Course Design and Construction for Horse Trials

The sport of eventing is becoming more and more popular in many parts of the world from Australia to Zimbabwe. As the number of competitions grows and horses become ever more valuable, the role played by the course designer and builder becomes increasingly crucial. It is the essence of the sport that courses should test the training, ability and courage of both horse and rider; but they must also be safe. This book, the first comprehensive work on the subject, explains in detail the techniques of fence design and construction. It also covers the broader but no less vital aspects of the sport, including choosing a site, assessing the terrain, planning the course and making the most of natural features.

The contributors are all renowned international experts. The major part of the book comprises a step-by-step guide to constructing fences, from the simplest post and rails to the most complex combination, written by Philip Herbert, builder of Burghley and of courses at other levels. Patrick Lynch who as farm manager at the United States Equestrian Team's headquarters at South Hamilton, Massachusetts, works closely with leading riders and horses, discusses the principles of course building, in which he emphasises how important it is to understand horses in order to build good courses. Organisation, layout and terrain are dealt with by Hugh Thomas, course designer for the 1988 Olympic Three-Day Event. The comprehensive chapter on combinations, options and alternatives is by Neil Ayer, who designed the 1984 Olympic cross-country course at San Diego. Show jumping course designer and builder Richard Jeffery writes in detail about the special requirements of this phase of an event. There is also a chapter dealing with dressage, which includes the choice of site, and the layout and construction of the arena itself. The text is illustrated with over 200 photographs, drawing and explanatory diagrams.

Wherever event courses are built the basic principles remain the same, regardless of the dimensions of the fences. This book will therefore undoubtedly prove invaluable to anyone involved in building event courses, at whatever level.