Cross Country
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Cross Country Map 2011
Fence List
| Number | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Burghley Overture |
| 2 | Lambert’s Sofa |
| 3 | Vegetable Stall |
| 4 | Leaf Pit Classic |
| 5 | Elephant Trap |
| 6/7 | Discovery Valley |
| 8 | Herbert’s Hedge |
| 9 | Cascade Complex |
| 10/11 | Land Rover Trout Hatchery |
| 12 | Waterloo Logs |
| 13-15 | HSBC Maltings Branch |
| 16 | Rolex Combination |
| 17 | Capability’s South |
| 18/19 | Land Rover Dairy Farm |
| 20 | Keeper’s Cottages |
| 21 | Cottesmore Leap |
| 22 | Winners’ Avenue |
| 23 | Pardubice |
| 24 | Capability’s Cutting |
| 25 | Burghley Station |
| 26 | Anniversary Splash |
| 27 | Fifty-Fifty Island |
| 28 | Land Rover Landing |
| 29 | Jubilee Leap |
| 30/31 | Marquess of Exeter’s Hurdles |
| 32 | Flower Frame |
| 33 | Land Rover Finale |
Course Notes
By Capt Mark Phillips CVO
Burghley Cross Country Course Designer 2005–2011
50 years is a special anniversary for any organisation and there has been a special effort on the cross country this year to reflect just some of Burghley’s history. In particular we have re-created some of the vintage Burghley fences from yesteryear and used a lot more ‘old fashioned’ smaller rails. This has not only given the course a little bit of a ‘retro’ look but made many of the fences look enormous.
The Burghley Overture (1) has a familiar look as horses set out from the start at Ring 2 but riders get a taste of things to come at Lambert’s Sofa (2) where the 1960’s look makes it impressive to say the least. The Vegetable Stall (3) is unchanged as riders complete the first minute and start to settle into a groove.
Another Burghley favourite comes next at The Leaf Pit Classic (4). I can still remember that sickening feeling in my stomach when I dropped off the edge for the first time back in the late ‘60s. Riders have now learnt to steer over the more modern triple brush that awaits them in the bottom. This year there is again a longer time consuming option over the log for the less experienced horses and riders.
The Elephant Trap (5) is the next ‘retro’ fence and looms large over its ditch but riders will think this something of an easy one before coming to Discovery Valley (6,7). In recent years this has been something of a bogey fence so I’ve taken the tight angles away and sited the ‘brush Discovery’ in a place used by one of Burghley’s greatest designers Bill Thomson. Here horses have to jump the ditch, land on the up slope and bounce over the Discovery bonnet. This is something riders have not had to do for many moons. My heart was in my mouth the first time I tried it all those years ago. There is though an easier route over the trunk for those that don’t fancy the direct route.
The second half of Discovery Valley is a more conventional question. The rails will not hold too many fears but care will be needed not to get a silly 20 penalties by letting horses run down the ditch after instead of over it!
Herbert’s Hedge (8) named after Burghley’s long time Clerk of the Course Philip Herbert, is natural thorn but with its ditch in front and drop behind is not really the let up it was intended to be.
Riders will need to concentrate at the Cascade Complex (9) - another ‘retro’ fence. They will need to see a good forward stride at the impressive oxer in the ditch, in order to hold their line at the angled hedge two strides later.
For a change the first half of the Land Rover Trout Hatchery (10, 11) is relatively uncomplicated as horses jump the inviting Canoe House before going through the water to the Goose Nest which is on dry land this year. Things are a little different though as riders come around the Wellingtonia to the Upper Land Rover Trout Hatchery. Here riders have to jump into the water off a down slope over an angled hedge and then jump another angled hedge one stride later in the water. Here the question is all about riders being able to hold their line while negotiating their way through the Hatchery.
The Waterloo Logs (12) is another classic Burghley Site. 50 years ago this fence would not have measured but modern rules allow us to put these two huge sweet chestnut logs together to create a massive fence as horses traverse the Waterloo terrain.
The HSBC Maltings Branch (13, 14, 15) is becoming a modern day classic. The first red and white house is not too daunting but the second narrow house on the mound to the white corner fence four strides later is one of this year’s more serious questions. The angle at the corner is terrifying so there is a longer option for those that think discretion is the better part of valour; so too at the huge white oxer that was introduced last year.
There is no let up either at the Rolex Combination (16) - it is unchanged but is none the less daunting as the angle at the corner comes just two strides after the ditch.
Capability’s South (17) really is a let up before the climb up to the Land Rover Dairy Farm (18, 19) where once again we have turned back the clock and re-introduced the two steps up this year with another ‘bounce’ at the top. Riders must make sure they have enough petrol for this one or it will mean a long route that will take forever. The table fence by the lime tree is easy enough even though it comes quite quickly after the steps.
The Keeper’s Cottages (20) have found a new home, supported this year by Chesterton Humberts. There are some interesting angles here. There is a direct four stride line but many will bend it for 5 or even 6 strides.
It’s then on to another Burghley classic the Cottesmore Leap (21). At 1.45 metres high this is the biggest fence I’ve ever seen in horse trials. Many riders won’t walk up to it because it frightens them so much. Horses though don’t have time to look down at the yawning ditch. There is an alternative for the feint hearted.
Winners’ Avenue (22) is an old friend before coming to the Pardubice (23). A month ago I lowered it 15cms and reduced the base spread by 30cms. It still looks enormous now.
Capability’s Cutting (24) is a little more forgiving than some of its predecessors, but still needs respect as horses roller coaster after, through the steep sided cutting designed by Capability Brown. The white oxer at Burghley Station (25) has been rebuilt after a little accident last year. Somehow it hasn’t gotten any smaller!
The biggest new feature in this anniversary year is the Lake Crossing (26, 27, 28) overlooked by the Land Rover Terrapod area. The Anniversary Splash (26), a narrow log in with its hornbeam arch looks impressive and decorative. At 20cms bigger it looked like the six star Olympics! The Fifty-Fifty (27) on the island is not small, I hope riders will wade across, study it carefully and not underestimate its spread, while the Boat at Rover Landing (28), coming away from the water is more a bit of fun.
The Jubilee Leap (29), an old favourite, should ride well off this new approach. It’s then the climb up to the Main Arena (30, 31) where we have paid tribute to the Marquess of Exeter’s Olympic effort back in 1928. Simulating hurdles on a running track there are just two strides between each fence, the trouble is, as horses start to tire to keep turning to the right is not so easy.
The end is now in sight as riders head home towards Burghley House over the Flower Frame (32) and finally come through the thorns to the Land Rover Finale (33) and the finish.
As part of the retro theme the course is longer again, this time at nearly 11 ½ minutes. Horses will need to be fit and brave and riders just need to remember to take their head with them!
