The FEI recognised Driving as an FEI discipline in 1970 under the leadership of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburg, the then-FEI President. During his Presidency, the longest in FEI history (1964-1986), he helped develop the Driving discipline and standardise international rules. He became a hugely successful competitor himself.
The first edition of the FEI Driving World Championship for Four-in-Hand was held two years later, in 1972, in Münster, Germany. Since then, the event continues to be organised every two years. The tradition has continued even after the creation, also on the initiative of Prince Philip, of the FEI World Equestrian Games™, which, from the inaugural edition in 1990 through to 2018, took place every four years.
The first FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs was held in 1985 and for Singles in 1998.
Auguste Dubey (SUI), head of the riding academy in Bern, won the first FEI Driving World Championship for Four-in-Hand. He shared the podium with John Miller and Douglas Nicholson, both representing Great Britain.
Cynthia Haydon, also from Great Britain, the first female driver to take part in an FEI Championship, placed fourth. She was an outstanding competitor, breeder and trainer of hackney horses and ponies, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 94.
The placings of Miller, who trained at the Royal Stables, and Nicholson, who was a brewer, helped secure team for Great Britain ahead of Switzerland and the Federal Republic of Germany.
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