Tag Archives: FEI Driving World Championship Four-in-Hand

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Driving, FEI, FEI

7th Consecutive Individual Gold for Exell and 12th Team Gold for the Netherlands in Szilvásvárad

Bronze CHESTER WEBER of the United States pours champagne over gold BOYD EXELL of Australia. Copyright FEI/Martin Dokupil

History was made in Hungary as Boyd Exell (AUS) and The Netherlands won record breaking gold medals in front of passionate crowds at the State Stud Farm.

Boyd’s quest for his 7th consecutive gold seemed assured after the dressage on Friday afternoon, when he was only kept off the top spot by Chester Weber’s (USA) mesmerising test. But the Australian had done enough to stay in touch, knowing he had brought specialist marathon horses to Hungary, selected after he attended the test event last year.

As expected, they dominated Saturday’s demanding marathon over undulating ground and through the eight obstacles to take a commanding lead. With such a huge advantage coming into the final cones phase, victory was never in doubt, even if one ball rolled for three penalties, which gave him a total of 146.93. To add to the already fantastic day for the Australians, Boyd and Tor van den Berge won their first world medal with bronze (340.77).

“It’s super! There should be special congratulations for Tor, and I am so impressed with how it went because with two members on a team, there’s no drop score and everything has to count. We’ve been close before, and we’ve been knocking on the door, but it’s finally happened at a World Championship.

“The public here made it really memorable, especially during the marathon with such huge crowds who stayed all day. And it was great to see a full stadium during the opening ceremony and again today. I have worked with the Hungarian drivers for the last one and a half years to improve their performances, so I feel very comfortable here.”

“What a wonderful experience this has been at a World Championship as it can be really tough. But being in front of a crowd like that was incredible and I am very lucky to have a teammate like Boyd,” said van den Berge.

Another who helped secure his podium place after the marathon was Bram Chardon (NED), who won his first individual world medal with silver, helped by a winning double clear cones round. His total of 157.74 contributed to the unprecedented 12th team gold for The Netherlands, which gave his father Ijsbrand his 32nd world medal and 14th gold. Together with Koos de Ronde, they won the team competition on 322.69.

“The training at home has been good and we made the right choices, bringing some new horses who gave extra impulsion on the marathon, and especially today in the cones, the young horse was fantastic. After a rough season this is the best possible outcome,” said Chardon.

“I think it was an excellent event. The arena and the stabling were super, and the marathon was a true World Championship one with great obstacles and the unbelievable spectators. So, I have a very good impression about it all,” said de Ronde.

Dressage winner Chester Weber (USA) kept his cool to maintain a podium place for the bronze despite rolling two balls in the cones to end on 159.13. Fredrick Persson (SWE) was 4th overall on 166.97, helped by his double clear cones for 3rd place. Second in the cones was Jérôme Voutaz (SUI), who was one of the first to drive in the morning on an eliminated score after the marathon, and he produced a double clear that was not matched until the day’s last session.

All three German team members drove in the final cones session as the top eight drivers came forward in reverse order. There were no individual medals for them, but a well-deserved silver team medal on a score of 330.33 for Mareike Harm, Michael Brauchle, and Georg von Stein (who was 5th on 169.49).

“A few days before the show, my good dressage leader had a foot abscess so he couldn’t come, and as dressage is my strongest phase, it was a bit disappointing. So, we had a marathon horse in the lead and he did his very best, so it was a great outcome for us to come 6th and then for the team to get silver too. The show was fantastic, and we enjoyed being in the town and had fun here too,” said Harm.

Dreams of another medal for the hosts didn’t come true, but they finished 5th behind Belgium in the team event, helped by a strong cones round from Jόszef Dobrovitz (HUN), who responded emotionally to the cheering crowd at the end. He later said in the press conference that the organisation and preparation of the event were brilliant, and that the Hungarian audience is the best in the world!

It has been a triumphant 26th Four-in-Hand World Championship and the stadium buzzed with a 6,500-capacity crowd who relished the spectacle at the State Stud Farm. The organisers were thrilled to host the event 40 years after the historic 7th World Championship in 1984, when Lászlό Juhász won double gold. As the test driver here, he was celebrated alongside his fellow legendary Hungarian drivers throughout, from the opening to the closing ceremonies.

by Sarah Dances

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

Championships, Competitions, Driving, FEI

Boyd Exell Storms into Lead after Marathon

BRAM CHARDON with his horses – FREDDY, JAMES BOND, JUVENTUS, and MAESTRO © FEI/Martin Dokoupil

The odds of defending champion Boyd Exell (AUS) winning a record-breaking 7th consecutive world title look stronger than ever after his display of dominance on the marathon. Using a team of experienced horses who are marathon specialists, including one from his indoor team, he produced a foot perfect round over a demanding course to win on 110.4. Added to his dressage score of 33.53, his running total of 143.93 propels him 9.2 points ahead of Chester Weber (USA), who slips to second on 153.13.

The European Champion Bram Chardon (NED) has not yet won an individual world medal, but he has given himself a great chance to change that after his strong and consistent round which saw him score 114.62 for second. Combined with his dressage mark, he rises up the standings to third on 157.74, 4.61 behind Chester.

Hopes were high for marathon maestro Michael Brauchle (GER) who is often a winner in this phase. On the course immediately after Boyd, they split the spoils between them with four quickest times each through the eight obstacles. But a few hesitations and a late penalty ball in number seven kept him off the top spot for third on 115.73 and eighth going into the cones.

Fresh from his win in Austria in mid-August, Glenn Geerts (BEL) was one of the last out of the day. He drove a confident round for fourth on 117.16 which elevated him to fourth overall and puts him in sight of an individual medal. Another one who can go into Sunday’s cones with medal hopes is Germany’s Georg von Stein who was fifth on 118.75 to move into fifth overall, despite adding four penalty points to his times with two knockdown balls.

Always competitive on the marathon, Koos de Ronde (NED) contributed to the change in team order as his score combined with Bram’s put The Netherlands in the lead on 320.74. With only two on the team, the pressure was on Tor van den Berge of Australia to drive well which he did to keep them in contention on 323.59. But there’s no room for cone or time penalties as the strong German team are only 0.18 behind on 323.77, although they have some breathing space as they are ahead of the Belgians who are lying fourth on 336.17.

Organisers believe there were 16,000 spectators who came to watch the marathon which was set on hilly ground above the town and stud. Despite it being another hot and dusty day, hordes of fans arrived early to enjoy the spectacle, clustering around the obstacles which were arranged on either side of a central gravel track. With music playing there was a festive feeling, and the loudest cheers were reserved for the nine Hungarian drivers, two of which were driving Lipizzaner horses that are kept at the Stud Farm. The team has also improved their chances of a medal thanks to the typically bold rounds from father and son Jόzsef Dobrovitz Snr and Jnr who contributed to their success.

by Sarah Dance

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

Championships, Competitions, Driving, FEI, FEI

Sandmann Takes the Lead after Day One at Szilvásvárad

Anna Sandmann (GER) with her horses Fredie U, Harley, Iwan Van De Martha Hoeve Texel, and Max Van Het Rodeland – © FEI/Martin Dokoupil

After the first day of competition of the FEI Driving World Championship Four-in-Hand in Szilvásvárad (HUN), Germany’s Anna Sandmann took the lead on 40.99 after a polished test, which pleased all the judges, ahead of her father Christoph Sandmann, who closed the late morning session on 46.78. Both were coached ahead of their tests in the warmup arena by current World Champion Boyd Exell (AUS).

As a member of the Hungarian team that won the nation’s last gold in Kecskemét in 2004, József Dobrovitz was last to go on the opening day. He delighted the home crowd with a return to form score of 51.38 to take third place. Only a slight deviation in his final walk movement detracted from what was otherwise a well-rewarded test.

Joining him on the national team is his son József Jnr, who opened the second session of the morning with a solid mark of 57.44 for eighth place. Keeping the host’s hopes alive of a return to the podium, father and son have put the team into the lead overnight, although only they the French had two drivers compete on day one.

The Dutch challenge for a 12th gold team medal started well with Koos de Ronde finishing fourth on 51.91. His long-legged Dutch Warmbloods produced a consistent test, but they are marathon specialists and their strength lies in the fast times they clock through the obstacles. Another marathon maestro and the first of the German team to drive, Michael Brauchle slotted just behind in fifth with 52.77.

Hosts Hungary also have six individuals, and they included Ferenc Galbács Jnr and István Váczi, who are based at the Stud Farm and drove teams of Lipizzaners to finish 11th on 59.83 and 16th on 62.16. Hungary also fielded the youngest athlete of the event with 18-year-old Peter Juhász, who already has international experience as a young driver and is now supported by the Hungarian Military.

In the team competition, France’s Maxime Maricourt scored 57.30 for seventh, and the experienced Benjamin Aillaud with his Lusitano horses scored 57.90 for ninth. Of the two Americans, veteran driver James Fairclough made a return to the world stage after the team gold at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon (USA) six years ago. Driving Dutch Warmbloods, one of which belongs to teammate Chester Weber, his mark of 60.23 put him into twelfth.

Judge Barry Capstick said afterwards: “Anna Sandmann did a fabulous test, and her father wasn’t far behind her! The venue is tremendous, the surface is good, and for a Thursday, what a great attendance in the stands. Everything about it so far is super.”

At an event and venue where the passion for driving and sense of history is everywhere, the morning session opened with 73-year-old legend Lászlό Juhász as test driver. It was a special appearance as he was a member of the winning team 40 years ago when Szilvásvárad last hosted a Four-in-Hand World Championship.

Friday’s first morning session opens with Wieslaw Sadowski for Poland, followed by current European Champion Bram Chardon (NED). In the second session, Chester Weber (USA) promises to produce another winning test, but come the afternoon, Boyd will pull the stops out to set himself up for his 7th consecutive title.

Dressage supremo Mareike Harm for the German team is also likely to be in the top three with a sub-40 mark. Ijsbrand Chardon (NED), who has competed at more World Championships than anyone else, is also in the final session of the day. But there’s no doubt that the home crowds will be eagerly awaiting 2004 champion and Hungarian hero Zόltan Lázár, who rounds off the second morning session.

FULL RESULTS

by Sarah Dance

press@fei.org
www.fei.org