4 September 2016
Breda: Boyd Exell came, saw and conquered
Boyd Exell did what he had to do in Breda. The defending World Champion was the only one who drove a clear cones round in the time allowed and was crowned individual World Champion four-in-hand driving for the fourth consecutive time. A record, because his biggest opponent IJsbrand Chardon also won the title four times, but with some years in between. Exell has been unbeatable since 2010.
Photo: Krisztina Horváth
Today’s battle in the tough cones course designed by level 4 Course Designer Jeroen Houterman (NED) was about the silver and bronze medal. Chardon was the first driver to stay in time, but he had an unlucky knockdown, which gave his compatriot Koos de Ronde some more air. De Ronde had silver in hands but lost it when he knocked two balls down. Chardon took home the silver medal; De Ronde was still pleased with bronze.
USA’s Chester Weber drove a very good obstacle driving competition and moved up to the fourth place in the individual standings, just ahead of the third Dutch team member Theo Timmerman and the best ‘rookie’ at the World Championships in Breda, József Dobrovitz jr. from Hungary.
Mareike Harm drove an excellent cones course and left the arena with only 2,44 for exceeding the time, which moved her from the 16th to the well-deserved 9th position.
After winning the dressage and the marathon, Boyd also won the obstacle competition, which is unique at a World Championship. His advantage to Chardon in the end was 24,73 penalty points.
The Dutch team won the gold medal for the fifth consecutive time, with an advantage of 25,13 points Hungary and Germany.
The FEI will decide in October where the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018, including the next World Four-in-Hand Driving Championships, will take place.
