FEI World Pony Driving Championship, Dorthealyst (DEN) - Dressage Four-in-Hand

The last gold medal in dressage at the World Championship 2007 has found its owner, the German Tobias Bücker who drove a superior dressage with 39.42 points.

“It is super to be in the lead from the first day. I have done a lot of work with my team of ponies to prepare them for the dressage today. They were stress-free and supple so it felt very good driving into the arena” said a satisfied Tobias Bücker who was also world champion in dressage back in 2003, however as single driver.

Jan De Boer from the Netherlands took silver with 43.78 points. A remarkable result as De Boer switched from pair to team only last year. The bronze medals ended up in the hands of Mia Allo from Belgium with 44.29 points. Allo was the reigning dressage champion from Catton Hall in 2005 but had to be content with a third position today.

The marathon route in the forests around Dorthealyst is now waiting for the four-in-hand drivers tomorrow. Tobias Bücker forecasts a tough marathon.

“The marathon is psychically demanding, especially if it starts raining. The eight obstacles are rather close to each other divided in two groups. Furthermore one of the obstacles has a very sandy ground, which will be hard for the horses” estimated Bücker who looks forward to the technical challenges.

Strong marathon drivers are right behind Bücker eager to catch him tomorrow. Apart from De Boer and Allo, Swedish Ulf Mattson on the fifth place will be a challenger. He is very familiar with the surroundings of Dorthealyst after several events here during the last years - and usually shows a high tempo. Another fast marathon driver is Aart van de Kamp Jnr. from the Netherlands who came in third in the marathon at the Championship in Catton Hall.

The four-in-hand drivers start marathon Saturday at 12.30.