Swedish Pony Driving - Om svenska ponnylandslaget i körning.

Dorthealyst, 18 – 22 July 2007
The complete starting list from World Driving Championship Pony 07 is now official. 16 nations have entered representing 3 continents. Jessica Meredith will be representing Australia with a pair of unknown origin. The United States of America sends a full team of two singles, two pairs and 2 four-in-hands. With two exceptions the Americans will bring European ponies: Dartmoor, Welsh, Connemara and a German sports pony, making it a total of 18 ponies on the American team.
Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden and of course Denmark will also send full teams with two competitors in each of the three categories. All in all there will be 74 competitors with almost 200 ponies. Most of these 74 competitors will bring 2 different carriages, one for dressage and cones and one for marathon. A spare pony as allowed for pairs and four-in-hands.
The stable area will be fenced and restricted to authorised personnel only because of smittefare and anti-doping purposes. All ponies will be checked upon arrival by a vet and the president of the ground jury to identify that they are indeed the ponies qualified and entered and to determine that they are sound and fit to compete in a world championship. Each pony carries his/her own FEI passport with measurements and colour/markings – just like a person.
The starting order will be determined by a draw that takes place at Dorthealyst Wednesday afternoon. The result will be posted on the official website immediately upon completion.
Dorthealyst is the home grounds of the Danish Driving Society and where they usually hold their competitions. There are two 40 x 100 m dressage areas and a number of permanent obstacles that have been extensively rebuilt and modified for the occasion. One of the obstacles now resembles a village with school, church, blacksmith shop etc. for the competitors to drive around in.
Carriage driving is a family sport where the whole family and friends can be together on the same project, and even very small children enjoy watching the ponies. But for those who find it a bit tedious for four whole days, Kompan has sponsored a playground with swings and slides and rocking horses where the children can play supervised by their parents. Kompan is an international company, which has been awarded the ‘Top Investor Award’ for their active investment in the Czech Republic.