One thing I like about Derek DiGrazia’s courses is that there is plenty of drama without the scary moments.
On this Burghley course there was an early hedge-straddle-ditch jump (Rolex or Discovery) that was on a right turn after a nice gallop. A very kind green rolling ditch. No wings, just inviting open space on either side. Either the rider lined up for this one properly and took a bit of extra ground to do so, or they just wheeled around to it and the horse went right by it across the gentle ditch and apparently didn’t even register that it was a jump.
I have no problem with obstacles like that. And no sympathy for the riders who miss on them. It was a great test to weed out those who were riding to the level, and those who weren’t.
But then on arrival at the Trout Hatchery there was a big open oxer with a downhill landing, right before the left turn to the water. The landing and water visible through the water clearly drew the horse’s eyes. If the horse jumped out too boldly they would miss the turn (or go with the alternate route). But why an oxer? Probably because the horses can better see the landing than they could with a table?
If a horse went boldly to this oxer, sailing over with trust that the rider would find the way, it was ok. Will Coleman cruised through elegantly as if it were a clinic combination. But far too many seemed to be trying to do several things at once, rather than one thing really well (the oxer).
BUT - the many less experienced horses and riders apparently had their eye drawn not only to the landing but perhaps to the left-hand water as well. Some of the riders were resisting momentum in hopes of making that turn on the landing. But they didn’t have enough commitment for the oxer. Horses’s eyes were darting as they were trying to bank the oxer, register the water, and anticipate the turn signaled by the rider, and that’s when the logs rolled as the horses got into the oxer itself. The frangibles very probably saved more than one horse from flipping and coming down on the rider onto the drop landing.
Unforgiving is the kindest description I can think of for this jump. Missing could mean a serious disaster and we’re lucky that didn’t happen.
It would likely have also been bad with a table instead of an oxer. The horses would not have seen the drop landing. It was the placement and design of the entire combination that caused the problems.
There were open oxers at so many obstacles. I was surprised enough to wonder if Burghley was short on funds for building more substantial jumps. But perhaps it was because the frangibles work more easily with the oxers? It was anticipated that the frangible collapses would be needed?
I believe this sport can do better. I believe we can keep up the standards while constructing obstacles and courses that challenge those who do it well, without destroying those who don’t. It’s been done. But not like this course.
