CAI Bornem 2025, 17-20 July, in Belgium, held at ScheldRuiters.be, features a strong FEI 3* Pairs and Pony division. Multiple countries participated, competing to qualify and earn a spot on their country’s team for the upcoming FEI World Driving Championships for Pair Horses, Beekbergen, NED, August 20-24, and FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies, Le Pin Haras, France, September 17-21.

all Images by ©MGuillamot International

US Drivers Dress Rehearsal Jacob Arnold and Tracy Bowman

Jacob Arnold double clear in cones

As the sole FEI 3* Pairs Driver competing all season in Florida, Jacob Arnold easily qualified for his sixth FEI World Championships, before moving back to his Kentucky location. He then flew horses, carriages, and crew to Valkenswaard, the Netherlands, with his longtime coach and mentor Boyd Exell. With not much time to get over jet lag, he topped a large international division of 3* Pairs drivers, winning the Dressage with a 74.6% (40.63 penalty points) and a double clear round in Cones to finish fourth overall.

Known for his powerful marathon, Arnold took it easy at this event, a warm-up and dress rehearsal for Beekbergen next month. His overall 4th-place finish was a good start, and a chance for the pair of drivers, many on their last outing for selection, to size each other up.

Tracy Bowman USA Gold in Dressage CAI Bornhem, Silver, TUITJER Xander (NED), and Bronze GOOSSENAERTS Kay (BEL) ©MGuillamot International

Para Driving World Champion Tracy Bowman and her longtime equine partner, Lars (Albrecht’s Hoeve’s Lars) rose to the top of the Single Horse 2* (not a para event), winning the Dressage with a 49.88, and holding their own through the marathon and cones to finish fourth as well.

Bowman “commutes” from California, where she is a well-known trainer in eventing, having produced multiple riders to the CCI4* level and mentoring many young professionals at her Kismet Farm (established in 1984).

Training with Bram Chardon, Bowman, along with her longtime partner at Kismet, Jolie Wentworth, they often fly back and forth between events, shows, and clinics they manage on the farm, leaving Lars in the competent hands of Team Chardon.

Results

July 17-18 – Dressage – A
July 19 -Marathon – B
A+B
July 20 – Cones
A+B+C

Results

July 17-18 – Dressage – A
July 19 -Marathon – B
A+B
July 20 – Cones
A+B+C