In two magnificent clear rounds, reigning world champion Boyd Exell again outclassed his rivals this evening.

Exell gave away a fine display of horsemanship and both IJsbrand Chardon and Koos de Ronde had to acknowledge his superiority.

Where his competitors ticked off balls here and there, Exell steered his team like a well-oiled machine through Jeroen Houterman's challenging and selective course. The audience in the packed stands enthusiastically sympathised with the rides of the six riders, who rode at the cutting edge.

Both Chardon and De Ronde selected for the second round over the shortened course. Koos de Ronde made a steering error and rode through gate 7 before it was his turn, which earned him extra penalty seconds. IJsbrand Chardon could not narrow the gap with Exell due to two dropped balls.

German rider Michael Brauchle is riding in Maastricht for the first time and missed his qualification for the drive-off by a hair due to one dropped ball and finished fourth. Wild card rider Glenn Geerts made three mistakes and finished sixth today, behind Frenchman Benjamin Aillaud with his team of  Lusitano horses.

(Source: Hoefnet.nl)