He will be challenged
all the way by some of Driving’s biggest names, such as 2018 WEG team
gold and individual silver medallist Chester Webber (USA), who flew his
horses to Europe from Florida in May to start his campaign at Royal
Windsor (GBR).
Also on the list is
current FEI World Cup™ Champion, Bram Chardon (NED) who pipped Boyd to
the post at the indoor finals in Leipzig (GER) earlier this year.
Bram’s father, the
legendary Ijsbrand, is another famous name to be selected. A former
World Champion, he was a member of the Dutch gold medal team when the
WEG were held at Pratoni in 1998.
Winner of May’s Test
Event Anthony Horde is one of the four nominated French athletes, and
father and son competitors, József Dobrovitz Snr. & Jnr., also
competitors in May, are potential members of Hungary’s squad.
Leading the way for
the ladies is on form Mareike Harm (GER), plus Anna Sandmann (GER) and
the USA’s Misdee Wrigley Miller, who was at Pratoni in May with a Horse
Pair. Uruguay is represented by veteran driver Ernesto Colman Mena and
flying the flag for the host nation is Luca Cassottana (ITA).
The team competition
will be an exciting one. With a full quota of match-fit competitors to
consider, The Netherlands, Hungary and Germany are all in contention
for medals. Defending champions, the USA, only has two members in
Chester and Misdee, so no scores can be discounted. Belgium has fielded
a formidable team which includes current FEI World Cup™ bronze
medallist Glenn Geerts. Two of France’s contenders travelled to Pratoni
in May, Anthony and Benjamin Aillaud, which will help their bid for a podium
place.
For the marathon, the
eight new obstacles have been positioned so that they can be seen from
a central vantage point in the park. Made from softwood imported from
Poland, they were designed by Germany’s Josef Middendorf. Like
Eventing’s cross-country jumps, several of the obstacles are portable
so that they can be removed and stored, ensuring a longer lifespan.
Pratoni last held a
FEI Driving Championship in 2010 when the Horse Singles converged at
the iconic venue. After the two successful FEI Test Events in May
for Eventing and Driving, the organisers have been busy fine-tuning the
venue to ensure that it is ready to host World Championships once
again. The new arenas, stable block, veterinary area and wash down
zones are part of an investment which aims to put equine welfare first.
With an exciting entry list, new infrastructure and an enthusiastic
team behind the scenes preparing to welcome everyone to Pratoni dell
Vivaro, it promises to be a fantastic two weeks of competition.
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