Australia’s Boyd Exell, with his horses Celviro, Checkmate, Daphne, and Zindgraaf, grabs the headlines again today in the Polaris Ranger driving marathon, as he extends his overall lead in the individual competition at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018. | Photo: FEI/Christophe Taniere

Not even broken brakes could prevent Boyd Exell (AUS) from tightening his grip towards a third successive individual gold medal as the Polaris Ranger driving marathon test delighted the packed crowds at the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Equestrian Games (WEG) Tryon 2018 (WEG) on Sept. 22.

The Netherlands’ notorious marathon specialist Koos De Ronde won the day with his score of 117.28 points, helping him jump 10 places in the overall individual standings to sit fourth with just the cones test to come. But nothing could stop the relentless Exell from once again grabbing the headlines.

The Australian noticed early on that his braking system was compromised and yet still the 2010 and 2014 WEG Individual champion managed to get round the Richard Nicol-designed course in a score of 121.93, the third best of the day. That was enough to extend his overall lead to 7.00 points over second-placed Chester Webber (USA)