The 2011 European Pony Championships have officially kicked off yesterday 26 July 2011 with an opening ceremony and parade of nations at the Jaszkowo Equestrian centre in Jaszkowo, Poland.
On Tuesday morning the dressage ponies were measured starting at 8.00 AM and the vet inspection followed at 12h30. After a chef d'equipe meeting at 15h30, everything was being prepared for the opening ceremony which started at 19h00.
The pony dressage riders arrived on the show grounds on Monday and were surprised to see that no arena was in place yet for the European Championships. Fortunately by Tuesday white sand footing was dropped on a field as main dressage arena. The bleachers for the spectators are stacked wooden pellets. The warm up ring is just an old pasture from which stones were being picked in the morning to have it ready for a big FEI championship. The main outdoor arena, which serves as show jumping stadium, is in excellent condition and was the spot for the parade of nations.
Because the preparations are taking longer than expected the team championship test will not be split up into two groups and start on Wednesday, but the class will be held in its entirety on Thursday.
Polish photographer Malgorzata Frysztak provided a large photo report from the opening ceremony at the 2011 European Pony Championships.
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