28 September 2024

AIO Baborówko: Small differences after the marathon

On a fresh and windy but sunny Saturday in Baborówko, Poland, the marathon started today at 09.15 with the first pair driver.

Edwin Spek (NED) drove an excellent marathon. For a long time, he was second fastest on almost all obstacles. Only on obstacle four did he not finish among the top ten riders. Aleksander Fularczyck (POL) won the marathon with the fastest time in seven of the eight obstacles, followed by Dennis Schneiders (GER) and in third place Edwin Spek.

Germany in the lead

In the intermediate rankings, Edwin Spek has moved up from place 22 to 9. Germany stays in the lead after marathon and dressage, although Anna Sandmann has dropped a place. Dennis Schneiders, who was seventh in the dressage, has taken over the lead in the intermediate rankings with his excellent marathon. Lars Schwitte is still in third place; Sebastian Warneck has dropped to seventh.

The cones is going to be exciting tomorrow, as the five leaders are very close together. So a lot can still change.

In the Nations Cup,Tthe Netherlands has moved up one place to fourth, just one and a half points behind Poland. The bronze podium is thus in sight. Germany and Hungary can hardly be overtaken; Germany leads and their mutual difference is 7.5 points.

Anna Sandmann
Photo: Marta Flatow

Battle between Boyd Exell and Jérôme Voutaz

After the break that followed between the two classes, during which the audience could enjoy upbeat Polish folk music and a heart-warming children’s choir, the Four-in-Hands started. The battle was mainly between Boyd and Swiss driver Jérôme Voutaz. Boyd always drives flowing lines at a high pace, but so did Jérôme and managed to be a bit faster each time in six obstacles with his small Freibergers. Both drivers dropped a ball that caused extra penalties; Boyd did so in obstacle 5 … the obstacle he had scouted with Robert Wilkinson and the film crew. ‘Bad luck’ for the Australian. Third-placed was for Christoph Sandmann (GER), who also drove an excellent marathon. The drone footage gave great images of the riders’ beautiful flowing lines.

In the intermediate standings, these riders are in the lead. Tomorrow in the skill, Boyd has nine points to defend on Christoph who is in second place. Jerome has six points to make up on Christoph, but feels the breath of Austrian Daniel Schneiders on his neck when it comes to the bronze.

In the Nations Cup, Germany leads ahead of Poland. The Austrian team has nine points to make up on Poland to take the silver.

Tomorrow follows the denouement in the cones, which will be especially exciting in the horse pair class.

The competition can be followed live via ClipMyHorse

Click here for the results and the starting order for tomorrow

Click here for the photo album

Jerome's Freibergers after the marathon today
Photo: Marta Flatow

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