The 1971 Four-in-Hand European Championship in Budapest (HUN) was the first international championship to be held under the new FEI ‘Combined Driving’ Rules. The championship ran until 1981 before a 30-year break, then the series was reinstated in 2011, and it has run every two years since then. The first phase was dominated by the Hungarian drivers who won all the team and individual golds, except in 1973 when the Swiss team triumphed. In the modern era, the podium has been dominated by The Netherlands and the Chardon family.
Bram Chardon the one to beat
For the 14th FEI Driving European Championship in Lähden (GER), which is combined with the 14th FEI Driving World Para Driving Championship, The Netherlands is predicted to be the nation that again sets the pace. Bram Chardon (NED) will defend his title and may go one better than the early era Hungarian legend, György Bardos (HUN), who he ties with for three consecutive wins. But Bram admits that the preparation hasn’t always gone to plan.
“It’s been a bit up and down this season while I have been experimenting with different horses and combinations. It started well, and I have been trying out a few things, but there’s never a good time to make too many changes due to the constant pressure of a championship ahead.I’ve been asking questions and now I have the answers as to what I can do in Lähden.
“Because there’s been a longer competition break for me since Aachen, I’ve had more time to think, gather information and make another change. The horses are now very fit and ready for the event, especially the Marathon.”
Among those challenging Bram for the gold medal will be the on-form Germans Anna Mareike Meier (GER) and Anna Sandmann (GER), Belgians Glenn Geerts (BEL) and Dries Degrieck (BEL) and for Sweden, Fredrik Persson (SWE). The Dutch greats, Bram’s father Ijsbrand Chardon (NED), twice a European Champion, and Koos de Ronde (NED), who was the silver medallist two years ago in Exloo (NED), will also be eyeing individual success.
A close nations’ contest
The Dutch team has been unassailable in recent history, holding more World and European team titles than any other nation. But Germany, Belgium and France have entered strong squads, and their selectors have a depth of talent and horsepower to choose from. Nine of the thirteen nations represented will field two or more combinations for the team event and confirmation of places will be made after the horse inspection.
Well-travelled Para Drivers
Para Drivers will come from as far afield as California (USA) and Melbourne (AUS). Tracy Bowman (USA) has arrived in Europe hoping to win her third consecutive Grade 1 world title. She calls her wonderful Welsh pony Albrecht’s Hoeve’s Lars her ‘unicorn’ and credits his talent and temperament with her success. But Tracy also is heavily involved in Eventing and that experience helps contribute to her Driving success. Lars has been in Europe since February, based with the Chardons, and Tracy took him to two end-of-season events in preparation.
“We do a lot of airmiles to be able to compete in Europe but I’m here with my trusted team and we can’t wait!”
Covering even more distance is Jodie Mckeone from Melbourne (AUS). In 2023 she competed for the first time at a World Para Driving Championship and won Grade 1 bronze with a ‘Dutch Hackney’ that belonged to British driving legend George Bowman (GBR). This time, Jodie has capitalised on the friendship she struck up with the Hungarian crew in Exloo and is partnered with Zsolt Demkó’s (HUN) horse Zeusz.
“He’s such a clever horse, being part Lipizzaner. In training, by the time we’ve practiced something new three times, he’s already learned it. And this all started because one of the Hungarians parked next to me in Exloo and shared my plug-in electricity!” said Mckeone.
The spirit of generosity and collaboration is key to the Para Drivers, some of whom have to drive borrowed horses or ponies to participate. Deborah Daniel (GBR) competes with Capitola Mr Houdini, a pony loaned to her that previously won world medals with Horse Pairs medallists Roger Campbell (GBR) and Tara Wilkinson (GBR). Deborah is the British team’s most successful Para Driver, having won team bronze five times and individual bronze once, and she has been awarded the FEI gold medal for her achievements. This is her seventh FEI Para Driving World Championship, but she says it will be her last.
“There will most certainly be tears in Germany. It won’t be goodbye forever, but it will be the end of the most amazing partnership that I have had for over five years with ‘H’ who is quite simply an absolute legend of a pony. He doesn’t owe anybody anything and is, himself, a true British star,” said Daniel.
Nine nations will be represented in the FEI World Para Driving Championship and the Americans, British, Dutch, Germans and Irish will all field teams. Making up some of those teams from the 28 athletes will be returning medallists and former champions including Heiner Lehrter (GER), Ivonne Hellenbrand (GER), Patricia Großerichter (GER), Alexandra Sievers (nee Röder – GER), Diane Kastama (USA) and Jacques Poppen (NED). Michael Ward (IRE), formerly a British team member and medallist, will now represent Ireland, joining Emma Golding (IRE).
The Hand-in-Hand Trophy
The trophy was introduced by former FEI President Princess Haya initially for Dressage in 2006, then for Driving in 2010. A Para Driver is paired with a Four-in-Hand driver and the two who finish with the lowest combined penalties will receive the trophy. The winners in 2023 were Tracy Bowman and Bram Chardon.
PSG Lähden is a popular and well-established Driving venue associated with Christoph and Anna Sandmann, the successful father and daughter Four-in-Hand and Pairs drivers. They are experienced competitors and former medallists who are named on the German squad for Lähden, and Anna also recently represented the German team at the Horse Pairs World Championship in Beekbergen (NED). They will have a lot to juggle as organisers and competitors, but it a task they are used to!
Live coverage will be on FEI TV.
Para Driving entries can be found here.
Driving 4-in-Hand entries can be found here.
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