The FEI has published the official entry list for the World Pair Driving Championship, which will take place from August 20 to 24 in Beekbergen. With 88 competitors from 24 countries and no fewer than 257 horses, the event promises to be a world-class championship.
This year’s World Championship lives up to its name, featuring entries from Africa, Australia, North and South America, and Europe. Among the top contenders is, of course, Hungary’s Martin Hölle, the untouchable five-time World Champion, who returns to Beekbergen to defend his title.
French driver Franck Grimonprez (pictured) will also compete. He’s having a strong season, having won the CAI3* in Kronenberg this April—the same venue where he claimed silver at the 2021 World Championship—and finishing second in Bornem, just behind Stan van Eijk, who is clearly aiming for a podium finish this year. Grimonprez was also part of the French team that won bronze at the 2017 World Championships in Lipica.
“We’ve been preparing intensively,” says Grimonprez. “With the federation, our coaches, and private trainers, we’ve worked hard on strength, endurance, and mental focus—for both the horses and the drivers. We’re ready for Beekbergen.”
Hungary and Germany: Consistent Podium Contenders
In the team competition, Hungary has been the dominant force for years, winning six consecutive team gold medals (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023). Germany has also made it to the podium every time during that span, with three silver and three bronze medals since 2013. The Netherlands has claimed three team medals in the same period, including silver in 2019 and bronze in 2021.
With such a strong field, excitement and suspense are guaranteed—right down to the final obstacle.
Don’t Miss It!
Just three weeks to go before the World Championships begin on Dutch soil. Will you be there? The World Pair Driving Championship is free to attend (excluding parking). For fans who don’t want to miss a moment of the action—and prefer a comfortable seat—tickets for the covered grandstand are available. In addition to popular multi-day passes (€105), single-day tickets are also on sale. Perfect for a day out—or for catching that one unmissable evening!
Entry list (LINK)
Photo of Franck Grimonprez: Wilco van Driessen