World Championship Four-in-Hand Aachen: Five Horses to the Holding Box

Five horses were referred to the holding box and will be presented for re-inspection tomorrow morning at 9:15 a.m. For Czech driver Jiří Nesvačil Jr. in particular, the re-inspection will be crucial, as two of his horses have not yet been accepted: 11A G. Roncha XLIV-17 and 11E R. Risita V-74. If either horse fails the re-inspection, it will mean the end of the competition for the Czech driver.

The other horses referred to the holding box are 43A Favory XXXVI-27, driven by Romania’s Gergo Rakoczi; 45A Charli, driven by Switzerland’s Marcel Luder; and 46C Eddy Murphy K, also representing Switzerland, driven by Yannik Scherrer.

Looking Back at 2006

Twenty years ago, in 2006, the World Equestrian Games – bringing together the World Championships for all FEI disciplines – were also held in Aachen. Two legends from that championship, IJsbrand Chardon and Germany’s Christoph Sandmann, are still among the sport’s leading drivers and will once again be fighting for the medals.

In 2006, IJsbrand claimed individual silver, while Christoph took individual bronze. Neither has lost any of his competitive spirit, knowledge or skill. With another twenty years of experience behind them, both remain realistic individual medal contenders in Aachen.

However, the next generation of the Chardon and Sandmann families – Bram and Anna – is ready to challenge their fathers. Bram is the reigning European Champion, while Anna is the reigning German Champion.

The Big Question: Can Boyd Exell Be Beaten – and If So, by Whom?

The leading drivers all face the challenge of trying to beat Australia’s Boyd Exell, who has claimed seven consecutive World Championship titles. Since the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA) in 2010, Boyd has taken individual gold at every World Championship.

IJsbrand Chardon and Christoph Sandmann have already been mentioned, but there are plenty of other contenders.

Boyd Exell

“My confidence is just as high as in other years, but it is clear that the competition is incredibly strong this year! The Chardons and the Dutch team are always good, Dries Degrieck is having a fantastic season and Chester Weber’s dressage is always phenomenal.

“The demanding Aachen courses mean that my team will have to step up as well. Alongside my own preparations, I’m also supporting and coaching three other drivers,” says Boyd.

Dries Degrieck

Belgium’s Dries Degrieck, the current FEI Driving World Cup Champion, has been on an impressive rise since winning individual bronze at the 2025 European Championship. For almost ten years, he collected team medals alongside his Belgian teammates, but an individual podium finish continued to elude him – until the 2025 European Championship.

Since then, he has become one of the leading contenders and arrives in Aachen in excellent form.

“I owe my recent results partly to the fantastic, professional team around me. In the past, I had to take care of many more things myself. Now, much more is taken off my shoulders, which means I can really focus on my driving. I have improved and I have more experience now. I need to keep my feet on the ground, not put too much pressure on myself and remain realistic about my chances in Aachen,” says Dries.

Bram Chardon

Bram Chardon also has a reputation for producing his best performances at major championships. Just like his father, the biggest events seem to bring out the best in him. Together with IJsbrand Chardon and Koos de Ronde, he forms the formidable Dutch team.

“The battle for both the individual medals and the team medals is more open than ever. Anyone can win. Driving is going through the most exciting period I’ve experienced so far. It feels like last year’s football World Cup!” says Bram, clearly looking forward to the battle ahead.

And Another Big Question: Can The Netherlands Be Beaten in the Team Competition?

The margins are also becoming increasingly tight in the team competition. The Netherlands has dominated for twelve editions. Since the country won its first team gold in Apeldoorn in 1982, IJsbrand Chardon has always been part of the Dutch squad. With Koos de Ronde and Bram Chardon, the team is strong across all three phases.

However, the Belgian team of Dries Degrieck, Glenn Geerts and Tom Stokmans is getting ever closer and putting increasing pressure on the Dutch.

The traditionally strong German team has the advantage of competing on home soil, while Australia’s two-driver team of Boyd Exell and Tor Van Den Berge is also capable of winning the team competition. This year, Tor has shown that his Four-in-Hand is now capable of finishing inside the top ten across all three phases, most recently at CAI Rastede.

FEI Driving is back on the iconic grounds of Aachen. The first day of dressage gets underway tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.. The starting lists is published via this link.

History is ready to be rewritten and records are waiting to be broken.

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