Photo: Sportfotos-Lafrentz.de

Leipzig - It was thrilling, the FEI Driving World Cup™ Final presented by Sparkasse - until the last second. And driving has a new duel: Bram Chardon (NED) against Boyd Exell (AUS). The two put each other under a lot of pressure - with the better end for the son of driving legend Ijsbrand Chardon.

It is the eternal duel: Chardon against Exell. The only difference is that it is no longer Ijsbrand Chardon with whom driving superstar Boyd Exell is engaged in thrilling competitions, but his son Bram Chardon. In the FEI Driving World Cup™ Final presented by Sparkasse, the two put each other under a lot of pressure - with the better end for Bram Chardon. Extremely unusual for both: Both made mistakes and delivered a real driving thriller. The Leipzig exhibition hall was upside down.

"I was honestly a bit shocked after the first lap with Boyd's fast lap and my mistake," admitted 28-year-old Bram Chardon. "I wanted this win so badly ... and I felt pretty confident after Friday's test, but Boyd pretty much messed up my plan for now today. Anyway, it was a great competition for the audience!" In the run-up to PARTNER PFERD he was described by his competitor Boyd Exell as "young, passionate and hungry": "I still feel young too," laughed the 49-year-old multi champion. "I am so happy with my horses and my team. We were super fast, the horses were really fresh and I was very happy with them. We got a little off balance at the end, had a little hiccup on the bridge and didn't get a clean line."

Third-placed Glenn Geerts (BEL) could hardly believe his luck: "I'm actually a bit in shock that I still made it to the podium. To be on the podium together with these two gentlemen is a great honour for me."

A speedy ride on the lap of honour was enjoyed by Olaf Klose, member of the board of Sparkasse Leipzig. "It was a very emotional experience for me and I am proud that we as a Sparkasse are able to be part of it. It was great fun to be here," he commented on his first PARTNER PFERD. The 80,800 spectators who found their way to the Leipzig Trade Fair Centre for PARTNER PFERD over five days also had fun: "It was fantastic," enthused Martin Buhl-Wagner, Managing Director of the Leipzig Trade Fair Centre. "The exhibitors were very satisfied throughout and PARTNER PFERD can be described as a restart in the trade fair and event industry, which will certainly have a great radiance." This positive conclusion was also echoed by Show Director Volker Wulff: "I am still full of adrenalin after this insane finale with the riders. We had a super atmosphere here in Leipzig again and I am overjoyed!"

The next PARTNER PFERD, presented by Sparkasse Leipzig and Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe Sachsen is only nine months away, Then it will be: Welcome top equestrian sport again in the Leipzig Trade Fair Centre from 19 to 22 January 2023. Info can be found at www.partner-pferd.de .

You can find the latest information here: https://www.partner-pferd.de/de/news/ihre-sicherheit-liegt-uns-am-herzen.