X-Country Design Notes

Programme Notes by: Michael Etherington-Smith (GBR), Cross-Country Designer CCI4-S Getting older has its advantages and disadvantages, probably more of the latter to be honest, but there is no question that time seems to go quicker the older we get and last year’s Red Hills doesn’t seem like 12 months ago. There is no question that the sport, especially organisers, have been hit hard by the covid situation and so it will be fun and good to see people back enjoying the sport that we are all lucky enough to be involved in. The course follows the same route as last year, which worked well, although there are some changes and some new fences. The key fences are in the usual places but the questions are different. The aim of the course remains the same as usual namely to give everyone a ‘fun run’ with a good variety of questions all up to height and appropriate for the level yet planned to give confidence as an early season run and the chance to get back in to the competition groove. The World Equestrian Games will be held in Italy in September this year and even though it seems a long way ahead those who have the ambition and the horse power will already be looking to put a marker down with USA High Performance this spring. My ambition as course designer is that horses and riders have a beneficial run, jump well, and come home feeling as though they have benefitted from their cross country. It is all about giving horse and rider the opportunity to show what they can do and are ready for rather than trying to catch them out, it needs to be a positive (not necessarily easy) experience to help set them up for the season ahead. The team from the City Parks have continued their good work on the ground and it seems to get better each year due to their efforts. As always my thanks to everyone involved in putting the courses together: Tyson and Levi plus Corinne and her excellent team of hard working volunteers.