British drivers left trailing as Hungary claims individual and team titles
Hungary dominated the World Horse Pair Driving Championships in Risenbeck, Germany, last weekend, winning individual and team gold medals.
Britain’s team – John Attenborough, Adrian Puddy and Paul Mowbray – battled valiantly, but their horses lacked competition fitness because of the FMD crisis and they struggled to finish in the top half ofthe order.
Reigning World Champion, Vilmos Lazar of Hungary retained the title he won for the first time in 1999 after establishing a solid lead in dressage. A perfectly judged round in the cones claimed Lazar victory over Frederico de Beck who had to settle for the silver medal. Lazar’s Hungarian team-mate Zoltan Nyul took the bronze.
The third member of the Hungarian team, Lazar’s brother Zoltan, finished fifth individually behind Riny Rutjens of the Netherlands, securing them team gold. The Netherlands took the team silver medal with the host nation, Germany, claiming bronze.
British-based Australian driver, Boyd Exell was in silver medal position following dressage, but an unlucky marathon and cones relegated him to 18th in the final rankings.
Britain’s Paul Mowbray, competing in his first world championship, was the highest placed British driver in 25th position overall. John Attenborough was 41st and Adrian Puddy was 50th in the final order. The British team finished13th of the 23 nations in the championships.
See Horse & Hound issue dated 30 September 2001 for full report or click here to subscribe online at a reduced rate.
