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Australians Simone Pearce and Boyd Exell set for Bordeaux showdown 

As Jumping International de Bordeaux prepares to host the world’s elite combinations, Australia will be represented by Simone Pearce in dressage and Boyd Exell in the FEI Driving World Cup Final.

Boyd Exell, winner of the FEI Driving World Cup 2024/25 qualifier in Stuttgart, Germany. Image by FEI/Leanjo de Koster.

Dana Krause

Published 5 Feb 2026

Two of Australia’s most accomplished equestrians, Simone Pearce and Boyd Exell, will fly the flag at Jumping International de Bordeaux, as the iconic French event hosts elite dressage, jumping and driving competition in February.  

For Simone, Bordeaux marks her first competition back since her injury in November where she broke her hand. Her and Will Marq will be competing in the CDI4* Grand Prix looking to build on their result at Stuttgart in November where they placed sixth with 69.139% at their biggest CDI event to date. They will compete today at 10:27am local time, 8:27pm AEDT.  

Simone Pearce and Will Marq were sixth at Stuttgart with 69.139%. Image by Stefan Lafrentz.

Meanwhile, in the driving arena, Boyd Exell arrives in Bordeaux as the undisputed force of four-in-hand driving and a perennial favourite for the FEI Driving World Cup Final title. The Australian secured his place at the final following a third-place finish at the final qualifier in Leipzig, where he also debuted a new horse, Madar, at FEI level. The first class commences Saturday 7 February. 

Bordeaux has been a defining venue throughout Boyd’s career, with the Australian regularly featuring on the podium and trading World Cup titles with Dutch rival Bram Chardon in recent seasons. With six drivers qualified for the final, including Boyd, Bram Chardon, Dires Degrieck and Ijsbrand Chardon, the 2026 title race is shaping as one of the most competitive in recent memory.  

Australian fans can follow the action live from Bordeaux on ClipMyHorse.TV