The lights dimmed, the stands filled, and the tension was palpable. This was the moment everyone at the MECC had been waiting for: the FEI Driving World Cup presented by Farm Trans. Seven top drivers from five countries gave it their all in a spectacular contest full of speed, precision, and courage. And in the end, it was once again the incomparable Boyd Exell who stole the show, successfully defending his title in Maastricht with flair.
The Australian, who had a disappointing opening round on Friday, made a remarkable comeback. In both the qualifier and the drive-off, he guided his lightning-fast four-in-hand team as if gliding on rails: smooth, controlled, and precise to the millimeter. The crowd held its breath as he maneuvered through the final obstacles with unmatched finesse and crossed the finish line to thunderous applause.
GPS Error
“Last night, I just wasn’t fully focused,” Exell laughed afterwards. “To be honest, I simply made a GPS error. I drove exactly as planned—only it turned out to be the wrong route!” He continued: “From zero to hero—that pretty much sums up the weekend. My team was truly ‘fast and furious’ today. They should have been tired in the drive-off, but instead, they just kept getting faster. I even shouted for them to slow down toward the finish, but they seemed to say, ‘No, that’s not part of the game!’”
The seasoned driver is proud of his horses: “The key to success is letting the horses use their brains. My left leader, Bundy, is 22 years old and still lightning fast. Dutchess, the mare on the right lead, is in her second season now—she knows exactly what’s coming. Last year she was still trying to keep up, but now she pushes me to go faster. She really brings the speed into the team.”
Driving Is Like Skiing
Exell, a multiple world champion, remains fascinated by the dynamics of his sport: “Driving is like skiing in deep powder snow. You have to face the mountain, let go, and just fly. That’s what it felt like today.” The audience thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle and cheered at every obstacle. “You can tell the crowd is really starting to understand what’s going on,” Exell said with a smile. “I heard them shouting as I went into the obstacle—I was thinking ‘slower,’ and they were yelling ‘faster!’ The atmosphere here is incredible. Indoor driving is like a movie. In 45 minutes, you get tension, music, risk, defeat, and a winner. Perfect entertainment.”
Bram Chardon Takes Second in Front of Home Crowd
Wildcard Bram Chardon couldn’t collect World Cup points in Maastricht but competed for honor and prize money. The Dutch crowd favorite won over the audience with his team of gray geldings and drove to second place amid loud cheers.
The German driver Christoph Sandmann, who returned to the World Cup Series after ten years, confirmed his comeback with a strong third-place finish. Following his victory in the opening round on Friday, he collected valuable points in Maastricht toward the final in Bordeaux.
Photos by Digishots
