FEI Driving World Cup / A THIRD WIN FOR THE AUSTRALIAN BOYD EXELL!
FEI DRIVING WORLD CUPTM PRESENTED BY LAITERIE DE MONTAIGU AT THE LONGINES EQUITA LYON, CONCOURS HIPPIQUE INTERNATIONAL
The Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International was hosting this stage of the FEI Driving World CupTM presented by the Laiterie de Montaigu for the fourth time. The class took place in an incredible atmosphere with an enthusiastic audience that supported all the nations competing in the event with the same passion. In the arena, the drivers had to show great composure, while combining speed, control and precision. The Australian Boyd Exell certainly possesses all these qualities in abundance; indeed, he is a six-time world champion, nine-time FEI World Cup winner and current world number one. And today, he won the class in Lyon with a masterful performance in a time of 140.82 seconds with his quartet of bay horses: Bajnok, Maestoso Jupiter, Mad Max and Barny. This was the third consecutive victory in Lyon for the champion. Having already won the first round on Saturday, the Australian didn’t give his rivals a chance, despite being under pressure after the extremely fast tempo imposed by the Dutch
driver Ijsbrand Chardon, who posted a particularly fast reference time (145.79).
Indeed, the Dutch driver Ijsbrand Chardon, one of the most experienced drivers on the circuit, was completely ready for the challenge today. With his team of three grey horses and a pinto, the reigning world team champion, who is currently fifth in the world rankings, did his best to put pressure on his rivals. Although his time was not enough in the end, his skill and performance earned him a second-place finish, and Ijsbrand Chardon was quite rightly delighted with his performance. Not only was he extremely pleased with his horses, his team and the result, but
also with the atmosphere around the arena and at the show. His compatriot Koos de Ronde, the world number two, took third place in 150.08 seconds. It was a very positive performance for the driver, who presented a team with two new horses.
The only French driver to start the class was Benjamin Aillaud (a member of the French national team), who finished seventh. However, Benjamin did not come to Lyon looking for a result, but rather to test his new team of horses in the arena. Like the other competitors, the French rider said he was delighted with how the stage was organised, the scheduling and the enthusiasm of the audience.
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