Cross Country Course

After a difficult dry spring the summer rain has really helped make the cross country course look a little special this year.
It starts out in familiar fashion over the Dubarry Boot (1) and the Land Rover Log (2) that will help to settle the nerves. The Stonar School Stables (3) is in the corner of the Trade Stands and is one the riders always fear so early on with the dark wood and steep descent behind. Courage and commitment is the order of the day here.
All though will enjoy coming back into daylight and the Trade Stands over the Horse & Hound Wall (4) and the roller coaster down over the Hamptons International Round Top (5) by the collecting ring. Concentration and pace is required though as horses come up the bank to the Smith & Williamson Offset (6). The Log is impressive but easy enough at this level but a good jump is required if horses are to make the distance to the two very missable angled houses after.
Riders cannot relax though as the new BETA Lane Crossing (7) comes up very quickly. Here again a good jump is required up the step as the angled narrow hedge after is again inviting the dreaded glance off.
Once in the car park riders can relax a little and catch their breath as they jump the Danwood Log Pile (8) and the huge table in the Hamptons International House (9). The holiday is over though at the second Dobson & Horrell Crossing (10). An old fashioned type hunting fence over the log down into the lane and over the stone wall just takes balance and time but there is then a choice of 4 or 5 strides on a bending line to the first corner on the course where control and accuracy is essential.
All will enjoy the gallop along the top of Avening Banks with its stunning view. The British Eventing Stick Pile (11) is straight forward enough. The next sequence over the CampoReal Brush (12) and the Renapur Brushes (13) is a different matter as riders will tend to get launched at the top of the hill and then gain pace in the descent to the massive double brush and oh so skinny triple brush 4 strides later. Control in the descent is the key here.
The Zylkene Equine Turn (14) consists of a large Hay Wagon and then a 180 degree roll back to a Hay Feeder with a drop behind. Riders will now be glad to be heading out of Avening Banks over the Bedmax Wall (15) that always demands respect.
Its then into the Park Bowl where the Bouvet Ladubay Logs (16) present a gentle appetizer. The Land Rover at the Folly fences (17) are always one of the most significant. The fist house before the Land Rover Arch is straightforward but again how you jump it is important as horses then have to travel under the arch to two large and imposing corners on a two stride distance by The Folly with the Park Bowl dropping away behind the second. Riders will want to get this one right the first time!
Its then helter skelter down into the Park Bowl over the British Eventing Trakhener (18) before climbing up to the Countrywide Mushrooms (19) on the far side. Pace at the Mushrooms is always rewarded.
Then there is a brand new Martin Collins Equine Surfaces Combination (20) over a log pile and then a bending line over a massive flower roll with the drop down into the Park Bowl behind. All should then enjoy the tour around the bottom of the Bowl over the Burleigh Court Hotel Footbridge (21) and the BETA Saddlehorse (22) before turning to the PetPlan Water (23). The Logs in are conventional enough but the new banking on take off will create much more of a drop than in previous years so riders will be sitting well back as no one wants to get an early bath. The bottom of the water has been re-surfaced this year so should not present too many problems as riders head out back on dry land over the Pet Plan Reptile.
Its then head for home time over the Accio Punt (24), the Joules Picnic Table (25) and the British Eventing Festival Finale (26).
There are a lot of changes this year that will only add to the unique challenge of galloping over the Gatcombe terrain. As ever, the winner will be a worthy champion.