Boyd Exell already has the maximum 30 points to sit atop the FEI Driving World Cup 2024/25 season rankings after winning in Maastricht (7-10 November), Stuttgart (13-17 November) and Geneva (11-15 December). The Australian has also notched up second placings this season in Stockholm (28 November – 1 December) and most recently at London International Horse Show just before Christmas (17-22 December).
View the overall FEI Driving World Cup 2024/25 season rankings here.
Just 0.3 behind in London
Boyd Exell was last to go in the drive-off at the London FEI Driving World Cup and was the quickest in terms of time (150.16) – however a couple of mistakes meant that Ijsbrand Chardon claimed a narrow victory.
An early ball, plus a hasty veer left at speed to make the finish gates, meant Boyd fell behind the Dutch driver by just 0.3 on 154.16. Having completed his four qualifying legs and already notching up the maximum 30 points to top the rankings, Boyd came to at London International Horse Show as a wild card.
“It’s a proud second to be 0.3 behind Ijsbrand, with a mistake, and my horses were great. Congratulations to Ijsbrand because Bram has been winning a lot and Dries recently has been winning a lot. Ijsbrand is 63, so I hope I’m winning in ten years’ time as well,” said Boyd following his podium finish.
The FEI Driving World Cup qualifier in London was presented by Karen and Hugh Scott-Barrett; Hugh was of course Boyd’s long-time backstep until he retired from the position mid-2023.
Bram Chardon wins in Mechelen
Dutch driver Bram Chardon found the perfect festive present with his first victory of the 2024-2025 series at the seventh and penultimate FEI Driving World Cup leg in Mechelen, Belgium (26-30 December). His total of 124.55 beat fellow dutchman Koos de Ronde by only 0.1, but it was enough for the win, 10 valuable ranking points and a place at the final in Bordeaux.
“I had a long wait this season for my first win. I have two new horses in the team, and I had high hopes throughout all the competitions but every time I made mistakes. I was very hungry for a win and wanted to finish with at least one win in this season. I was afraid my knockdown at seven was going to destroy my party because of losing some of my rhythm after seven and before eight which were tricky gates, and my line was a bit interrupted. But it was enough to put pressure on the others to make mistakes and it was a tight call in the end,” Bram said.
“I am super happy – this team deserved the win, and we have trained very hard for it. I’ve seen their potential at every show and now, it came out. I have one more show before the finals (Leipzig, 15-19 January), because it’s not finished yet and I still don’t have my clear round at this pace. It’s a wonderful event which feels like home and the crowd is amazing. I’ve won here before and I won my very first World Cup event here.”
Boyd looking to reclaim title
Boyd Exell of course remains atop the FEI Driving World Cup rankings with the maximum score of 30 following seven legs. There is one more qualifier in Leipzig, Germany this month before the final in Bordeaux, France from 6-9 February 2025 where Boyd will be aiming for his 11th FEI Driving World Cup Final victory.
Boyd last won the Final in 2022/23, with Bram Chardon claiming victory in 2023/24. Can Boyd reclaim the title this year? We’ll have to wait and see!
