The Betuwe ground, roads and water construction company GMB has joined its name to this international event-taking place at the grounds of Mariënwaerdt Country Estate in Beesd. GMB has more than 40 years of professional experience in its field. With GMB, the organizing committee of the WC Four-in-Hand will have all the expertise at their disposal in making sure that the show grounds will be in an optimal condition for the World Championship. GMB has already begun with the preparations of the grounds at Mariënwaerdt: the stadium, the warming-up area and the participants’ camping grounds are partly being fitted out.

“GMB will ensure that the grounds where the competition takes place will be kept in super condition” explained grounds owner Frans Baron Van Verschuer  “Our grounds are of clay and when there is heavy rainfall they can become very soggy. GMB is already at work preparing the ground so that the terrain is equal for all participants in the competition sections. Both the participants area and the warming up area are being prepared in such a way that no matter the weather conditions the WC can go ahead.”

Last week, parts of the show grounds of Heerlijkheid Marienwaerdt were being ploughed and prepared for re-seeding. In some places the clay was turned over to a depth of two metres with enormous machines. In the week after the country fair has finished, sowing of the fields will start. All these activities are going ahead to create perfect conditions for next year’s world championships.

photo: Marie de Ronde-Oudemans