From 26 until 30 December the Mechelen Nekkerhal will be the place to be for every horse lover. Top sport is guaranteed with three World Cups (jumping, driving and voltage) and a high level dressage competition. But also a CSI2* with a lot of Belgian riders and good riders from abroad and a CSIU25 for young talents below 25. New this year is a new initiative of the FEI, the FEI World Jumping Ponies Trophy, an international pony competition of the highest level! In order to organize this top event a budget of 3 000 000 Euro is necessary. The total prizemoney for this year is 618 982 Euro (two Land Rovers included) for the international classes and 24 320 Euro for the national classes. Last year more than 85 000 visitors made the trip to Flanders Christmas Horse Show. Presale has started on October 17th at www.teleticketservice.com. The best is to purchase a ticket now, presale is cheaper and you are sure to have a seat, often the top days are sold out before the event has started.
The opening day, this year Monday December 26th is traditionally reserved for the youngest with the Big JM Kids Day Show, a spectacular show with ponies, horses, dance acts and music by famous groups like Prinsessia and the Ghost Rockers. New on the program is the Integration Day for the G sport, bringing sport for the disabled in the spot lights. The Integration Day also gives the opportunity to the disabled and the disadvantaged to visit the show. On Monday evening we will also know the winners of the different Awards that are traditionally handed over in Mechelen; After the late withdrawal of one of the sponsors CDI is forced to lower one star. No problem for the Belgian dressage lovers because Mechelen will offer great sport with the biggest stars of the dressage world. Like last year the first day, Tuesday, the selections for the finales are on the program, on Wednesday you can enjoy the Kür GP and Inter I. The rest of the day on Tuesday the arena is reserved for horse breeding with competitions for approved stallions and as highlight the Léon Melchior Open Sires of the World. The evening ends with the Land Rover Masters, a thrilling class with a brand new Discovery Sport for the winner. Wednesday evening it’s time for the show jumpers with the final of the CSIU25, the CSIW5 Prize KBC Bank & Verzekeringen and the Flandria Rent Six Bar.
Thursday offers a varied program: the FEI World Cup vaulting, the warm up competition of driving and different international show jumping classes. Thursday evening the Grand Prix Sport Vlaanderen will attract the best riders and afterwards all bets are off in the Fancy Dress. Last but not least of course Friday with as top of the bill the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping presented by Land Rover, with 150 000 Euro prize fund and a Discovery Sport for the winner. The drivers have the honour to close the week with the FEI World Cup Four-in-hand, not only top sport but also a great atmosphere to end this top event. This is only a short summary of the program on the A arena, at the same time we have a complete program on the B arena with exciting national and international classes, regional and national finals for ponies and horses and the final of the Zangersheide free jumping competition for two years old horses. As for the infrastructure Jumping Mechelen introduces some changes. The B arena will be located more centrally surrounded by the commercial stands and food and beverage stands. Innovations to offer something different and to make it more enjoyable for public and exhibitors. Don’t forget to visit us in the Nekkerhal between Christmas and New Year!
* Fly with us to the stars * You can find our exclusive trailer here: ClipMyHorse.TV