It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Arezzo in Italy for the FEI European Combined Championships for Ponies 2013.  The Arezzo Equestrian Centre, which has played host to numerous top-level events in recent years, provides the perfect setting for competitors in the three disciplines of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, and I believe we can look forward to a wonderful week of competition.

There was double-gold for Germany, Great Britain and Ireland at last year’s Championships in France where Sanne Vos also claimed the Individual Dressage title for The Netherlands only to be pipped by Germany’s Semmeike Rothenberger in the closely-fought Freestyle. The standard of competition in all disciplines continues to astound, as our youngest athletes demonstrate increasingly high levels of professionalism, dedication, flair and finesse. Having fun, however, is also a key element of the competitive experience at this stage of any equestrian career, and I very much hope that the young people taking part will enjoy each other’s company and make many new friends while also giving of their competitive best over the next few days. Friendships forged here may last a life-time and be some of the most significant you will ever make.

Many of the ponies in action here are legends in their own right. They know what it is to stand in the winner’s enclosure because they have done it so many times before with a number of different riders. The lucky young people who get the opportunity to compete with these special ones know that they can rely on the pony’s experience and honesty to get them through. But whether yours is bursting with talent or just trying to give his all, remember to treat your pony with all the respect, care and skill you can muster. Horsemen and women are judged not just by their results, but by their attitude to the wonderful creatures without whom our sports would not exist.

On behalf of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), I send my best wishes to each and every one of the athletes, and to their parents, families, trainers and supporters who have brought them thus far. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the organising committee, officials, volunteers and spectators without whose dedication and enthusiasm these Championhips could not take place.