Federation Equestre Internationale News

FEI Driving News - Exciting carriage driving sport in Leipzig

The international horse show Partner Pferd in Leipzig, Germany, hosted the fourth leg of the FEI World Cup Driving on Sunday, 25 January 2004. Supported by some 7500 spectators, seven drivers performed at their best in the arena of the Leipziger Messe. Amongst them double World Cup Champion Michael Freund, who had received a wild card from the organization and was therefore not eligible to win World Cup points. German course designer Wolfgang Asendorf had designed a challenging course with both technical and speed aspects, which was much appreciated by the drivers. The level of the driving sport in Leipzig was extremely high, which resulted in exciting sport. During the first round, the battle took place between Ulrich, Sandmann, Eriksson, Chardon and Freund. Germany¹s Rainer Duen and second wild card driver Steffen Scholz had to be satisfied with place six and seven in Leipzig. Sandmann beat the time set by Ulrich, while Eriksson beat Sandmann¹s time again. Chardon put down a fast round, but knocked three cones down, which made him drop to the fifth place. Michael Freund, Tomas Eriksson and Christoph Sandmann qualified for the winning round, which was driven over a shortened course. The crowd¹s favourite Michael Freund was yet again the fastest driver and although Eriksson came close, the Swede could not close the gap of 8 seconds. Christoph Sandmann had 10 penalty seconds added to his score and came third. Freund¹s fellow competitors proved in
Leipzig they are gaining ground on him, it will be only a matter of time until they will take over his position.

Michael Freund is in the lead of the standings after Leipzig with 20 points with two more events to go. Eriksson and Sandmann share the second place with 14 points.

Because Bordeaux has dropped out of the World Cup Driving series, the next two events will take place in Vigo, Spain, on 14 and 15 February.

Results CAI-W Leipzig:
1. Michael Freund (Ger) 215,38
2. Tomas Eriksson (Swe) 223,67
3. Christoph Sandmann (Ger) 225,68
4. Werner Ulrich (Sui) 117,01
5. Ijsbrand Chardon (Ned) 126,20
6. Rainer Duen (Ger) 139,30
7. Steffen Scholz (Ger) 144,37

Created in 2001, the Driving World Cup has provided an innovative new style
of competition for indoor events, with courses combining marathon and cone
driving obstacles. The 2003/2004 season of the World Cup includes seven
events with eight competitions: Stuttgart (GER), Stockholm (SWE), Mechelen
(BEL) in 2003; Leipzig (GER), two competitions in Vigo (ESP),
's-Hertogenbosch (NED) and Göteborg (SWE) in 2004.
The winner of the first two editions of the World Cup was Michael Freund
(GER).

Relevant internet addresses:
Partner Pferd Leipzig: www.partner-pferd.de
World Cup Driving: www.worldcupdriving.com
FEI: www.horsesport.org