Lexington, Ky.—Oct. 8
Boyd Exell drove a record-setting test today at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to overtake overnight leaders Isjbrand Chardon and Chester Weber on Day 2 of four-in-hand-driving dressage.
Driving a new team of warmbloods in their second season together, the Australian set a new world championship at the Kentucky Horse Park by logging a mere 30.02 penalty points. The previous record holder had been Chester Weber, who marked a 32.13 in 2008 in the Netherlands.
“They basically went on their own,” said Exell. “They know their job, and they’re helping me out. It happens occasionally, but normally it’s not the case. It’s a great feeling.”
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U.S. driver Tucker Johnson, in his final competition before his retirement from the sport, matched Theo Timmerman’s score yesterday (35.97) to place fourth heading into tomorrow’s marathon.
That helped put the U.S. team in a tie for the lead with the Netherlands. Australia sits third, thanks to Exell’s teammate Gavin Robson, and Germany stands fourth. The highest U.S. individual driver to take a turn today, 28-year-old Josh Rector, scored in the middle of the pack at 13th.
Tomorrow’s marathon kicks off at 10:00, with German driver Georg Von Stein leading off.
Full results are available at the official Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games site. Hear about yesterday’s dressage tests and keep up on all the other news from the World Equestrian Games.
