The reigning world champion who had already won the warm-up class on Friday, was the quickest with a final time of 151.16 seconds. His performance handed him a 5,500-euro purse. Trailing in his wake was his perennial rival Ijsbrand Chardon (Netherland) who clocked 160.38 seconds to earn himself 4,000 euro.
“Michi had set a good time and it put us under more pressure. I and my horses love the horse show in Stuttgart, and they always fly here,” said the delighted multiple winner Boyd Exell before praising the course designer Jeroen Houterman: “The course was super-fast and better for more flowing horses.” Runner-up Ijsbrand Chardon summed up by saying: “One of my horses is a little older. I can’t drive quite so fast on this fast course. Therefore, I had a bit of luck.” FEI judge Mark Wentein confirmed: “You could see today just how selective the course was. All of them made mistakes but the best came through – and the best is Boyd.“
Third-placed Koos de Ronde (226.40 seconds) had a spot of bad luck: “A trace broke and my horse stumbled taking the team to the left, and then I lost track a little.” It still earned the Dutchman 3,000 euro. The top German was Michael Brauchle, who followed up his sixth place on Friday with fourth today (2,750 euro) and was full of praise: “The big thing here in Stuttgart is the water. It thrills not only my fans but also all the spectators here.” Swiss Jérome Voutaz (2,250 euro) came fifth and Mareike Harm (Germany), fifth yesterday, ended the class in sixth.
