Australian driver Tor Van Den Berge has made a strong start at the 2025 FEI Driving World Championship for Pair Horses in Beekbergen, The Netherlands, securing a top-ten finish after the opening day of dressage.
The first day of competition saw 44 combinations contest the newly introduced FEI Senior 3* Pairs test. Conditions at the refurbished Beekbergen venue were ideal, with large crowds enjoying both the glittering opening ceremony and the first day of dressage.
Driving Jayton and Lars VS, Van Den Berge scored 55.39 to sit in equal seventh place, with the second half of the dressage draw set to compete on Friday, 22 August. As the sole Australian competitor, he is entered as an individual for the Championship.
Poland’s Rafal Wojtacha takes early lead
Delivering one of the surprises of the day, Poland’s Rafal Wojtacha claimed the lead with a score of 50.16. Also competing as an individual, he impressed late in the day, earning the top marks from two of the five judges.
Hungary’s Marcell Dani looked on track to be the overnight leader until Wojtacha’s performance, settling for second on 52.50. Meanwhile, Britain’s Peter Bennett reignited hopes of a long-awaited medal with a career-best score of 52.62, securing third place.
