Driving is one of the most spectacular, adrenaline-fuelled equestrian sports, with fearless horse and driver teams displaying incredible skill, stamina and versatility.

2021 FEI Driving facts and figures

Top 3 NFs with events in Driving

Top 3 NFs with registered athletes in Driving

Top 3 NFs with registered horses in Driving

2021 FEI Para Driving facts and figures

Major Events 2021

FEI Driving World Cup™ Final, Bordeaux (FRA)

The FEI Driving World Cup™ Final 2021 that was set to take place in Bordeaux was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which also did not allow for any qualifiers to take place. Defending champion Boyd Exell from Australia will be looking to secure his tenth World Cup title at the Finals in Leipzig (GER) in 2022.

FEI Driving World Championship for Young Horses, Szilvásvárad (HUN)

Young Driving horses had the opportunity to showcase their talent and gain first-hand experience for a potential future career on the international scene in Hungary at the FEI Driving World Championship for Young Horses in Szilvásvárad. Germany took top honours in two categories with Dreamcatcher 19 & Jessica Wächter winning the 5-year-old category, and DSP Noble Lady and Bettina Winkler the 6-year-old category. The championship title of the 7-year-old category went to Poland’s Roncewal together with Weronika Kwiatek.

5-year-old Podium

6-year-old Podium

7-year-old Podium

FEI Para Driving World Championship for Single horses and ponies, Schildau (GER)

The FEI Para Driving World Championship 2021 were represented by athletes from eight nations, across two grades of single horse combined driving competitions.

Following the Dressage competition in Grade I, Jacques Poppen from The Netherlands was in the lead, followed by Germany’s Heiner Lehrter and the only non- European Driver Tracy Bowman (USA) in third. After the Marathon and Cones competitions, the podium shifted significantly, but the competition ended with Bowman and her Welsh pony Lars as winners, ahead of Lehrter in silver position and Patricia Grosserichter (GER) in bronze.

Grade II saw The Netherlands at the top of the podium as Francisca Den Elzen rose to victory with Vandijks Superboy. Ivonne Hllenbrand (GER) was able to secure silver for herself together with Anderson 6, followed by Freddy Soete & Evelien from Belgium winning bronze. With only two teams participating, the FEI Para Driving World Championship team title 2021 went to Germany.

Grade I Individual Podium

Grade II Individual Podium

FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs, Kronenberg (NED)

A record number of almost 100 participants from 22 nations took part in the 20^th edition of the FEI Driving World Championships for Pairs in Kronenberg. Eighteen nations battled it out for the team and individual medals, with victory going to defending champions, Hungary. Silver went to Germany while the host nation took bronze ahead of France.

Team gold medallist and World Championship title holder Martin Hölle (HUN), was able to repeat his feat, securing the individual title for the third time in his career. France’s Franck Grimonprez won his first championship medal, a silver, while Anna Sandmann from Germany took home bronze.

Team Podium

Individual Podium

FEI Driving World Championships for Ponies, Le Pin au Haras (FRA)

The FEI Driving World Championships for Ponies were a great success for the Dutch delegation who took home team gold, two individual golds, as well as one silver and bronze across all competitions.

Switzerland was able to secure team silver while Belgium won bronze. The individual Championship titles went to Rodinde Rutjens and Marijke Hammink for The Netherlands, and Cédric Scherrer for Switzerland.

Team Podium

Pony Single Podium

Pony Pair Podium

Pony Four-in-hand Podium

FEI Driving European Championship for Four-in-Hand, Budapest (HUN)

Kincsem Park welcomed 43 Drivers and nine teams for the FEI Driving European Championship Four-in-Hand, with the 2021 edition marking the 50^th anniversary of the Championship in Budapest. As many times in the past, the Dutch would once again prove to be the dominant nation taking the team and individual title. Germany secured team silver ahead of Belgium in third position. In the individual competition, Bram Chardon (NED) came out on top followed by team mate Ijsbrand Chardon and Germany’s Michael Brauchle.

Team Podium

Individual Podium