The Para Drivers slotted into a later morning session after the lower order of horse fours placed 38 to 20 had driven. The route was the same, but the cones were narrowed and time allowed increased.

Enjoying the expertise of Bram as her trainer before and during the championship, the first title of the day went to reigning Grade I Para Driving World Champion Tracy Bowman (USA). She drove a flawless round with her pony Albrecht’s Hoeve’s Lars to win the phase and emphatically retain her crown. Together she and Bram also won the Hand-in-Hand trophy and in the prize giving, Bram sat behind Tracy on the groom’s seat of the carriage to enter the arena.

Photo – Tracy Bowman of the United States and Bram Chardon of the Netherlands hold Princess Haya Hand-in-Hand Trophy after the FEI Driving Championships for Four-in-Hand & Para Driving in Exloo, the Netherlands (© FEI/Martin Dokoupil)

Paying tribute for her success to the support she has received from the extended Chardon crew, who were recording the split times on the course to feed back to her, Tracy said, “This is the absolute fairytale and Lars is my unicorn! I think across all the equestrian sports, Lars is recognised for his quality and ability. Bram was amazing and gave me a fantastic gameplan – which worked.”

Patricia Großerichter (GER) was one of five Grade I athletes to produce a double clear which helped clinch a silver medal, ahead of Australia’s Jodie Mckeone in bronze after her storming round for a win in the Marathon.

Alexandra Röder (GER) was untouchable in the Grade II class, leading in all three phases and taking gold for the first time since she won at Sandringham (GBR) in 2014. Slver and bronze went to the host nation’s Ingmar Veneman and Aad van Marwijk, both medallists at previous championships.

With the strong showing from the German ladies, who were joined on the national team by Para legend Heiner Lehrter, they were clear winners of the team gold for the fourth time. The silver went to the USA with Tracy joined by long term team members Bob Giles and Diane Kastama. They were only narrowly ahead of Great Britain by 0.74 who finished in bronze for the fifth time, helped by Deborah Daniel’s second placing in the Cones and strong performances by Mick Ward and Emily Ham.

During his closing ceremony speech, FEI Driving Committee Chair Karoly Fugli (HUN) paid tribute to the inclusivity of the championship and sport driving as a whole, citing the success of joining the Para Drivers with the Four-in-Hands. The organisers at Exloo were delighted with the support from the large crowds who were present throughout the event, especially the many families who came for the day to enjoy Saturday’s Marathon. Reflecting the international nature of the combined event, even more fans tuned in from all over the world to watch the live coverage of the action on FEI TV.