Dries Degrieck (BEL) competing in the FEI Driving World Championships 2026 - Aachen (GER), Four-in-Hand – Team & Individual Dressage. © FEI / Wilco van Driessen

20.08.2026

Belgium's Dries Degrieck confirmed pre-event predictions that he is a serious contender for an individual gold medal at the FEI Driving World Championship in Aachen (GER) by top-scoring in Thursday's dressage, with the other half of the field still to come on Friday.

Nearing the end of the last session of the day, his dark team glistened in the low sunshine and produced a polished test with the right amount of flair to impress and unite the five judges and land the day’s only sub-40 score of 38.19.

“I am really pleased – I couldn’t be happier with my horses," Degrieck said as he exited the arena.

"It’s the first year I’m driving this team and my right leader is only six years old and to enter this big arena in Aachen with him, I’m so proud. They are great horses and have good characters and do everything for me."

Legends reunited

But the excitement of Degrieck’s result was nearly eclipsed by the epic contest between old adversaries Christoph Sandmann (GER) and Ijsbrand Chardon (NED). Both stood on the podium at the 2006 Aachen World Equestrian Games and are still at the top of their form, boosted by having their children compete alongside them. Remarkably, their scores were identical, leaving them tied for second place on 44.78.

Sandmann had driven in the second session and went to the top of the leaderboard, his horses exhibiting their extravagant extended trots with ease. Until then, fellow German and the day’s opener Georg von Stein had been in front on 50.51.

“It’s difficult to drive in that arena! The wind was loud but I am happy and it was a good dressage test,” Sandmann said.

Ijsbrand was the penultimate Athlete to enter the arena on Thursday afternoon and followed Degrieck, so there was still a buzz in the air as the audience settled after watching their new leader produce something special. But ever the showman, Ijsbrand was not to be outdone and his athletic Warmbloods were in tune to his aids; like him, they rose to the occasion. There were gasps as his score was announced and the unlikely tie with Sandmann was confirmed.

The Czech Republic's Radek Nesvacil has been improving steadily in the build-up to Aachen and temporarily took the lead on 47.18, but ended the afternoon in fourth. With the weight of Australian hopes balanced on only two team members, the other being reigning champion Boyd Exell, Tor van den Berge held his nerve to do what was needed for podium contention, scoring 49.31 to finish the day in fifth place, ahead of Von Stein.

Another of the 2006 alumni rounded off the day; Hungary’s József Dobrovitz, whose son is also set to drive tomorrow, drove a consistent test for a top-10 finish on 52.71.

Nations event underway

It promises to be a classic contest for the team medals as several nations vie to topple the Dutch after their many years at the top.

Four nations fielded two Athletes today and so far, Belgium is the strongest, in front on a score of 92.90 with Degrieck and Tom Stokmans.

The Netherlands are second on 96.22 with Ijsbrand and Koos de Ronde, while Hungary, with Dobrovitz and István Váczi, are third on 115.34. Switzerland, whose former World Champion Werner Ulrich drove in the first session, are on 120.27.

Greats to come on Friday

Degrieck remained humble about his leading score, knowing that much could change on Friday. With dressage supremos such as Chester Weber (USA), Germany’s Anna Sandmann and Anna Mareike Meier, Bram Chardon (NED) and Boyd Exell preparing to enter at A, the standings could look very different this time tomorrow.



FULL RESULTS