FEI DRIVING WORLD CUP: THE SEASON KICKS OFF IN LYON !
FEI DRIVING WORLD CUP: THE SEASON KICKS OFF IN LYON! As in 2019, the 2021-2022 FEI Driving World Cup season will begin in Lyon. The Longines Equita Lyon International Equestrian Competition Show will be welcoming seven of the world's top drivers for a show of rare intensity in the arena at Lyon-Eurexpo!
The atmosphere is sure to be electric on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 October! Reserved for the top drivers in the world, the FEI Four-in-hand Indoor Driving World Cup is a breathtaking competition in which the drivers demonstrate their incredible dexterity as they guide their teams around two courses against the clock. During the FEI Driving World Cups hosted in Lyon in 2018 and 2019, the grandstands were full for both legs of the competitions.
"The spectators in Lyon are incredible. The class on Saturday takes place quite early in the day but right from the beginning of the competition, the stands are always full of people cheering on the teams. It is really amazing to see so many people. It's wonderful for the sport !" says Jeroen Houterman, the course designer, who will be back at the competition in Lyon this year.
The FEI Driving World Cup explained by Jeroen Houterman, the course designer, "An FEI World Cup stage is held over two legs. On Saturday, the first round enables the drivers and horses to get their bearings. The horses have to discover the track, the lights, the public, and the drivers test their carriages against the difficulties of the course, which remains the same the next day. The ranking after the first round determines the starting order for the second round. The drivers have fifteen minutes to memorise the course and decide which options they want to take. Often, they try out certain paths around the course on the first day and then watch the videos to determine the best choices for the second round. On Sunday, all the drivers start from scratch and have to complete the course as quickly as possible, without knocking anything over on their way. So, everything is possible !" The drivers entered in the FEI Driving World Cup at Equita Lyon, International Equestrian Competition.
Boyd Exell (AUS), eight-time winner of the FEI Driving World Cup Final; winner of the last FEI Driving World Cup in Lyon (2019).
Koos de Ronde (NED), one-time winner of the FEI Driving World Cup Final.
Mareike Harm (GER), Glenn Geerts (BEL), 3rd at the FEI Driving World Cup Final in 2019.
Dries Degrieck (BEL), Benjamin Aillaud (SUI).
Jérôme Voutaz (SUI), 2nd in the FEI Driving World Cup Final in 2017 and 2018; winner of the FEI Driving World Cup in Lyon in 2018.
THE FEI WORLD CUP DRIVING EVENTS
FEI Driving World CupTM presented by Laiterie de Montaigu, first round: Saturday 30 October, 8.30am.
FEI Driving World CupTM presented by Laiterie de Montaigu, second round: Sunday 31 October, 4.40pm