Please note that all Cross Country details are subject to change as the Ground Jury will make their final inspection on Wednesday 2 September 2009.
By Capt Mark Phillips CVO
Burghley Cross Country Course Designer 2005-2009
Much has been written in the media this
summer about the shorter track at this
year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials being
a dumbed-down version of the sport. Nothing
could be further from the truth. I truly believe
that, as ever at Burghley, while we always try
to make the fences as kind as possible for the
horses, this year’s course will maintain Burghley’s reputation of
having a truly influential cross-country track.
There is a familiar start as horses and riders leave Ring 2 over
the Burghley Overture (1), with the image of the Marquess
of Exeter, who had so much to do with the Olympic movement
and of course initiated the Horse Trials in this beautiful park.
Still with the backdrop of Burghley House, the Flower Table (2) comes up very quickly but shouldn’t cause too many worries.
Riders then get a chance to settle their nerves as they head
back towards the stables to the Picnic Table (3). Nestled in a
furrow, this looks huge and will leave riders in no doubt that
they are now at a real Four Star competition.
The Leaf Pit (4) is a Burghley classic and comes very early in
proceedings. This year there is no helpful set-up fence, so
riders will have to be very careful not to be still tugging on the
reins when they get to the dizzying drop down, as it would be
a bad start to the day if anyone ground to a halt here. Down
below awaits the narrow house, which is unchanged from last
year when it was very influential for those that forgot to keep
going forward. However, this time there is an easier, time-consuming
alternative off to the right-hand side.
The Trakhener (5) is large but a routine affair at this level.
Discovery Valley (6) will require a little more thought.
Riders need a good jump over the new and impressive Trunk
(perched on the side of the valley) in order to keep the horses
on their feet as they go down to the Step, and then one stride
to the Discovery, which is at a nerve-wracking angle, before
two more strides to the second Trunk. This combination was
influential last year and, though different, promises to be
another examination of horses' and riders' credentials to
compete at this level.
Through Jubilee Plantation there is something of a let up
at Herbert’s Hollow (7) where there is a slightly old-fashioned,
Stockholm-type log in the bottom of the hollow over the ditch.
It’s then on down to the Land Rover Trout Hatchery Complex (8, 9, 10).
Riders will be happy only to have one visit this year but not
about how long they will be there! The first part was there last
year but was hardly jumped as riders feared the downhill takeoff.
This time the alternative log is much more time-consuming.
Having hopefully avoided an early bath with a safe landing,
there are three strides across the water to the step out. This
is innocuous enough but the double hedge that comes next is
somewhat larger than its predecessor. Riders have to decide
whether to jump the step and then take one, two or three
strides, or longer still, circle before jumping the hedge.
For the first time riders then circle around on themselves to
the Log Cabin and Goose, that sits as serenely as ever on her
nest in the water. Although there are five or six strides between
the two elements, riders would be well advised to still respect
this combination.
Up on the Waterloo Plain, British Eventing’s ‘Competitive
Measure’ (11), which incorporates sensors to record any
contacts horses have with the fence to provide information for
safety research, should not hold too many fears.
However the Waterloo Oxer (12) even though only 1.10m high
and 1.40m wide – Novice dimensions – looks very scary indeed.
HSBC Maltings Branch (13) has a new look this year but the
four-stride bending line should represent something of a
formality at this level.
The Rolex Combination (14) is a different matter. An oh-soskinny
Triple Brush, two strides to a gaping ditch and two more
strides to another Triple Brush has not been seen before. The
question is, can riders hold a good enough line at pace!? The
Rolex fence once more promises to be controversial.
Capability’s South (15) is a welcome let up before coming to the
Land Rover Dairy Farm (16), where riders will find two corners
perched on the side of the mound in a manner never seen before,
with the ground falling away steeply from the part horses are
jumping. I actually think it’s not as bad as it looks but the look is
bound to worry some!
Riders can then relax a little and look at their watches as they
take the new and shorter track over to Winners’ Avenue
Bridge (17) and the Birch Hedge (18). Back at Capability’s
Classic (19), the log in is an old favourite, but the brush coming
out the other side is at a bit of a naughty angle and riders are
not helped by the tree behind it.
Burghley Station (20) looks as large as ever, but remains
unchanged before The Cascade (21). The single hedge gives
riders an option of a left or right-handed corner after their
five or six steps to the Cascade. On the left side the angle is
more frightening, on the right side the ground running away
looks a little scary. It will probably come down to the preference
of individual horses and riders.
Jubilee Leap (22) is large (at a new maximum height
of 1.45m) but should ride well, as long as riders remember
that they have not finished quite yet. The Land Rover Arena
(23, 24) is the last test of control. The first House is innocuous
enough but the turn on to the two offset hedges needs a little
thought, as does the turn to the last House. Hopefully this will
produce some interest and variation for those sitting in the
Grandstands and watching the big screen.
It’s now ‘head for home’ time, over the Flower Frame (25),
Lambert’s Sofa (26) and culminating with the Land Rover
Finale (27).
It should be a fascinating day’s sport as riders strive to earn
that £50,000 first prize. |
