Date: 29th July 2017
Running order of Divisions: CIC2*
Arena: 215ft x 185ft
Starters/Clear Rounds: CCI2* – 17/4 (24%)
Fourteen efforts (11 numbered obstacles) within 430 meters make for a very intense show jumping track, with very little ‘breathing’ space between jumps. This is partly due to the fact the arena is not one of the largest. This also meant that competitors had to follow the same track as measured, so there were no time faults by some taking longer routes at the end of the arenas.
It is interesting to read from the Course Designers Evaluation sheet, that if he had to do the course again he would have taken a stride out from fence 2 to 3 and 5c to 6.
I am sure this is because it would have given a little more room to approach both of the jumps on the ends of the arena (fences 4 and 7). On my recent report of the GMHA Festival of Eventing I made reference to right angle turns. Although these were not quite the same, there is some similarity, and I am sure these fences came up very quickly.
Along with these possible changes, it was suggested that the vertical at fence 2 could have been been swapped for the oxer at fence 4. This would have made fence 4 a little easier to jump, especially as there follows an immediate turn into the triple combination. The distance from ‘a’ to’ b’ of the Triple combination is listed as 34' 8", which I would consider very short for a two stride, especially to a vertical. This short turn may have helped it, as had it been on a long approach I would be afraid a horse may have tried jumping it in one stride.
Both combinations have oxers at ‘a’ and verticals at ‘b’, but one is one stride and the other two strides, which would give some variation.
Richard Jeffery
USEF Eventing Show Jumping Course Advisor
Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trial Results - Click Here