See the World Equestrian Games cross-country course in photos
The cross-country course for the Mars-sponsored eventing competition at the World Equestrian Games was unveiled today (Wednesday, 12 September).
The track, which has 26 numbered obstacles, has been designed by Mark Phillips.
Fence 1: WEG Oxer
Fence 2: Cleghorn Golf and Gun
Here is the bridge riders will cross between fences two and three…
Fence 3: Wellington Stables
Fence 4: SAP Platform
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Fence 5: Buckeye Combination
Fence 5a — all riders jump this first element, regardless of which option they then choose to take.
Fence 5b on the direct route.
Fence 5cd on the direct route.
Fence 5b on the longer route — this right-hand route will not be hugely time-consuming, but it does involve an extra jumping effort.
Fence 5c on the longer route.
Fence 5d on the longer route.
Fence 6: Heathstone Sluice
There is a run through the water before this fence.
Fence 7: Meydan Marina
The quickest route is to jump the left-hand end of the second element in the picture, next to the sail. This single element is fence 7ab. Riders who don’t fancy this can jump two elements, 7a and 7b, on the right-hand side.
Fence 8: Chimney Rock
Fence 9: Chimney Rock Bank of America
Fence 9a is jumped by all riders.
The quickest route is then to jump this triple brush arrowhead, which is flagged as fence 9bc.
The slower route involves taking on two triple brush arrowheads. Here is the alternative fence 9b.
And the alternative fence 9c.
Fence 10: Mars Sustainability Bay
This combination involves a multitude of numbers and possible routes.
The shortest and most difficult route starts with taking this log into water — this is fence 10ab.
Riders and horses on the direct route then take the right-hand boat in the water, 10c.
Those on the quickest route then leap up the middle step, 10d.
The pairs taking the direct route conclude their trip through fence 10 over this skinny, which is 10efg.
There are two slower routes, both of which start with tackling this log, 10a.
Pairs on the slower routes then tackle the left-hand boat in the water (10b). Those on the left-hand route then jump the left-hand step (10c), before leaping this skinny (10de).
Those on the left-hand slower route then turn right-handed and jump these two fences, which are 10f and 10g.
Those on the right-hand alternative route take the right-hand step up out of the water (10c) and then this narrow stump (10d).
They then turn sharp right to this rolltop, 10e.
Combinations using this right-hand route conclude their trip through fence 10 by jumping these two houses, fences 10f and 10g.
Fence 11: Honey Bee Trakehner
Fence 12: Over Mountain Victory Trail Wall
Here is the bridge riders cross as they turn left-handed at this point. This is the furthest point of the course. This puddle appeared on the bridge after heavy rain this afternoon.
Fence 13: Apple Country
This fence has two a elements and two b elements, with the possibility of riders doing several different routes.
Fence 13a — white option on the left.
Fence 13b — red option on the right.
Fence 13b — red option on the left.
Fence 13b — white option on the right.
Fence 14: CSX Junction
All riders jump this fence, 14a.
The quickest route is then down the left-hand side. This corner is 14bc.
Riders taking the fast option then exit the complex over another corner, 14d.
The right-hand route involves an extra jumping effort. Here is the alternative fence 14b.
The right-hand route takes in another corner at 14c.
There is a third corner for those taking the right-hand line (14d).
Fence 15: Twin Rivers Hay Farm
Fence 16: Moonshine Still
Fence 17: Lugano Leap
All riders enter fence 17 over the same part a.
The direct route then involves turning left down a slope to this skinny, which is flagged as 17bc.
The alternative involves looping round to two houses, fences 17b and 17c.
Fence 18: Land Rover Turn
This complex offers a choice at the a element.
But all riders then go on to take on these two squirrels, which are numbered as 18b and 18c.
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Fences 19 and 20: Longines Water
There is a choice of parallels at fence 19. This one, on the quickest route, is larger and has more of a drop behind.
This is the smaller parallel on the slower line.
The direct route at fence 20 involves two skinnies with water sprays coming out of their sides, one (20ab) before the arch and one (20c) after.
The slower route through this fence involves jumping another parallel (20a).
Riders taking the longer option then head up the bridge and jump part b on top of the arch.
Those taking the roundabout route leave this complex over another parallel (20c).
Fence 21: New Holland
The fastest route here is over a single spread fence (21ab).
Riders who prefer not to ask their horses to make this effort at this stage of the course can jump two upright brushes on a curving line on the right-hand side.
Fence 22: Carolina Turtles
Fences 21 and 22 are on the the long uphill climb to the finish. This view looks back down the hill from beyond fence 22.
Fence 23: Polaris brushes
On the original course, all riders would have jumped fences 23a and 23b. Fence 23a was later taken out of the course.
Riders then have a choice of which fence they jump for 23c.
Fence 24: Hendersonville Apple Festival
This combination originally had two elements, but the second one was taken out of the course.
Fence 25: Coca Cola Refresher
Fence 26: Stock Car Tires
The riders will take on this cross-country course on Saturday, 15 September.
Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September.
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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.