Burghley Course Walk
Burghley Course Walk – Thursday September 5th 2024 – taken by Nick Turner FBHS.
We all met at fence 2 to begin our walk – where it emerged that we were extra-lucky, as Nick was accompanied by rider Emma Thomas. This meant that we could listen to Nick describing the challenges, observe the course-walk-with-coach process, and then also benefit from Emma giving us her insights for her particular horse. A bonus! All set for a great course-walk.
It also meant that we didn’t go at quite the speed we sometimes go with Nick, as whenever Nick and Emma were walking the trickier lines on the actual course together, we stopped too. So we got our breath back from climbing those hills, and were able to discuss the course in more detail amongst ourselves (and of course have a catch-up chat with friends generally). An excellent arrangement, thank you Nick and Emma!
Nick explained that the Defender Burghley Horse Trials cross-country course for the 2024 event was designed again by the USA’s Derek di Grazia – one of the top course-builders in the world right now. The track had 30 numbered fences and was 6420m long, almost four miles, with the optimum time 11min 16sec – which Nick thought would be fairly tight for such hilly terrain, and a real test of fitness.
Nick reminded us that the first three fences were to get everyone moving and encourage the horses to go. Although these initial fences were deemed to be straightforward, and were beautifully presented, to us they looked imposing, being solid and wide. (Watch your head at fence 3 with the parasols above the jump). Nick reminded us that the partnerships here were carefully prepared for jumping these 5*tracks – but even then the riders still don’t always know if the horses have that bit extra to go from a good 4* horse to a true 5* horse.
The next and longest section was where challenges would come, and there were lots of them, and then the end of the course was again straightforward, to get tired partnerships safely home.
The first moment to take care was approaching the main arena before fence 4, as the horses had started with a straightforward run downhill, then as they turned toward fence 4 it became noisier with spectators, with a narrowly-roped uphill turn on a changing camber, towards the main stands, which for the less experienced could distract and break the rhythm.
Fence 4 was then in the arena and was a combination of brushes on a technical line. There began one of the ongoing discussions of the day: get your line and determine exactly where you’re going.
The next few fences, 5, 6, 7 and 8 all gave technical and line challenges.
Nick was clear to point out the challenges of the course other than the fences. That it was uphill, downhill with frequent terrain change which could be uneven on approaches as well as between fences. Combinations also had to cope with the changing camber of the land, changing its slope from left to right at short notice. The best will be so athletic, forward and balanced, they’ll make it look easy, but it’s really not.
On all technical elements Nick stated there is always a line, it might not be easy to see. In one instance the turn being two strides before the fence, he said, turn, turn, line, two strides, jump. We moved on toward the trout hatchery fence 10, with the indication that the longer spaces between fences horses would open the stride, but consideration of how long it takes to bring the horse back is important. Emma related this to her horse which used to take 20 strides to bring back to her, and now takes 10…. (editor’s note – compare that to watching Ros’s round…. Superb adjustability…)
Nick also spoke of the alternative options and the importance of considering and knowing these well. This was confirmed by Emma who said she definitely needed to know where to go if her brakes and /or steering were not working!
From the side, where we were by the ropes, seeing the line through the trout hatchery (10) was near impossible but Nick assured us there was a line there. Coming out of the water you had to believe you would find it. There were a lot of big fences to jump with riders challenged to maintain a balance, straightness /honesty to the line, and communication between leg and hand.
This theme continued and again became points of discussion from fences 18 through to 22. The curved line and stride at the stable yard at 18, forward up the hill to the Pardubice, but then a rebalance and keep the horse forward to the Cottesmore Leap – fence 20.
Fence 20 had a deep wide ditch, and Nick said, balance, keep moving, leave the horse alone. He added that actually he’d walk it by the ropes, and never even look in the massive ditch himself, just ride it…. The line then went on round a curve to a narrow and technical combination at 21, again on undulating ground. Once more the line, riding forward in balance.
Then a downhill run to the Defender Mound. Although Nick was keen to state the horse would require a balance adjustment ahead of the fence, the fact that it was placed on a large mound would help bring the horse back.
Nick repeatedly spoke of the striding between fences. When questioned on striding relative to the level of competition, he explained he would use the same principle and counting, but would make his own strides larger to reflect the speed of pace and the size of obstacle. He also went on to reiterate that making a particular stride pattern was not top of the list, but keeping the horse in the right pace, in balance between leg and hand, straight to the fence with little interference was the priority.
He said research at Badminton one year had seen the distance between take-off and landing at 26 feet. (Some of us recalled Ian Stark, aka The Flying Scot, on Murphy Himself, back in the day, having very little choice about Murphy taking strides out…)
Nick also spoke of the importance of training for the basics which could easily be got wrong. The importance of the aids, communication between rider and horse and the need to be able to change gear, from a very early stage. Keeping the horse communicating and listening when you needed it.
There were then three fences to take riders down into the main water at Fence 26. Horses could be starting to tire here, after many hills and a series of challenges, but although they were more kindly shaped, these fences were still big and technical and on a downhill gradient. Nick and Emma discussed strides related to the horse she was riding, considering her horse’s needs and his likely balance and ability to listen at this stage of the course.
This left us near home, by the Lion Bridge, and the remaining fences would take the riders back through the park and see the horses home safely.
It was a very enjoyable and informative day.
To repeat Nick’s ethos: communication, straightness and cooperation between leg and hand, prepare the horse, consider and be aware of strides; but if the pace was right the horse would work it out. Don’t interfere.
Emma’s input and the discussion between her and Nick was insightful, discussing stride, line and how manage temperament, pace and physicality of the horse being ridden.
How many times would you walk the course? “Four plus” was the response, with Emma saying she would always know and walk the alternatives – and would then also walk her chosen route by herself on the day of XC.
An informative day was had by all. A big thank you to our excellent guide, Nick Turner, and Emma, for leading a great course-walk, and to Ann Bostock for organising us all so efficiently. And the weather for staying dry…
Julian Campbell BHSI, September 12th2024.