Third time lucky for Chardon in Bordeaux

The Netherlands’ IJsbrand Chardon has won the FEI World Cup Driving Final for the first time since 2006.

Surviving

IJsbrand beat the favourite Boyd Exell to take the title in Bordeaux, after surviving a very sticky moment.

His son Bram, who was his backstepper, lost his balance at the last gate and almost fell off, which would have cost the Dutchman his victory. But fortunately he was able to regain his balance and stay on.

In the final round, Chardon produced a very fast and clear round, meaning six-time World Cup winner Boyd Exell had to go for it to try to take the top spot.

Two knockdowns meant he would have to wait to win his seventh FEI World Cup title.

Better luck

Chardon has finally made up for two years of bad luck in Bordeaux.

Two years ago he had to withdraw after his horses fell ill after the first day, and last year his leader horse jumped the start/finish line, after which he drove a wrong gate.

Results

1 IJsbrand Chardon (NED) 250,09

2 Boyd Exell (AUS) 254,73

3 Koos de Ronde (NED) 267,67

4 Jérôme Voutaz (SUI) 152,69

5 Michael Brauchle (GER) 167,48

6 Sébastien Mourier (FRA) 177,54

7 Georg von Stein (GER) 182,63

Watch the FEI World Cup Driving Final on H&C at the following times.