Newsletter number 1, July 7th 2007

Driving4U

For those looking forward to the FEI World Championship Four-in-Hand in 2008, it is now possible to keep up to date with all the latest news. Driving enthusiasts can now subscribe for the Driving4U newsletter via the website www.wkvierspannen.nl which will then be received in the mailbox monthly.
On the English and Dutch version of the website there is a clickable banner on the
homepage for Driving4U. By entering your mail address you will be registered automatically. Membership is completely voluntary and can be directly terminated at any time. In the digital newsletter every month you will receive the latest WDC news with background information and facts.

Young driving talent toughening up for W.C.

In the beginning of March, at the biggest international equestrian sports exhibition Equitana, young Dutch driving talent were toughening up for the World Championships Four-in-Hand in 2008. In the
indoor marathon competition for young driving talent children took part with renowned international drivers. The Dutch participants were dressed in eye-catching orange t-shirts with ‘World Championship Four-in-Hand 2008 Nederland’ printed on them and which made clear where and when the next following World Championship Four-in-Hand will be held. Bram
Chardon- the son of triple World Champion and member of the
W.D.C. Recommendation Committee IJsbrand Chardon- won after an exciting four-in-hand competition in the pony section. Bram as well as both his parents- who acted as grooms on the carriage- were honoured with
orange W.D.C. t-shirts so that all those present couldn’t help knowing all about the W.D.C!

Programme

The World Championships starts on Wednesday 3 September 3rd with the presentation. In this competition of elegance the participants do their absolute best to present their equipment as beautifully as possible to the strict jury. Not only the horses, the harness and the carriages but also the drivers and the grooms and any passengers must be spick and span. After this section, the opening ceremony is held and the W.D.C. is officially opened. On Thursday the 4th and Friday the 5th of September in the main stadium, the participants will be taking part in dressage that will be judged by five international jury members. The jury will be judging, among other things, the correct execution of the requested exercises, the regularity of paces and the correct carriage of the horses. On Saturday 6 September 6th , the spectacular marathon is on the programme: after the four-in-hands have completed about 8 kilometers in the woods round the Heerlijkheid Mariënwaerdt, they will come into the main grounds where eight obstacles await them. These obstacles have a number of gates that have to be taken as quickly as possible in the correct order. The degree of difficulty of the obstacles lies, among other things, in the condition of the ground and the position of the gates. The water obstacles are, of course, the most spectacular! On Sunday 7th , in the exciting proficiency test, it will be decided who will become the new World Champion Four-in-Hand. The course has at least 20 obstacles or gates which are marked by orange cones with a ball balanced on top. Every ball that falls costs three penalty points and the participant must, even then, finish in the designated time: thus there is suspense until the very last second!

Wednesday 3 September 3rd 2008
- elegance competition W.C. participants (presentation)
- opening ceremony & shows
Thursday 4 September 4th 2008
- dressage: first part
- shows
Friday 5 September 5th 2008
- dressage: second part
- shows
Saturday 6 September 6th 2008
- marathon
Sunday 7 September 7th 2008
-proficiency test
- shows
- honouring of champions
The Country Fair will be held at the same time as all the competitions

(alterations conditional)

Deliciously Country in 2007

From Wednesday 15 to Sunday 19 August 2007 the annual Country Estate Fair was held in the grounds of the Heerlijkheid Mariënwaerdt in Beesd. One of the most delightful and atmospheric country fairs of Holland has chosen as a theme this year ‘Deliciously Country’. At least 130 stall holders will be present with an enormous diversity of unusual products. Moreover, there will be many demonstrations and shows given. A guided tour through the old kitchen garden and the big house of Mariënwaerdt completes the wonderful Country Estate Fair. More information: www.marienwaerdt.nl.

Ticket Sales

The ticket sales for the W.C. Four-in-Hand began on Thursday 1 February 1st and so far many tickets have been sold. Tickets can be ordered via TopTicketLine on telephone number 0900-3005000 (45 cpm). You can also use the enclosed reservation form.
For groups of more than 10 people there is a reduction of 10%.

World Four-in-Hand Driving Championship 2008 Foundation

P.O.Box 2930
NL-1000 CX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Telephone 0031(0)20-4655446
Fax 0031(0)20-4651640
E-mail info@wkvierspannen.nl