Kronenberg hosted an international driving event from 15–19 April, featuring a CAIO4* Nations Cup competition for four-in-hand teams alongside the Dutch Championships.
As is so often the case, Boyd Exell set the benchmark in the CAIO4*-H4 dressage phase, scoring 34.73 to lead the 38-team field with Celviro, Checkmate, Mister Bono Van ’t Hooge and Hero.
He placed second in the marathon phase on 88.50 with Celviro, Mad Max, Mister Bono Van ’t Hooge and Hero, just behind Dutch driver Bram Chardon, who posted 87.13.
However, Exell’s commanding dressage lead ensured he entered the final cones phase with a comfortable margin. Driving Celviro, Checkmate, Mister Bono Van ’t Hooge and Hero, he recorded just 0.42 penalties. While several competitors produced clear rounds, it made little impact on his overall lead.
Exell finished on a total of 123.65, ahead of Belgian Dries Degrieck (134.01) and Chardon (136.17).
Fellow Australian Tor Van Den Berge also contested the four-in-hand class. While his team’s dressage test was below their usual standard, they excelled in the marathon phase, placing sixth with 95.86. They ultimately finished 22nd overall on a total of 173.78.
Van Den Berge’s team across the weekend comprised Carbery Estate Cato, Carbery Estate Chino, Indiana, Kerosine and Indybala — the latter a new addition who contested the dressage phase at this event.
Australia placed fourth overall in the CAIO4* Nations Cup on a total of 297.43 — an impressive result as one of only two nations represented by a two-driver squad, while most countries fielded three drivers and could count their best two scores from each phase. The Nations Cup title went to the host Dutch team of Koos de Ronde, Ijsbrand Chardon and Bram Chardon.
