Martin Hölle during the FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs 2025 © FEI / Wil Smeets

Reigning World Champion Martin Hölle (HUN) and his pair – Eppie & Juventus – produced such an astonishing test that they smashed records to score 28.64. Their triumph also puts Hungary marginally ahead of France in a closely fought nations’ contest.

Ending on a High

Mounting to a crescendo at the end of two days of Dressage, Martin was Friday’s penultimate driver. Entering the new arena at Beekbergen (NED) to hushed expectation, he produced a test that rewrites Driving history. With balanced extravagance, technical correctness and sheer showmanship, his remarkable Dutch Warmbloods glided through the movements as if they were on ice. The average scores were initially in the 30s, then the 20s – unheard of in Driving.

Knowing they had witnessed a unique performance, the crowd erupted and once he left the arena, Martin, the carriage and horses were enveloped in a sea of jubilant well-wishers.

Immediately preceding Martin’s groundbreaking test was Franck Grimonprez for France. Hailed as one who could also be on the podium on Sunday, Frank and his elegant pair, DSP Da Vincy and James Bond J, had already taken the marks to a higher level for 36.02. The only other sub-40 score came from Jacob Arnold (USA) whose horses’ combined precision with flair and were the first to break into the 30s with 39.83. 

For most of Anna Sandmann’s (GER) test, it looked like she too would join the sub-40 ranks. The quality of her horses’ movement and their poise were rewarded, but some costly mistakes due to breaks of pace and a tense free walk – a tricky section that troubled most of the combinations – meant that although the running average was initially around the late-30s, she ended on a score of 43.33 for fourth.

Keeping Dutch ambitions alive, world number one Stan Van Eijk (NED) heads into the Marathon in fifth on 44.32. Emma Olsson (SWE), a member of the all-female Swedish team, who used two of Boyd Exell’s (AUS) experienced outdoor horses Daan 8 and Jelviro, scored 45.12 to briefly top the leaderboard but ended the day in sixth. Slotted behind Emma on 45.55 is Francois Dutilloy (FRA) for seventh, and leading the Austrian team is David Hötsch (AUT) on 46.23 for eighth. 

The best of the British is Tara Wilkinson (GBR) pairing her own previously successful singles horse Kadans with Dries Degrieck’s (BEL) seasoned indoor horse Kane B. Despite being a new combination and different types, Tara united them as a cohesive pair and scored 46.47 for nineth place. Completing the top ten is Erik Evers (NED) on 46.84. 

Hungary Slightly Ahead in Closely Contested Team Event

Arriving in Beekbergen as reigning team champions, the Hungarians knew that the margins between them and their nearest rivals were potentially closer than ever. Martin’s low score was combined with first time team member Marcell Dani’s 52.50 to give 81.14. Franck and Francois’ low scores put them only 0.43 behind the leaders on 81.57.

The Netherlands are keeping team medals in their sights in third place on 91.16, a gap that gives the Hungarians and French some wriggle room tomorrow. Next, by only 0.31, are the Americans on 91.47 for fourth, then it’s the Germans on 93.92 and Great Britain on 95.77.

There were two withdrawals after Wednesday’s trot-up inspection, so 86 combinations from 24 nations participated in the two days of Dressage. Although there may be disappointment for some, including the Swiss who came to Beekbergen as one of the favoured squads, Saturday’s Marathon over the Johan Jacobs (NED) designed course will likely result in place changes. 

The Hungarians are fearsome through the obstacles, potentially matched this year by the Dutch, although the French now have gold in their sights and will aim to maintain or better their position. Look out also for the British and Germans, and the competitive Swiss who may will climb the leaderboard after the Marathon, as they have done previously.

But the event so far belongs to the undisputed king of Horse Pairs, Martin Hölle, who amazed us all with the brilliance and flair of his horses. Something magical happened in Beekbergen during Martin’s test, and it will be remembered for a very long time.

FULL RESULTS