The course has been turned around this year and will have a slightly different flavour with some of the questions being asked but all the usual favourite fences are included. The early fences Auftakt der Sparkasse Harburg-Buxtehude (1), Niemann-Laes Tisch (2) and Sport-Physio Bank (3) are all straightforward but allow the horses to settle into a rhythm and the riders to get their horses into a good shape and ‘up in the air’.

The course has been turned around this year and will have a slightly different flavour with some of the questions being asked but all the usual favourite fences are included. The early fences Auftakt der Sparkasse Harburg-Buxtehude (1), Niemann-Laes Tisch (2) and Sport-Physio Bank (3) are all straightforward but allow the horses to settle into a rhythm and the riders to get their horses into a good shape and ‘up in the air’.

The course has been turned around this year and will have a slightly different flavour with some of the questions being asked but all the usual favourite fences are included. The early fences Auftakt der Sparkasse Harburg-Buxtehude (1), Niemann-Laes Tisch (2) and Sport-Physio Bank (3) are all straightforward but allow the horses to settle into a rhythm and the riders to get their horses into a good shape and ‘up in the air’.

The Willke’s rail Tisch (4) is the first frangible fence, the MIM Table, as they make their way to the Busch-Oxer Kombination (5a, b, c), the first combination on this year’s course. It is not intended to be very difficult but riders need to pay attention because the two stumps are pretty skinny and a run out here would be really frustrating.

The Willke’s rail Tisch (4) is the first frangible fence, the MIM Table, as they make their way to the Busch-Oxer Kombination (5a, b, c), the first combination on this year’s course. It is not intended to be very difficult but riders need to pay attention because the two stumps are pretty skinny and a run out here would be really frustrating.

The Holztisch (6) comes next, a maximum height and spread fence to open them out before the right turn to the two Kennels (7a, b). The horses need to be nimble in front and confident as they jump the first element because they can’t see where they are landing until quite late since the ground runs away and then the 2nd cabin at the top of the slope will come quickly. The key here is not to overjump the first cabin.

The Holztisch (6) comes next, a maximum height and spread fence to open them out before the right turn to the two Kennels (7a, b). The horses need to be nimble in front and confident as they jump the first element because they can’t see where they are landing until quite late since the ground runs away and then the 2nd cabin at the top of the slope will come quickly. The key here is not to overjump the first cabin.

The massive Holzstoß (8), should be straightforward at this level of competition before they come to the double Busch-Ecken (9a, b) on a righthand curve on 3 strides. A good pace of approach so horses can understand the question and confidence are what is needed here. It is the type of fence that it is very easy to have a run out at, particularly the 2nd one.

The massive Holzstoß (8), should be straightforward at this level of competition before they come to the double Busch-Ecken (9a, b) on a righthand curve on 3 strides. A good pace of approach so horses can understand the question and confidence are what is needed here. It is the type of fence that it is very easy to have a run out at, particularly the 2nd one.

A bit of a leg stretch follows as they make their way to the impressive Grabensprung (10) which although it looks somewhat dauting should ride really well.

The heimWatt Kombination (11a, b, c) always needs a mix of skills. The need to approach at the right speed/pace is important – not too fast or the horses can’t read the question, not too slow or you risk a refusal. Horses must be athletic and confident, honest and trusting, and then committed to jump the last element where the possibility of a run out exists. The f irst element has MIM clips in case anyone is in a real tangle and there is an alternative to the last element in case anyone doesn’t jump the ditch so well where riders can go without being penalised apart from the time element.

On then to a fairly intense section of the course. The Oxer (12) is maximum height and top spread before turning to the LeMieux Lagune (13a, b, c, d). There are two routes through here, a quick route and a long route for those not feeling quite so brave or whose horse may a bit less experienced.

The quick route is over the suspended log with brush along the top which has a near maximum permitted drop into the water, 3 strides to the corner in the middle of the water, followed by 4 strides to the watermill. The long route will use up a lot of time going around the outside of the water, jumping a brush into it, up the slope to the narrow carrot box, around to a narrow brush, and then to the watermill.

Looking at the safety side of things, if someone jumps in on the quick route and then stumbles they can change their mind and go to the narrow brush and then to the watermill, what we call a ‘get out of jail’ card.

On then to a fairly intense section of the course. The Oxer (12) is maximum height and top spread before turning to the LeMieux Lagune (13a, b, c, d). There are two routes through here, a quick route and a long route for those not feeling quite so brave or whose horse may a bit less experienced.

The quick route is over the suspended log with brush along the top which has a near maximum permitted drop into the water, 3 strides to the corner in the middle of the water, followed by 4 strides to the watermill. The long route will use up a lot of time going around the outside of the water, jumping a brush into it, up the slope to the narrow carrot box, around to a narrow brush, and then to the watermill.

Looking at the safety side of things, if someone jumps in on the quick route and then stumbles they can change their mind and go to the narrow brush and then to the watermill, what we call a ‘get out of jail’ card.

The Reiterbar (14) is a let-up fence after the water even though it is very big, before they make their way to the LVM Wellenbahn (15a, b, c). This year we go up the step having come down it for the last 3 times and riders need to get their line correct before jumping the first element. A curving 4 strides should get them to a good take off point for the step up and then it is all about how the travel up the slope and the line they take. The brush at the top looks very big as you come up to it but it will be disappointing if it doesn’t ride well.

The Reiterbar (14) is a let-up fence after the water even though it is very big, before they make their way to the LVM Wellenbahn (15a, b, c). This year we go up the step having come down it for the last 3 times and riders need to get their line correct before jumping the first element. A curving 4 strides should get them to a good take off point for the step up and then it is all about how the travel up the slope and the line they take. The brush at the top looks very big as you come up to it but it will be disappointing if it doesn’t ride well.

The Trakehner (16) comes next as part of the Meßmer Teich (17a, b, c) complex. It is big but straightforward but the key to unlock the challenge here is how fast they jump it because the narrow brush (#17a) on the bank before the water will come up very quickly. Horses need to be honest here, riders have to have a plan, and a run out will be extremely easy to have even though the riders and horses at this level are very good nowadays at this sort of fence.

One factor to bear in mind here is that there is a big atmosphere as horses come into this area. There are lots of spectators and it is very busy and so riders have to also remember this element.

After the narrow just before the water they go onto the island, jump the log (17b) and the 3 strides to a narrow triple brush, not an easy question to answer. Horses must be confident and true.

For those who don’t fancy the quick route they can spend a lot of time ‘touring’ around the outside of the water which will use up a lot of valuable time.

The Holzstoß (18) is a let-up fence to give them a bit of a breather as is the frangible Manzke Ecke (19) as they make their way to the main arena.

It will be interesting to see how these new fences ride. I will be disappointed if the horses at this level pay any attention to the water trays but we never know.

The Holzstoß (18) is a let-up fence to give them a bit of a breather as is the frangible Manzke Ecke (19) as they make their way to the main arena.

It will be interesting to see how these new fences ride. I will be disappointed if the horses at this level pay any attention to the water trays but we never know.

The Brush Oxer at the Longines Kombination (20a, b, c) is maximum height at 1.45m at the back and then they can make whatever distance they wish to the two offset brushes on one stride with the water trays under them.

The Lotto Vogel (21) and the Gärtnerei Wrede’s Rennbahnsprung (22) are meant to be gentle fences even though they are up to height and need respecting before coming to the Trainingsplatz Kombination (23a, b) with a Gate (with frangible MIM clips) to the Rootball log, another slightly curving line on 3 strides. Another fence which horses could easily slip by on the left-hand side. The reason for this fence is to keep riders paying attention as they start to head for home even though there is still a fair bit to jump yet.

The Lotto Vogel (21) and the Gärtnerei Wrede’s Rennbahnsprung (22) are meant to be gentle fences even though they are up to height and need respecting before coming to the Trainingsplatz Kombination (23a, b) with a Gate (with frangible MIM clips) to the Rootball log, another slightly curving line on 3 strides. Another fence which horses could easily slip by on the left-hand side. The reason for this fence is to keep riders paying attention as they start to head for home even though there is still a fair bit to jump yet.

The Lotto Vogel (21) and the Gärtnerei Wrede’s Rennbahnsprung (22) are meant to be gentle fences even though they are up to height and need respecting before coming to the Trainingsplatz Kombination (23a, b) with a Gate (with frangible MIM clips) to the Rootball log, another slightly curving line on 3 strides. Another fence which horses could easily slip by on the left-hand side. The reason for this fence is to keep riders paying attention as they start to head for home even though there is still a fair bit to jump yet.

The 3 efforts (jumps) at the Longines Water (24a, b, c) are next. The Cabin sets them up after their run up the hill and then they run into the water to jump the two angled brushes on 2 strides. These look and are big but the brush is forgiving and I am mindful that horses may be starting to get a bit tired by now, hence using fences with forgiving shapes. Another fence where a run out will be easy for those who underestimate this question or think they are home.

A long run to the Rathaus (25) which is straightforward although at maximum height and near maxi- mum spread. All these remaining fences need respecting so as not to risk spoiling around. For something silly to happen now would be so frustrating.

The Gestüt (26) on its own is straightforward but it does have a small drop and doesn’t want jumping too fast because the two Voltaire Oxers (27a, b), with MIM clips, on a curving 4 strides will come up quickly. These are not diff icult in their own right but at this stage of the course riders will not want to risk activating a MIM clip and get the 11 penalties that go with this and so they do need respecting, especially since the horses will be starting to feel a bit tired here which is why these are not at maximum top spread.

The Gestüt (26) on its own is straightforward but it does have a small drop and doesn’t want jumping too fast because the two Voltaire Oxers (27a, b), with MIM clips, on a curving 4 strides will come up quickly. These are not diff icult in their own right but at this stage of the course riders will not want to risk activating a MIM clip and get the 11 penalties that go with this and so they do need respecting, especially since the horses will be starting to feel a bit tired here which is why these are not at maximum top spread.

The Longines Final Jump (28) is the one they all want to see. Hopefully horses and riders will have all had a good ride and will come home a bit wiser about each other.