Agreed. It never has been clear precisely who set up this network. For all we know, the Pale Pony herself made it available for the offworlders she planned on bringing here. We'll have to ask Princess Celestia what she knows about the scroll origins.

I can imagine seeing her in person would make one quake in their horseshoes. Her presence was not as strong over the scroll but it felt like she was psychically trying to restrain us. Made it a lot harder to get to the stadium.