Driving Valkenswaard International organised by number one Boyd Exell

From 28 April to 1 May 2016 the home base in Valkenswaard (NL) of three time World Champion Boyd Exell was the central focus of the international driving sport. Under the name 'Driving Valkenswaard International' the Australian along with his team organized an international three star combined driving competition for pair and four-in-hand horses on the 'Horse boulevard' in Valkenswaard. 

Six of the seven marathon obstacles were on the main grounds and were designed by four star course designer Jeroen Houterman. Houterman will also be the course designer at the World Championships in Breda. Section A was driven through the forests of Valkenswaard. With the contruction of these show grounds and permanent obstacles, Driving Valkenswaard International is set to be a fixture on the international driving calendar for years to come. 

Competition host and six-time World Cup winner Boyd Exell finished on the first step of the podium in the four-in-hand class. Jozsef Dibak finished first in the pair horses class.

Dressage

Of all of the four-in-hand horses, host Boyd Exell drove the best dressage test on the first day. With a score of 35,75 his presentation stood head and shoulders above the rest. Second place was awarded to Christoph Sandmann (GER) with a score of 44,12 and third place went to his countrywoman Mareike Harm. 

Marathon

Christoph Sandmann (GER) was a class apart in the four-in-hand marathon, driving even the extremely technical obstacles, such as obstacle 5, in a high tempo gallop. Notching up the fastest times in four of the seven obstacles, it was still not enough to pass Boyd Exell in the intermediate results. Exell still holds a four point lead going into the cones tomorrow. Swedens Fredrik Persson was also extremely fast and moved up to third place. Marathon specialist and reigning European Champion Michael Brauchle began well, clocking the fastest time in obstacle 4 and in three other obstacles the second fastest time. Unfortunately his horses got hung up in the water obstacle costing him prescious seconds.

Edouard Simonet (BEL) also had bad luck on course. In the first obstacle the rein of one of his leaders broke, and even after a quick repair the horses failed to drive well. After struggling through obstacle five he was forced to retire.

Cones 

A day full of sunshine, beautiful horses and lots of spectators made for a wonderful closing day here in Valkenswaard. The challenging cones course made for an exciting day and caused lots of changes to the leaderboard. A full dress prize giving ceremony duely honoured the winners.

The German four-in-hand drivers made a game of the cones course as both Rainer Duen and Christoph Sandmann posted clear rounds within the allotted time. Michael Brauchle and Georg von Stein both drove quick rounds with no time penalties and only one knockdown, as did Dries Degriek (BEL).

The last to go in the cones was leader Boyd Exell. His lead over Christoph Sandmann allowed for two knockdowns, but the World Champion managed to leave all of the balls standing and with just a few time penalties held onto his lead and the overall win.

Results, photos and full coverage of the event on http://www.hoefnet.nl/

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