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Boyd Exells again

Boyd Exell in Deauville 2008
Boyd Exell in Deauville 2008 - winner of the four-in-hand
Photograph:Rinaldo de Craen

Nicola Turner, EFA National Office, Thursday, 25 September 2008

Clayton Fredericks was not the only winner from “down under” last weekend in Deauville (FRA). Compatriot Boyd Exell took the honours in the CAI-A four-in–hand competition.

The beautiful seaside town in Normandy, France was the host to R.I.D.E Normandy - an international get together of equestrian disciplines. International Jumping competitions, the Final of the HSBC FEI Eventing World Cup Final and a four-in-hand driving competition formed the programme.

Fifteen drivers from seven nations competed in two marathons on Friday and Sunday, while on Saturday an indoor type Marathon was held in the main arena. Exell won the first and second competitions and placed second in the third marathon behind World Champion Ijsbrand Chardon giving Exell the overall win.

Chardon started the competition in 8^th place and performed well in the second and third marathons to finish in second place ahead of ahead of World Cup Champion 2007/2008 Christoph Sandmann.

Experience was the key to his success claims Exell “I understood the game more than last year, I knew exactly what to do and how fast to drive in order to keep the lead in the overall results. I used my indoor team, although I used three horses as alternate leaders in my outdoor team this season. They competed in two or three shows last summer. I used the same three out of five horses as in the R.I.D.E. in Jardy in 2004.”

“The marathon obstacles in the indoor type competition on Saturday were good, but to my opinion the cones could have been a bit more challenging. The construction of the outdoor marathon obstacles was beautiful and included everything, from tight to flowing. Deauville altogether was a very good and nice event with enormous hospitality.”

More than 18,000 spectators over the three days were there to witness Exell’s win, which also provided him with his share of 50.000 euro prize money generously donated by sponsors including Hermes and HSBC.

Well done Boyd.

Final result CAI-A Deauville 2008:
1. Boyd Exell (Aus)
2. IJsbrand Chardon (Ned)
3. Christoph Sandmann (Ger)
4. Mark Weusthof (Ned)
5. Jozsef Dobrovitz (Hun)
6. Thibault Coudry (Fra)
7. Werner Ulrich (Sui)
7. Koos de Ronde (Ned)
9. Benjamin Aillaud (Fra)
10. Gert Schrijvers (Bel)
11. Laszlo Juhasz (Hun)
12. Fabrice Martin (Fra)
13. Harry de Ruyter (Ned)
14. Stéphane Chouzenoux (Fra)
15. Jozsef Bozsik (Hun)

Final standings (competitors) FEI World Cup™ Driving qualification 2008-2009:
1.       IJsbrand Chardon (Ned)
2.       Boyd Exell (Aus)
3.       Jozsef Dobrovitz (Hun)
4.       Koos de Ronde (Ned)
5.       Daniël Würgler (Sui)
6.       Zóltan Lázár (Hun)
7.       Fredrik Persson (Swe)
8.       Werner Ulrich (Sui)
9.       Christoph Sandmann (Ger)
10.   Tomas Eriksson (Swe)

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