Tag Archives: Boyd Exell

Three World No. 1s Compete at Olympia, The London International Horse Show 2013

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro.

6 December 2013 – Three FEI-ranked world No.1 riders will compete at Olympia, The London International Horse Show which takes place on 16-22 December 2013, as final entries for London’s premier equine show were announced today.

Dressage sensation Charlotte Dujardin, show jumping superstar Scott Brash and carriage driving legend Boyd Exell, who are all currently leading the rankings in their respected sports, are amongst the confirmed entries for what is regarded as the world’s best Christmas equine party. It will be the first time in the history of Olympia that three world No.1s have competed at London’s premier horse show.

Dressage

London 2012 hero Charlotte Dujardin (GB) will compete her Olympic gold medal winning horse, Valegro in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Leg, supported by Horse & Hound on 16 and 17 December. The formidable pair won this competition at Olympia last year and Dujardin, who was shortlisted for The Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year earlier this month, will be hoping to repeat that feat.

Amongst those bidding to spoil Dujardin’s Christmas party is Edward Gal (Glock’s Voice) and Hans Peter Minderhoud (Glock’s Romanov) from the Netherlands who are regulars at Olympia. Charlotte’s GB Teammate, Carl Hester will compete Fine Time 13, the horse with which he won the National Championships with in September. A notable absentee is Dujardin and Hester’s London 2012 Teammate, Laura Tomlinson (nee Bechtolsheimer). However, Tomlinson’s stable jockey and Reserve National Champion, Lara Griffith, makes her Olympia debut on Andretti H.

Ben Maher and Noctambule Courcelle
Ben Maher and Noctambule Courcelle

Show Jumping

The Top Three FEI-ranked show jumpers in the world, Scott Brash (GB), Ben Maher (GB) and Ludger Beerbaum (GER), are all triple handed with horses in the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Leg, presented by H&M. Scotland’s Brash, who recently clinched the Longines Global Champions Tour title in Doha, elevating him to No.1 spot this week in the FEI world rankings, brings Bon Ami, Hello Annie and Ursula XII to Olympia. Maher has Aristo Z, Diva II and his London 2012 superstar Tripple X III and will also be reunited with Noctambule Courcelle in the Alltech Christmas Puissance, on whom he won the famous competition in 2010 and 2012. Legendary Beerbaum brings his three top horses Carinou, Chiara 222 and Zinedine.

Other notable entries include European individual gold medallist Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) with Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois and Britain’s current No.1 female show jumper, Laura Renwick.

Brash said: “To go to Olympia, which is one of my favourite shows, as FEI ranked world No.1 is a very special feeling. This year has been unbelievable for me and there would be nothing better than to top it off with a good week at Olympia.”

Extreme Carriage Driving

Six of the world’s best drivers will compete in the exhilarating Extreme Driving FEI World Cup on 19 and 20 December; the first competition being a warm-up to give the running order of the deciding second.

Koos de Ronde
Koos de Ronde

The line-up includes three 2013 European team gold medallists, Koos de Ronde, IJsbrand Chardon and Theo Timmerman from the Netherlands; two 2013 European team silver medallists from Germany, Daniel Schneiders and Michael Brauchle; and driving on a wild card is two time world gold medallist, four time World Cup Champion and current leader in the FEI Driver standings, Australia’s Boyd Exell. Representing Great Britain is the only female in the competition, Georgina Hunt, who is seven times National Pony Team Champion.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show will be televised throughout the week on BBC Online, the BBC Red Button and Eurosport. Live coverage of the Longines FEI World Cup presented by H&M will be broadcast on BBC 1 between 13:45 and 16:30 on Saturday 21 December 2013.

For more information, please visit the website at www.olympiahorseshow.com.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show
Throughout the week of 16 December, the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington, London, will play host to packed timetable of all things equestrian and boasts a total of over 80,000 visitors. The show mixes top class equestrian action including FEI World Cup Jumping, Dressage and Extreme Carriage Driving with family entertainment, such as The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art display and the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Olympia Horse Show celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2007 and is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest equine competitions. Olympia Horse Show’s official charity for 2013 is veterinary charity, the Animal Health Trust, which works behind the scenes to monitor equine disease around the world and undertakes extensive on-going research to minimise the risk of injury to sport horses. The evening performance on Wednesday 18 December will be dedicated to the Animal Health Trust and 50p from every seat sold will go to the charity.

For more information, please contact Hannah Grissell, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Email: hannah@revolutionsports.co.uk  Tel: +44 (0) 207 592 1207

Boyd Exell Wins First Edition of the FEI World Cup Driving in Verona

Boyd Exell on his way to win the first edition of the FEI World Cup Driving in Verona (Photo: Rinaldo de Craen/FEI).

Verona (ITA), 10 November 2013 – Four-time FEI World Cup Champion Boyd Exell (AUS) claimed the inaugural edition of the FEI World Cup Driving at the popular Fieracavalli equestrian event in Verona (ITA). Exell finished ahead of European four-in-hand Champion and wild card competitor Theo Timmerman (NED), and József Dobrovitz jnr (HUN), driving his first FEI World Cup event of the new season.

Fieracavalli, which this year celebrated its 115th anniversary, has been host to FEI World Cup Jumping for many years, but it is the first time Verona has hosted an FEI World Cup Driving qualifier. The Driving was scheduled after the popular Gala evening and, despite the late night hour, many spectators stayed to watch spectacular driving sport offered by the seven top drivers.

POTENTIAL SUCCESSOR
Following the death of Boyd Exell’s top horse Bill last summer; the Australian has found a potential successor in the 13-year-old trotter gelding Knight Templar. Exell drove a very fast clear round and had already set an advantage of over 12 penalty seconds. He wanted to try something more technical in the winning round and took tighter turns in the obstacles. Although that resulted in two knockdowns, his lead was strong enough to hold onto victory.

Theo Timmerman received a wild card from the organising committee and proved to be more than worth it. Timmerman lived and worked in Italy for many years and knew the Fieracavalli as a visitor. He set the goal for himself to use the competitions in Hannover and Verona to get his four-in-hand ready for the other four competitions in which he is competing. He knocked two balls of the last two cones in the first round and was very pleased to still qualify for the Winning Round, in which he set a fast time.

ALL ROUND HORSEMAN
Less than a week earlier, József Dobrovitz jnr won the individual silver medal in the pony four-in-hand class at the FEI World Championships for Combined Ponies in Pau (FRA), and the 21-year-old proved to be a true all round horseman by putting down two wonderful rounds with his horse team in Verona. Like Exell and Timmerman and József Dobrovitz senior, who were in Pau as trainers, József jnr did not have a chance to practise with his horses as he was focusing on his pony team over the last two weeks.

Dobrovitz jnr deliberately drove long but fast routes in the course, designed by O-course designer Johan Jacobs, who is also responsible for the indoor courses at Olympia and Mechelen. Junior’s left leader horse Aba Sam, which is part of his outdoor team as well, caused some problems on the first night and was not in his usual mood, but after a change of bit, the seven-year-old Lipizzaner performed well again. Junior’s right leader Janko has only been in Dobrovitz’ stables for the past three weeks and was a pairs horse before.

FAMOUS NAVIGATOR
For Georg von Stein (GER), Verona was his first FEI World Cup competition of the season. Von Stein drove his team of mixed breed geldings to fourth place, assisted by two German four-in-hand colleagues. The well-known and successful driver Christoph Sandmann acted as navigator for Von Stein, while Sascha Utz was on the back-step.

József Dobrovitz senior came sixth, driving a new horse in the left lead for the first time. Von Stein’s compatriot Michael Brauchle experienced some problems with his four-in-hand, which became a bit too strong to handle during the course, resulting in several knockdowns for sixth place.

The famous and popular Italian driver Carlo Mascheroni was delighted to compete in Verona after receiving the second wild card. The 73-year-old pair and four-in-hand driver conquered the course with his team of German and Dutch bred horses to finish in seventh.

Quotes:
Boyd Exell: “The potential in Verona is very good; just the timing needs to be different to make it better for the spectators, sponsors, our horses and ourselves. The course was good; it was flowing and fast. I am very pleased with my new horse Knight; he can be a universal horse but he just needs more experience.”

Theo Timmerman: “I haven’t had time to train my indoor team in the past two weeks so I am very happy that it went well for me. I put these horses out in the field last summer and I noticed that it takes a lot of time to get them back in form, so I won’t do that again next season. I enjoy indoor driving; it makes me quicker during the outdoor events as well.”

József Dobrovitz jnr.: “This is my first season as a World Cup driver. I drove with a wild card before in Budapest, but indoor driving is definitely a different game. I just have to learn to drive the cones and the obstacles without mistakes. My father was very happy for me that I did well. He is happier when I do better than him!”

Results in detail can be viewed here: Official results.

The FEI World Cup Driving 2013/2014 series now moves on to Stuttgart (GER) on Saturday, 16 November. For information on the next leg, go to www.stuttgart-german-masters.de or contact Press Officer Hartmut Binder, hartmut.binder@mps-agentur.de, +49 172 972 2848.

By Cindy Timmer

Media Contacts:

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Verona:
Caterina Vagnozzi
c.vagnozzi@gmail.com
+39 335 610 7070

Exell Secures Sixth Aachen Victory, Takes the Lead of FEI World Cup Driving Qualification Standings

Boyd Exell secured his sixth win in CAIO Aachen today. (Photo: Rinaldo de Craen/FEI)

Reigning World Champion Boyd Exell (AUS) has won the prestigious CAIO Aachen (GER) for the sixth time in his career and has taken the lead of the FEI World Cup Driving qualification standings.

Koos de Ronde (NED) became the runner up whereas the leader of the individual standings before the marathon Chester Weber (USA) finished third. The Dutch team won the gold medal for the seventh time in a row.

Fifth consecutive win

Exell finished second behind Chester Weber in the individual and team dressage. Although Australia did not field a team, the team dressage and cones were compulsory for all individual competitors. Exell secured a score of 34,80 penalty points in the dressage test with the beautiful black horses owned by the Hungarian Támas Vincze and drove a double clear round in the cones course. The difference with dressage winner Chester Weber was only 2,41 points before the marathon in which the competitors started in reverse order of merit.

The marathon footing had become heavy because of the rain during the previous night and on the morning before the competition, but all 25 drivers and their horses finished without severe problems. The Australian was the first to last starter and wisely decided to stick to his plan. By setting top scores in the majority of the eight challenging obstacles, he gradually overtook the overnight leader. By the time both drivers had crossed the finish line, they knew Exell had won Aachen for the fifth time in a row and for the sixth time overall in his exceptional career as a four-in-hand driver.

Second place for De Ronde

Reigning World Cup Champion Koos de Ronde had started off well by placing fourth in the dressage with his matching team of KWPN-geldings. The Dutchman has a reputation for being a double clear cones driver which he confirmed in Aachen. He scored one of only four double clears and moved up to third place. Despite his successful performance, he had some doubts before the marathon and was not sure he would be able to close the gap that separated him from Weber and Exell. But the Dutch driver gave it his all in the last phase of the individual competition finishing second in the marathon and overtaking Chester Weber, for whom he often acts as a marathon navigator when he does not compete himself.

Personal best

Chester Weber proved worthy of his nickname Mr Dressage by winning the test. Driving his team to a personal international best of 31.2, Weber dominated the world-class field. Following this record score in the individual dressage, Weber also won the team dressage finishing on 38.21 points. Weber’s winning team was made up of his own Para and Senate, as well as Splash and Uniek, owned by Jane Clark. Together, the four horses were able to demonstrate their amazing power, grace and synergy.

Weber left all the balls in place in the cones course but collected 1.19 penalties for exceeding the time allowed. In the marathon however the American was unable to keep up the necessary high speed in the obstacles and finished third individually.

Mixed fortunes for Michael Brauchle

This was not a great CAIO Aachen for German team member Michael Brauchle. The 2008 and 2011 marathon winner was admitted to hospital on Thursday with suspected appendicitis. This fortunately turned out not to be the case as he had most probably suffered from acute food poisoning. During the individual cones competition, the bit of Brauchle’s right leader horse broke and the 23-year-old driver was eliminated. He was however able to compete for the German team in the marathon and the cones on Sunday. Because of his elimination, Brauchle was first on the heavy marathon going which was lucky for him. While the footing was still solid, Brauchle set the fastest times in six obstacles and at the end of the exciting marathon day, which was attended by numerous spectators, his score remained unbeaten.

New Course Designer

German O-Course Designer Dr Hartmut Kaufmann was in charge of the courses at Aachen for the first time in his career. The 64-year-old former driver has been building courses for over 20 years and was also the course designer at the FEI World Four-in-Hand Driving Championships in Riesenbeck (GER) in 2012. Kaufmann and his team of 10 assistants changed the stability constructions of the obstacles after a test with several world-class drivers last April. Kaufmann listened to the advice of the drivers and made the necessary changes, which resulted in a very nice marathon for the horses, drivers and spectators.

Team competition

The team competition was won by the Dutch reigning World Champion team consisting of Koos de Ronde, Theo Timmerman and IJsbrand Chardon, for him this was not the best Aachen experience. Because of several injuries, the four-time World Champion started without three of his top horses and was twice the drop score. Koos de Ronde and Theo Timmerman were however very strong and secured the gold medal, much to the satisfaction of national coach Harry de Ruyter.

The German team, led by Georg von Stein, finished second ahead of the Swedish team. Double World Champion Tomas Eriksson competed for the 30th and possibly last time in Aachen this year as he has unfortunately not been able to find a sponsor to help him to continue the sport.

After taking the sixth place in dressage, lady driver Georgina Hunt-Frith recorded the second best individual result, taking 10th place in the overall standings with her impressive team of beautifully turned out black KWPN geldings.

World Cup qualification

CAIO Aachen was one of the 14 outdoor competitions held in Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, The Netherlands, and Slovenia which serve as qualifiers for the indoor FEI World Cup Driving. The top ten drivers after the last competition will qualify for the series 2013-2014 season, which starts in Hannover (GER) on 17 October.

Quotes:

Boyd Exell (AUS): “I decided not to try to win the marathon, but to try to win the event. It was a very heavy course, but my horses were 110%. I decided to stick to my game.”

Koos de Ronde (NED): “The difference between the first and the last competitor in the marathon was huge. That is why it was very difficult to accelerate; the footing in the obstacles was very heavy. But with Nietje and Santana in the wheel of my team, I was able to drive as planned and I could give it all.”

Chester Weber (USA): “The team was fabulous to drive and it is humbling to sit behind them as they are like poetry in motion. I truly believe they are the best dressage team in the world.”

Individual results CAIO Aachen 2013:

1. Boyd Exell                  AUS    118.46
2. Koos de Ronde NED    124.81
3. Chester Weber   USA    125.78
4. Georg von Stein GER    135.15
5. Theo Timmerman       NED    136.93

Complete individual results here.

Team results CAIO Aachen 2013:

1. The Netherlands          262.84
2. Germany          270.11
3. Sweden             286.77

Complete team results here.

By Cindy Timmer

Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

Boyd Is Best in Bordeaux as FEI World Cup Driving Final Kicks Off

Boyd Exell on his way to victory in the first competition of the FEI World Cup Driving held in Bordeaux. (Photo: Rinaldo de Craen/FEI)

Bordeaux (FRA), 9 February 2013 – Australia’s Boyd Exell is well on his way to secure his fifth FEI World Cup Driving champion title in a row. Exell was the only competitor to drive a double clear in the first competition of the exciting FEI World Cup Driving Final which got under way in Bordeaux, France last night. Koos de Ronde (NED) finished second, ahead of Jozsef Dobrovitz (HUN) third and IJsbrand Chardon (NED) fourth.

The enthusiastic spectators of the Jumping International de Bordeaux enjoyed a very exciting competition. The rule, according to which 50% of the score differential converted into seconds are carried forward to the competition on Saturday, ensured that all seven drivers, who are competing in the Final, had to give it their best from the start, which resulted in an excellent show.

Ups and downs
While some drivers put on top class performances, others were not as successful as they would have liked.

Continue reading Boyd Is Best in Bordeaux as FEI World Cup Driving Final Kicks Off

Boyd Exell Gallops Away with FEI World Cup Driving at London Olympia

Boyd Exell (AUS), competing at London Olympia on a wild card, flew to victory in the FEI World Cup Driving qualifier (Photo: Rinaldo de Craen/FEI)

London Olympia (GBR), 20 December 2012 – Boyd Exell was the man to beat at the inaugural edition of the FEI World Cup Driving in London Olympia (GBR), but the Australian had no intention of letting anyone past him. The four-time FEI World Cup champion galloped to victory in the sixth leg of the FEI World Cup Driving, the Extreme Driving Class, at Olympia with a brilliant performance from his amazing team of horses. Theo Timmerman (NED) finished in the second place, just ahead of his fellow countryman Koos de Ronde.

Dutch O-course designer Johan Jacobs had laid out a nice but difficult enough course in the tight Olympia arena, including a bridge and two marathon type obstacles with five gates each. Jacobs had adjusted his course to the size of the arena, which resulted in a fluent, speedy and safe course, very much appreciated by the competitors. The Grand Hall at Olympia was packed with enthusiastic spectators who were treated to a spectacular show by the seven competitors.

Continue reading Boyd Exell Gallops Away with FEI World Cup Driving at London Olympia

Boyd Exell Scores Fantastic Third Victory of FEI World Cup Driving Season

Boyd Exell (AUS) won the FEI World Cup Driving qualifier in Geneva (SUI) ©Rinaldo de Craen/FEI.

Geneva (SUI), 8 December 2012 – Boyd Exell (AUS) won the fifth leg of the FEI World Cup Driving 2012/13 held in Geneva (SUI). Exell stayed far ahead of Tomas Eriksson (SWE) and home driver Werner Ulrich securing his third victory of the season. After five competitions the four-time FEI World Cup Driving champion is in second place on the series’ standings and is certain of a starting place in the FEI World Cup Driving Final in Bordeaux (FRA) next February.

German international course designer Falk Böhnisch had laid out a fast and technical course in the beautiful arena in Geneva, the biggest one on the FEI World Cup Driving circuit. The water splash added a wonderful dimension to the course, which was appreciated by both the competitors and the enthusiastic Swiss spectators who had come in large numbers to the Palexpo arena.

A little nervous
Boyd Exell faced different opponents in Geneva compared to those in Budapest last weekend, only Theo Timmerman (NED) having made the trips to both the Hungarian capital and the Swiss city.

Continue reading Boyd Exell Scores Fantastic Third Victory of FEI World Cup Driving Season

Boyd Exell Wins Second FEI World Cup Driving Qualifier in Stuttgart

Boyd Exell (AUS) was unbeatable again in the second leg of the FEI World Cup Driving in Stuttgart (GER) ©Rinaldo de Craen/FEI.

Stuttgart (GER), 17 November 2012 – Boyd Exell (AUS) went fast in the first competition of the second leg of the FEI World Cup Driving in Stuttgart, Germany. He went even faster in the first round of the World Cup and was the fastest driver in the Winning Round in the fully packed Schleyer Halle. Exell proved unbeatable once again and recorded his second victory of the season in as many participations. IJsbrand Chardon (NED) tried to put Exell under pressure but did not succeed and finished second, ahead of Jozsef Dobrovitz (HUN).

Stuttgart is one of the favourite shows of the drivers taking part in the series and the enthusiastic crowd, the electric atmosphere and this year’s course, designed by Falk Böhnisch (GER) contributed again to the event’s popularity.

Lipizzaner power in the Winning Round
Jozsef Dobrovitz set the time to beat in the Winning Round with his team of Lipizzaner horses. Dobrovitz’ left wheeler horse felt a little tired after the first round, but recovered in the second round and helped the driver from Vecsés to secure third place. Dobrovitz had made a small adjustment to his carriage in order to go even faster in the open parts of the course and to turn very quickly in the technical marathon obstacles.

Continue reading Boyd Exell Wins Second FEI World Cup Driving Qualifier in Stuttgart

Boyd Exell Starts in Top Form in Hannover

Boyd Exell (AUS) was in top form in Hannover. ©Rinaldo de Craen/FEI.

Hannover (GER), 28 October 2012 – Four-time FEI World Cup Driving Champion Boyd Exell (AUS) had an excellent start of the FEI World Cup Driving’s 12th season in Hannover, Germany this weekend. Exell and his team of horses were in top form and they performed as if their last World Cup competition had taken place only last week and not eight months ago at the previous season’s Final held in Bordeaux (FRA) in February. Exell won the opening leg in Hannover ahead of IJsbrand Chardon (NED) and Tomas Eriksson (SWE).

Exciting Winning Round
Boyd Exell drove a very fast and clear first round and challenged Chardon who followed him in the arena. Chardon drove his team of Lipizzaner horses at high speed throughout the course, but had one knockdown and was unable to beat Exell’s time.

Continue reading Boyd Exell Starts in Top Form in Hannover

Boyd Exell Victorious at FEI World Four-In-Hand Driving Championships in Riesenbeck

left to right: silver medallist Chester Weber (USA), gold medallist Boyd Exell (AUS) and bronze medallist IJsbrand Chardon (NED) ©Rinaldo de Craen/FEI.

Australian title defender Boyd Exell continued his success story at the FEI World four-in-hand Driving Championships in Riesenbeck (GER), claiming individual gold after very strong performances in all three phases of the competition. Runner-up Chester Weber (USA) won individual silver, the bronze medal went to four times World Champion IJsbrand Chardon from the Netherlands. The Dutch team won the gold medal for the third consecutive time, ahead of host nation Germany in silver and the bronze medal went to the USA.

Riesenbeck has a long history of organising FEI World Driving Championships. The ‘Reitverein Riesenbeck’ started organising driving events in 1975. Besides organising several German Championships, they organized the FEI World Pair Driving Championships in 1987, 1997 and 2001, as well as the FEI World four-in-hand Championships in 1992. The German spectators flocked to the Surenburg in large numbers and enthusiastically cheered the 50 competitors from 19 nations despite the very hot weather. The marathon day attracted a crowd of over 15,000 and the grandstands were full on the final obstacle driving day, emphasising the popularity of carriage driving.

Continue reading Boyd Exell Victorious at FEI World Four-In-Hand Driving Championships in Riesenbeck

Four-in-a-Row for Exell

Boyd Exell (AUS) won the prestigious CAIO Aachen for the fifth time in his career. ©Rinaldo de Craen/FEI

Aachen (GER), 8 July 2012 – Boyd Exell, the reigning FEI World four-in-hand and four times FEI World Cup Driving champion, has won the prestigious Driving competition in Aachen (GER) for the fourth consecutive time. Added to his victory in 2003, Boyd’s name is now on the leader board in Aachen five times. The Dutch team also continued their dominance and won the nations competition for the sixth consecutive time.

Mr Dressage
It wasn’t until the marathon though, which was the final phase for the individual rankings, that it became clear that Boyd Exell would win again. US driver Chester Weber was in a very comfortable lead after a superb individual dressage test. Weber set an Aachen-record score of 33.54 penalty points in the opening phase. The Ground Jury, which consisted of the same judges as the Ground Jury at the upcoming FEI World Championships in Riesenbeck next month, unanimously put Weber in first place. Weber, who is known as ‘Mr Dressage’ at the moment, was very pleased with his team of horses, two of which are owned by Jane Clark. Weber also posted the winning dressage scores at the CAI-As in Live Oak (39.42) Lähden (36.35) and Altenfelden (36.86) this season.

Continue reading Four-in-a-Row for Exell