Changes have been made to the 2024 Pau Horse Trials cross-country course ahead of Saturday’s (26 October) action, owing to wet weather.
The ground walked on the soft side in yesterday’s warm sunshine. The weather took a turn overnight and there has been plenty of rain today.
Pau Horse Trials sport director and assistant technical delegate Guillaume Blanc confirmed the cross-country changes during today’s post-dressage press conference.
Fences 17, 28 and 29a have been removed. The route between fences nine and 10 has also been modified, to cut out a loop.
Mr Blanc said that fence 17 – a trakehner on the racecourse (pictured, top) at the far point of the course – was being taken out as the take-off and landing “are not brilliant”. Fence 28, a big oxer towards the end of the course (pictured, below), has also been removed for the same reason.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
He added that fence 29a, a big roll-top with brush behind positioned on the top of a mound (pictured, below), is being removed as it could catch a horse tiring in these conditions. The other elements at fence 29 (29bcd) remain on the course.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
“The course will be slightly shortened,” said Mr Blanc. “Going from fences nine to 10, there won’t be a loop – it will be a direct route.
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“The roping will be shortened after fence 22 and coming to fence 23. Instead of looping, the horses will go straight.”
Sand will be put on take-off and landing areas on all the fences, before the start of the cross-country.
The cross-country is set to kick off at 10.30am UK time (11.30am local time) on Saturday (26 October).
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
