Located to the east of The Netherlands and easily accessible by the efficient Dutch motorways, Peelbergen Equestrian Centre hosted the Kronenburg CAIO located in an equine lovers paradise with every other small farm or holding demonstrating why The Gelderland is so synonymous with horses. The Netherlands always seems so easy to access and is also a great destination for friends and family.

The international competitors numbering over 200 were welcomed by the established  bitter northerly wind which reduced over the long weekend to give some warm sunny spells, but which was responsible for a slightly dusty horsebox park with the grassy overflow field meaning longer journeys for some but a more pleasant environment for cheeky ponies looking to prioritise a little grazing.

With a background of busy arable activities, the whole area impresses with neat, tidy houses and farms and well-manicured gardens both in town and country. Nothing was too much trouble for the organisers who gave warm welcomes and efficient advice.

Peelbergen is an impressive facility with three indoor arenas and two main outside arenas, with a central raised café and viewing pier adequately providing shelter when required and sustenance after the pressures of competition. The design lends itself to easy circulation whether by foot, bike or horse and the clever design and space allowed a calm and social atmosphere.

With 41 horse fours present, the sight of so many horses warming up together for the cones showed complete skill from so many whips. I did not see a single incident or unhappy horse or pony after the dressage days. Noticeably the standard of international competition moves inexorably on. These are primarily arenas for the ridden horse but appeared to withstand the driving, although the singles maybe found the going a little heavy for some smaller combinations.

The sight of an over determined ear-pod equipped tractor driver watering the surface while the horse four drivers were walking the cones course gave me much pleasure as such intent, mindful of his disappearing load,  appeared to have no recognition of World Champions or national heroes and many a horse four driver narrowly escaped a good soaking by moving a little faster than they normally do.  In fact, my mind wandered to proposing a new FEI discipline.

With so many competitors’, the marathon and cones were split over the Saturday and Sunday, but with the obstacles designed in such a way that supporting and spectating was easily accomplished at every obstacle. These international standard obstacles were themed, visually dramatic and challenging as we have come to expect in Europe.  It is so much easier for all concerned if the design is logical and enables judges and emergency staff to react quickly. I especially enjoyed watching obstacle six from a bridge across a closed road and obstacle seven, the second water obstacle, from a purpose-built spectator platform on a grassy bank. One really could make a choice to follow through every obstacle without carrying a defibrillator in the back pocket.

It was great to see Team GB represented in several classes with notable performances by John Ripley and Sophia Routledge. It was also great to see British drivers acting as grooms (Philippa Scott and Phoebe Matthews) and to catch up so many friends and acquaintances. It’s that sort of place. But Brexit has meant that the expense of competing is prohibitive making international competition an aspiration rather than the norm with the additional journey hours and bureaucratic requirements not welcome.

My support role meant using the horsebox as a taxi and returning from a rather good lunch after the competition, and distracted by a historical monument, thinking all was well, and passengers were safely secured in the living area, I still managed to leave one behind. The most important passenger as well. The last time I remember that happening was 40 years ago on the M6, long before mobile phones.  Would I go again? You bet I would.

PS I was particularly impressed by Bram Chardon’s driving and if he’s anything like his father, who is still going strong, he will be around for a long time.  He won the Dutch championship and did enough to keep Koos de Ronde at bay.

And I was saddened by the passing of Eyk Backers.  He was a great friend to the Bassetts in the 80’s, when I was helping them with their pony teams, and a former Dutch National Pony Team Champion.