SA carriage driver Wayne van Niekerk set for historic Aachen debut
The radiation oncologist will compete against the world's leading four-in-hand drivers in dressage, marathon and cones.
South African carriage driver Wayne van Niekerk is set to make history at the upcoming FEI Driving World Championship for Four-in-Hand in Aachen, Germany. This marks the first time a South African will compete in this prestigious event, scheduled from August 20-23. The championship features top drivers in various disciplines, including dressage, marathon, and cones.
Van Niekerk, who has previously represented South Africa at four World Championships in pairs, sees this as a significant milestone. "This is a huge opportunity, not only for me, but for carriage driving in South Africa," he remarked. The sport is relatively small in South Africa, so representing the country in this global competition is particularly special. Van Niekerk hopes the event will attract more people to the sport, showcasing its excitement, technicality, and accessibility.
Balancing his international career with a demanding medical profession, van Niekerk is a radiation oncologist. His horses are trained in the Netherlands by multiple world champion Boyd Exell, allowing him to compete against full-time professionals. The timing of his debut is crucial for South African carriage driving, which has faced declining numbers due to Covid and rising costs. However, interest is now resurging. Van Niekerk believes his participation will inspire more people to take up the sport.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
