Olympic medallist Clayton Fredericks will design his first five-star cross-country course at next year’s Adelaide Equestrian Festival (15-18 April 2027).

Clayton was part of the Australian silver medal-winning eventing team at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and won individual silver and team bronze at the 2006 World Championships. In recent years, his focus has turned to designing cross-country courses and coaching.

Only a handful of people have designed at the highest level, so this appointment is significant news both for Clayton’s own course-designing career and in the context of the wider sport.

He will succeed Britain’s Mike Etherington-Smith; Mike will stay on in the role of course advisor, and Ewan Kellett will support Clayton as assistant course-designer. Mick Pineo will continue as cross-country lead at the fixture.

Clayton said he is “incredibly honoured” to accept the position.

“Adelaide is one of the world’s iconic eventing competitions, combining elite sport with a spectacular city setting,” he said.

“Having competed at Adelaide in the inaugural year of 1997, I have a deep appreciation for the event’s history and significance. My goal is to build on the outstanding work of Mike Etherington-Smith and the festival team by designing courses that are challenging, fair and, above all, safe for both horse and rider.”

Mike said he is “absolutely delighted to see Clayton take on this challenge”.

“Having worked closely with him at a number of venues around the world, I have seen first-hand his passion for the sport, his attention to detail and his understanding of what makes a great cross-country course,” he said.

“I have every confidence that he is the right person to design the Adelaide course.”

Clayton also holds other international course design and assistant designer roles. This includes serving as assistant to Burghley’s course-designer Derek di Grazia at this year’s event, alongside fellow assistant Andrew Heffernan. Clayton and Andrew are doing a masterclass on the Thursday (3 September) of Burghley.

Adelaide Equestrian Festival event director Kirsty Withers said Clayton’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the event.

“Clayton’s achievements as both an athlete and course designer have earned him enormous respect throughout the global eventing community,” she said.

“Together with Ewan, Mick and the best course-building team in the region, this exceptional group will continue to strengthen the Adelaide Equestrian Festival’s reputation as one of the world’s premier five-star events.”

She added: “I’m also delighted that Mike Etherington-Smith will continue his long-standing association in his new role as course advisor, ensuring his invaluable knowledge and experience remain part of Adelaide’s future.”

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Olympic rider Andrew Heffernan has been appointed cross-country course-designer for the Burgham International Horse Trials CCI4*-S (29 July – 2 August).

Andrew, who represented the Netherlands at the London 2012 Olympics, takes over from David Evans and will give the 2026 track “a new layout and look”. David will continue to design Burgham’s CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S and national courses.

Andrew is coach and chef d’equipe of the Dutch eventing team and is course-designer at events including Bramham Horse Trials and Loch Moy in the US.

“I am incredibly excited to be joining Burgham as the new designer for the CCI4*-S track in 2026. My thanks go to David Evans for the opportunity to take this on, and to the organising committee for their confidence in me and for the chance to work closely with their team,” said Andrew.

“Burgham is such an important and well supported event with a reputation for being truly top-class. I’m really looking forward to the future; to making plenty of changes and developing new ideas while respecting everything that makes this event so special. I really can’t wait to get started.”

Event director Craig Anderson added that the Burgham team is “delighted to have Andrew, who is clearly on his way to becoming one of the world’s top cross-country course-designers, involved”.

“I have no doubt that he will bring an innovative and fresh feel to Burgham while maintaining the characteristics of the courses that have helped make the event such a popular and established part of the calendar for owners and riders,” said Craig.

“I know that Andrew and David have great respect for each other and will be a terrific team together here at Burgham.”

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I passed the landmark age of 75 in September and am ramping down my cross-country course-designing. I leave this week for the US for what will probably be my last CCI4*-L course, at Terra Nova in Florida.

In contrast, my course advisor consultancy is on the increase and I enjoyed helping with the junior and young rider European courses in Montelibretti this summer. I see my role now as trying to help the next generation of course-designers. Alec Lochore takes over at Terra Nova next year and Helen West at Stable View, South Carolina, and I’ll continue to help at both venues.

I was super-happy for Ian Stark, who got his five-star track up to speed in spectacular fashion in his third year at Maryland 5 Star. That’s no surprise – it takes three years to get to grips with a venue and the level at five-star. Ian is a super talent and when he retires at the end of next year, he will leave a void that the sport will struggle to fill.

Everyone was happy for Austin O’Connor when he won in Maryland. He decided not to go to the Europeans, but came to the Festival at Gatcombe, which was rained off, and then Burghley, where he had an early glance-off. It’s nice when persistence finally pays off!

Returning to course-design, I was also pleased to see Adrian Ditcham’s improvements at Boekelo. Also in his third year, he has brought more size to this course since the Sue Benson era and with a change in the site meaning fewer woods, no maize fields and more grass, he provided some interesting questions.

I understand why the FEI wants organisers to change designers at four-star every six years and at five-star every eight years, to give more designers a chance to develop. However, as we keep seeing, it takes time for a new designer to build up to the standard. We are in danger of seeing too many designers in the build-up phase, which means more disparity at every level than currently, giving riders increased opportunities to get cheap qualifications – so much for risk management!

How the sport has changed

Looking back over 50 years, it’s amazing how things have changed. I was fourth at Burghley at 18 and fourth at Badminton at 19, before realising I had to learn to trot in a 20-metre circle. Richard Meade, Richard Walker, Jane Holderness-Roddam, Princess Anne, myself and others all enjoyed five-star wins or international success in our early twenties.

It’s a sad reflection on the modern sport that the young rider (21 and under) European Championship is now at CCI3*-L, whereas it used to be CCI4*-L.

I know my generation grew up with the “long format” and the technical requirements in all the phases have increased. Combining that with the qualification boxes that must be ticked, it’s not surprising it takes so long for today’s young to gain the skills and experience needed for consistent top-level success.

Of course, a superstar horse can accelerate the process. I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t realise how good Ros Canter was until she hit the headlines with Allstar B around 2017. She is now 37 and the outstanding professional rider of our time.

At the other end of the scale, I retired after the Seoul Olympic Games, where I had my 40th birthday, feeling I was struggling to stay competitive. Back then, Bill Roycroft, Derek Allhusen and Eddie Boylan had competed in their later years, but now you have Andrew Hoy, Phillip Dutton and company in their sixties. Maryland runner-up William Fox-Pitt is one of a multitude of riders still going in their fifties.

More broadly, thank goodness the future of the three Olympic disciplines is guaranteed in Los Angeles in 2028 and I can’t see the Aussies wanting to lose equestrian sports in Brisbane in 2032, but after that my crystal ball is a little cloudy.

Meanwhile, we have to continue to work overtime to show the public how much we love and respect our four-legged partners.

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Eventing legend, multi-medallist and three-time Badminton winner Ian Stark has confirmed he will step down from designing cross-country courses at the end of 2024 following his 70th birthday.

Ian started course-designing in 2005 at Chatsworth. He was behind the 2015 European Eventing Championships track at Blair Castle, and today designs for top events including Bramham, Chatsworth, and Maryland five-star in the US.

Ian, who turns 70 in February, told H&H he had always intended to retire from cross-country design at the end of 2024 owing to the former FEI age-limit that meant officials had to retire aged 70. However the rules changed in 2019 and there is no longer a limit.

“I’d always planned [to stop at] the end of next year, and I’ve decided to stick with it,” he said, adding that the 2024 Maryland five-star at Fair Hill will be his final event as a course-designer.

“It is tempting to go on, but I’ve always had it in my head. I’m a bit like that in my life and career where I have aims and goals, make decisions and I stick with them. I’m probably a bit bloody-minded when it comes to it, and various people have tried to talk me out of it, but that’s not going to happen.

“I’ve had a great time with all my eventing, course-designing, all the other bits and bobs from the racing world and commentating; I’ve had a pretty good go of it all. I think I should go out when people still want me, than to be still hanging around when they want rid of me!”

Ian, who is also contracted to coach the US eventing squad to the end of 2024 – with Paris the primary focus – plans a “semi-retirement”.

“I’ll do a bit of coaching, but not to the same level that I’m doing,” he said. “Although I’ll be stopping designing, the FEI has asked me to stay on in an advisory capacity; if I can help with people’s careers and futures and still be involved in the sport I’d be delighted. I just don’t want the huge commitment after the end of next year.

“In terms of the events, I’m working with the organisers about who will take over. I gave them all two years’ warning so they’ve known since the beginning of this year. They say they’d like to talk me out of it, but they understand why I’m doing it. We’ll see what happens, I may be doing a little bit of work, I may not be doing any. If I’m needed I’m around and if not, so be it.”

But Ian has no plans to stop riding, and will continue to event. He retired from top-level sport in 2007, but continues to compete.

“I’m incredibly lucky – I’m five months off my 70th, and I’m still reasonably fit and well. I did a 55-mile cycle tour of the borders the other day,” he said.

“The horse I’m eventing (Chatsworth Diamond) would have been advanced if it hadn’t been for me being so busy, and I’ve just bought a new five-year-old that I’m very excited about. I’ve also got four youngsters on the hill that I’ll break and produce,” he said.

“I’ll keep riding while I’m fit, and compete a bit. I enjoy it and I enjoy producing horses and getting out there. I’ve always said I’ll know when my reactions are no longer effective enough – and I have a very good wife and children who will very quickly tell me if it’s time to stop being an idiot and grow up, but I’m not ready to grow up yet!”

Ian said he is most looking forward to spending time with his four grandchildren, Freddie, 14, Alfie, 13, Hugo, aged six, and Eilidh, aged three.

“I like driving them around and doing things with them,” said Ian. “Freddie has a pony that Jenny and I bred that he’s eventing a bit. He’s already understanding the pressure of riding in my footsteps so he’s also riding out for a local racehorse trainer, Stuart Coltherd, during the holidays and at weekends. He may well decide that racing is the route he wants to go down, so I’m there to help and support wherever. I did point-to-points for a number of years and I can understand his desire for speed.

“Alfie is mainly a rugby player, and I think his aim is to play for Scotland in the future. Hugo and Eilidh are a bit younger, but they’re both quite gutsy too. All four are now into skiing, so they want to go skiing with me – they’re all very active, and I love nothing better than spending time with them.”

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British Eventing fixture Pontispool has welcomed former international rider Lucy McCarthy as its new course-designer.

Lucy takes over from Badminton course-designer Eric Winter ahead of the first 2022 event at the Somerset venue on 27-29 May.

Lucy (nee Wiegersma) is the only British rider to have won all three national eventing titles; junior in 1995, young rider in 1998 and senior in 2006. She was second at Badminton in 2008 with Shaabrak, and represented Team GB at the 2009 and 2013 European Championships at senior level, as well as five Europeans at under-21 level.

“I’m very excited and pleased to have been asked to design the courses at Pontispool this year, although stepping into Eric Winter’s shoes will be a very tough act to follow,” she said.

“It’s a place I know very well as a rider and I feel it has a great deal to offer for the education and development of horses and riders. From my riding experience at Pontispool, I know how it feels, and instinctively, which parts are difficult to ride and which ride well.”

Lucy will be focusing on developing tracks that are encouraging for greener horses and riders, educational for more established combinations and “above all fun to ride”.

“We will make full use of Pontispool’s wonderful parkland setting, and there will be purpose and flow and my aim is to make it a positive experience, educational and enjoyable for the horses and the riders so that, hopefully, the majority come back with a smile on their faces,” said Lucy.

“At the same time, the basic elements of crossing the country will be there. Every level will have a ditch, and they will all go through at least one water complex. Where fences might be a bit challenging, we’ll provide easier alternatives as we very much want competitors to think Pontispool is okay for the first-timer, with the education of both the horse and rider in mind.”

Pontispool owner Richard Mitford-Slade thanked Eric Winter, who has been “instrumental” in putting the venue on the map, designing “brilliant” courses over the last two decades.

“We’re delighted to welcome Lucy on board. Her vast experience will be a valuable addition to Pontispool, as we take the venue in a slightly new direction, to cater for the changing demands of those who event. It’s an exciting time,” he said.

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International eventing course-designer Tremaine Cooper has died in an accident, aged 52.

Tremaine died while working outdoors near his farm in Bluemont, Virginia, on 13 March. A spokesman for the US Eventing Association (USEA) described him as a “true champion of eventing”.

“An athlete, course-designer, builder, father, husband, son, friend, and so much more,” said the spokesman.

“Tremaine’s quiet, thoughtful approach resulted in tremendous advancements for the sport of eventing in all areas but especially in the safety and design of cross-country courses.”

Tremaine was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1968. He grew up on a farm and started riding when he was five.

“He was a graduate ‘A’ Pony Clubber and started eventing in 1984, competing to advanced level. At an early age, Tremaine started helping out with the cross-country courses at the Pony Club rallies at his parents’ farm,” said the USEA spokesman.

“At the end of high school and through college he started building seriously and ended up constructing courses throughout the US as well as New Zealand and the UK. Tremaine then focused more on course design, earning his FEI ‘I’ licence more than 15 years ago.”

Tremaine was one of the national US Equestrian (USEF) course advisors and was involved in the educational design seminars for USEF and the FEI. He was also co-chairman of the building/design committee and sat on the USEA board of governors.

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“In 2006 he was awarded the Neil Ayer Course Designers’ Award for his service to the sport as a cross-country course designer,” said the spokesman. “Most recently Tremaine worked with the USEA staff to establish the frangible distribution program through the USEA headquarters.

“Tremaine is survived by his wife Marion, his daughter Sadie, and his son James. Also by his parents, his brother Elisha, by countless brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and all the animals on his farm.”

A memorial will be held on 22 March at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia. Tremaine’s family is establishing a fund in is honour within the USEA Foundation and donations can be made via www.useadonation.org/donate quoting “In honour of Tremaine Cooper”.

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Triple Badminton winner Ian Stark says he is “absolutely thrilled” to be designing his first five-star cross-country course.

The four-time silver Olympic medallist has been hired to design the course at Fair Hill International in Maryland, United States ahead of its first CCI5*-L (formerly CCI4*) in October 2020.

Ian, who visited the venue this week, told H&H it is a “great place”, which has run events at CCI3* (now CCI4*) for 30 years.

“This is a big step up moving to the five-star [level] and I’m thrilled to be able to design there,” he said.

“It’s always a challenge when it’s a new venture and I think what’s particularly exciting about Fair Hill is they are moving the venue. They have huge parklands over there – they’ve had the event at one part of the estate and they are moving the cross-country over to beside the racecourse and bringing everything together.”

Ian, who has previously designed courses including the 2015 European Championships track at Blair Castle in Perthshire, said 80% of the course will be on ground that has not been competed on before.

“From a designer point of view, it’s really exciting. It’s a greenfield site so you’re just starting out – you don’t get any better than that, or any more challenging for that matter,” he said.

“When you take on an event that already has an established route, you’re changing what’s already there whereas when you’ve got a new site you wander around and you think, ‘well these are the exciting areas and I want to do certain types of fences in certain places’, then you try and string the course together and get a good flow to it. You can let your imagination run riot from the off really.”

Ian plans to make “lots of visits” to the site and is ready to “crack on”.

“I’ve already got a course in mind and the route and jumps thought out. I think Fair Hill are now going ahead and selecting a builder, which will happen in the next few weeks, then I’ll go back over and work with the builder and we’ll discuss everything I want to do with the landscaping and the types of fences I want to build,” said Ian.

“It’s really about getting the ground established and the best footing possible for the horses.

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Ian said there is added pressure designing his first five-star course.

“Every course I design, there is pressure, you want to get it right and do the best possible,” he said. “It’s the first five-star I’m having a go at and being a greenfields site there’s a lot of added pressure. When I was competing I loved pressure, but I’ll tell you in a few years’ time if I like the pressure of this or not!

“Fair Hill is an established event and the team are great people to work with. They’ve got state funding and private funding, there’s a lot of money going into it and this is what they want to do in the state of Maryland. It’s great for them and it’s thrilling for me.”

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Course-designing at the top level has long been dominated by a handful of professionals. But what happens when they retire? Who will replace them?

This is a question that has concerned the course-designing fraternity for some time — and one that, two years ago, prompted British Eventing (BE) to launch a scholarship to identify future talent.

“It is an issue, and not just in this country — there is a real shortage of both people coming through and top-level course-designers worldwide,” Mike Etherington-Smith, who designed the Sydney and Hong Kong Olympic tracks, told H&H.

Burghley and Luhmühlen designer Mark Phillips has raised similar concerns.

He said: “I don’t think there is enough new blood coming through.

“Course-designing is a vocation — it’s not something that can be learned in a few days’ training. It takes time to gain the experience to move up the levels and you need to learn on the job.”

Too much responsibility?

Mark has also pointed out that the burden of responsibility that rests on the course-designer’s shoulders — one that increases with every death in the sport — is not encouraging people to get involved. With two deaths in recent months, are the implications too much?

“There is more pressure on designers nowadays,” said Mark. “It doesn’t matter how much you do, there’s always that possibility for accidents to happen.”

In Italy a police investigation is currently ongoing with the course-designer, technical delegate and event director under scrutiny. This is “standard procedure for this type of accident in Italy,” according to the Italian Equestrian Federation.

Although in Britain similar protocol does not apply, the pressure remains.

“The world in which course-designers work is not an easy one,” said Mike.

“The advent of rider reps several years ago was formalising the relationship between officials and riders and this relationship is very good. Riders can at any time approach officials with concerns that they may have about a fence, which is a positive development.

“We are all in the sport because we enjoy it, we know what the risks are and have to accept them whatever our role.”

From rider to designer

Riders Helen West and Beanie Sturgis have both tried their hand at designing through running their own horse trials — Bicton and Dauntsey respectively. They were two of the three winners of last year’s BE course-design scholarship.

“When I took on the job of organising Bicton, I thought I could save some money by designing courses for Pony Club and riding club events, and it went from there,” said Helen, who now has sole charge of the BE courses up to novice level and has had a significant input into the intermediate and CIC2* tracks, with mentoring from Blenheim and Hartpury designer Eric Winter.

“It’s been a huge learning curve and, as a rider, it’s made me look at courses from a completely different perspective and appreciate why certain fences work — or don’t work,” she said.

“I have also learned a lot about the pressures of working within the constraints of a tight budget. Riders wonder why, at the lower levels, there are so many logs and post and rails on a course, but sometimes it’s the only way to keep a course within budget. As a course-designer you are also responsible for the footing, and if you run out of money to prepare the ground then people aren’t going to run their horses anyway.”

Helen also admits to having sleepless nights before competitions.

“I go to sleep with fences spinning round in my head. You dread making a mistake,” she said.

“Fortunately, the system is such that advice is only a phone call away. Often, though, an accident will happen not at a jump that you have lost sleep over, but at a straightforward one that you hadn’t thought twice about.

“You have to have confidence in yourself and constantly strive to learn more.”

Beanie, who is renowned for her brave and bold cross-country riding, has brought the same qualities to designing.

“I love the buzz of it and being able to put my stamp on a track,” she said.

“Two years ago I built a fence of the same type as Badminton’s Vicarage V on our intermediate track. It struck me that there was nothing like this to prepare riders and horses before they met it as a four-star question, so I built a double of corners over ditches and they jumped really well. It gave me a real buzz.”

Mike Etherington-Smith has said that to be a good course-designer, it is advantageous, if not vital, to have competed at a reasonable level.

“You need to have ridden all sorts of horses — not just the really talented ones — as it’s important to understand what an average horse is capable of and how his mind and body works,” he said.

A viable career?

But is course-designing really a viable career option, even for top riders who decide to hang up their boots?

Ian Stark and Eric Winter are both in high demand, although both also have “sidelines” in the shape of training and running busy equestrian centres.

Neither Helen nor Beanie can see themselves devoting all their time to course-designing in the future, although both are keen to further their skills.

“It’s something I really enjoy,” said Beanie. “But I can’t see how you would make much money from it; course-designing is never going to make you rich.”

Former Household Cavalry rider and now accredited course-designer and -builder, Joe Weller, set up an event on his home turf at Norton Disney. He also helps out at Burghley, Houghton and Burnham Market.

He said: “The bulk of my income comes from farming and course-building. I think you need to have another job alongside designing.”

Course-designing work can also be hard to come by.

“It’s a double-edged sword because we need to increase the pool of designers in eventing, but often there’s not enough work to go around,” he said.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 14 May 2015

Olympic course-designer Mike Etherington-Smith is to step down from his position as chief executive of British Eventing (BE).

Mike, who has been in the post since 2009, will stand down in six months time. He has made the decision in order to devote more time to cross-country course designing and consultancy work, having scaled back his designing work after being responsible for the track at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

Among his other high-profile course-design jobs, Mike was designer at at the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games.

“It’s no secret that my first love is being out and about on cross-country courses and I have been offered some more designing opportunities, including at the Adelaide four-star in Australia,” said Mike.

“It was a really tough decision to leave BE, but I feel that now is a good time for someone else to take over the reins.

“I’ve really enjoyed the job, which has been a real privilege, and would like to thank everyone in the sport, especially the staff at BE, for their commitment and support. I will always be more than happy to continue to help and advise where needed.”

BE chairman Hugh Thomas added: “Mike has done an outstanding job leading his team.

“I quite understand his desire to do more course-design while he’s still able, but we will certainly miss him a lot.”

Mike was previously event director at Blenheim, from 1990-2006 and Chatsworth from 1999-2007.

BE has said the position will be advertised “in due course”.

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Three budding course-designers have been given the opportunity to hone their skills in 2015 after being awarded a scholarship from British Eventing (BE).

Helen West, Lloyd Hunt and Beanie Sturgis (pictured) will all benefit from award — which has been supported by the Bill Thompson Bursary — that was created to help potential course-designers by providing mentoring and training.

A shortlist of applicants attended a final selection day at Aston Farm in Gloucestershire, where Mark Phillips was one of the selectors.

Last year’s winners were both four-star eventers, Lucy Wiegersma and Angus Smales, but this year only Beanie competes to that level. She has also been involved with running Dauntsey since 2007 and designed an intermediate track for the first time this year.

“I’m really looking forward to starting to design at other venues, and seeing courses at the concept stages while being able to ask questions as to why an experienced designer is doing what they are doing,” she said

“I won’t be competing forever, and course-design is a natural progression.”

Helen has been involved with designing the lower level courses at Bicton for the past two seasons and also regularly competes at two-star.

“Designing at Bicton has been really enjoyable. Next year I hope to be able to design at some other venues, maybe have a go at Bicton’s intermediate track and perhaps try my hand at a CIC2*, with suitable mentoring,” Helen said.

“Being an active competitor helps me as a designer, without doubt. You have a feel for how something will ride, and what is a fair question for an ‘average’ horse – not everyone is sat on a superstar!”

Lloyd is the least experienced of the three. A BE registered course builder, he was one of the fence repairers at London 2012. He also runs unaffiliated events at Offchurch Bury and is hoping to get the venue included in the BE calendar in the next couple of years.

“I have not stopped smiling since I heard the news, I honestly thought I had no chance and simply to make it through to the selection day was an achievement,” said Lloyd.

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2 advanced eventers have won British Eventing’s inaugural cross-country course design scholarship

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This year has been a dramatic one, with the cross-country the dominant factor in determining the result at many of the four-stars. The old and bold would celebrate this return to the “good old days”.

Unfortunately times have changed and many of the pictures we saw this year are becoming increasingly unacceptable.

That produces a real dilemma for the four-star designer. How do you set a four-star test and still produce a picture that is acceptable in countries such as Germany, Holland and Sweden where animal rights activists are vociferous?

We have had the introduction of frangible fences with the British pin systems and the Swedish MIM Clip. Designers are using more brush fences as they, too, are forgiving if a rider makes a mistake. But some say the bigger effort required to jump so many brushes is making horses more tired.

There have been papers circulating among senior designers this autumn asking whether we are mentally asking too much of the horses, with so many combinations and skinny fences.

Badminton final scores

As ever, we seem to have more questions than answers.

Why horses are tiring more

One common factor this year was the ground conditions, which made the time unattainable at Badminton, Burghley — where one softer section meant riders could not make up time — and the World Equestrian Games. In all three cases we underestimated the conditions underfoot.

When the time is difficult, horses become more tired and the resulting pictures are less pretty. The shorter format doesn’t have the endurance element we had from a 5min 13sec steeplechase followed by a 14min cross-country. In those days, we settled into a rhythm like the long-distance runner in order to finish.

In the long format, we had a jumping effort every 175 or 180m — now it’s every 140 or 145m. The number of fences has not changed, nor has the speed at which water, a coffin, a sunken road and so on can be tackled. That means horses now go much faster between the jumps and they therefore get winded, more than tired, from the intensity of the effort.

In addition, many riders aspire to ride at four-star and indeed meet the minimum requirements. However, in life, experience is what you get just after you discovered you needed it. So my heart sank when I heard there were 18 first-timers at Burghley this year, because I knew there would be a percentage that were not up to it.

Where do we go now?

I go to Burghley this week to start the 2015 course. It’s been agreed that we can turn the track around so that the Lion Bridge, Lake Crossing, Capabilities Cutting and Cottesmore Leap will all come in the first 4min. The highest point on the course will come at 4min instead of 8min.

Will this be an improvement? I don’t know, as it will put the challenges of Discovery Valley, the Leaf Pit and the Arena in the last 3min.

It will be fascinating to see what Giuseppe de la Chiesa comes up with at Badminton. He’ll be praying for better weather.

Even more interesting will be Ian Stark’s Bramham after his wet one this time and how he deals with the mountain at Blair Castle for the Europeans in September.

Talking of Blair, Alec Lochore assures me that the dressage arena erected in the main ring this year to protect the virgin grass was in the wrong place and I’ve now seen pictures of it correctly sited. Happily, the boards looked laser-beam level.

I apologise for inferring otherwise (comment, 28 August) but I was not the only one scratching my head. Anyway, I’m excited about returning to Scotland next year for what should be a great European Championship.

It was disappointing to see so few runners at Pau last week. Was this because of the attrition at WEG, Badminton, Burghley or the lack of HSBC funding for the FEI Classics — or a combination? I don’t know, but it was a sad way for 2014 to peter out.

Let’s look forward to 2015. I’m hoping we can make it a golden year for the sport and leave the soggy memories of 2014 behind.

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H&H eventing columnist Mark Phillips is to design the CIC2* cross-country course at Rockingham Castle International Horse Trials next year.

The plans are already underway for the 2015 event — which will be held from 22-24 May — at the park in Rockingham Castle, in Leicestershire.

Mark has been for a walk around the site and is already planning several changes to the layout, which are under discussion.

“We are thrilled to have Mark Phillips on board,” said event organiser Andrew Norman.

“His enviable CV, which includes designing the courses at Burghley, the Festival of British Eventing and Luhmuhlen, mean that he needs no introduction.

“His courses are highly regarded by competitors who have already given the event their vote of approval over the past two years.

“This is the perfect news for us as we strive to make the Rockingham Castle Horse Trials a ‘must go to’ event both for riders and spectators.”

Rockingham replaced Brigstock International Horse Trials – which was dropped from the British Eventing calendar in 2012.

This year’s CIC2* was won by Gemma Tattersall riding Quicklook V, who finished ahead of Tim Price on Bango.

The first CIC2* section was won by Oliver Townend on Sandiman II.

For more information visit: www.rockinghamcastlehorsetrials.com

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Designing a World Equestrian Games (WEG) cross-country track is difficult. You have to cater to the best in the world and those stepping up a level. Also, the course needs to work in the best conditions and the worst.

Pierre Michelet is an excellent course-designer and I’m sure with hindsight he might do some things differently now. As designers, we are our own biggest critics. I watch horses, how they are travelling, how they look and their expressions — even if they finish tired, are their ears pricked or are they grateful it’s over?

Haras du Pin is a super venue, with terrain that invites imaginative design. The course was beautifully built. But footing is the single most important factor in a track and this event was a victim of the weather. The organisers spent time and money on the going, but even so it was not great.

Walking the course, I felt it was unrelenting — big, with lots of questions, on the verge of being too much. There were 18 brush fences on the direct route and riders repeatedly tackled a large jump followed by an accuracy question. It was a big ask of the horses.

I always felt the last water was a question too many and that was borne out — it wasn’t pretty. We saw good horses come to grief trying to do as they were asked.

I left with mixed feelings. I didn’t really enjoy watching, although most competitors did a cracking job and rode responsibly. But I don’t care to see good horses trying their best, yet becoming disheartened or being bottomed out.

The Brits did us proud, but of course everyone is devastated by the very sad loss of Wild Lone after such a terrific round.

➤ British Eventing chief executive Mike Etherington-Smith designed the track for the 2010 WEG in Kentucky.

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British Eventing (BE) has launched a new initiative designed to support up-and-coming cross-country course-designers.

The scholarship will provide tailored help and advice from a selection of experienced mentors, training sessions and course-walks, opportunities to assist with the design of BE courses and a level of financial support.

BE’s Mike Etherington-Smith said: “This new scheme will offer a fresh perspective on course design and hopefully open the gateway for new designers from a variety of backgrounds to come into the sport. As well as discovering new talent, it will provide those accepted with the opportunity to be mentored by some of the best designers in the UK.”

Applications for the pilot scheme opened on Tuesday (5 August) and will run from 2014 to 2015. Up to two candidates will be accepted.

For more information, visit www.britisheventing.com.

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Top cross-country course designer – and chief executive of British Eventing – Mike Etherington-Smith has been lured out of temporary retirement to build the Sydney CCI3* course next year.

After creating the 2010 World Equestrian Games eventing course in Kentucky, Mike said he would take a few years off.

But the 2012 Sydney International 3 Day Event (26-29 April) has secured him as designer.

Mike won acclaim for his tracks at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and the 2008 Beijing Games in Hong Kong.

He was also technical delegate for the 2004 Olympics in Athens and technical advisor to the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen.

Glenn Wallace, president of Sydney International Eventing, said: “We have been keen to get Mike back to Sydney for some time, so it’s great that he now has the time to come back to work with our team.”

And Equestrian Australia’s eventing director Prue Barrett, said: “For Australian riders to ride over Mike’s course prior to the Olympic Games will give them invaluable experience and ensure they are well-prepared to take on the rest of the world.”

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Pierre Michelet will make his cross-country course-designing debut in Britain at the Express Eventing International Cup in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on 30 November.

The renowned French designer is responsible for the track at Pau four-star this weekend and many riders have previously expressed a desire to see him work on this side of the Channel.

“It has been a really exciting opportunity,” said Pierre. “The course is designed to replicate traditional eventing, but with restricted distance and terrain. This is very different to other indoor courses. It is not designed to be about speed. The design ensures that accuracy is extremely important.

“In indoor cross-country it is more a speed class. Express Eventing is a much longer course, in an area about six times the size that is designed to encourage rhythm, balance and accuracy.”

The course will include three water features, a bank and several ditches and hedges, and has been designed in consultation with the event’s technical director Mike Tucker.

Di Boddy, show jumping designer at Burghley and Bramham, will design the show jumping track, which will have several optional routes.

Tina Cook to write diary for H&H online

Tina Cook will be writing a weekly diary on www.horseandhound.co.uk detailing her preparation for Express Eventing. Her first installment will go live next Thursday.

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Mike Etherington-Smith will give up most of his cross- country course-designing duties after the 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky, where he will design the course.

“One should never say never again, but I don’t see myself flying around the world designing courses after WEG,” said Mike, who is designer for this year’s Olympics in Hong Kong.

“There have to be opportunities for up-and-coming designers, and if there is one less of the likes of me maybe opportunities could present themselves.”

He added that designing for Chatsworth would still be “part of my plans”.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (31 January, ’08)

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There are no academic qualifications needed to qualify as a cross-country course-designer.

Top designer Mike Etherington-Smith says: “I got into it by accident. I was too fat and old to ride. The British Horse Trials Association [now British Eventing] approached me to become a technical adviser while I was still competing, and this led to designing cross-country tracks.”

Mike has gone on to design hundreds of courses, including the Sydney Olympics,Rolex-Kentucky and the Adelaide CCI****.

Another who started via the technical adviser (TA) route is Eric Winter, who officiates at 11 events.

“It is useful being a TA, as you see so many horses jumping different types of obstacle. This gives a good insight into the design of jumps,” he says. “My first approach to becoming a designer was to ask Mike Etherington-Smith his advice. He let me shadow him for a year, starting with intro and pre-novice courses. His help was invaluable and I still consult him now.”

Both Mike and Eric evented at four-star level, and they insist this provides them with the insight required to create challenging yet safe courses.

“It’s not having ridden good horses that helps but having ridden lots of different horses, including some who really weren’t very talented,” says Mike. “Course-designing is knowing about how horses move and cover the ground.”

Eric adds: “You have to know what a horse can and can’t do. I also had to consider what you can build. The construction side was a hefty thing to learn. You are also constricted by budget, so I had to discover the costs of building a fence or adding a ditch. Most courses are usually developed along a three- or four-year plan. You also need to be good with people, as you work closely with the event organiser.”

British Eventing is keen to encourage budding designers. It is currently working with Hartpury College to develop an Academy of Course-Design, of which Mike Etherington-Smith is a director. It is also developing a mentoring programme, where new designers can learn from their more established counterparts.

Both Mike and Eric are passionate about their job. “You won’t get rich, but I have a good quality of life. I’ve met fantastic people and, although the travelling can be a pain, I’ve seen some great places,” says Mike.

Eric adds: “I love designing — apart from riding, it’s the most exciting thing I do. Five minutes before the start of cross-country my heart starts beating, but I relax once the first dozen horses have gone round. It’s quite an adrenalin rush.”

• This careers focus was first published on Horse & Hound’s young rider pages (18 January, ’07)

Eventing is set to benefit from a new generation of professional course designers, following the launch of The International Academy of Cross Country Design and Build.

This pioneering initiative is a joint venture between British Eventing and Hartpury College and is destined to take eventing to new heights by raising the standards of cross-country design and construction.

“This new academy is exciting news for the sport and can only serve to benefit eventing world wide,” says former BE Chairman and internationally renowned course designer Mike Tucker. “As the world leaders in cross-country build and design, Britain has recognised that it is necessary to further develop the potential of our established professionals and even more vitally, bring new talent up through the ranks to maintain our status.”

Olympic course designer Mike Etherington-Smith and Janet Plant, whose design portfolio includes courses at Weston Park and Sansaw, are chairing a steering group to outline the aims and objectives of the academy. Courses will be open to worldwide participants at all levels (intro to championship) as early as next spring.

A bursary established on the death of Bill Thompson, the world’s first professional course builder, will be used to support the academy and BE hopes to secure additional financial backing. The Willis brothers-built course at Badminton will be used for clinics and study days, giving students the chance to observe the design and contruction produres behind new cross-country obstacles.

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