Reigning World Champion Martin Hölle (HUN) is the hot favorite to retain his title for the 5th consecutive time at the 21st FEI World Championship for Pair Horses from 20-24 August in Beekbergen (NED). In the team event, Hungary are the nation to beat as they aim for an unprecedented 11th gold, having been victorious at the last six Championships.

Photo – Martin Hölle (HUN) competing at the FEI Driving World Championship for Pair Horses 2023 in Haras Du Pin (FRA) (©FEI/Mélanie Guillamot)

International Prodigy

Hölle won his first FEI Driving World Championship for Ponies in 2013, and his first title in the Pair Horses category back in 2017, aged just 20, and has remained World Champion since then. Using two of the same horses as in 2017 – the majestic grey Eppie and the consistent Dior – his third horse Juventus was used at the FEI World Championship for Pair Horses in 2023. Based in The Netherlands for much of his time where he adheres to a meticulous training program, Martin concedes that winning gold may be more difficult this time.

“So far, this will be the most challenging title for me to defend. Many of the other Drivers are really strong at the moment and I am expecting tough competition.” – Martin Hölle (HUN)

Contenders for the crown are Stan van Eijk (NED), currently ranked world number one, and Germans Dennis Schnieders and Anna Sandmann, who is having a great run in both Pairs and Four-in-Hands. Another to watch is the on-form Stefan Ulrich (SUI) who was a double-bronze medalist at the FEI Driving World Championship for Singles last year. For France, the experienced Franck Grimonprez is cited as another who could be on the podium. Hungarians in the mix are György Fekete Jr., in the last two gold medalling teams, Marcell Dani who is ranked ninth after three wins this season and Vilmos Jámbor, who has just hosted the FEI World Championship for Young Horses at Ászár-Kisbér (HUN). Others who can realistically set their sights high are Jacob Arnold (USA), who is trained by Boyd Exell (AUS), and for Great Britain, Roger Campbell and Tara Wilkinson.

Hungary – the Ones to Beat

Aiming for their seventh consecutive team gold, the Hungarians have dominated this Championship since their first team gold in 1989. Some of the sport’s greatest names have represented this proud Driving nation in the Horse Pair category and they are keen to extend the legacy. They are famously formidable in all three sections of the competition, their Dressage aided in recent history by Martin’s smooth, high-quality tests, and are especially bold and fast on the Marathon.

Challenging hard will be the Swiss, trained by Koos de Ronde (NED), and the French, trained by Felix Marie Brasseur (BEL). The Germans, trained by Karl-Heinz Geiger (GER), are rarely off the podium at any international Driving event and are always odds-on to take home medals. As the host nation, the Dutch will aim to capitalise on the home advantage, steered by long term trainer Ad Aarts (NED). For the first time in some years, the British may also stand on the podium, fielding a more polished squad than previously.

Restructuring at Beekbergen

The Riant Equestrian Centre in Beekbergen, Apeldoorn is an established international training and event venue. It was founded by the late Bertus van Tergouw (NED), whose daughter Mieke – herself a former Horse Pairs World Champion – now owns and runs it. Stating that she wanted to wait until she was no longer competing to take on hosting such a large event, the time is now right.

She says:

“My father Bertus set up this event. It is the crowning glory of his work that we will be able to organize the FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs. You think it’s similar to an international competition – which we’ve hosted before – but a World Championship is truly a different league. Everything has to be perfect, from the obstacles and the footing to the entertainment program.”

Their usual international event had a hiatus last year to allow time to invest in and renovate the venue. Helping Mieke and the Riant team are experienced figures such as Marie de Ronde (NED) and Course Designer Johan Jacobs (NED). The major undertaking, which included building a large new arena for the Dressage and resurfacing the water obstacle, has been supported by the Province of Gelderland, the municipality of Apeldoorn, the Geldersch Landschap and other sponsors.

Family-Orientated Entertainment

Alongside the competition, a busy program of family-orientated entertainment has been planned from start to finish. There will be an opening ceremony on Wednesday 20 August with Her Royal Highness, Princess Margaret, herself a keen equestrian, including a presentation by the Royal Stables and a parade of Friesians and Dutch Harness Horses. Each evening has a different highlight, including a car-versus-carriage competition featuring Ijsbrand Chardon (NED), Crazy Pianos and a foal auction.

Most of all, the hosting team aim create a memorable World Championship while focusing on the wellbeing of the horses. Keeping entry to the event free of charge – something Beekbergen prides itself on – the hope is that as many spectators as possible will come to enjoy the exhilarating Driving and fun activities. Although records could be broken if Martin and the Hungarians succeed in winning more gold medals, for most of the 88 competitors and their 257 horses, from 24 countries, being selected to represent their nation is, in itself, the golden opportunity.

Catch all the action live on FEI TV