Last week, at Mariënwaerdt Country Estate in Beesd, two important contracts were signed with an eye to the FEI World Four-in-Hand Driving Championship 2008 in The Netherlands. Firstly, the fountain pen was handed to Wim Knijnenburg, publisher of the monthly magazine ‘Mensport’ (Carriage Driving). The organizing committee of the World Championship and the specialist magazine are going to work in close cooperation during the run-up to the Championship which takes place from 3 to 7 September 2008. The other contract that was signed was that between the board of the organizers and the landowner of Heerlijkheid Mariënwaerdt. The contract was signed by Frans Baron van Verschuer, Chairman Pieter Wiersinga and Treasurer Frans Breumelhof.
After this ceremonial and memorable event, an information evening was held at the country estate for the local Driving Club ‘Waal en Linge’ that organizes a driving competition every year at Mariënwaerdt. The evening’s programme included an introduction by the club’s chairman, Cees Vink, and chairman of the board of the organizers, Pieter Wiersinga. Chris van Dam, director of the organizing agency of the project, EQ International, was present to provide comprehensive information about the current state of affairs and the progress concerning the World Championship. The attendance was overwhelming with nearly 150 people all told. Many of those present let it be immediately known that they were willing to help at the massive event. By the end of the evening, the organizers had collected dozens of names of volunteers.
The fact that the country estate in Beesd has now officially associated itself with the World Four-in-Hand Championship 2008 means that the popular annual country estate fair will also be associated with the World Championship. In 2008, both events will run parallel. An entrance ticket is valid for both the fair and the activities of the World Championship: these can now already be reserved via TopTicketLine: telephone number 0031(0)20-2061200. You can take advantage soon of a unique foretaste of the World Four-in-Hand Championship 2008: on Wednesday 15 August the top Dutch four-in-hand drivers will be appearing at the opening day of the country estate fair with a fantastic carriage driving show. This year, the country estate fair will take place from 15 to 19 August. As one of Holland’s most charming outdoor country fairs, this year’s edition will be themed under ‘Lekker Landelijk’ (scrumptiously rustic!). A good 130 stall holders will be present with an enormous diversity of unusual products. As well as this, demonstrations and shows will be given daily. More information can be found on the website www.marienwaerdt.nl.
