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Making Trails: Horses and Equestrian Tourism in Poland

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Equestrian Cultures in Global and Local Contexts

Abstract

This article is devoted to the issues of contemporary equestrian tourism in Poland and the factors determining its current state, as well as development opportunities and barriers. Using extensive literature sources, limited statistical data and estimations, as well as the opinions expressed by leading experts in the field, the author addresses the current situation of equestrian tourism in Poland and the possibility of assessing its impact on local/regional development, thus contributing to the discussion about global and local arenas, and glocalization (A term introduced by Japanese economists in the 1980s and popularised by Robertson (1997) who understood it as the co-presence of both universalising and particularising tendencies). Today, it is understood mostly as the adaptation of a global product for a local market (which helps increase sales), yet the author prefers Robertson’s definition, as a form of protection against increasing globalization.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Also including sport tourism.

  2. 2.

    See also Giddens (2006) or Rosow (2004) or West and Heath (2011) to understand how wide, deep and interconnected globalization is nowadays.

  3. 3.

    For more on imitation theory applied to equestrianism (including equestrian tourism) see: Awasthi and Choraria (2015), Wilson (2013).

  4. 4.

    In general, modernization theory is understood as socio-economic development from a traditional to a modern society. It was critiqued by (neo-Marxist) dependency theory, which suggests that the process of modernization took place under the brutal influence of colonial (European and American) states. Dependency theory, however, lost its theorists almost at the same time as the Soviet Union collapsed on dependency theory (see: Sharpley and Telfer 2004: 41–44; Blamey and Inayatullah 2002). As many modernists stress: if modernization theory is true, why are contemporary states (and societies) so different? (see: Schmidt 2010). On the other hand, are they truly so culturally different?

  5. 5.

    Information and data were provided by Mr. Łukasz Abgarowicz and his collaborators (Polish Equestrian Federation; PEF), Mr. Witold Rosa (Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society, PTTK), Mr. Andrzej Ruta (Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society; PTTK), and Mr. Andrzej Stasiowski (Polish Horse Breeding Association; PZHK). All interviews were conducted between February and April 2013.

  6. 6.

    ‘See also: Cohen (1969), and for specific application: Sparke (2006) or Bowles (1989).

  7. 7.

    Not without influence on the popularity of certain forms of sports, recreation or tourism, some of which can be quite expensive.

  8. 8.

    A modest town on lower Vistula river (ca. 100 km south of Gdańsk).

  9. 9.

    The Tatry Association (est. 1873) and Polish Country Lovers' Society (est. 1906).

  10. 10.

    Mostly because only noblemen were full cavalry members. In infantry only officers were noblemen.

  11. 11.

    The meaning is similar to that of ‘dark horse’ describing a totally unexpected winner of a race or competition (translators note).

  12. 12.

    E.g. the book by Chodowiecki with a number of pictures presenting the route: Chodowiecki 1923, Von Berlin nach Danzig. Eine Kuenstlerischerfahrt im Jahre 1773 (From Berlin to Danzig. Artjourney in the year 1773), Im Insel Verlag, Lepizig.

  13. 13.

    The data cover only the events and excursions reported earlier and included in the PTTK calendar of events (and thus also insured by the PTTK).

  14. 14.

    Ca. €12.5 million.

  15. 15.

    Tricity meaning Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia.

  16. 16.

    For various reasons: firstly, they represent only riding centres that promote themselves on the website “galopuje.pl” owned by Hoblo Sp. z o.o (Hoblo limited liability company) located in Sochaczew, Poland and secondly, because the maps are drawn to different scales.

  17. 17.

    Despite its name, also regulating private forests.

  18. 18.

    According to data provided by the management of the Łódzkie Horse Trail (on the official website).

  19. 19.

    As a result, many local roads are covered with gravel, broken bricks or general construction rubble.

  20. 20.

    Polish Arab horses enjoy widespread recognition among foreigners, and this recognition is also growing among increasingly affluent Poles, as well as in the horse tourism business. The breeding and selling of horses (especially Arab horses) requires years of experience, contacts and the trust of the international environment of horse breeders and buyers. The recent change of managers in studs subordinated to the Agricultural Property Agency has had more far-reaching consequences than expected. Polturf Co., which—in cooperation with the studs Michałów and Janów Podlaski—has for the last fifteen years organised international events such as the traditional ‘Pride of Poland’ auction in Janów Podlaski, has ceased cooperation. Some journalists even anticipate the downfall of state-owned Arab horse studs, although this seems very unlikely, especially in the case of studs owned by the State Treasury Some journalists even anticipate the downfall of state-owned Arab horse studs, although this seems very unlikely, especially in the case of studs owned by the State Treasury.

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  1. Centre for European Regional and Local Studies EUROREG, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

    Marek W. Kozak

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    Miriam Adelman

  2. CQUni Appleton Institute , Wayville, South Australia, Australia

    Kirrilly Thompson

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Kozak, M.W. (2017). Making Trails: Horses and Equestrian Tourism in Poland. In: Adelman, M., Thompson, K. (eds) Equestrian Cultures in Global and Local Contexts. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55886-8_8

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