FEI World Pony Driving Championship, Dorthealyst (DEN)

Great pleasure in the Danish camp after Peter Koux and his Welsh Cob pony Taffy came out best in the dressage for single ponies – the first Danish world champion in horse driving dressage ever. The thrill was intact all through the afternoon since Koux took the lead with 37,92 penalty points only halfway through the class with several top drivers to go.

“I have been waiting for this for two years. In Catton Hall we were very close with my second position, but today we made it home. My pony has been very steady during the last seasons so I expected to end in the top. Though, I felt compelled to watch my last competitors from the grandstand. Especially Sara Howe from Great Britain could have threatened my position. But she didn’t today” says a reliefed Koux after the very tight race among single ponies.

Rochelle Temple, USA, and her Morgan gelding took the second place with 38,72 points, while British Julie Camm came in third with 41,76 points - with nearly five points to number four, Dutch Arjo J. Van Kekem with 46,40 points.

However, despite their commanding lead the top three drivers must be on the alert for the Saturday’s marathon. Several marathon specialists will be eager to catch up. Especially Van Kekem, and the world champion in marathon from 2005 Swedish Anne-Christine Arvidsson, who is now number six with 50,40 points are known for their superior marathon driving. Also Henrik Høper, Denmark, and Weronika Kwiatek, Poland – now placed 13 and 14 – have often shown their capability to catch up in the obstacles.