Boyd blasts ahead in Geneva (SUI) for third victory in the current FEI Driving World Cup™

Extract from FEI article By Sarah Dance.

It’s been three years since Boyd Exell (AUS) last appeared in Geneva (SUI), but he returned triumphant to see off stiff competition from the best of the rest to show yet again why he is a multiple champion. He has now completed his four qualifying rounds of the 2024-2025 series and sits at the top of the ranking table after three wins and a second place.

Winning both competitions in this fifth leg of the series in front of a packed Palexpo Arena, the Australian felt the pressure from a measured but strong Bram Chardon (NED) who saved his best ‘til last for the second drive-off.  But Boyd and his powerful horses propelled their performance to another level when last to go, they went clear in 155.66; s5.51 seconds faster than Bram’s clear. 

Ever the controller, Boyd could be heard talking to all four horses in succession – his stalwarts Bundy and Barney, plus Max and Duch the new mare. The whole crew were back on tight and disciplined form after the penalty heavy rounds in Stuttgart (GER) and the second place in Stockholm (SWE), and they dominated from start to finish through Michael Mayer’s (SUI) testing course, producing fast, clear rounds each time.  

“They are fantastic horses. I didn’t think I was going to get a 155; we thought we might be doing 159, 160, but not five seconds faster and the horses were flying.  Nobody has a faster team than my team!” said Boyd.

The festive themed events continue as the sixth leg is next Friday and Saturday in London.  Boyd will be there as the wild card, alongside Daniel Naprous (GBR). It will be fascinating to see if Dries Degrieck (BEL) can maintain his winning ways against Boyd who is back on fearsome form and will be boosted by a crowd that always gets behind him. Joining them are Koos, Fredrik, Ijsbrand Chardon (NED) and Anna Mareike Meier (GER).

Full Results HERE.