18 August 2022
European Championships Four-in-Hand and World Championships Para Driving 2023 in Exloo
Equestrian Center Exloo will host both the FEI Driving European Championships Four in Hand & FEI Para Driving World Championships for Singles from August 23rd through 27th 2023. The international equestrian sports federation FEI recently allocated these championships to Exloo.Expansion areas
“A few years ago we successfully revived the annual international driving competition in Exloo. This competition is an important event on the Equestrian Center Exloo calendar. We would like to continue to grow, and we already have a number of championships in other disciplines to our name. The organization of the European Championships Four-in-Hand perfectly fits in our vision to put Equestrian Center Exloo, the province of Drenthe, and the Four-in-Hand driving sport in the Netherlands on the map. The Para Driving World Championships are a perfect addition to this European Championship, since we also welcome the Para drivers in Exloo every year and it holds a special place in our hearts,” says Lieuwe Koopmans, of the organizing committee.
In order to be able to optimally organize the European Championship and the World Championship, the competition areas will be expanded and completely redesigned. Parts of the existing marathon obstacles will be replaced and moved.
History
In the more than 50-year history of the European Four-in-Hand Championship, it is the second time that the Netherlands will host this championship. In 2011, the European Championship was organized in Breda after 20 years of absence. Two-time European Champion Bram Chardon (Schipluiden) will take a shot at his third European gold medal in a row in 2023 in Exloo.
The para drivers have already performed in the Netherlands for the World Championship medals before. In 2006, 2010, 2012, 2016 and 2018, various Dutch organizations offered a platform for the Para Driving World Championships. Triple World Champion Grade 2 Francisca den Elzen hopes to have a chance to win her fourth world title in a row in front of her own audience next year.
From March 23rd through 26th 2023, an international driving competition for all classes will be organized on the grounds of Equestrian Center Exloo.
Photo: Krisztina Horváth
