29 November 2015
Exell claims second win in a row at inaugural FEI World Cup™ Driving in Madrid
Australia’s Boyd Exell has claimed his second win in a row at the inaugural edition of the FEI World Cup™ Driving leg in Madrid (ESP). Koos de Ronde (NED) finished on the second place, ahead of Swiss driver Jérôme Voutaz.
Madrid Horse Week hosted FEI World Cup™ Legs in Jumping, Driving and Vaulting this week-end and the organisers were very pleased with the popularity of the Driving at the International Feria de Madrid (IFEMA).
The experienced German course designer Dr. Wolfgang Asendorf has laid out a technical course for the seven competitors, representing seven different nations this time. The wonderful atmosphere in the arena and the enthusiastic spectators contributed to the success of this first big driving event in Madrid.
Exell however did not have his best winning round. His left leader horse nearly tripped twice because of the loose footing and in the first marathon obstacle the reigning World Cup Champion lost a few seconds when his horses kept spinning: “Two gates were taken out in the winning round and one was in an obstacle. My horses knew that from the 3 rounds before and they were spinning,” explains Exell. “But I saw it coming early and was able to minimize the mistake and the time loss.”
Both Colman Mena and Real Garcia competed with a wild card and for both of them in was their first ever indoor driving experience. They were both very happy and pleased to compete in such atmosphere: “I think this is a great opportunity for the Spanish people to get to know carriage driving as a competition sport,” says Garcia.
Exell trains both four-in-hand drivers and was pleased with their performances: “They improved a lot during the competition. They did a very good job, especially Juan who had to prepare two teams, for Ernesto and for himself.”
Rainer Duen (GER), who was third at the first leg in Stuttgart, drove a nice clear round, but just came one second short to finish before Voutaz in the first round and came fourth in Madrid. Glenn Geerts did the same at his first competition of this season and had to be pleased with the fifth place.
Jérôme Voutaz is a newcomer in the Series this season. He competed before with a wild card in Geneva and he opened his season in Madrid: “I panicked a bit in Madrid,” says the sympathetic car mechanic by profession. “The first night my horses were not waiting for me and I made too many driving mistakes myself as well. The arena in Geneva is so different. Everything is new for me, I have watched videos of previous World Cup events to prepare myself, but it is not easy to compete against Boyd and the other competitors.” Voutaz was nevertheless pleased with his results in Madrid.
Results FEI World Cup™ Driving, Madrid (ESP), 29 November 2015:
1. Boyd Exell (AUS) 215,42
2. Koos de Ronde (NED) 228,04
3. Jerome Voutaz (SUI) 235,30
4. Rainer Duen (GER) 121,42
5. Glenn Geerts (BEL) 121,62
6. Ernesto Colman Mena (URU) 146,36 – wild card
7. Juan Antonio Real Garcia (ESP) 173,00 – wild card
FEI World Cup™ Driving, standings after 2 of 7 events:
1. Boyd EXELL AUS 20
2. Rainer DUEN GER 8
3. IJsbrand CHARDON NED 7
4. Koos DE RONDE NED 7
5. Jérôme VOUTAZ SUI 5
6. Georg VON STEIN GER 3
7. Jozsef DOBROVITZ HUN 2
8. Glenn GEERTS BEL 2
