Boyd Exell emphatic in his 11th FEI Driving World Cup™ title win in Bordeaux

Once again Boyd Exell (AUS) confirmed his supremacy in the sport at the climax of what has been a closely fought 2024-25 series, and there was no doubt that he was going to take another FEI Driving World Cup™ title – one he first won in Gothenburg (SWE) in 2009.  

There had already been celebrations late on Saturday night in front of thousands of fans when his horse Bundy (Bajnok – ‘Champion’ in Hungarian) reached the milestone of his 100th World Cup win.  The impressive combination of Bundy in the lead alongside new mare Duchess, with Mad Max and Barney in the wheel, and Boyd, Emma Olsson and Wannes Larsen on the carriage, ensured that there were two clear rounds on Sunday to secure a winning total of 286.27 – and give Bundy his 101st win on the world stage.

“I’m really delighted that my left leader Bundy had his 101st win at a World Cup.  It’s an incredible statistic for any horse.  He’ll tell me when he’s ready to retire – and he’s not ready yet!  The way Bundy was flying today, he was still the fastest horse in the group, next to much younger horses. 

The level is much closer now and it’s normally very tight so there was pressure up the line.  The course was flowing, so it was a great spectacle for the public and for people watching on the internet.  It was an exciting course and competition.” – Boyd Exell (AUS)

Making a stunning comeback after a difficult first competition which saw him finish fifth, Dries Degrieck (BEL) regrouped and accelerated into a drive-off slot on Sunday.  Having gained 12 seconds in one of the marathon obstacles on Saturday night, Dries recovered and produced a flawless first round the next day.  Despite the 5.32 he had to carry over because of the scoring system, his exceptional time put pressure on those who came after him.  As he waited, others made mistakes, and he found himself in the drive-off, and because only the top three would drive again, he was assured of his first World Cup podium finish.  

Adding four in number 10 (again), he was 2.12 seconds slower than Boyd, but it was good enough for the runner up place with a total of 297.18. “This is my third time in Bordeaux but my first time on the podium.  I am so happy with the season and the horses have really helped me.”

Achieving his 11th FEI Driving World Cup™ podium, Koos de Ronde (NED) was rewarded for his consistency over the two competitions.  Driving to the advantage of his rangy, experienced horses, he kept to his forward, flowing tactic and finished third.  He said afterwards that he knows his horses aren’t as fast as those of Boyd and Dries, so he had to go clear if he was going to be in the drive-off.  Although he had to add eight to his drive-off time, he had guaranteed himself of a top three finish and ended on 306.91.  “I am very happy with the season because the level was very high.  My season was a little up and down, but I knew if I drove two clear rounds then I had a chance.  This is my 11th time on the podium (at a final) so I am very happy.” 

It was unusual that neither defending champion Bram Chardon (NED) nor his father, Ijsbrand Chardon (NED), were on the podium or in the drive -off.  Despite their decent rounds on Saturday night which kept them both in touch, they each had eight to add to their times after the first round, to finish fourth and fifth.  Although Bram had the fastest time of the weekend over the full course, the extra penalties meant that his total wasn’t low enough for the drive-off. His father, who brought so much pizzazz to the series, had been second after the first competition, but slipped to fifth.

Jérôme Voutaz (SUI) only had four to add to his time but was sixth and wild card Benjamin Aillaud (FRA) was seventh, and pleased to have driven a clear round.
Ultimately, the scoring system for the Final did not change the placings, but it meant that all the Drivers except Boyd started with 50% of the difference between him already on the clock.  But it does mean that each round counts and the first competition is not treated as a warmup.  The disadvantage made Dries’ comeback all the more spectacular when he had to start on Sunday with 5.32 already on the clock.  

Afterwards the Drivers agreed that it had been a fair course and an exciting series overall, with results closer than ever.  Boyd admitted that although he is the double FEI four-in-hand World Champion, the World Cup is harder to win because the margins between the competitors are so narrow, and that a “small mistake on the course can become a big mistake.”

It was a triumphant 23rd FEI Driving World Cup™ Final, after the series debuted for the FEI in 2001-2002, and the 11th time that it culminated in Bordeaux.  Everyone agreed that the venue and the public added to the magic of the competition, and that the wider global coverage of the event bodes well for the future.

FULL RESULTS