12 April 2017
Four-in-hand drivers gearing up for Dutch Championship
The stunning new grounds of the Equestrian Event Zone 'De Peelbergen' in Kronenberg (NL) will host on Apriol 20-23rd, the crown jewel of the combined driving sport, the Dutch Four-in-hand championships.
IJsbrand Chardon
Photo: Krisztina Horváth
Over the past months, under leadership of international level 4 course designer Jeroen Houterman hundreds of man hours have been put in to building seven imposing marathon obstacles, and world class dressage and cones fields turning De Peelbergen Equestrian Centre into a mecca for the driving sport.
Defending champion IJsbrand Chardon, will be looking to claim his 28th national title. With all of the top Dutch drivers coming to challenge him, he will also have to fend off his golden team members from the 2015 World Championships Koos de Ronde and Theo Timmerman.
The Dutch Championship is integrated into the international three-star competition where 24 international four-in-hand drivers from eight countries including Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and the United States will also be competing. In addition to the national title, points for the prestigious four-in-hand indoor World Cup will be up for grabs.
In addition to four-in-hand horses, single and pair horses will also come in action in the three star competition. For the para-drivers, a national competition has been added which will count towards the KNHS Para Driving trophy 2017.
The Dutch Championship in Horst is the first observation competition for team coach Harry de Ruyter who will be selecting a team for the European Championships which will take place this August in Gothenburg Sweden.
Program Four-in-hand National Championships:
Thursday April 20th: veterinary inspection
Friday April 21st: dressage
Saturday April 22nd: marathon
Sunday April 23rd: cones followed by the prize giving
