George Bowman in third place at World driving championships

Britain’s George Bowman sits in third place overall after two days of dressage at the World four-in-hand championships in Beesd, the Netherlands. His score has lifted the British team up into fifth place going into the marathon phase of the competition.

The Cumbrian driver performed his test late on Thursday afternoon and was second overnight with a score of 40.06pen to America’s Chester Weber (32.13), the eventual winner. George held his place until Dutch driver and former World Champion Ijsbrand Chardon recorded a score of 36.22pen this afternoon.

“I was going for the winning score,” said Ijsbrand. “However, one of my horses was not working with me today.”

British team-mate Peter Bennett’s score of 57.60pen was added to George’s to place Britain fifth on a score of 97.66 pen behind leaders the USA (77.70), the Netherlands (82.68), Switzerland (89.47) and Hungary (96.26).

Karen Bassett, who is also on the British team scored 61.82pen, while British individual Dick Lane finished on 62.72.

George is confident in the abilities of his team-mates over tomorrow’s course believing both will produce strong results. However, although he was in praise of the outstanding obstacles and their decorations, he did have some reservations about the two water complexes.

“The water is very deep,” said George. “It is within the rules for this competition, but I think that shallower water would provide much more of a spectacle for the crowd tomorrow.”

The organisers are expecting in the region of 50,000 spectators though the gates.

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