour remains in the lead, followed by Isabell Werth, Charlotte Fry and Becky Moody. Dinja van Liere slipped down to 5th place. Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Frederic Wandres, among others, dropped out of the top ten.

There were also significant shifts in the dressage horse rankings: Maxima Bella and Zonik Plus both climbed several places, while Hermès (Easy Game x Flemmingh) by Dinja van Liere is now only in 100th place after a long break from competition.