From Wednesday 3 to Sunday 7 September 2008, the Heerlijkheid Mariënwaerdt- a beautiful and grand country estate in the city of Beesd- will be the backdrop for the eighteenth edition of the World Championships four-in-hand driving. Initially, the organisers chose a date preceding the Olympic Games that will start on 8 August 2008 in Beijing. After thorough discussions with various concerned parties and after taking into account of, amongst other things, the date of the annual Country Estate Fair, a new date has been chosen.
The Netherlands has a rich history in the sport of carriage driving. With the double world champion Tjeerd Velstra (1982 & 1986) and, of course, the triple world champion IJsbrand Chardon (1988, 1992 & 2002) and numerous world class team medals, we can unhesitatingly say that The Netherlands is a world-wide leader in the sphere of driving. As well as the two world champions in the area of four-in-hand, The Netherlands also has to world champions in pair driving: Mieke van Tergouw (1995) en Riny Rutjens (2003). Besides these four world champions, The Netherlands has also been host three times to the fabulous and extremely successful world championships held in the grounds of Paleis ‘t Loo in Apeldoorn. As well as this, in 1994 at the World Equestrian Games in Den Haag, the world championships four-in-hand was one of the six disciplines performed and the one which attracted the most public attention.
In 2008, the marvellous grounds in the Betuwe area will not only have first class four-in-hand driving: the World Championships at Mariënwaerdt will also be combined with the very attractive annual Country Estate Fair. The fair is completely integrated with the competition grounds so that the public can fully enjoy the performances of the World Championships participants as well as the delightful ‘country & living’ atmosphere that the Country Estate Fair provides. For the complete programme and further information, please click on www.wkvierspannen.nl.
