Driving News

Driving’s most famous names confirmed for Pratoni – Written by Sarah Dance A starry roll call of the world’s top four-in-hand drivers makes up the definite entry list, revealed a week ahead of the 25th FEI Driving World Championship for Four-in-Hand. All eyes will be on five time World Champion Boyd Exell (AUS) who is aiming for his sixth consecutive outdoor title against the likes of four-time winner Ijsbrand Chardon (NED) or Zoltán Lázár (HUN).  Keeping it in the family, Ijsbrand’s son and current FEI Driving World Cup™ Champion, Bram, joins the Dutch contingent, while for Hungary, successful father and son duo

The official international competition in carriage driving Baborówko Driving Show 2022 concluded this past weekend. The event selected the winners of the Nations Cup in four-in-hand and pairs classes, as well as the Polish Champion of four-in-hand driving. The best one in the cones on Sunday, for the trophy of the National Support Centre for Agriculture, was Australia’s Boyd Exell with CELVIRO, CHECKMATE, HERO and IVOR. Second place went to Christoph Sandmann (GER) with AMICO 34, DONVITO VD MULLIGENVREE, HERO H and JORDAN, and third to Daniel Schneiders (AUT) driving DANCINGSTAR, ENRIQUE H, GHANDI and FANNO.  In the overall classification of the CAIO4*-H4, for the prize of ‘patron of the event’ went to

Day 2 of Baborówko Driving Show 2022 meant the athletes had to conquer the Section A, at the length of about 6 kilometers, and the B Section of marathon obstacles, measuring almost 9 kilometres. The key was speed, precision and accuracy.  In the four-in-hand, for the trophy of BADIX, the best one was Austria’s Daniel Schneiders driving DANCINGSTAR, ENRIQUE H, GHANDI and FANNO. Second went to the world ranking leader Boyd Exell (AUS) with CELVIRO, CHECKMATE, HERO and IVOR.  “We were considering our performance at the World Cup 2.5 weeks from now, so we tried to go smooth and fast

Bram Storms Round to Become FEI Driving World Cup Champion Written by Sarah Dance In one of the tightest finals in recent history, Bram Chardon (NED) brilliantly held his nerve and clinched his second FEI Driving World Cup title in an exhilarating drive off against reigning champion Boyd Exell (AUS) and Glen Geerts (BEL). After a cat and mouse game of swapping positions between the two favourites, it was the 28 year old soon-to-be father who triumphed in Leipzig. “I was a bit disappointed about the two knock-downs and I thought I gave Boyd too much room to win. After

Bram takes the lead in the FEI Driving World Cup Final Written by Sarah Dance As the final competitor to start late on Friday night for the first round of the FEI Driving World Cup Final in Leipzig (GER), Bram Chardon (NED) laid down his claim to the 2022 title with a fantastic drive. Smoothly steering his four-in-hand of grey horses through Jeroen Houterman’s (NED) flowing course of thirteen obstacles, he managed to leave the balls on top and recorded a blistering time of 135.80 secs. Reigning champion Boyd Exell (AUS), who is aiming for his 10th indoor title, was the

FEI Driving World Championships cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic Cancellation of the FEI Driving World Championships, which was to be held behind closed doors in Valkenswaard (NED) from 7-11 October, was annouced today. The increase in case numbers of Covid-19 in the Netherlands primary reason for cancellation of the 2020 Championships.  “It is devastating that the FEI Driving World Championships have been cancelled last minute at Valkenswaard, as everyone involved has put in so much effort to try and make them happen”, FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said, “but sadly the new Government restrictions in the Netherlands make it impossible for

Chester Weber has continued top form at Live Oak International with a thrilling win in the Four-in-Hand Marathon, taking yet another step closer to the Advanced Four-in-Hand USEF National Championship for a record 17th time. The Driving Marathon started the day at Live Oak International and didn’t disappoint the sea of spectators that came to watch the drivers compete. The weather cooperated today, and it was a perfect day for the Marathon at Live Oak International” said Chester Weber. I couldn’t be happier with the performance that my team put in today. It all came together and with the cheers and

Chester Weber took home the win on day one of competition at the 30th Live Oak International winning the USEF Advanced Four-in-Hand Combined Driving dressage phase. He currently leads the USEF Advanced Four-in-Hand Combined Driving National Championship, which is a step in the right direction for a record 17thNational title. Jennifer Keeler and her pony Amazing Grace took home the top prize in the Pony Single. Weber, the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) team gold and individual silver medalist, drove his talented team of horses to an impressive dressage score of 35.92. I’m pleased with the performance of my

The 2019/2020 season of the FEI Driving World Cup™ has begun. The very best drivers got together at Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International for this first four-horse indoor driving meeting. At the end of a drive-off, reserved for the three best teams from the first round, Boyd Exell – the world number one and a true legend in the discipline – won the event with a masterful performance. The Australian combined speed and precision in this spectacular class. He won the event in a time of 142”70, with second place going to the young and promising Dutchman Bram Chardon

FEI World Cup Driving Final Gothenburg Seventh FEI World Cup Driving title for Boyd Exell By Cindy Timmer   After a breath taking competition at the renowned Gothenburg Horse Show in Sweden, Boyd Exell (AUS) won the FEI World Cup Driving Final for the seventh time in his career. The silver went well deserved to Jérôme Voutaz (SUI) who was the winner the day before. Koos de Ronde (NED) took home the bronze. Level 4 Course Designer Johan Jacobs (NED) had laid out a technical course with three obstacles and a brand new bridge, which suited most of the drivers.

By Kim Kreling It was the most exciting battle you could think of at the FEI World Cup™ Driving leg in Leipzig. In the end, Australia’s Boyd Exell won with two tenths of a second advantage in front of Swiss driver Jerome Voutaz. Third place was for Dutchman Ijsbrand Chardon. All three of them showed clear rounds in the drive off. After seven out of eight legs, Exell and Chardon are now together on the top of the World Cup Ranking list with 27 points. Koos des Ronde following with 25 points. Because Exell had a wild card for Leipzig,

IJsbrand Chardon beats Exell in Stuttgart – FEI Driving By Cindy Timmer After an exciting battle in the nearly sold out Schleyer Halle in Stuttgart (GER), reigning World Cup Champion IJsbrand Chardon (NED) beat his rival Boyd Exell (AUS) in the first FEI World Cup™ Driving competition of the season. Wild card driver Georg von Stein (GER) finished in the third place.  IJsbrand Chardon used a new horse in the left lead of his team, the 10-year-old piebald gelding Casper: “I have had this horse for two years and I normally use him in my riding school. I started to use

Gold medals for Samba Lott, Valenzio FST and Nesqu GB at the FEI World Driving Championships for Young Horses By Cindy Timmer After four days of sport, Samba Lott, Valenzio FST and Nesqu GB claimed the three titles on offer at the second edition of the FEI World Driving Championships for young horses in Mezőhegyes, Hungary.   Good judging The competition took place under very sunny skies at the Mezőhegyes State Stud, renowned for breeding the Nónius horse and the Mezőhegyes Sport Horse. Dr Klaus Christ (GER) chaired the international Ground Jury, with members Jan-Erik Pålsson (SWE), Joaquin Medina Garcia

Boyd Exell came, saw and conquered at the FEI World Four-in-Hand Championship Breda Written by Cindy Timmer Defending World Champion Boyd Exell from Australia came, saw and conquered at the 23rd edition of the FEI World Four-in-Hand Driving Championship at Breda, the Netherlands. Exell won all three phases of the combined competition and was crowned individual World Champion for the fourth time in a row. Boyd left Dutch drivers IJsbrand Chardon and Koos de Ronde to battle it out for the silver and bronze medals. Host nation the Netherlands took home team gold for the fifth consecutive time. Fifty-six drivers

German Drivers dominate FEI World Single Driving Championships at Piber, Austria By Cindy Timmer Single Driving Championships: After four days of top-level sport, which culminated in an exciting finale in the obstacle driving competition, Germany’s Dieter Lauterbach won the individual gold medal at the FEI World Single Driving Championships in Piber, Austria, ahead of Weronika Kwiatek from Poland and Dutch driver Saskia Siebers. The German team won the Nations competition, Poland took home the silver medal and Switzerland claimed bronze.   After the first horse inspection, 75 horses from 23 nations started in the dressage of the ninth edition of the

Boyd Exell Pipped to the Post for FEI World Cup Driving Final Chardon claims FEI World Cup™ Driving title By Cindy Timmer After an amazing battle between the best drivers, IJsbrand Chardon (NED) beat top favourite Boyd Exell (AUS) in the FEI World Cup™ Driving Final 2016 in Bordeaux (FRA) today and re-claimed the title for the first time again since 2006. Winner of the first competition, Koos de Ronde (NED) finished third. The Final of the 15th season of the FEI World Cup™ Driving turned into a true thriller where the battle went on until the very last moment.

Defending champion, Australia’s Boyd Exell, proved to be in a class of his own once again in the opening competition of the 15th season of the FEI World Cup™ Driving series in Stuttgart, Germany. He put down two faultless clear rounds and won easily ahead of IJsbrand Chardon (NED) and Rainer Duen (GER). This was Exell’s fifth career victory in the Stuttgart leg of the series. The Schleyer Halle in Stuttgart was filled with enthusiastic and knowledgeable spectators who enjoyed the top performances of the six Four-In-Hand drivers in the fast, at some points technical and horse-friendly course designed by Germany’s