Two goals had been set for a short business trip to Ireland. Firstly, to get some Irish-trained horses to come over for the Velka Pardubicka and, secondly, to take further steps to raise the level of safety for horses and riders in races run at Pardubice. Martin Korba, manager of Dostihový spolek, organisers of events at Pardubice racecourse, and Jiří Janda, head groundskeeper at Pardubice racecourse, visited producers of modern fences and hurdles, and also saw a demonstration of the practical advantages of the jumps.

Easyfix fences and hurdles are durable, need practically no maintenance and are, above all, safe for horses and riders. They are the most widely-used steeplechase fences, not only in Ireland, but also in the UK, in the Nordic countries and even in Australia. “There’s a worldwide trend. For example, four years ago, jumps racing was banned in Australia. But now it has been permitted again, thanks to the fences from Ireland. If we want to keep up with racing abroad, and if we want horses to come here from abroad, we have to keep in contact with the best in the world. We want to bring this kind of fences to Pardubice, too,” says Martin Korba, deputy chairman of the board and executive manager of Dostihový spolek. The question will now be whether the necessary money can be obtained. Pardubice racecourse would ideally buy 8 fences and 8 hurdles. “We expect to have one of these fences on show at the opening meeting in May [Monday, May 8^th], when we are also expecting a delegation from Ireland. Some very good collaboration could arise,” Korba adds.

Racecourse groundskeeper Jiří Janda is also impressed by the modern fences and hurdles, particularly by their safety and their durability. “We saw some fences that have been in use for 20 years, and they looked like new. They’ll save money on maintenance. But above all, they’re safe. If a horse comes towards them at speed and then refuses to jump, it will just slip through to the other side, and nothing should happen to the horse,” Jiří Janda points out. “We should also have in mind that the obstacles are different at each of our racecourses. If we want to bring along a generation of horses for the Velka Pardubicka, and to win races abroad, these fences would provide opportunities. If each racecourse had the same fences, 130 centimetres in height, it would also help in training horses in the technique for jumping the Taxis.”

Both men also visited Gordon Elliot’s training centre. His horse Bless the Wings could run in this year’s 127^th renewal of the Velka Pardubicka with Česká pojišťovna. “Autumn is still far away, but Gordon Elliot is giving it serious consideration. In order to support his decision, and to attract other potential foreign runners in the Velka Pardubicka, we are negotiating with the Town of Pardubice about making a contribution to transportation costs. A further source of support is from innovations in connection with the Crystal Cup [series of international crosscountry steeplechases], which we were able to push through,” Martin Korba indicates.

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This Pardubice racecourse press release was translated by Robin Healey