Shows that we attended

European Championships 25-27 juli 2008 in Redefin, Germany

We had great fun before it all began with washing our three mares that went with us to Germany. Since Klaas didn't wash a pony for years, it had to be done by Michelle all alone. The ladies that would make the trip were Xanadu, Whise Girl van de Amstelhof and Wait and See of Shetlane, but they were not very happy to go, it seemed. And it already was eleven in the evening before the washing was done! On thursday we loaded up the truck and we did some shopping, so we were ready to leave!

After a long 6,5 hour drive en about 550 kilometers we arrived on friday around lunch time. The little town Redefin in the former East Germany and there's not much to do. Well there is this big 'landgestüt' where horses are trained for riding. It has a big outside and inside arena for a yearly stallionshow, but the main building is really impressive, take a look at the photo!

First we had to visit the vet and after that we could enter the premises with our ponies. Papers and chips were checked and after that it was on to the stables. The Dutch stables were all decorated with orange flags by people who arrived before us. We took care of the ponies and then we picked up the numbers and took a look around.
We found some great halters and foalhalters so we spent our time well. Now it was one o'clock in the afternoon and 35 degrees celcius, but inside the tents it wasn't too warm however. Then we thought it was time to take a shower so we left for the hotel. Like a lot of the other Dutchies we stayed in a hotel in Ludwigslust, about 20 kilometers away from Redefin. Around four we were back on the premises because it was promised there would be a great barbecue for welcoming us. That was a dissapointment really. So back in the hotel we took another bite and we were not alone, eating at this late hour. Soon after that we went to bed because the next day it was examination time!

After an early breakfast we arrived around eight o'clock in Redefin. Ilse and Willeke already fed our ponies and gave them water. Really girls, thanks very much again for taking care! They camped close to the terrain and stables so if there would be anything coming up then they could be there very quickly. At 11.15 we had to enter the ring with Xanadu for the two year mares category. Right after that category three year mares had to be done, where Whise Girl and Wait and See had to come up. After brushing and polishing our ponies we took a look at the examination itself. It appeared to be different from what we know from Holland. Ponies without foals had to be brought in without a rider and only a short whip was allowed. Also the bringing up was different. First you had to enter with all the attendants and then the ring was closed. Running one by one and back to the end. And only then each pony on it's own. Then it was stepping around again and get back in line. This took about 45 minutes per category alone! There were three different main categories: black, small and colour. In the small ring some special things happened, like one of the lowest rated ponies being ranked number 1. So that was a warning for us. Lucky for us we had to enter ring 1, where only blacks were examined. The examination in that ring seemed to be not so strict.

After walking around with Xanadu for half an hour she finally was allowed to enter the ring. My father wanted to bring her up himself because she was a little stressed. She did well anyway. But having seen this different way of examination I wasn't too sure that she would get ahead of the rest. Meanwhile Ebba (Jeppson) and I went to get Whise and Wait and when we came back, Xanadu was placed first with a golden medal! Which means a first premium in Holland!
Now Ebba and I had to enter the ring. Whise Girl was really stressed but I kept on walking with her and the made here easier. Nevertheless I had to line up with her in the ring. I never knew that a pony could jump like that! Wait did fine and kept on walking beautiful. Finally it was Wait that got called back as a first and Whise as a second. After that, the golden medal winners of the two and three year category had to get back in the ring. No there had te be made a selection which pony was the best of the day.
And that became Xanadu: she got 'tagesieger', while Wait was pronounced 'Reserve sieger'. When the prizes were given we were told that all three could come back on sunday for the championsring. Als a two year pony from the family Termeer also was invited back. After that, I helped Ebba to bring up Mathilda and she became 'tagesieger' in the category three year and older mares with foals, and she could come back on sunday as well.

That night there was a great dinner in a restaurant just on the edge of the town. Surely I forgot to bring the tickets so Tiffany and I had to go back and get them. But then we could come in without the tickets so we were glad not having to go back. After a nice evening we got back to get some sleep because of the next examination day.
The championship titled Black in Hand Junior was ment for foals, yearlings, two year olds and three year olds. But there were stallions between them also! After half an hour Whise Girl, Xanadu and an two year old stallion could stay in the ring. If possible, Whise Girl was even more obnoxious than the day before and wouldn't stand still. That took her away from the better position but with an overall third spot we are happy anyway. By then, Xanadu was asked to appear and she became European Black in hand Junior Champion. After a lot of hassle we got a stole and all the champions had to come back for a parade. This would end up in a choice of the Overall Champion. It was Ricardo van de Langenhorst who got that title. Mathilda became champion black mares! And Whitney van diepenbroek owned by the family Termeer became European Small in Hand Junior Champion.

After a long journey we got back home late that sunday evening. It had been a great weekend, with great champions, beautiful weather, a good atmosphere and a great place to stay. In 2010 they will organize this show in The Netherlands and I hope that this time it will be a better effort than in Germany, where they had a lot of loose ends.