Exell claims second win in a row at inaugural FEI World Cup Driving leg in Madrid
Boyd Exell claimed his second win in a row with victory at the inaugural edition of FEI World Cup™ Driving in Madrid (ESP) yesterday night, where Koos de Ronde (NED) finished second ahead of Swiss driver Jérôme Voutaz in third. Last weekend Exell also came out on top in the first leg of the new series at Stuttgart (GER), and today’s repeat success suggests the 43-year-old Australian is well on target for his fifth consecutive series title.
Madrid Horse Week hosted FEI World Cup™ Legs in Jumping, Driving and Vaulting this weekend, and the organisers were very pleased with the popularity of the Driving at the International Feria de Madrid (IFEMA).
The experienced German course designer Dr. Wolfgang Asendorf laid out a technical course for the seven competitors representing seven different nations. The wonderful atmosphere in the arena and the enthusiastic spectators contributed to the success of this first big Driving event at the Spanish fixture.
Snow or Sun
For Boyd Exell the choice to compete in Madrid or in Stockholm (SWE), which also hosted an FEI World Cup™ Driving leg today, was easy. “I could choose between sun and snow,” Exell said with a smile, “and I chose the sun! I also chose Madrid because of the good relationship I have with four-in-hand driver Ernesto Colman Mena (URU) who is the sponsor of this leg and Juan Real Garcia (ESP).”
No shame
Exell put down a magical first round and steered his four warmblood horses through a powerful and fast tour of the course, leaving all balls on the obstacles. He was some eight seconds faster than the fastest competitor so far, Jérôme Voutaz. Both of them qualified for the Winning Round, as well as Koos de Ronde.
Voutaz unfortunately knocked two balls down, and gave second starter De Ronde some breathing space. The bronze medallist of the FEI European Championships in Aachen went for it, but already had one knock down at the start of the course. The remainder of his drive he kept clear and he was happy with his second place behind Exell. “It is nothing to be ashamed of to finish second behind Boyd. My time in the winning round was nearly as fast as Boyd’s, so I am convinced one of us will manage to beat him this season!” the Dutch driver said.
Spinning horses
Exell however did not have his best Winning Round. His left leader horse nearly tripped twice because of the loose footing, and in the first marathon obstacle the reigning World Cup Champion lost a few seconds when his horses kept spinning. “Two gates were taken out in the winning round and one was in an obstacle. My horses knew that from the three rounds before, and they were spinning,” explains Exell. “But I saw it coming early and was able to minimise the mistake and the time loss” he added.
Results FEI World Cup™ Driving, Madrid (ESP), 29 November 2015:
- Boyd Exell (AUS) 215,42
- Koos de Ronde (NED) 228,04
- Jerome Voutaz (SUI) 235,30
- Rainer Duen (GER) 121,42
- Glenn Geerts (BEL) 121,62
- Ernesto Colman Mena (URU) 146,36 – wild card
- Juan Antonio Real Garcia (ESP) 173,00 – wild card
Results in detail can be viewed here
FEI World Cup™ Driving, standings after 2 of 7 events:
1 Boyd EXELL AUS 20
2 Rainer DUEN GER 8
3 IJsbrand CHARDON NED 7
4 Koos DE RONDE NED 7
5 Jérôme VOUTAZ SUI 5
6 Georg VON STEIN GER 3
7 Jozsef DOBROVITZ HUN 2
8 Glenn GEERTS BEL 2
For more information on FEI World Cup™ Driving, please check the FEI website
The 2015/2016 FEI World Cup™ Driving series now moves on to Geneva (SUI) on Sunday, 13 December.
The FEI World Cup™ Driving competition in Geneva will be broadcast live on FEI TV, the FEI’s official video platform, at 10.30 CET (local time in Geneva, GMT+1 hour).
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