Development of Equestrian Sports at State Stud Farms in Varmia and Masuria between 1947 and 1975

The regaining by the Polish People’s Republic of territories that prior to the outbreak of World War 2 had remained under the rule of East Prussia set the stage for re-development of equestrianism in and reintroduction of horse breeding to a region that was now Polish Varmia and Masuria. This was a two-stage process whose success depended largely on the perseverance and commitment of one man, Mr. Adam Sosnowski, administrator at the State Horse Breeding Farms. The process was initiated in 1947 when a state stallion station in Ketrzyn and three studs named Garbno, Liski, and Rzeczna were started. Another eight were soon set up through the joint effort and collaboration of managements of local state farming cooperatives, or PGRs, mostly on the grounds of former Prussian horse breeding sites with appropriate technical infrastructure and solidly established stock breeding traditions. Over the years to come, equine breeding farms in Varmia and Masuria underwent numerous reforms and organizational changes, structurally always remaining part of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture. They provided a good foundation for propagating recreational horse riding among members of the general public and, most importantly, helped equestrian sports to return to and develop in the area.