* The 2009 Cross Country map will be available closer to the Event.
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 2005-2008
You may be forgiven for thinking that this year’s Burghley cross country would be a much softer affair, coming as it does so soon after the Olympics Games in Hong Kong. The truth is something else. This year’s track is a ‘real one’ and maintains Burghley’s reputation of year on year having the biggest cross-country track in the world.
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 starting the Horse Trials in this beautiful Park. Still with the backdrop of Burghley House, the Range Rover 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 Land Rover 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. This would be a bad start to the day if anyone ground to a halt here. Down below awaits the narrow house reminiscent of Hong Kong. It is unchanged from last year when it was very influential for those that forgot to keep going forward. However for those that sail by it there is a time consuming scenic route.
The Trakhener (5) is large but a routine affair at this level. The Discovery Valley House (6) will need a little more thought though. Riders need to jump it left of centre and right to left if they are not to miss their line into the Discovery Valley (6). Jumping up the step is simple enough but riders will need reins of steel to steer straight over the bonnet of the Discovery and then the Trunk (8) three strides later. Again forward riding will be rewarded and again there is a long way for those that get in a muddle.
There is no let up though as riders are now in the heart of the course and Herbert’s Hollow (9) comes next and is the start of the most intense section of the course. This rail was ridden incredibly badly last year and so has been left in in the hope that riders will have developed somewhat their slow bouncy canter after last year’s experience. To help focus the mind more, this time they have the narrow tyres three strides after the ditch. These will be unforgiving for anyone not in the middle of the track. This fence also sports the Goodyear sponsored technology researching ‘horizontal force’ as part of British Eventing’s continued campaign to improve safety.
The Hunting Hedge (10) is something of a let up and should not hold the terrors of last year. It does look big though with its downhill take off. The Land Rover Trout Hatchery (11, 12) has been re-modelled this year. Riders have a genuine choice of which side of the tree they try and jump in to the water. Competitors will need to weigh up the risks of where they jump in against the angles of jumping up the step and over the hedge on the way out. I’m sure we will see a multitude of different rides here.
It’s then on up the hill to the Waterloo Plain (13). Here the rails look huge but fortune will favour the brave at another Burghley classic. The winners will treat this as a let up and keep galloping. Similarly at the HSBC Maltings (14) the secret will be to keep going and not let the turn slow them down too much. It’s a question of who is good enough and brave enough to stay on ‘route one’.
The Rolex Double (15) has become something of a talking point in recent years putting the fear of god into the riders only to find the horses have locked onto the fences pretty well. Hopefully it will be the same again in 2009! Riders though will need a good jump over the massive table if they are not to miss the skinny brush that follows.
Capability’s South (16) will be something of a light relief before the Land Rover Dairy Farm (17). The first part is a little tricky to get at but should jump OK, the second element is more friendly than it looks but down the hill to the corner will worry the riders as it comes up at a fearsome angle. Again there is a longer option for the less experienced and those that think discretion is the better part of valour.
Now half way round the course most of the major problems are behind them. A little care is needed at the Cottesmore Hedge (18). This would be a really stupid place to have a glance off. The Cottesmore Leap (19) is unchanged. Its amazing how many riders still can’t bring themselves to walk up to it, so daunting is the ditch!
The Winners’ Avenue Table (20) is straight forward enough but still needs respect and all should enjoy the sensation as they sail over the Maui Jim Wall (21).
Capability’s Classic (22) is another matter. The log in on the left looks a little scary but should ride well for those that attack it. Riders will need reins in both hands though if they are to steer out over the corner on the far side. Many may favour the circuitous longer option.
The white rails at Burghley Station (23) always command respect and some will remember a ducking at the Trout Hatchery Goose (24) the last time she sat on her nest in the middle of the water.
Last year not everyone gave the mushrooms at Coutts Curve (25, 26) the respect they deserved with painful consequences. Hopefully that will be a lesson learned this time before riders come up into the Land Rover Arena (27, 28, 29). This is the last question on the course and riders need enough petrol in the tank to make sure they can hold their line and make the turns. The hedges though will be much more forgiving than last year’s Land Rover Defenders.
It’s then the gallop home back down towards the House over the Flower Frame (30), Lambert’s Sofa (31) and the Land Rover Finale (32) and the welcome site of home back in Ring 2.
This year’s Burghley promises to be really exciting and for sure whoever takes home the Land Rover Trophy and all that prize money will be a worthy champion. | 
