19 december 2014
London: fastest round for Boyd Exell
Reigning FEI World Champion Boyd Exell put down the fastest time in today’s first competition of the FEI World Cup™ Driving in London Olympia. Ijsbrand Chardon (NED) finished second, ahead of the only driver with a clear round, Fredrik Persson (SWE)._67835.jpg)
Foto: Rinaldo de Craen
Dutch course designer Johan Jacobs had designed a nice course again for the seven four-in-hand drivers, who could count on the full support of the numerous spectators.
Wild card competitor Exell was second to start and put down the time to beat. The five times World Cup Champion knocked one ball down in the last phase of the course and near lost his balance in the carriage, but was able to finish without any further problems: “My team showed their speed this afternoon,” says Boyd. “I have been away last week in Geneva where I drove Daniel Schneiders team and it takes some time to bring my own horses back to form again.”
Ijsbrand Chardon was last to start, using his new leader horse Aladin. Chardon was well on his way to drive a clear round, but knocked two balls off the last two gates: “I am pleased with my time, it is a pity that I had those two balls. Aladin is a fast and easy to drive horse and he deserved another chance. I will decide later if I will use him tomorrow, I have to watch the video first.”
The only driver with a clear round was Fredrik Persson, who drove his very experienced team, of which the youngest is 17 years old. Persson’s goal was not to make any mistakes and he succeeded, which resulted in the third place.
Koos de Ronde is still fine-tuning his new team, as well as his compatriot Theo Timmerman. Koos finished fourth, while Theo came fifth, ahead of second wild card driver Daniel Naprous. Dan changed one horse from yesterday, but had three knockdowns and finished sixth. Yesterday’s winner Glenn Geerts was a bit too brave and left the arena with no less than 25 penalty seconds, which will make him first starter in tomorrow’s FEI World Cup™ competition.
