The European Pony Racing Association (EPRA) held its inaugural annual meeting at Kincsem Park Racecourse, Budapest, Hungary on September 11th. Those in charge of Pony Racing in eight countries - Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Norway, Slovakia and Sweden - attended the meeting, which was chaired by EMHF Secretary-General, Paull Khan.
The EPRA, which has been set up by the EMHF, aims to:
provide a forum through which those involved in organising Pony Racing in EMHF member countries may meet and discuss matters of mutual interest and concern.
improve members’ knowledge of Pony Racing in other EMHF countries
identify best practice in the organisation and administration of Pony Racing, and encourage its adoption
identify ways in which members can collaborate to promote Pony Racing or improve its organisation and administration and
further EMHF member Racing Authorities’ knowledge of Pony Racing in the region.
In all, thirteen EMHF member countries are members of the EPRA, the remainder being Denmark, Greece, Italy, Spain, Switzerland.
Paull Khan remarked: "The response to the suggestion that we should start a pan-European association for the Pony Racing community has been overwhelmingly positive, and I was delighted with the turnout. Hungary proved the ideal venue at which to hold our first in-person meeting. All were impressed by the professionalism of the organisation of the three pony races, and by the diverse facilities at Kincsem Park.
" We had stimulating discussions, I think we all learnt a lot, and we look forward to taking the work of this new association forward to the benefit, not only of Pony Racing, but of European racing more generally."
Delegates at the inaugural European Pony Racing Association meeting, at Kincsem Park Racecourse, Budapest.