Cross Country Course

THE COURSE DESIGNER'S THOUGHTS ON THE 2009 BRITISH EVENTING OPEN CROSS COUNTRY COURSE INCORPORATING THE HSBC FEI WORLD CUP tm EVENTING QUALIFIER


This year’s cross country course starts in familiar fashion alongside the Collecting Ring over the Dubarry Boot (1) before going onto the confidence boosting Land Rover Leap (2).

It’s then the one the riders dread the most, The Cabins (3). These have a new layout but this does not make them any easier as they come so very early and horses can’t see where they are going to land until the last second before they drop down the very steep bank behind and into the dark wood.
The Hi Ho Treasure Hunt (4) always needs a little respect as horses come back out into the sunlight and the trade stand area before going onto the British Eventing Safety Oxer (5). This fence is fitted with a sophisticated electronic sensor as part of the safety initiative by British Eventing to understand the impact loading on fences.
The Smith & Williamson offset Brushes (6) look impressive going up the hill, but with enough pace history tells us they should ride well as long as riders are on the correct line to get to the second hedge. The Bedmax Drop (7) is a Gatcombe original but the Cotswold Stone Wall still deserves respect even 27 years later.
The BETA Steps (8) is the start of the most technical part of the course. This is unchanged from last year but proved unforgiving for those who got to the top of the Steps without enough petrol in the tank. The Hamptons International House (9) again needs respect as the gate going into the House is nobody’s favourite fence as riders have to be brave here because the Table out is big and wide.
The Dodson and Horrell Crossing (10) with the Log down into the lane and the Wall out are truly old-fashioned ‘hunting’ fences. This is not the place to make up time to try and win the competition. The Horse Health Log Stack (11) and down the hill to the BE Stick Pile (12) are two straight forward fences that horses and riders should enjoy as they take a tour around Avening Banks to make up the distance for the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing qualifier . The HSBC Corners (13) need concentration as they are an accuracy question having come along the bottom of the bank. The door is wide open here for a dreaded glance off at both Corners, especially if the riders take on the more direct line rather than curving out for the extra strides.
Riders then need to take a little care at the Danwood Wall (14) but can kick on over the Bouvet Ladubay Garden Hedge (15). Now in the Park Bowl its pay attention time at the Land Rover at the Folly (16) . The layout looks similar but the fences proved unforgiving last year for those that did not pay their due respect. The second and third elements will come very quickly after horses have passed under the impressive bridge.

The BETA Beach (17) is the first visit to the water and is not made easier by the descent down from The Folly on the infamous Gatcombe terrain. Jumping into the water always needs courage and commitment and great trust from the horse.

The Countrywide Mushroom (18) is new and was very influential when last jumped on this site. Fortune will favour the brave here as pace is an absolute must as they climb up the far side of the valley. The HSBC FEI World Cupâ„¢ Eventing Rails (19) are unchanged as riders turn back down into the Park Bowl. A good jump here is essential if you are not to miss the new Triple Brush which looks oh so narrow and daunting with the ground dropping away behind and to the right as riders come down the hill.

Riders should then enjoy the tour around the bottom of the Park Bowl over the Burleigh Court Footbridge (20) and then the Stonar School Saddle Horse (21). Then comes the last big test at the BETA Water (22) as riders bounce in over the silver birch rails, before leaving the water past Nessie which does not get jumped this time.

The water behind them riders can enjoy the trip home over the Punt (23), the Joules Picnic Table (24) and the Festival Finale (25).

This year’s course has a few less efforts as part of an international drive to reduce intensity. However this is still a championship course worthy of the British Open and the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing qualifier. The winner will be a great champion with a bright future as they look forward to the World Games in Lexington, Kentucky next September and London in 2012.