8 November 2023

Carlo Vermeulen says goodbye to competitive Driving

Carlo Vermeulen retires from competitive sport. He announced this after national indoor marathon in Nijkerk. Carlo passes the baton to his son Niels.

Carlo has been very active in competitive driving since 1985. He was a loyal member of the Dutch team for years at the World Championships for pair driving, including Topolcianky 2013, Fabiansebestyen 2015, Drebkau 2019 and Kronenberg 2021.

Rejuvenation

“I notice that my pair needs to be rejuvenated, but unfortunately I don’t have the financial resources for that. In addition, driving has been in our blood for generations. My parents raised me with it, and my son Niels now also competes. It is therefore a logical choice for me to pass on my pair to the next generation. Niels will therefore be driving them from now on, starting during the national indoor marathon in Deurne at the end of November.”

Not a complete farewell

Carlo drove his last outdoor competition during the National Championships in Gaasterland at the end of August and in Nijkerk last weekend he drove his last indoor marathon. However, Carlo will not completely disappear from the scene. “We currently have one young horse that can gain even more experience in the marathon. I’m going to start him in Deurne, for example, and that probably won’t be the last time. In addition, I regularly receive requests to drive and/or compete other people’s horses. I will continue with that, but I will stop the fanatical competitive sport with my good pair. It’s time for the next generation, but I’m certainly not saying goodbye to the sport completely. It’s way too much fun for that.”

Carlo Vermeulen at the 2021 World Championships in Kronenberg
Photo: Wil Smeets

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