CAIO Kronenberg: Few Surprises, but Worthy Winners

Sun 19 Apr, 23:30 Sport CAI Kronenberg 2026

On the final day of Horse Driving Kronenberg, the cones phase was on the programme for the 3* and 4* classes in the single horse class, pairs, and four-in-hand (horses). The remaining classes took on the marathon obstacles.

It was a less eventful marathon day than yesterday, but there was still plenty of fast driving and strong competition for the day’s prizes. Demi van Bree delivered a dominant performance in the single pony class, winning the marathon with her New Forest pony Sulaatiks Villebon. She was the fastest in six of the seven obstacles, moving up an impressive ten places in the final standings to finish fifth overall.

Cédric Scherrer defended his leading position with determination and, thanks to a third-place finish in the marathon, secured victory in the 3* single pony class. Belgium’s Berengere Meuwis Cressent maintained her second place overall with a sixth-place finish in the marathon.

Denmark’s Karina Blaabjerg, who had retired in the single horse class, moved up to third place in the pony division after Great Britain’s Catherine Brockie incurred 20 penalty points due to a corrected course error in obstacle 5.

Decisive Marathon Changes Outcome in Pairs (Ponies)

In the pairs (ponies) class, the margins after two phases were extremely small, making the marathon decisive. France’s Jean Frederic Selle was unable to maintain his leading position. An issue in obstacle 5 forced his groom to dismount, resulting in significant time penalties and additional penalties, dropping him outside the podium places.

Belgium’s Dirk Neerinckx showed his strength in the marathon, winning the phase, but narrowly missed out on a podium finish overall. Rodinde Rutjens limited the damage with a second-place finish in the marathon and claimed overall victory in Kronenberg 2026.

Germany’s Birgit Kohlweiser also delivered a strong marathon (third place), securing second overall, while her compatriot Tim Schäferhoff took bronze.

Cindy Benschop Wins Single Horse Class

The morning programme featured the single horse class, where the course proved manageable. Few balls were knocked down, and most penalties came from minor time faults. No fewer than 12 of the 49 starters produced a clear round within the time.

Daniëlle Hoogstraten-van der Vlis was the fastest, winning the phase ahead of René Markerink in second and Switzerland’s Lea Spring in third.

Tony Ecalle had to defend his significant lead over Cindy Benschop, but his cones performance fell short (9.50 penalty points), while Benschop produced a clear round. She therefore claimed victory in the 3* single horse class.

Stefan Ulrich also moved ahead of Ecalle with a 16th-place finish in cones due to a small time penalty, taking second overall. Ulrich ultimately secured bronze.

Pairs (Horses) Standings Unchanged After Cones

France’s Louis Horde was the only driver in the 3* pairs (horses) class to achieve the ideal “double clear.” He won the cones phase and moved up one place in the standings, but it was not enough to reach the podium.

The top three after dressage and marathon remained unchanged. Jelmer Chardon, who finished second in cones with a small time penalty, claimed overall victory in Kronenberg. François Dutilloy finished fourth in the final phase after knocking down one ball and secured second place overall.

Claudio Fumagalli also delivered a consistent performance with only a minor time penalty, earning bronze overall.

Jelmer Chardon - Photo: Kelly Zuidema

Benjamin Aillaud Fastest in Cones, Boyd Exell Wins Overall

No fewer than eight four-in-hand drivers completed the course clear and within the time. France’s Benjamin Aillaud was the fastest and won the cones phase.

The top three after dressage and marathon successfully defended their podium positions. Boyd Exell maintained his lead despite a small time penalty and secured overall victory in Kronenberg 2026.

Dries DeGrieck and Bram Chardon both delivered clear rounds, meaning the podium remained unchanged: Exell took gold, DeGrieck silver, and Chardon bronze.

Boyd Exell - Foto: Melanie Guillamot

The Netherlands Wins Nations Cup

The Dutch team of Bram Chardon, IJsbrand Chardon, and Koos de Ronde proved to be an excellent combination and convincingly won team gold.

Germany, represented by Christoph Sandmann, Anna Sandmann, and Anna Mareike Meier, delivered two counting clear rounds in cones and secured silver.

Belgium had to settle for bronze, as only Dries DeGrieck remained faultless. Teammates Glenn Geerts and Sam Geeseach incurred just one knockdown too many.

Bram Chardon Crowned Dutch Champion 2026

The battle between Bram Chardon and Koos de Ronde remained close throughout. Although Bram edged ahead in every phase, the final margin was just over three penalty points—equivalent to a single ball and a small time difference.

Bram Chardon ultimately claimed the Dutch national title, with Koos de Ronde taking silver and IJsbrand Chardonsecuring bronze.

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Podium Dutch Championship - Photo: Wil Smeets