The FEI World Cup Dressage trail heads to Belgium next week as the Flanders Christmas Horse Show in Mechelen's Nekkerhal hosts the fifth Western European League qualifier.
Hot favourites must be Spain's Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Beauvalais who triumphed at Olympia last week and were runner-up in Stockholm. They currently occupy fourth place in the points' standings on 37.
British rider Carl Hester, who lies eighth on 30 points, has been delighted with the way Escapado's confidence has grown over his two FEI World Cup outings this season. After fourth in Maastricht and second at Olympia, Hester is out to grab more points now he has decided to go all out for trip to Las Vegas, even though his late entry to Mechelen will mean leaving home after an early lunch on Christmas Day!
From Holland, Edward Gal and Sven Rothenberger are among those making the trip with Gribaldi and Barclay II. Rothenberger lies tenth and will be hoping for a result along the lines of his third-placed Aarhus run. Gal was sixth in Maastricht but, down the list in 29th place, will have some running to make up here.
German rider Gina Capellmann-Luetkemeier (who shares the tenth place with Sven Rothenberger with 24 points) has entered Amando. The 14-year-old Swedish gelding originally bought from Gina's sister Nadine has produced two consistent fifth places this season.
Expect some major changes to the leader board next Wednesday, although no one can catch Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff. The German rider can sit back and enjoy Christmas with her family knowing that the 65 points she has accumulated so far have given her sufficient lead to stay in front at least until the New Year.
Timetable
Tuesday 28th December 10.45h
FEI World Cup Dressage Qualifier
Presented by Nashuatec, Grand Prix qualification
Wednesday 29th December, 15.00h
FEI World Cup Freestyle to Music Qualifier
Presented by Nashuatec
Images copyrighted: Dirk Caremans - No reproduction allowed
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2004-2005 World Cup Finals