The seven drivers competing at the fourth leg of the FEI World Cup Driving in Belgium will be confronted with a true indoor water splash in the course. The Flanders Christmas Horse Show in the Nekkerhal in Mechelen (26-30 December) is introducing indoor eventing on its programme. German course designer Falk Böhnisch has taken advantage of this new phenomenon in Mechelen by including the water splash, especially constructed for the eventing competition, in the driving course. It is the second time a water obstacle is used indoors; the FEI World Cup competition in Geneva in 2002 also included a water splash.

The wild cards in Mechelen are allocated to home drivers Gert Schrijvers, winner of the FEI World Cup Driving in Mechelen in 2003, and Achille Snoeys. They can expect very strong competition from the current leader of the standings Michael Freund, Hannover-winner Ysbrand Chardon, Switzerland’s Werner Ulrich, Zoltan Lazar from Hungary and Sweden's Fredrik Persson. The Willy Naessens warm up, a Top Score Competition, will take place on Sunday, 26 December at 17h50. The obstacles, amongst which the water splash, carry points. Each obstacle may be approached twice in both directions. By correctly driving the obstacles, the competitor is credited with points. The winner is the competitor who has obtained the highest number of points within the time allowed. The Walcon World Cup is scheduled on Monday, 27 December, at 21h15. This competition will take place over two rounds; the best three competitors of the first round qualify for the second round.

For further information:
- on the FEI World Cup Driving season, including standings, future competitions, driver’s biographies, rules: www.worldcupdriving.com
- on CAI-W Mechelen: www.jumping-mechelen.com

Media contact CAI-W Mechelen:
Edith de Reys, mobile: +32 475 659281, e-mail: edith.dereys@ping.be