Release date: 04/08/2011 |    

Preparations are in high gear for the Horse Festival with competitions set to start on Friday 5th August at 9am.

Local, national and international riders and approximately 500 horses have begun to descend on the Netherlands venue in Valkenswaard in readiness for a weekend of top class show jumping.

Technical Event Director, Dirk Borst has been coordinating the infrastructure set up for the next two weeks of jumping. “This year we are catering for a lot more horses and the infrastructure is greater than in previous years,” commented Dirk, “We have an added bonus with this event as we have been able to take a little more time in setting up to make it absolutely perfect. Often with our show jumping events we have only a couple of days to set up and a couple of days after the event to remove it all.”

“We have many more commercial stands this year, “ he added.

“They completely fit well around the Top Gun Bar to make the Place de Concours a very nice environment for a spirited ambiance.”

Organizers, volunteers and local contractors have been kept very busy over the past few weeks leaving no stone unturned to provide the best conditions for riders, crews, VIP’s and spectators.

The arenas are in immaculate condition and over the past 12 months the main arena has been completely renewed to present a new high-tec turfed surface.

The trade-stand area presents the highest quality equestrian and leisure products and with everything located in close proximity to the arenas the atmosphere is spirited.

The Top Gun bar is a perfect meeting place for spectators who can mingle with the world’s best riders and enjoy the music after a full day of competitions. Children are catered for within their own playground zone providing face painting and fun activities.

A wonderful location is also on offer for the horses. Adjoining the venue is acres of forest with great riding out and in the venue are pro-surface warm-up and training areas.

We welcome you to the Horse Festival of Valkenswaard (5-7th August) and the International Concours of Valkenswaard (12-14th September). If you can’t make it to the venue, where parking and entry is free, then you can take it in via Global Champions Tour website.

FULL RESULTS available at http://results.scgvisual.com/2011/valkenswaard/

Photo credits: GCT

Dirk Borst image from photostationonline