In recent years, Baborowko in the western part of Poland., just outside Poznan, has become a ‘must-visit’ on the eventing world’s map. Earlier this year the Baborowko Spring Festival attracted some elite riders including former world number one, Oliver Townend, as well as Andreas Dibowski – a frequent visitor to Baborówko events – and Sweden’s Sara Algotsson-Ostholt. It’s a mark of the value placed in this top-ten eventing show by well-known riders. It’s no wonder, therefore, that the autumn edition of Baborowko Show which ran from September 28-30, attracted Poland’s own top eventing riders, including Pawel Spisak, Jan Kaminski (the reigning Polish eventing champion), and Pawel Warszawski, as well as many riders from Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Italy.

It was not only sporting rivalry that brought so many riders and eventing professionals to Baborowko. Many of them also came in pursuit of the lightness Polish-bred eventing horses can still offer. Breeders and riders were keen spectators during the Baborowko Horse Sale show organized on the Saturday evening (September 29) in a very picturesque 19th-century barn located in the grounds of the Baborowko Stud Farm.

Sixteen horses of different breeds, mostly aged between four and six, were presented during the auction. They had been carefully selected in advance, and took part in a special training program in Baborowko during which they were strictly assessed in terms of their eventing potential, and  trained by the team of riders led by Pawel Warszawski – the Auction Sport Coordinator. “We selected the horses through na open recruitment process. All horses were welcome. First we assessed them based on their jumping and eventing skills via videos or photographs submitted by their owers. The horses were then ‘given’ to us for around two months for preparation training. We took full responsibility for the horses, ensuring that the risk from any injuries was minimized. Then together with the owners we set the starting price. Each owner also had the right to buy his or her own horse at the auction. Veterinary examinations were made available to prospective buyers, who could also consult the vets from the Equi Vet Service Clinic. They could also test ride the horses, who were officially presented before the auction in the main hippodrome. I personally presented five horses this year.” (Pawel Warszawski is one of the best Polish eventing riders and a medallist in the Polish Eventing Cup and Polish eventing championships)...

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