20 September 2024
WCH Le Pin 2024: Kelly Bruder (CAN) and French team leading after dressage
It's often said that the higher the level of sport, the narrower the gaps. This FEI Driving World Championship for Singles is the perfect illustration for that. In the lead after the first day of dressage, Clément Deschamps (FRA) is in 7th place this evening. Six drivers today scored less than 50 points, including two French drivers. Kelly Bruder (CAN) was expected to be doing a great test today as she and her horse Flip were in amazing form all season. And they delivered as expected! Kelly and Flip performed a spotless test, earning the highest scores from three of the judges and showing the highest level of education in driven dressage. The reigning French Champion, Tony Ecalle followed by his teammate Marion Vignaud, put in a very fine performance which the judges awarded with equal scores! A very rare occurrence at this level of competition. The marathon, scheduled for tomorrow Saturday from 9am to 4pm in the Parc du Hautbois, promises unbearable suspense.The French team, World Champion title defenders, have started the competition in the best possible way. Clément Deschamps, Tony Ecalle and Marion Vignaud, the three drivers chosen by French team coach Felix-Marie Brasseur have held their ground, taking first place in the provisional rankings with a lead of just over 11 points over Germany and Switzerland. The Canadian team, which is present at a World Championship for Singles for the first time in twenty years, is currently on 4th place. A very close competition, where nothing is decided until Sunday.
In the individual competition, the world n°1 honored her rank. With her experienced 16-year-old Flip, she delivered a clear, neat and precise dressage test, enabling her to score an average of 40,65 points. Although in the lead, she is less than 4 points ahead of her closest pursuers, Marion Vignaud and Tony Ecalle. The French drivers left the arena with the same average score of 44,52 points.
Tomorrow’s marathon promises to be extremely exciting and a lot is at stake for the drivers. Renowned for his great designs, challenging and fair obstacles, Johan Jacobs is putting the drivers to a test with the beautifully designed eight obstacles.
Click here for the starting orders and results.
Click here for the live stream.
Photo: Melanie Guillamot
