Jumping Indoor Maastricht is the second qualifier of eight for the FEI Driving World Cup, which will traditionally have its final in Bordeaux, France. The five participants have now been designated for JIM by a draw: Koos de Ronde (NED), Benjamin Aillaud (FRA), Michael Brauchle (GER), Boyd Exell (AUS) and last but not least IJsbrand Chardon (NED). The organisers awarded the wildcard to top Belgian rider Glenn Geerts.  

The Netherlands top represented
The Netherlands is well represented by IJsbrand Chardon and Koos de Ronde. IJsbrand Chardon is in good form, having recently won an individual silver medal and a gold medal with the Dutch team in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy. A wonderful addition to this 61-year-old legend's immense list of successes. World champion in 1988, 1992, 2002 and 2008, World Cup winner in 2016 and European champion in 2017. In total, he won 14 gold team medals at World and European championships.

IJsbrand is competing in four qualifiers and Maastricht was at the top of his wish list. "Maastricht is a super competition. The arena is great and everything is super organised. Good stables, good warming-up area and of course you ride in front of your own crowd, which does give an extra dimension."
For the indoor season, he uses a different team of horses. "For the indoor competitions I use my Lipizzaners. These are a bit smaller and more agile so they can turn faster. The horses we used in the outdoor season are now getting a well-earned rest of about three months."

IJsbrand and Bram deliberately chose not to start in a qualifier together until the end. "In the beginning it is still a bit of a search for the right composition of the team you are going to use. By not starting in the same qualifiers, we can still change horses among ourselves should that prove necessary."

Koos de Ronde will undoubtedly go for the win. He managed to win the very first qualifier in Maastricht in spectacular fashion in 2018.

Competition
IJsbrand and Koos will face formidable opposition from Australian Boyd Exell, the current World Champion. Exell managed to win the 2019 World Cup qualifier in Maastricht. The 50-year-old who has his base in Valkenswaard, managed to capture the world title six times and won the World Cup final eight times. An opponent to be reckoned with.
Also competing are Frenchman Benjamin Aillaud and individual bronze medal winner of the World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro Michael Brauchle from Germany. 33-year-old Glenn Geerts completes the sextet.

Photos: JIM/Digishots