8 September 2013
Breda: Theo Timmerman Dutch Champion
Finally! After having won silver five times, Theo Timmerman won the gold medal in in the Dutch Championships for the first time in his career in Breda this afternoon. IJsbrand Chardon won silver; the bronze medal went to Koos de Ronde.
The final obstacle driving competition of the CAIO and Dutch Championships remained exciting until the very last second. Before the top three entered the arena, the best performance was put down by Jozsef Dobrovitz, who only had 1,29 for exceeding the time allowed, which showed how difficult the course was.
Koos de Ronde had to change a horse last minute and this horse did not like the flowers in the course, which resulted in two knockdowns. Second placed driver Chardon got some more air. The 24-times Dutch Champion left the arena with 5,19 penalty points behind his name and secured his second place. Leader of the competition Theo Timmerman had an advantage of a little over 7-penalty points and the spectators closely followed his performances in the cones course. The golden team member knocked one ball down and there was a huge relief when he passed the finish line, only a few second too late with which he secured his first national title and the victory in the CAIO.
Tomas Eriksson drove an excellent competition in Breda and climbed to the third place in the final standings. The Dutch team won the nations competition as expected, ahead of Germany and Hungary who had passed Sweden and Belgium thanks to the good performances of father and son Dobrovitz.
