Record-breaking number of entries at Equestrian Festival Baborówko

Over 200 athletes with 350 horses from 25 countries will take part in Equestrian Festival Baborówko on the last weekend of May. Baborówko will host the most titled Polish and foreign eventers – Olympians, participants of European Championships, World Equestrian Games and Polish National Championships. 

The program includes six international classes: CCI4*-S, CCI4*-L, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, CCIYH2*-S for 6-year-old horses as well as CCI1*. The CCI4*-S will once again select the Polish Champions in the senior category. 

Thanks to the suport of the show’s patron, Mr. Roman Roszkiewicz, the show in Baborówko will once again include a prize pool unparalleled in Polish eventing – 415 000 PLN (£78,992). This places Baborówko in the sixth place among the highest subsidized eventing shows in the world. The most important class will be the CCI4*-S, where the prize money will reach 320 000 PLN (£60,909). The winner will cash a check for 100 000 PLN (£19,034). 

We are very happy about the full entry lsits. We are extremely proud that we will have the chance to welcome star eventers like Ingrid Klimke or Michael Jung. The presence of such high-level athletes is also a chance for Polish riders to compete against the best. That is exceptionally important for the preparation plan for the Olympics. – 

I’m sure that the rivalry of riders of this format will deliver an amazing spectacle for the fans. 

says Henryk Święcicki jr., the director of the show

The undisputed start of this year’s Festival will surely be Germany’s Ingrid Klimke (GER), who will compete in Baborówko for the very first time. Throughout her carreer she became a three-time team medalist of the Olympic Games, taking home the silver in Rio de Janeiro (2016) as well as gold in London (2012) and Hong Kong (2008). She is also a multi-medalist of the World Equestrian Games (individual bronze in 2018 and team gold in 2014 and 2006) and European Eventing Championships (individual gold in 2019 and 2017, team gold in 2015, 2013 and 2011, individual silver in 2013 and team bronze in 2011). She is a versatile rider, competing in eventing and dressage. Currently placed 23rd in the eventing rankings of the International Equestrian Federation and sitting at 40th place in the dressage listings. 

The audiences in Baborówko will once again have the chance to cheer on German rider Michael Jung (GER). This athlete has won all titles he possibly could. A two-time individual gold medalist of the Olympic Games (London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, the individual gold medaist of the World Equestrian Games (Kentucky 2010), a three-time gold medalist of the European Championships (2011, 2013, 2015). In 2009, he won the eventing World Cup final. In 2016, as a second eventer in history (alongside Pippa Funnell), he was the Rolex Grand Slam champion, winning three CCI5* events in Burghley, Kentucky and Badminton. Michael Jung is also a successful showjumper, winning classes counting for the world rankings at CSI4* and CSI5* shows. He will compete in Baborówko with 4 horses. 

Frenchman Maxime Livio (FRA) will bring 3 horses to Baborówko. The athlete is currently placed at the 20th position in FEI rankings, competing for France. In 2018 inthe World Equestrian Games in Tryon (USA) he won the bronze team medal. In 2016 the rider won one of the six CCI4* competitions in the world – in Pau (France).

Equestrian Festival Baborówko is always a must for Andreas Dibowski (GER), a titles German rider, who currently sits at the 45^th place in the FEI rankings. The rider attended the Olympics three times. In Hong Kong (2008) he won the gold team medal; in Athens (2004) and Sydney (2000) he was placed 4th in team rank. Andreas Dibowski won the team gold medal at the European Championships twice – in Malmo (2013) and Luhmuehlen (2011). In 2016, he won one of the most important eventing competitions in the World – the CCI5* in Luhmuehlen (GER) with It’s Me xx. 

Sandra Auffarth (GER) will once again visit the show in Baborówko. She is an extremely talented rider, currently placed at the 55th position in the International Equestrian Federation rankings. She has three Olympic medals to her credit – team silver from Rio de Janeiro (2016) as well as team gold and individual bronze from London (2012). In 2014 she took home the team and individual gold at the World Equestrian Games in Caen. She is also a multi-medalist of the European Eventing Championships, including the team gold in 2015 and 2011, as well as two individual silver ones in 2015 and 2011. 

Baborówko will host Belgium’s Karin Donckers (BEL) for the second time. Karin Donckers is a Belgium athlete at 60th rank in the FEI World Eventing Athlete Ranking. Five times she was competing in European Championships, five times – in FEI World Equestrian Games, six times – in FEI World Cup and six times – in Olympic Games (Rio de Janeiro 2016, London 2012, Hong Kong 298, Athens 2004, Sydney 2000 and Barcelona 1992). She was also ranked at 5th place in 2014 at FEI World Equestrian Games in Caen (FRA), and she has won competition CICO3*-NC National Cup in Strzegom in 2019.

As always, the best Polish eventers will also compete in Baborówko. For the second time, the Festival will also be the playground of the Polish National Championships for senior riders. Paweł Spisak, the most titled of them all will fight to defend his eighth gold medal. 12 riders will take part in the Championships. Other riders include: Małgorzata Cybulska, Michał Hycki, Jan Kamiński, Mateusz Kiempa (last year’s silver medalist), Mariusz Kleniuk, Wiktoria Knap, Małgorzata Korycka (last year;s bronze medalist), Paulina Maciejewska, Joanna Pawlak, Kamil Rajnert, Paweł Spisak (last year’s gold medalist) and Paweł Warszawski. 

The competition will be held with the participation of the public in accordance with the currently binding restrictions.

Entry for audiences will be available only on Saturday and Sunday. 

More information can be found at www.festiwal.baborowko.pl

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