How is eventing ever going to survive?
Eventing is my number one discipline of equestrian sport. No, come to think about it, that is not entirely true. Standardbred racing and eventing are my number one disciplines of equestrian sport.
In all I have lived and breathed both eventing and standardbred racing my whole life.
Did I ever ride five star [CCI5*-L] competitions?
No, I would never have dared to. I made sure to keep myself on a more moderate 1.10m level.
Did I ever watch five star [CCI5*-L] competitions?
Yes, since I was about 14 years old me and my late father watched every single copy of Badminton and Burghley Horse Trials.
In adult life I’ve also been fortunate enough to visit the European five stars many many times.
But not only did I have the opportunity to visit these amazing events. By doing so I also had the opportunity to walk these cross country courses with some of the most experienced riders, course designers and trainers in the world.
Getting experience, no matter how and what, is how you learn.
I have also visited and followed the various championship levels of eventing. You know the ones stretching from the European championships for ponies, juniors and young riders up to the top level senior championships.
Back in the day I have also been part of the organising committee for national events. Once upon a time I even fiddled around as a speaker during the cross country phase.
Last but not least, I’ve probably walked thousands and thousands of kilometres along various national and international cross country tracks across Western Europe and Poland.
