Displaying his dominance, Martin Hölle (HUN) impressed the in-awe crowds again at the FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs with a towering performance on Saturday’s Marathon. His bravery, at times nail-biting for those watching, rewarded him with consistently fast obstacle times for a winning total of 94.99. His combined score after two phases of 123.63 puts him comfortably ahead of the rest and surely seals his fifth consecutive World Championship win.

Photo – Martin Holle (HUN) during the Marathon test at the FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs 2025 in Beekbergen (NED) (©FEI / Wil Smeets)

Martin’s Marathon consolidated a stronghold that Hungarian Horse Pairs drivers have long shown in this phase. Swapping his majestic grey Eppie for another superstar, the reliable Dior who partnered the flashy Juventus, Martin confidently guided the powerful, ground-covering pair through Johan Jacobs’ eight challenging obstacles, and despite some risk taking – especially in number five, the water – he showed once again why he is in a league of his own.

His result cements Hungary’s lead at the top of the nations’ event, along with teammates Marcell Dani (HUN), who also contributes two scores to the current total, and György Fekete Jr (HUN), who initially finished first after his Marathon and clocked some fastest times, but slipped down the order after a ten-point penalty was added. Usually strong in the Cones too, the Hungarians go into Sunday on a total of 275.41, 18.21 clear of Germany, so it is unlikely that they can be caught, and they should retain team gold.

More Surprises from Poland

Producing some peak performances in Beekbergen, the Polish squad continue to avail themselves well after the overnight Dressage lead on Thursday. This time it was team member Aleksander Fularczyk (POL), ranked 22nd in the world, who was Martin’s closest Marathon challenger. Storming through the obstacles, Aleksander was fastest through the first and finished on 96.69.

Another surprise came from talented young French driver, Louis Horde (FRA), who rewrote the formbook to speed round and finish third on 96.97. It kept French hopes alive after a disappointing Marathon for Franck Grimonprez (FRA) who dropped out of medal contention after being eliminated because he tipped up exiting the last obstacle. Luckily an experienced clump of helpers was immediately on hand to rectify the turnout and the horses trotted safely out of the arena, with Franck back on the driver’s seat. Third team member, Francois Dutilloy (FRA), had a mediocre Marathon and with the loss of Franck’s low Dressage mark, the team slipped from second to seventh place.

Despite having potentially one of the most competitive squads in Beekbergen, Swiss selectors may now be scratching their heads. In fourth after the Marathon with 97.00 was individual Bruno Meier (SUI), in fifth on 97.15 was team member Marcel Luder (SUI) and in sixth on 97.97 was individual Bruno Widmer (SUI), while for the team, father and son Ulrich & Stefan Werner were further down the order.

Top placed German in the Marathon was 2011 World Champion Carola Diener (GER) on 98.28 for seventh; Marcell Dani (HUN) was eighth on 99.28; Gabriele Grasso (ITA) was ninth on 99.43 and completing the top ten was Roger Campbell (GBR) on 99.88, just ahead of teammate Tara Wilkinson (GBR) who with 99.96 had the only other sub-100 score.

American Maintains Medal Chances

On the overall leaderboard, best of the rest at this stage is Jacob Arnold (USA) who was twelfth on the Marathon (100.65) and remains in medal contention after his exemplary Dressage on Friday. He starts the Cones on a combined score of 140.83, which is 16.85 behind Martin.

World number one Stan Van Eijk (NED) flies the flag for the host nation in third on 145.83 while the British are celebrating Tara’s tremendous Marathon which puts her in fourth on 146.43, ahead of Anna Sandmann (GER) on 148.46 in fifth. Next is Roger on 149.18 for sixth, another Brit who is also within reach of a medal, followed by Gabriele Grasso on 150.21 and the best placed Swiss, Bruno Meier on 151.77. Aside from Martin, who has plenty of daylight between him and the others, there is so little between the remaining medal contenders that any ball rolls or time penalties will be very costly.

British Team Medal Hopes Reignited

In the team event, it’s nip and tuck between second placed Germany on 293.62 – a nation who are always expected to be on a podium – and Great Britain, who are only 1.99 behind on 295.61. British Chef d’Equipe David Matthews reports that the team are “going to go for it” in the Cones and endeavour to bring home medals.

But the Dutch will push hard, lifted by the support of their own crowd, and may well rise from their current fourth place on 302.56. Aided by Jacob Arnold’s score, the Americans are also in touch, sitting in fifth on 307.52, but they will be chased by the ambitious Swiss who are on 310.50.

Amid the speculation about who might win silver and bronze medals on Sunday, perhaps one certainty is that the Hungarian national anthem will be heard, at least once!

To watch the live action unfold, tune into FEI TV.

FULL RESULTS

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