That is a more technical course than I have ever ridden at novice and training in this country.
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It’s definitely a championship course, but from the UK eventers I follow on social media, their regular 90 and 100 courses also seem to be more technical than novice and training here in the US.
So freaking cool. Our courses are all pretty technical here in Ontario like that.
One thing I’ve noticed about our events too is that we have a lot more terrain than what it looks like in the US (especially Florida). Almost all our courses are very hilly undulating ground.
It was definitely a championship course and very intense, asking multiple questions at both BE90 and BE100. The best bit was that the riders were running over the iconic turf and often their fences were positioned very close to the 5* ones. An exceptional challenge was the size of the crowd, far more people than ever found at everyday events at the level, all round the course and applauding riders. The track also ran up beside the noise and movement of the shopping area at the end. There was a lovely atmosphere and the riders were finishing with enormous smiles on their faces. One I spoke to said “I forgot to look! I was planning to look at the house as I rode past but I was concentrating so much I forgot to look. It was really intense” but she was grinning widely and her horse looked like it could easily go round again immediately. As a spectator, it was great to have horses running past at two minutes intervals and to have fences far closer together so not the usual long 5* hike. I’m not sound at the moment.
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God, I would love to ride that course. Maybe on a different horse than my current guy, though 
I loved the homage to the Vee. The Coronation Coral probably rode better than it looks. I love 21AB. I don’t see a lot of let up, bet it was intense!
I thought it looked on par with what you would expect at a Championship Course here on the east coast US - with a flair of Badders decorum and intensity considering the novelty and legacy at play. Since we don’t have Badminton here, I don’t know if we can duplicate it.
The comment about terrain in the states got me thinking. I think our most publicized event[s] are pretty south - on the east coast, the more south you go the flatter it gets. There isn’t a lot of coverage for Area 1 events but of the ones still running, half of them are situated on mountains. I think public perception of terrain would change if more riders saw what Area 1 riders contend with. Even better, the beginning half of the season is often boggy, so not only are you worrying about terrain but sloggy going. Hitching Post, GMHA, and Huntington are all good examples though I’m not sure if HP is still running?
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The Coronation Corral had a ground line and was dressed with plants to soften how upright the two gates were (missing in the photo)0. The 5* won’t have the same dressing I suspect.
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I was actually thinking that it might just what’s put “out there”.
Although even the events in Virgina looks relatively flat when compared to the hills we have.
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If you’re thinking of VHC Trials, I agree it’s pretty flat. Half the state is Appalachia and the rest is coastal flats/plains. Depending on where you are it’s very flat, or very hilly.
If you ever have the opportunity to visit VA, Roanoke and surrounding areas are horsey and visually stunning. When I had my MA to SC (or FL) drives I used to time it so that the sun was rising or setting as I was driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway in VA - it is so gorgeous and makes the seemingly interminable drive worth it.
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