The Australian driver, who lives in the Netherlands, Boyd Exell, won the Prize of Firma Horsch, Der Entsorger, the first dressage class of the four-in-hand drivers with a record result. This competition traditionally kicks off the driving competition but does not actually count towards the overall classification, giving drivers the chance to strategize for Thursday.

Boyd Exell has won the four-in-hand driving competition at the CHIO Aachen eight times. Last year he had to bow down to his arch-rival the Dutch driver, Ijsbrand Chardon, but one must add that he was handicapped after breaking his ankle shortly beforehand. He is fit this year though which was evident today in the Prize of Firma Horsch, Der Entsorger.

The judges awarded the reigning World Champion, the best result that has ever been recorded a 28.70 minus points for his performance. As he was warming up for his test, he acknowledged his student, American driver Misdee Wrigley-Miller who just three drives before him drove into second place on a score of 39.39 minus points. Misdee Wrigley-Miller, from the USA, who won team gold at the World Championships in Tryon 2018, was the only other result under 40 of the day. Her fellow Gold medal teammate Chester Weber finished a tight third with a 40.26, followed closely by Chardon Senior, Isjbrand, with Son Bram in fifth.

©Mary Phelps and Wayne Humphreys