ALL artists go into their projects with a vision, and for course-designer Kevin Millman, the grassy, undulating turf of ring five at Hickstead, home of the Prenetics Royal International (RIHS), provides the perfect canvas.
“It’s a true hunting course over true hunting obstacles,” explains RIHS senior working hunter course-designer Kevin, who has been designing the track for some 20 years. “It’s a championship class so naturally, we’re not expecting lots of clears, though this does depend on the judges; some will request a really tough course which will produce only one or two clears, while others will ask for more clean rounds so the show and conformation section has more weight.
“We walk the course together and the decision on the final course is ultimately down to them, at my discretion.”
The 12-fence course, which is set on a slope and requires 15 to 16 efforts from the combinations, is a mix of seven permanent fences – including a Cornish wall, an open ditch, and a hedge – and some temporary constructions.
While Kevin says the course is arguably not as sizable as it was 15 years ago, mainly due to health-and-safety regulations, questions are still asked and the nature of the fences certainly separates the wheat from the chaff.
“Competitors often come back after the class in the evening to measure some of the fences so they can build them at home,” says Kevin. “True hunter types tend to fare better, and while the course is built forward and some horses have no problem with the pace, it’s the required stamina which can let them down.
Denne historien er fra July 15, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra July 15, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
