Walk the European Eventing Championship cross-country course

Horse & Hound's eventing editor brings you pictures of every fence riders will be facing on the cross-country course on Saturday

The cross-country course at the HSBC FEI Eventing European Championships in Malmö has been designed by Germany’s Rüdiger Schwarz. Located in a public park (check out the BBQ on the picture of fence 16 and the ornamental gardens after fence 22), the course is 5985m long and has an optimum time of 10min 30sec.

British chef d’equipe Yogi Breisner described the cross-country track as tough.

“The ground is firm, which we knew it would be, although they’ve done a fantastic job, and the track is very twisty, again which we knew. The time will probably be tight and it will be a good competition,” he said.

The combination at the end of the course (fence 29/30ab) is the biggest topic of debate after riders walked the course for the first time. It is a big hedge to arrowhead to corner, with a choice of 5 or 6 and 2 or 3 strides between elements on the direct route.

Stay abreast of all the news from Malmö here on Horseandhound.co.uk and don’t miss our full magazine report, including fantastic pictures of all the action and in-depth analysis of how the medals were won and lost, on sale Thursday 5 September.

Want to watch on TV? Check out the European Eventing TV listings

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.