Boyd Exell Wins in Saumur - FEI World Cup Driving

Aussie, Boyd Exell, was victorious at the international driving competition, held in Saumur last weekend.  The reigning World Champion was ‘good in parts’ as he described his second consecutive CAI-A victory of this season.

Exell won the dressage with a lead of six penalty points to his rival IJsbrand Chardon. Exell put his new horse Sam in the lead of his dressage team and was happy with his results: “Saumur was Sam’s third competition and I wanted to learn what kind of preparation he needed for the dressage.”

In the marathon IJsbrand Chardon beat Exell. Chardon had managed to close the gap with Boyd to 4 penalty points after dressage and marathon.

In the Obstacles none of the four-in-hand drivers managed to drive a double clear round and Chardon won the obstacle driving competition with only 2.40 time penalties. Boyd knocked one cone down and therefore secured his victory in Saumur.

“I changed a bit on my lead horse Capone and I am pleased with how my team went. I tried to go smooth because I did not want to push my horses too much before Aachen. I lost a little bit of my concentration because of this but after I had hit the second ball in the obstacles, I became more focussed,” said Exell.

“Saumur has been good for me in parts,” explained Boyd. “I concentrated on one horse in every phase of the competition. I think I am ready for Aachen now!”

Dutch golden team medallist Theo Timmerman tipped over in the water obstacle and finished ninth.

Saumur was the fourth qualifier for the FEI World Cup Driving season 2011-2012.

Quick Links

• FEI World Cup standings
• Saumur full results
• Saumur website