EUROPEAN PONY EXPRESS - GERMAN TRAIL
Chronicle of German Trail

 

1989 (21.07.   15:00 – 22:00) Dresden (Elbwiese) --> Schmilka (3 stages)
      • Followed by convoy to Mnisek

1990 (29.6.- 30.6.) Schmilka --> Berlin (Bohnsdorf) (15 stages)
      • On the occasion of 130th anniversary: US Pony Express sent post to Praha (Postmuzeum) and then along the route
      • Monetary union during the ride, according to no final venue in Berlin-Karshorst, route put down to Bohnsdorf

1991 (4.7. – 6.7.) Brandenburg (Havel) --> Schmilka (15 stages)
      • Radio operator to secure route is used for the first time
      • Followed by convoy to Mnisek (Golden City)

1992 (20.8. -22.8.) Schmilka --> Pechau (bei Magdeburg) (19 stages)
      • Persistent rain – mail soaked and damaged
      • Big final event in Pechau with the Indian Council

1993 (17.8. - 19.8.) Karze --> Schmilka (27 stages)
      • The town of Tangermuende was blocked off

1994 (18.8. - 20.8.) Laase --> Schmilka (23 stages)
      • First year without Roland Schrock – Anne Schrock new Chief
      • Route Altendorf-Schmilka was covered on foot

1995 (17.8. - 19.8.) Schmilka --> Fitzen (bei Hamburg) (27 stages)
      • Tangermuende bridge blocked off
      • Relay race Lipten – Calau
      • Deutsche Welle TV accompanies XP near Doemitz

1996 (19.8. – 22.8.) Bassum --> Schmilka (36 stages)
      • Michael Schrock new chief
      • Canoe on the Elbe river at Ferchland
      • Motorway bridge Lipten-Schwarzheide was blocked off
      • A deputation goes to Suchdol nad Odru via Baver City (Strazek)

1997 (20.8. – 23.8.) Schmilka --> Ellenstedt (bei Bremen) (38 stages)
      • Considerable delay at the border due to floods in the Czech Republic
      • Canoe on the Elbe river at Ferchland
      • Due to storms mail was partially damaged
      • All organizers in action for protection of the stage of M. Weissbach
      • Pony Club Ellenstedt organises big final event
      • 18 hours delay in Ellenstedt

1998 (17.8. – 21.8.) Bakum (Lohe) --> Schmilka (39 stages)
      • Honour of the Bassum's mayor
      • Collapsible boat on the Elbe river at Ferchland
      • Side route by Saxonia Pony Express (Saxon Pony Express – 6 stages)
      • Claudia’s super kitchen

1999 (18.8. – 21.8.) Schmilka --> (Löningen) Ellenstedt (39 stages)
      • Harry Karge new chief
      • Rider's failure in Gottschdorf and farmer Hönsch
      • Ferry on the Elbe river at Ferchland
      • Rider's failure on 3 stages Kossebau-Nienwalde-Laase
      • Seerau – veterinarian Ulli rides stag
      • The chess board
      • Horse failure along the road from Bassum (Antje Cordes on Eisel’s horse)
      • Breaking off in Ellenstedt because a horse got into the marshes

2000 (13.8. – 18.8.) Löningen --> Schmilka (41 stages)
      • Action Wolfgang Eisel and Tinka mare Cally
      • Ferry on the Elbe river at Ferchland
      • Earth wasps with Jörg Leiste
      • Hansi's horse transporter runs into engine trouble on motorway building site (resulting in the site being blocked off)

2001 (18.8. – 21.8.) Sebnitz --> Ellenstedt (38 stages)
      • Sebnitz is the border crossing
      • Schwarzheide was moved to Biehlen
      • Rowing boat on the Elbe river at Ferchland

2002 (17.8. – 21.8.) Haren (Ems) --> Sebnitz  (44 stages)

2003 (19.8. – 23.8.) Sebnitz --> Haren (Ems) (44 stages)
      • The fastest, most trouble-free ride

2004 (16.8. – 20.8.) Haren (Ems) --> Sebnitz (44 stages)
      • Martin Bornfleth in action as a substitute rider
      • Wehlen not accessible (nature reserve)
      • Mail for PIN-AG
      • „Bockmuehle“ new handing over point

2005 (23.8. – 27.8.) Sebnitz --> Haren (Ems) (44 stages)
      • Katrin Schrake new chief
      • Rider's failure on stage Biehlen - Lug
      • Persistent rain – mail soaked

2006 (12.8. – 16.8.) Rütenbrock / Ter Apel --> Sebnitz (45 stages)
      • The Netherlands reached

2007  (20.8. – 24.8.) Sebnitz --> Rütenbrock / Ter Apel (44 stages)
      • Berlin was left out for the first time
      • Only German mail in the baggage

2008  (18.8. – 22.8.) Rütenbrock / Ter Apel --> Sebnitz (44 stages)
      • Horse threw rider near Steinberg and escaped to bull's pasture
      • Many double stages ridden

2009  (24.8. – 28.8.) Sebnitz --> Rütenbrock / Ter Apel (44 stages)
      • Thomas Müller new chief
      • Sometimes up to 5 and a half hours late
      • The ferry across the Elbe river wasn’t in service - with a working boat the mail was put over the river
      • At the first time the mail has got to the Netherlands XP

2010  (19.8. – 23.8.) Rütenbrock / Ter Apel --> Sebnitz (44 Etappen)
      • Heavy riding accident on the first stage
      • High water of the Ebe river, the crossing of the Elbe by boat, thanks to the support of Susanne Härtling and her friends
      • Westernhof Barzig is a new new handing over point
      • Many double stages ridden

2011  (17.8. – 22.8.) Sebnitz --> Rütenbrock / Ter Apel (44 stages)
      • Rider's accident on stage Motzen-Groß Schulzendorf (rider okey, the horse had to be put down later)
      • Horse was absent on the stage Laase-Seerau, stage was run by the organizers
      • Many double stages ridden