Date: 7th April
Running order of Divisions: CIC3*, CIC2*, CIC1*
Arena: 350ft x 250 ft All weather
Starters/Clear Rounds:
CIC3* – 19/5 plus 2 with time faults (37%)
CIC2* – 11/2 (18%)
CIC1*– 10/ (30%)
The Three Star course is probably one of the most technical tracks we have seen this year with the 5/6/7 fence line ending with a double and the 10/11/12 line starting with the triple combination. However, with 37% jumping clear it proved to have jumped well.
The Two Star course reduced its technicality by just jumping the triple combination on its own, although a little earlier in the course. The first fence of the other line was removed, making that line a little easier.
The triple combination was reversed for the One Star. For the other Divisions it was an oxer/vertical/oxer and this was changed, for this Division, to a vertical/vertical/oxer. By making a vertical out of the old ‘C’, this only required the back pole taken away, and then all that was left to do, was to reverse the original ‘A’. With limited help, and the metric cup/strip system this made the change relatively quick.
The course designer used his trademark alternative in the Two and Three Star course. It consisted of jumping a set of planks on the right (fence 4 in the Three Star), after a triple bar, and then taking a shorter route to fence 5. However, this resulted in two lead changes. The alternative was to take the left route by staying on the same lead after the triple bar and jump a normal vertical, and then take a longer route around a Tiki Hut to fence 5. The Time Allowed was calculated using the shorter route. I understand most took the left longer, but more flowing, and less risky route of the planks.
Richard Jeffery
USEF Eventing Show Jumping Course Advisor
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