Boyd Excels in Germany to Win Back to Back FEI World Driving Championships

Australia’s Boyd Exell has won the FEI World four-in-hand Driving Championships for the second consecutive time. His win overnight in the German city of Riesenbeck follows his 2010 victory at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

Partnering with the same team of horses that he drove to victory in 2010, Boyd performed consistently through all three phases to claim his second consecutive individual gold medal at a World Driving Championships.

40 year old Boyd finished the Dressage phase in second position but was just 0.38 behind his main rival and the eventual silver medallist, Chester Weber of the USA. With a precise performance around the eight obstacle marathon circuit, Boyd took control of the leaderboard on marathon day, finishing the phase in second position which elevated him to first position overall. With an 11 point lead over the field leading into the final obstacle phase, Boyd drove a safe round to secure back to back World four in hand Driving Championships.

“I am very happy with my gold medal,” Boyd said following his victory. “Everything went according to plan this weekend, from the horses to the people and the carriages, it all worked out,” he added.

“We like it when a plan comes together. We said on dressage day that we would go for it and try to put the pressure on and we did. It went very well for me and once I realised at obstacle six that I had made no mistakes, I decided to slow down a little. I gave everything and my team is still improving. In Aachen, Monty and Winston were extremely good and in Riesenbeck, Spitfire and Rambo went up to another level,” Boyd said.

“My sponsor and horse owner Tamas Vincze was thrilled and so were my parents, who came over from Australia to support me. My sister Lisa who lives in Australia has been getting up at two in the morning to follow my performances on the internet and I really enjoy all their support,” he added.

Story: Equestrian Australia Photo: Franz Venhaus

Final Individual results:
1) Boyd Exell (Aus) 122.01
2) Chester Weber (USA) 130.80
3) IJsbrand Chardon (NED) 131.29
4) Theo Timmerman (NED) 133.70
5) Christoph Sandmann (GER) 136.96

Final team results
1) Netherlands 256.17
2) Germany 271.18
3) USA 289.11
4) Sweden 289.32
5) Hungary 300.39

Quick Link

• Visit Equestrian Australia website
• Read Five Minutes With... Boyd Exell