WEG Driving: Quotes

Quotes:
IJsbrand Chardon (NED):
“It was a truly bizarre marathon for me. Before we started the last phase of the marathon I tested the carriage once more. The brakes worked different than usual, but I felt I had to continue. As soon as we started I cleared my mind and I focused on the obstacles. Luckily it went well from the first obstacle and I had a good feeling. Just before the last obstacle I noticed my horses got a little tired and told my son Bram and my wife Paulien who are my grooms that I wanted to take the long route. Bram however told me not to give it away now and to take the short route. I am happy he told me this otherwise I would not have been able to win the marathon and to come so close to Boyd.”


Tomas Eriksson (SWE):
“My leaders were too strong in obstacle three. This was a difficult obstacle since we had to enter it from the sun into the shadow under the trees. My horses nearly ran off with me in the fifth obstacle as well. The left leader used to be a single horse and is sometimes too fast. I took the same route as my compatriot Fredrik Persson in obstacle four. I went down without control, I don’t know how I did it, but it went well!”

Boyd Exell (AUS):
“ My horses did it on their own again. I wanted to go fast to increase the gap with Chardon and I tried not to make any mistakes to let Chardon come closer. My navigator Lisa Banks was ahead of me all the time to warn me when there was a left turn coming up so I could slow down and prepare myself. In this way I did not have to put so much pressure on my injured left hand. We told ourselves before the marathon that we did a really bad dressage test in order to work hard in the marathon. We will do the same tomorrow.”

Tucker Johnson (USA):
“The performance of the US team was a little disappointing today. Both Chester and Jim Fairclough had a groom down. This competition has a high level of competitors and our coaches Michael Freund and Peter Tischer have worked hard to get us here. All lines and obstacles went fluent for me; I am very pleased the way my horses went. We are still in the team medals and my goal for tomorrow is to drive clear.”