A Busy Month for Australians at the FEI Driving World Championships

It has been a big few weeks for Australian Driving on the world stage. Still buoyed by the Nations Cup win in the four-in-hand at Aachen with Boyd Exell and Tor Van den Berge, supporters at home followed a series of strong performances from Australian athletes at the FEI Driving World Championships in Europe throughout August and September.

In Beekbergen, the Netherlands, Tor Van den Berge competed with Leo and Nanda van der Burgt’s pair of horses. Although the combination has been together for less than a season, they produced a solid effort to finish midfield against some of the world’s very best pair horse drivers.

Meanwhile, in Lahden, Germany, Melbourne-based para driver Jodie McKeone contested her second FEI Para Driving World Championship with Zeusz. Despite only a short preparation together, the pair impressed across all three phases to finish 12th overall.

Rounding out the Australian contingent, Janelle Marshall travelled from the United States to France with her pony, Halcyonia Mistletoe, to take part in the FEI Driving World Championship for Singles Ponies at Le Pin au Haras. Against a strong field of 40 combinations, Janelle secured an excellent 15th place.

The results highlight the depth of Australian talent across the different driving categories and the dedication of athletes competing at the highest level of the sport.