Which cross-country fences caught riders out at Houghton’s Nations Cup CIC3*?
The Houghton Hall International Horse Trials held in Norfolk last weekend (26-29 May) drew some of the world’s leading event riders.
The CICO3* Nations Cup section was the feature class. Nicola Wilson claimed individual spoils, taking first and third place riding One Two Many and Annie Clover respectively. Frenchman Matthieu Vanlandeghem was second riding Trouble Fete Ene HN.
The course caused problems at a number of different fences. In total 72% of cross-country starters completed the cross-country course with no jumping penalties.
15% of cross-country starters finished inside the optimum time while 88% of starters completed the course.
Here are pictures of the fences riders faced on the cross-country. The course was 3880m in length with an optimum time of 6 minutes 49 seconds. Find out which fences caught most riders out with our fence-by-fence analysis.
Start box
Fence 1: EHOA Brush Roll0 faulters
Fence 2: Morgan Evans Equestrian Hay Rack0 faulters
Fence 3: Events & Tents Veg Stand0 faulters
Fence 4a: EQ Life Podium0 faulters
Fence 4b: EQ Life Medal0 refusals
Fence 5abc: Spillers Quarry Logs
Fence 6: Horsezone.co.uk Laptop0 faulters
Fence 7: APMS Dray0 faulters
Fence 8ab: Newmarket Equine Hospital Corners3 refusals resulting in one retirement
Fence 9: Ben Burgess Flower Box0 faulters
Fence 10abcd: Askham Bryan College Water and Treasure ChestsOne rider fall and 17 refusals resulting in one elimination
Fence 11ab: Suzuki ATV Running Track Hedges0 faulters
Fence 12: Devoucoux GateOne frangible pin broken
Fence 13ab and 14: Smith & Williamson Meridian Line and Sundials2 horse falls and 2 refusals
Fence 15: Hatters Events Picnic Table0 faulters
Fence 16ab: Shadwell Estate Company Rails1 horse fall
Fence 17: William Mason Fine Wines Kent Seat0 faulters
Fence 18: Shearwater Insurance Open DitchOne unseated rider
Fence 19ab: Howes Percival Brush Arrowheads4 refusals resulting in one retirement and one elimination
Fence 20: Bedmax Saw Bench1 elimination
Fence 21ab: Barefoot Estates Houses0 faulters
Fence 22: Walking with the Wounded Olympic Diamond0 faulters
Read the full Houghton Hall International Horse Trials report in Horse & Hound magazine (2 June 2016).
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Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.