Boyd Exell establishes himself as a serious contender for next year’s World Equestrian Games
British-based Australian Boyd Exell established himself as a serious contender for next year’s World Equestrian Games after finishing in seventh place at Donaueschingen CAI in Germany.
This was only Boyd’s second outing with his chesnut Gelderlanders, having previously finished 10th at Lanstetten, near Munich.
Donaueschingen is similar in size to the driving grand prix at Royal Windsor and attracted 33 entries from the world’s top drivers.
After the dressage Boyd was lying sixth and finished 15th on the marathon. A brilliant double clear in the cones meant he secured seventhplace.
“The pressure is on at this level and you need experienced, forward-going horse,” said Boyd.
Victory went to Germany’s Michael Freund, who finished three points ahead of Ijsbrand Chardon. British national horse teams champion Barry Capstick, finished in 17th position with Sydney Smith’s Dutch Warmbloods.
Britain’s only representative in the pony teams, John Pickford, finished 11th with his Welsh ponies in a highly competitive class won by Louis Droement.
