The FEI European Pony
Championships 2010

Presented by Bishop Burton College

28th July - 1st August 2010

On behalf of British Eventing I would like to say how pleased and grateful we are that Bishop Burton College is hosting this very important championship this year. It is a big undertaking with all sorts of challenges and I am sure that you and your team will do a superb job.

These championships are very important for all sorts of reasons, not just as a championship but also as a key element and opportunity in horse and rider development. The competition will be first class and as host nation we are confident that everyone who comes along will have a terrific experience.

Mike Etherington-Smith, Chief Executive British Eventing

I’m very encouraged by the College and its facilities. The new arena is a good size and it’s all very competitor-friendly – it’s a splendid setting for the Championships.

The fact that the surface went down prior the Christmas is great as it’ll have been through a winter and will be in fantastic condition for July.

Mark McGowan, Show Jumping course designer

The College is unbelievable. It just gets better and better each time I visit and now it’s in a different league.

It all looks really good, it’s a top-class facility and improves more and more – it’ll be a great venue for the Pony Europeans.

Oliver Townend, eventing European gold medallist and 2009 winner of Badminton and Burghley

I’d heard great things about the College before I came here and I’m not disappointed. It’s all of a very high standard and I’m impressed.

Geoff Billington, Former Olympian and 2007 Hickstead Derby Champion

Bishop Burton College is a great venue for the 2010 Pony European Championships. There’s lots of space and it’s very clear that a lot of work has been done and it all looks very fresh.

This time of year (November) is the best time to see the venue as it will only be better in July. The College is lucky as it has such fantastic facilities.

Christian Persson, Eventing Technical Delegate, FEI

It’s a fantastic venue. We came on the invitation of British Eventing and we were delighted to do so. To be able to visit and have a look at the place prior to the championships is very useful.

All of the riders we brought with us thoroughly enjoyed themselves. This is a fabulous venue for the Europeans, with a wonderful, undulating cross country course. The sod is lovely with fabulous going.

Sue Shortt, Chef d’Equipe, Irish Pony Eventing Team

I’ve never designed for the Pony Europeans or for a European championship so it’s a real feather in the cap.

I chased it hard and really pestered for it and it will be really interesting to lay out and work on a project of this size.

Topographically it’s great and the equine facilities at the College are excellent.

Eric Winter, Cross Country course designer

The facilities are great – I’ve never been up to Bishop Burton College before but I’m really impressed. The stables are really nice, the ground is perfect – everyone’s done a fantastic job.

It’s nice to have everything in one place too – all the accommodation and the cafes – it’s like a little village and I’m sure it’ll make for a great atmosphere during the championships.

Laura Collett, Young Rider Champion 2009, Team Gold and Individual Bronze medal winner, Pony European Championships, 2005

The College’s recent redevelopment has provided the ideal platform from which to attract a major equestrian event, as Bishop Burton is able to offer the high quality facilities that are required to support a major Championship.

With the on-site accommodation, catering and infrastructure that are needed; together with the superb specialist equestrian facilities that will also be in place.

This is a major achievement and one which places Bishop Burton College very firmly in the spotlight.

Chris Shaw, Regional Director, British Eventing

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