Great Britain finished second at the FEI Driving World Championships for Horse Pairs in Beekbergen last month to win its first medal at a Horse Pairs World Championships for 28 years.

The team of Roger Campbell, Tara Wilkinson and Peter Bennett took the silver medal behind Hungary. Hosts Netherlands took third. 

Success didn’t end there as Roger also won the individual silver medal ending a 42-year drought for medals for Great Britain in this event which sees drivers take part in three phases: dressage, marathon and obstacle driving.

Great Britain won the silver medal behind Hungary.

Double gold for Hungary

Hungary’s Martin Holle took the individual gold medal while bronze was awarded to Stan Van Eijk from Netherlands. Britain’s Tara Wilkinson occupied fourth.

“What a week! Having started the championships with the goal of a top 10 finish, we never imagined leaving with silver medals for both the individual and team competitions,” said Roger on his Facebook page.

“With top 15 finishes in the dressage and marathon and third place in the cones it was satisfying to be a part of every prize giving throughout the show.

“The horses were fantastic and really gave their all in what has been a dream finish to the year. Time for them to enjoy a well-earned holiday.”

How it works

All competitors take part in the three phases of dressage, marathon and obstacle driving. The dressage phase sees drivers perform a series of compulsory movements including circles, transitions and halts within a 100 x 40m rectangle. 

The marathon is run as a time trial over a course which features many natural hazards like water and hills while the obstacle driving tests the skill and competence of the driver who must negotiate a narrow track outlined by cones with balls balanced on top.

“A championship to remember”

“This has been a championship to remember – a historic return to the medal podium, a showcase of world-class driving, and a proud moment for British carriage driving. Congratulations to the whole squad,” said a Facebook post on British carriage driving.

“None of this would have been possible without the dedication and leadership of squad chef d’equipe David Matthews, the commitment of the British support team, and the tireless work of the drivers’ own crews – the grooms, backsteppers and helpers who are vital to success at this level.”

Full team results can be found here.

Click here for the individual results. 

Image © FEI/Wil Smeets 

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