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CROSS cOUNTRY
The 2008 Cross Country Course will be available in August 2008.
(click the fence names for photographs)
by Captain Mark Phillips
For the first time in many years the course goes back to an anticlockwise direction. I’m excited because starting out of Ring 2, the ground asks to be ridden this way. The result, without doubt, is the most difficult course seen in the world this year.
Starting off the Burghley Overture (1) won’t frighten anybody and enables horses to jump out of Ring 2. Similarly the Flower Frame (2) is very straightforward. However horses won’t really get into their stride until they come out of the trees after this fence by which time the riders will already be down on the clock. Competitors will start to feel that they are at a four star at the Picnic Table (3) and by the time they get to The Leaf Pit (4,5) they will have no doubt. Concentration is now the name of the game. The decorative house at the top is very big and only four strides before the heart stopping drop that looks no smaller now than when I first jumped it 40 years ago. In those days, there was nothing in the bottom, now there is a very missable house that will come up quickly as riders try to re-gather their reins. As always with the difficult fences there is an easier, round the houses, long route for the less experienced and faint hearted.
The Trakhener (6) is large but straightforward for this level and will be some relief before riders come back to Discovery Valley (7). Jumping over the bonnet of the brush Discovery should not pose too many problems, though the drop after is significant which will make angling across the ditch three strides later and, not missing the trunk one stride later, just that bit more difficult.
There is no let up at the Invesco Options (8), the start of the most intense part of the course where riders have the chance to bounce over the ditch for the very first time at this site. Some I’m sure will opt for the scenic route here. The Double Hedge (9) looks enormous because it is so narrow and riders will feel they are in the air for a long time here.
The Land Rover Trout Hatchery (10, 11, 12) is always one of the features of Burghley and this year is no exception. We have never jumped in at this place before and I’m hoping there is not a good reason! Off the turn the horses have a bit of a blind approach and won’t realise they are jumping into water until the last minute. Again the old log provides a time consuming alternative. Once in the water horses have three strides before jumping up the step at 45 degrees and bouncing over the large hedge. It’s then back in the water again and up and out over the decorative last element. Riders are bound to lose time through this section.
There is no let up at the Goodyear Waterloo Rails (13) where the rails again have a significant drop and the tyres afterwards look imposing and invite the dreaded glance off. The pig sty at The Maltings (14) looks big, but the surroundings help and most will jump this one on the quick route unless they are having a bad day.
The Rolex Corners (15) are another thing. The first part is just a plain big 4 star fence but the corner afterwards comes up at a terrible squeaky angle, inviting the glance off left just two strides later. Direction will be the better part of valour for some here. Capabilities South (16) is another large effort but is something of a breather for the next real test at the Land Rover Dairy Mound (17). The first oxer is an old friend but the bending four strides to the log off the mound looks nothing if not daunting.
The Egg Basket (18) just needs a little care jumped in this direction and the Cottesmore Leap (19) is simply vast but a Burghley classic. Riders can really make up some time down the next stretch in Winners Avenue (20), but they should not relax at the angled hedges or for that matter at the massive looking Maui Jim Wall (21).
Capability’s Cutting (22) is another Burghley favourite, where again the riders have the chance to make a mistake. Riders may think I have been a little kinder here than sometimes. They will realise why when they get to the White Rails (23). I thought the days of rider frighteners were over. I’m sure I will have the rider’s attention here even though it’s nowhere near the maximum dimensions.
The Land Rover Splash (24) is another deceptively large fence off of a demanding downhill approach. Riders will be well advised to lean back as they land in the water as the goose under the tree will come up very and again invites the glance off.
The mushrooms at Coutts Curve (25, 26) are both narrow and big and once again riders need to concentrate if they are to avoid making a stupid mistake, particularly on the bending line to the last mushroom.
It’s then up to the Land Rover Arena (27, 28, 29) fences. Jumping over vehicles is nothing new but riders will need to keep a little petrol in the tank for this one as there are three large fences each on a four stride bending line.
It’s only now that riders can start to think of home as they gallop towards the house over the Turrets (30) before steadying up over Lambert’s Sofa (31) and the Land Rover Finale (32) then the welcome sight of home.
The course is technically difficult, the cumulative effect of jumping big fences and the Burghley terrain all add up to make this a serious examination of horsemanship. The winner that takes home the Land Rover Trophy and Burghley’s biggest ever prize will be a true and worthy champion. |
