Exell claimed his eighth World Driving Title in Bordeaux, France, recently after blitzing the second round. 

“We went fast. I had to live on instincts and drive,” Exell told Equestrian Australia. 

“There was no room for error and that’s what a good final should be.”

Exell finished on top by just five seconds, scoring a 149.950 in the first round, one second behind eventual third-place getter Koos De Ronde. 

His second round left the opposition in the dust with a 142.8 with no penalties to secure his five-second edge over the competition. 

Second fell to Jerome Voutaz with De Ronde a further 10 seconds behind to claim third. 

After winning three of the opening four rounds, Exell said his luck shifted and he was glad to secure the result in Bordeaux. 

“I won the first two rounds and then lost in the drive off in Leipzig and Olympia, so it felt like unfinished business until now,” he told Horse and Country. 

Exell had introduced some new horses into his team this season and said they had all “dug deep” and he was impressed. 

However, family said his season wasn’t helped after being left stranded roadside in the snow before one round. There was a 10-hour delay as the team waited for mechanics to fix wheels on the truck.  

Fortunately it all came good, and Exell has now cemented himself as the greatest carriage driver in history.  At home, the family was able to watch the event in France and share in the success of his eighth world title.