20 november 2014

Top names announced for FEI World Cup™ Driving at Olympia

Seven of the world’s leading drivers will compete in the FEI World Cup™ Driving Leg presented by Dodson & Horrell at Olympia, The London International Horse Show which takes place from 16-22 December. Among them will be the current World Champion, Boyd Exell (AUS), and last year’s Olympia winner, IJsbrand Chardon (NED).

Since its inception at Olympia three years ago, FEI World Cup™ Driving has become a favourite amongst regular visitors to the Show who thrill to the spectacle of the world’s top four-in-hand drivers manoeuvring their horses at speed round an exacting course.

Triumphant from winning the gold medal at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy in August, Australia’s Boyd Exell heads the line up at this year’s Olympia bringing with him his usual masterly rein-handling skills and split-second timing. Last year’s Olympia winner, IJsbrand Chardon (NED), himself many times World Champion, will no doubt be looking to defend his title but he will face strong competition also from his fellow countrymen Theo Timmerman and Koos de Ronde. Together these three took the team gold medal at this year’s World Equestrian Games with Timmerman claiming individual bronze.

Representing Great Britain as a wild card is Daniel Naprous, who previously competed at Olympia in 2012. Naprous, who combines his sport of carriage driving with a successful career in stunt riding and driving, will doubtless have the support of the home crowd as the only Brit competing in the competition. Completing the competitive line-up are Fredrik Persson (SWE) and Glenn Geerts (BEL), both highly accomplished and successful four-in-hand drivers.

The driving competitions are scheduled for Thursday 18, Friday 19 and Saturday 20 December, the FEI World Cup™ Driving Final, presented by Dodson & Horrell, taking place during the Saturday evening performance. The extremely competitive rounds preceding Saturday’s Final provide drivers and the horses with an excellent opportunity to hone their skills in the indoor arena while keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.

For more information and to purchase tickets online visit the website at www.olympiahorseshow.com or telephone the box office on 0871 230 5580.