20 April 2016
Driving Valkenswaard International, an identity of its own
From Thursday April 28th to Sunday May 1st the home base in Valkenswaard NL, of three time World Champion Boyd Exell will be the central focus of the international driving sport.
Under the name 'Driving Valkenswaard International' the Australian along with his team are organizing an international three star combined driving competition for pair and four-in-hand horses on the 'Horse boulevard' in Valkenswaard. Preparations for this large event are nearing completion.
Six of the seven marathon obstacles are on the main grounds and are designed by four star course designer Jeroen Houterman. Houterman will also be the course designer at the World Championships in Breda. Section A will be driven through the forests of Valkenswaard.
According to Jeroen: " Six of the seven obstacles are permanent and over 400 poles have been used in the construction. The nine-man construction crew (with the fitting name "the Groenen-Group") have been busy every Saturday since the end of January building the obstacles under the leadership of Louis Groenen
One obstacle stands in a grove of cherry trees. "It would be perfect if they bloom during the competition weekend", hopes Jeroen. Another eye-catcher is "De Bult", a hill that is six meters high and on such a steep incline that a four-in-hand driver loses sight of his leaders for a moment while ascending!
In addition to the six permanent obstacles, a seventh will be built inside the indoor arena sponsored by Hugh Scott-Barrett, the groom of six time World Cup champion Exell. The HSB obstacle will have upbeat music as the drivers enter the arena giving the atmosphere of an indoor world cup competition.
With the contruction of these show grounds and permanent obstacles, Driving Valkenswaard International is set to be a fixture on the international driving calendar for years to come.
For more information: www.drivingvalkenswaard.com
Every obstacle will have its own unique appearance according to the wishes of the collaborating sponsor and are all centrally located to make viewing easy for the spectators. "We want to bring the sport to the people instead of the other way around. You might just have to bring a rain suit if you are standing too close to the water obstacle!" tells Jeroen enthousiastically. In addition to the large water obstacle there is also a smaller water hazard with an 18 metre long bridge sponsored by Willy Naessens, Boyd Exells main sponsor.
