CAIO Kronenberg: Boyd Exell Wins Dressage, IJsbrand Chardon Leads Dutch Championship
Sport CAI Kronenberg 2026The dressage phase in Kronenberg has concluded for the large field of competitors, who were spread over two days. Today, the single pony classes, four-in-hand (horses), and the 2* classes performed their first phase. Boyd Exell delivered a dominant performance, posting the best score of the day (34.73 penalty points) and immediately putting significant distance between himself and the rest of the field.
Single Pony Classes
The judges were unanimous in Ring 2 that Switzerland’s Cédric Scherrer, a consistently strong performer, delivered the best test (39.34 penalty points) with his pony Deichkind SH. The only movement where the judges showed a notable difference of opinion was movement 6: collected trot followed by eight seconds of halt.
Belgium’s Sebastien Pallen was the best-placed Belgian driver in fifth place, while Desiree van Lambalgen was the highest-ranked Dutch competitor in eleventh.
Cédric Scherrer today at Kronenberg - Photo: Melanie Guillemot
Four-in-Hand Horses
A total of 39 four-in-hand combinations competed today in Ring 3. Germany’s Anna Mareike Meier came closest to dressage winner Boyd Exell with an excellent score just under 40 penalty points (39.19).
Dries DeGrieck secured a strong third place with 43.18 penalty points, staying ahead of the USA’s Taren Lester, who competes with Boyd Exell’s second team.
Dutch Four-in-Hand Championship
In the battle for the Dutch Championship, IJsbrand Chardon currently leads. He delivered the best Dutch dressage test (ninth overall), with the only minor flaw being the second free walk. His performance earned him a score of 48.11 penalty points. His son, Bram Chardon, follows closely in the national standings with 49.04 penalty points—less than one point behind.
Programme
On Saturday, spectators can enjoy both the cones and marathon phases. The 3* and 4* classes for single horse class, pairs, and four-in-hand (horses) will compete in the marathon, while the remaining classes will start in the cones phase, divided across two arenas.
Click here for all results and the starting list for tomorrow’s marathon
Click here for today’s photo album
IJsbrand Chardon today at Kronenberg - Photo: Wil Smeets
Source: Hoefnet, reproduction without permission via info@hoefnet.nl is not permitted
Photos: Wil Smeets, Wilco van Driessen & Melanie Guillamot
