It is always a privilege to be asked to design at top events. Even after many years in the sport, the buzz, the excitement and the nerves never quite go away — and that is part of what makes it so special.

 

With the FEI World Championships in Aachen later this year, many athletes will be looking to make a strong statement for selection, while also delivering a competitive performance here in Luhmühlen. Elite sport is about dealing with big occasions, making the right choices at the right time and showing good form under pressure. We are fortunate to welcome many of the world's leading horses and athletes this year, all of whom are very familiar with those demands.

 

The course makes use of Luhmühlen's well-known features, including the water complexes, the Wellenbahn and the Irish bank, which was introduced last year.

 

I would like to thank everyone who works so hard to bring the course together, including the course-building team around Christian Zehe. The first year in such a role is always something of a baptism of fire, with so much to learn about working at a new venue — let alone one of the highest-profile events in the world. It takes months of work to build new fences, repair existing ones and continue improving the ground.

 

The early fences — Auftakt der Sparkasse Harburg-Buxtehude (1), Equistro Tisch (2) and Holzstapel (3) — are there to get the horses up in the air and into the shape the riders want. They are built to the maximum permitted dimensions, as all courses must remain within the rules governing height, spread and drops, but they are nevertheless straightforward opening fences.

 

The first set of questions comes the Longines Water (4) (5abc). This year, horses and riders jump a set of frangible rails with a drop before continuing down the slope to the boat, then on to a skinny brush in the water and quickly back up the slope to the final element. This first combination is not intended to be overly difficult, but it is designed to make sure horses and riders are switched on and paying attention.

 

They then continue to the Reiterbar (6) and Volksbank (7) as they head towards the main arena.

 

The three elements that make up the Longines Combination (8abc) are a test of rideability and control. These are big fences, two of them frangible, and they require scope, accuracy and a horse that is listening to the rider. As with the more difficult combinations, there is a longer option for those not quite on their A-game on the day, but it will use up a lot of time. This is one I am looking forward to watching.

 

The CARLITOS Birkenoxer (9) is another maximum, though straightforward, fence before one of the new questions this year: the Trainingsplatz-Kombination (10abcd). Here, riders have a choice of routes. The direct route — a corner on top of the mound, followed by the coop and another corner — requires good presentation, accurate riding and a horse that is neat, honest and confident. It is a proper CCI5*-L question.

 

After a short breather, horses and riders make their way to another of the feature complexes: the Meßmer Teich (11), (12ab), (13ab). The quick route is over the frangible rails at #12a. Riders will be aware that activating the frangible device carries 11 penalties, so horses need to be neat and careful, while riders must remain in good control. From there, they go on to the island to jump the skinny brush at #12b, where confidence and honesty are essential and a run-out can come all too easily. They then come back into the water and up the slope to the big offset brushes on one stride, where riders must find the right line and pace. These fences may look straightforward enough, but there is plenty of opportunity for a run-out throughout the whole question. Again, there is a longer route for anyone not wanting to take the direct option, although it will be costly on the clock.

 

The Willke Wellenbahn (14abc) is not dramatically different from last year. The narrow house sits at the top, followed by the big drop and then the narrow triple brush on three strides. This is a question of good riding: allowing the horses to understand and do what they are being asked, without too much interference.

 

Niedersachsenpferde (15) offers a breather before riders head to the Manzke Irish Bank (16abcd), which has a different look this year. There is no fence in front of it, which makes the question a little trickier and asks riders to think more carefully. There is also a degree of unpredictability in how the horses will come off the bank to the two angled brushes, so riders will need to react to what they are given. It is a good rider fence, with honesty and accuracy very much part of the test.

 

They then continue to the Oxer (17), a straightforward maximum fence designed to help set up for the two brush corners in the upcoming water complex.

 

At STERNPARTNER Wasserspiele (18ab) a good jump at the first is essential in order to get the four strides to the second corner at the top of the slope. This is another question that will reward good riding and honesty from the horse, as these are big corners on a tight line. The Tisch (19) is a let-up fence, although it looks — and is — very big, before horses and riders come back to the water to jump STERNPARTNER Wasserspiele (20abc). This question starts with a big drop in, followed by two skinny flower boxes on a slightly curving three-stride line after coming out of the water. Riders will need to work out their line to the drop log depending on their horse. They can choose a little more room on flat ground before take-off, or they can go a little wider. Whichever option they choose, they must organise themselves quickly after landing in the water in order to be ready for the final two efforts here.

 

After that intensity, there is some respite as they head to the Reviertisch (21), which acts as a set-up fence for the two efforts at the Luhmühlen Kombination (22ab). Competitors have a choice of routes, both of which involve jumping a frangible rail on a mound and a frangible corner. The quick route requires the line to be right, the speed of approach to be well judged so that the horses can read the question, and good riding over three strides to the corner. There is also a longer route with similar questions, though presented in an easier way.

 

The Fledermaushotel (23) is another straightforward fence after the busy section and gives the horses a moment to breathe as they make their way to the Coffin (24abc). Here, once again, they need to hold a line and be confident. The two angled logs are not especially difficult in training at home, but a run-out here would be very easy — and very frustrating.

 

The big ditch and brush, the Lotto Niedersachsen Hecke (25), looks substantial but always tends to jump well as horses and riders make their way home. By this point, all the main questions have been asked, so it becomes a case of keeping both horse and rider switched on and paying attention.

 

The two oxers at Hof Fehmbusch (26ab) are not technically difficult, but it would be a mistake to underestimate them. They are frangible and could prove expensive if activated.

 

The final fence, the Longines Final Jump (27), is also frangible. The aim here is to ensure that riders do not relax too soon or assume the job is done before they have crossed the finish.

 

Throughout the course, I have tried to ask questions of the rider while being fair to the horses. Riders can walk the course as many times as they wish; the horses only see it as they go round and must make decisions in a fraction of a second. I would like to thank everyone who works so hard to bring the course together, including the course-building team around Christian Zehe. The first year in such a role is always something of a baptism of fire, with so much to learn about working at a new venue — let alone one of the highest-profile events in the world. It takes months of work to build new fences, repair existing ones and continue improving the ground.

 

My final words go to the competitors. I very much hope you enjoy riding the course. I wish you the best of luck — and happy horses.