The Netherlands has approximately 17 million inhabitants and as a founding member of the EU is an important centre of the western European economy. To the North and West, the country borders on the North Sea. Germany is to the East and Belgium to the South. The Netherlands is not only an country of windmills and tulips, but also of fine ancient cities and beautiful scenery. It matches a vibrant industrial sector with respect for its history.

The mild Dutch climate translates into pleasant wooded areas, rivers and verdant fields. These features make the grounds of the Mariënwaerdt Estate in Beesd the ideal setting for the World Four-in-Hand Driving Championship.

In the field of sports, The Netherlands enjoys a considerable reputation, not least in equestrianism. At major international championships and at the Olympic Games, Dutch competitors often play a significant role. Well-known names in this regard include Anton Ebben, Jos Lansink, Anky van Grunsven, Jeroen Dubbeldam and, in the four-in-hand discipline, world champions Tjeerd Velstra (1982 & 1986) and Ijsbrand Chardon (1998, 1992 & 2002). The Netherlands is also proud of its world champions in pair driving: Mieke Tergouw (1995) and Riny Rutjens (2003).

In addition to this line-up of Dutch world champions, the Netherlands hosted the World Four-in-Hand Driving Championships four times in the past: in 1976, 1982 & 1988 at the splendid grounds of “Het Loo” Palace in Apledoorn, and in 1994 in The Hague as part of the World Equestrian Games.

Finally, not only can the Netherlands draw on a large number of Ducth FEI officials, but also on a sizeable contingent of Dutch Course Designers, Technical Delegates as well as International and Official Judges, who all have earned their mark worldwide and continue to contribute to the ever advancing level of the carriage driving sport.

The 2008 World Four-in-Hand Driving Championships really is a unique event for sponsors, spectators and competitors and will attract extensive national and international media attention.