Designing the FEI European Pony Championships
An interview with Alain Ponsot, FEI Course Designer & Course Builder for the FEI Pony Europeans 2025
Is there a difference between designing and building a course exclusively for ponies? Do you have different striding?
Designing Pony courses is an absolute favorite of mine. I have the greatest respect and admiration for them. They are so clever and nippy. They always find a way. The striding is not really a problem but my main concern is to always make sure that the best ponies are not being punished by too short distances. The more average ponies can always chip in an extra stride. When I set a combination with few strides on a straight line, I'm always careful to do it with the most forgiving profile (rounded, with brush) and angle.
What do you think will be the most challenging fence/combinations?
All combinations (apart from the first) have real challenging questions and easier long routes so it is more a case of strategy, choosing where to go straight or long than having one or two influential fences. You have leave the start box with a plan but then be quick to eventually reassess it right to the last combination.
View the FEI European Pony Championships courseYour thoughts on safety?
For me, safety has always been paramount, whatever the age. And I feel just as responsible for equine safety. I try to make every question as readable as possible, based on the assumption that the pony has not walked the course and comes in at a certain speed. The pony sometimes just has a few split seconds to read the question. My check list on every fence is color/contrast, perception of depth, a well defined shape, use of different textures, environment. Having all edges sanded off is important too.
Alain uses a CV (Chromatic Vision) Simulator app to show how a horse sees a fence. Horses do not see red, orange and green as we do
Who are the defending champions?
In 2024, the French were 1, 2 and 3 individual and of course team gold, Ireland silver and GB bronze. It is always difficult for me to back any team as I'm a franco-anglo crossbred and work a lot in Ireland explains Alain who works with Tiggy's Trust in Ireland promoting eventing safety for young riders both at home and in competition. He and Olympic rider Sam Watson have created a series of short,informative videos).
Tell us about the venue Boulerie Jump
The Boulerie Jump equestrian centre is close to Le Mans, about 200km south west of Paris. They just hosted the Open French championships with a massive 7,000 entries in dressage, SJ, hunter, vaulting, eventing over 10 days. So it is no mean feat to jump straight into the Pony European championships.
The 2026 Pony Europeans will also be held at the Boulerie Jump equestrian centre.
Alain has been on the tractor for the last two days (and some of the night) to agrivate the track so the footing is at its best.
A few words to finish
I have been very lucky to work under the kind and ever so talented supervision of Pierre Michelet as course adviser and it has been a real pleasure. His advice and experience are always very helpful. A million thanks to my wonderful team who, apart from putting up with me, have done a colossal job making the course looking so amazing. I have been driving to and from Le Haras du Pin where I am designing quite a few courses, the show starting 3 days after the Pony Europeans.
Alain uses the CrossCountry Toolkit software to design all his courses and says "There is no end to your professionalism and efficiency. You made my CD (busy as in busy) year adding the measurements on the app. And so easy to use. And well thought about the yellow/red clips. YOU ARE MAGIC."