The 33-year-old team world champion in Aachen left his rivals trailing in his wake after two runs with an overall time of 156.68 seconds. In doing so, he profited from the Australian’s error that led to a significant penalty. It meant Exell, who claimed his eighth individual world championship title in Aachen, eventually clocked 169.67 seconds to leave him in an unaccustomed third place. Koos de Ronde (NED), a second team world champion, finished sandwiched between the two in a time of 156.96 seconds. The top German was Anna Sandmann who came fourth (173.99).
“Til now I only knew Stuttgart as a groom in my father’s team. Today was my first time as a competitor,” commented the winner. “The atmosphere here is incredible and it’s wonderful driving here,” continued Chardon before adding: “I kept my horses with me in the first round and then I let them run in the second.”
Koos de Ronde explained: “I gave everything and tried to take the shorter route, but it wasn’t quite enough. The arena gives you an amazing feeling.” Boyd Exell was
self-critical when commenting on his mistake saying, “Full risk means full reward or you cry on the way home…” The serial winner continued: “I took the racing line and was too tight on the wrong obstacle. It cost me four penalties plus ten extra ones.” FEI steward Mark Wentein said dryly, “That’s the rules, before continuing: “The water is a speciality in Stuttgart. It posed difficulties today and we had three mistakes there.”
Anna Sandmann confessed: “It’s only my second season. I’m really happy with my horses and my team.” Course designer Uwe Fuchs summed up: “The level in driving is getting better all the time. If you make a mistake you won’t get into the winner’s round.”
After the Lyon, Maastricht and now Stuttgart legs, the four-in-hand FEI Driving World Cup rankings – on the way to the final in Bordeaux in February 2027 – are headed by the Anna Sandmann. On 13 points, she is three ahead of Boyd Exell, Bram Chardon and Christoph Sandmann (all on 10). Behind them are the Czech Radek Nesvacil (9), Glenn Geerts (BEL/8), Dries Degrieck (BEL) and Koos de Ronde (NED), both on seven points. Ninth is Ijsbrand Chardon (5), followed by Anna Mareike Meier (GER/2).
