FEI Driving World Cup™ Final by Laiterie de Montaigu: Dries Degrieck topples King Exell

From the very beginning of the World Cup season, it was evident that Belgian driver Dries Degrieck possessed the potential to make a major breakthrough. Constantly close behind Boyd Exell—winner of every qualifying leg up to that point—the Belgian had already sent a clear signal of his ambitions by claiming victory at the final qualifier in Leipzig. On Sunday afternoon in Bordeaux, that promise was spectacularly fulfilled.

An unprecedented podium saw Dries Degrieck prevail ahead of Boyd Exell and Dutchman Bram Chardon.

Exell was denied even second place this time, as Chardon secured the runner-up position. The contest was exceptionally tight: Degrieck’s triumph was built on the sheer speed and fluidity of his team, while Exell’s title hopes were undone by costly faults at the obstacles. Once again, Bordeaux confirmed its status as the perfect stage for the FEI Driving World Cup Final—an opinion unanimously shared by the drivers, who since 2012 have delivered the very best of their discipline to a loyal and passionate audience in a uniquely electric indoor atmosphere.

“The crowd here is incredible,” said the hero of the day. “The atmosphere is always exceptional; it is a genuine pleasure to compete in such a setting.”

This twelfth Bordeaux final fully lived up to its reputation. A thrilling opening round narrowed the field from six contenders to three finalists—Degrieck, Exell, and Bram Chardon. All that remained was to determine the final order in a decisive second round, where the drivers would compete without restraint.

First into the drive-off, Bram Chardon knocked down an obstacle, adding four seconds to an otherwise lightning-fast performance. Boyd Exell went even quicker, but three fallen balls told their own story. His grimace upon leaving the arena said everything: the twelfth world title he had been chasing had slipped from his grasp.

Dries Degrieck: “I still can’t quite believe it.”

Aware that he held a slender advantage, Degrieck entered the arena knowing he could not afford a single mistake—and he delivered. With a blistering round, he became the first Belgian in history to win the Driving World Cup, a competition founded in 2001.

“It’s obviously an incredible feeling,” said the Brussels native. “I don’t think I’ve fully realised it yet; I need a moment for it to truly sink in.”

Like every great horseman, Degrieck credited his horses above all else:

“My horses have made virtually no mistakes this season. If there were any, they were my fault. They rose to every challenge, they thought along with me on course, and they helped me enormously. I am extremely proud of them.”

Bram Chardon: “We were at the absolute limit of what the horses could give.”

A three-time winner of the Bordeaux final, Chardon was forced to settle for second place this year.

“My team was excellent today. With Boyd’s and Dries’ times, I knew it would be incredibly close. I tried to stay as near as possible and push as hard as I could, but starting last in the first round and first in the second is far from ideal.”

Managing the horses’ effort across two intense rounds proved decisive:

“You really feel that the horses need more recovery time between rounds. They were clearly more tired in the second.”

Still, Chardon never stopped believing:

“I gave it everything. I had an early fault, but I stayed focused and kept pushing. The crowd truly carried us. And we saw it again today—anything can happen in a final.”

He concluded with clarity: “I’m glad I kept fighting, but today was genuinely the maximum the horses could give.”

Boyd Exell: “I felt really good with my horses again today.”

The shock of the day came as Boyd Exell—dominant throughout the qualifying season—saw his twelfth title bid fall short in Bordeaux. Nevertheless, the Australian was pleased with his team’s performance:

“I was very happy with my horses today; they were fast, and the team worked extremely well. In Leipzig I didn’t have a great feeling, and yesterday was similar, but today everything came together.”

Knowing what was at stake, Exell accepted the need to take risks:

“We knew it was a final. I had four and a half points to recover, and we produced a very fast first round, which applied pressure.”

In the drive-off, however, fine margins proved decisive:

“From the very first obstacle I had a bit of bad luck—one of the wheelers drifted slightly off line. At that point I had a choice: settle for second or keep attacking for the win. I chose to keep attacking.”

The gamble did not pay off:

“One horse approached an obstacle too quickly and couldn’t turn in time, bringing down the ball. Then two quickly became three. But despite everything, the horses were excellent, and it was important for me to regain that strong feeling with them.”

Displaying exemplary sportsmanship, Exell concluded:

“And of course, congratulations to Dries on his victory.” A gesture made all the more meaningful given that Degrieck has learned much from the Australian champion—“perhaps a little too much,” Exell joked with a smile.

The 2026 Jumping International de Bordeaux thus came to a perfect close, with driving once again delivering a showcase of precision, sporting drama, and emotion worthy of the event’s prestigious tradition.

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