The four-in-hand drivers and their horses are ready: A strong field of competitors gets underway tomorrow with the dressage phase. The fast-paced Marathon follows on Saturday, before the concluding phase of the combined driving championship, the cone driving competition, takes place on Sunday. The favourites have arrived at the Allianz Park with high ambitions.

It is bustling with activity – tents are being pitched, horses are getting groomed, carriages are driving by. The drivers’ quarters radiate a very special atmosphere. During the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026, the four-in-hand drivers live in a world of their own here. Right in the midst of it all, a man, whose aim is to add another title to his impressive collection in Aachen, is harnessing his horses: The seven-time World Champion, Boyd Exell. “I am feeling really good. My horses are very strong and highly motivated to give their best for me,” stated the Australian, who has a score to settle with the Soers venue: An injury just before the championships in 2006 prevented him from competing, and now, 20 years later, he intends to claim the world title in Aachen. His strategy? “We are confident, but we are keeping our feet firmly on the ground. We are going to tackle each phase one by one and then see what the result is at the end of the week.”

The conditions couldn’t be better – both in Stadium 2, where the dressage test in the Feinkost Käfer-Prize and Sunday’s concluding cone driving competition in the Prize of Event Rent GmbH are being held, and on the cross-country course, which sets the stage for the popular Marathon in the Prize of schwartz Group. “The stadium looks fantastic with all the grandstands; I am very impressed. And the Marathon course is, as always, of a very high standard,” praised Boyd Exell.

Bram Chardon, the European Champion and World Cup winner from the Netherlands, is a further top favourite. “My master plan is set: the goal is victory.” Chardon leaves no doubt that he has arrived at the Allianz Park with high expectations. Both the individual gold medal and a victory in Aachen is still missing from his collection of titles — and he aims to secure both this week. “But there are so many outstanding drivers, who are as equally well-prepared as I am.” The Dutchman anticipates a massive crowd and a unique atmosphere, given the venue’s proximity to his home. “The horses are ready and in top form; it is going to be a spectacular week,” he said, looking forward to the competitions.

German team aiming for a medal

The same applies to Anna Mareike Meier, Rene Poensgen, Anna Sandmann, Christoph Sandmann and Georg von Stein, who are representing Germany. “The competition is incredibly tough, but the team medal is our goal,” explained Anna Mareike Meier, who has already won two silver medals and one gold with the team at previous World Championships. The significance of this home World Championship for her became clear when she stated her gratitude at having secured one of the coveted places on the team: “Competing here has been our goal for a long time; we have been working towards this for four years.” She noted that her horses are in top form and she can hardly wait to get started. “Aachen is always exciting and special every year, but this year, it is on a whole new level.”