Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/737670
need to be able to guide their horse out over the narrow chevron brush (c) on the far side of the water. As they come to the Sneaky Snake at (#11) they will need to be bold however all should just fly over this before they head up the hill to the DNR Hollow (#12abc). They are approaching this fence from the opposite side this year and the jumps have been completely rebuilt. The rails at the top of the slope will need a powerful active step to make sure the horse comes off the ground with power so that they can be brave over the ditch and then maintain the line to jump the angled brush on the way out. This will require an accurate ride however there is an alternate route which will take more time but which should give them a clear ride through. As they gallop away they will be thinking about (#13ab) the Open Corner. The approach to this fence is defined by the bushes on the right side of the track which makes the line to the corner more challenging along with the ground which pushes you to the right. There is an alternate set of jumps here which will eat up the time but could save some an unwanted runout. Still climbing they will have a long gallop before (#14) the Picnic Table and then on to the top of the course where they will come to (#15ab) the Persimmon Tree Turn. Two large ditch and brush fences on a bending right turn. These jumps were here last year and they do demand respect as they are big and require a bold accurate horse. The right speed and line will be crucial in negotiating the turn between the two jumps. Galloping back up the hill towards the arena they will be able to relax a bit before coming to (#16) the Take A Good Look log and then the subsequent The Dutta Corp. Farm Yard corners (#17ab) in the main arena. As they approach the arena they will need to think about having the right pace so as to not be coming too fast to the log as this is a big jump with a good drop on the back side which will give them a lot of momentum coming down into the arena where they will need control to establish the correct line to the two left handed corners. The corners need a straight horse with a good step to be able to cover the distance in between. The exit from the arena will take them down towards the back of the Food Court through (#18) the Keyhole before coming to the (#19) Elk Chapel Crossing cabin at the top of the soft sunken road. The long gallop to the Centerpiece (#20abc) will let them have a breather however they want to be accurate and in control on the approach so that they guarantee a good jump which will help in lining up the Chevron Brush on the way out. This is a new combination this year and the riders will need to be in a good position on the landing from the table in order to hold the line to the narrow brush. The alternate here which has two jumps could be a savior for some that don't have a good jump over the table and need a way out. Galloping back up the hill they will come to the Double Brush (#21) which will be a good let up before heading to the Red Cottages (#22ab). These Cottages have been in various places on the course over many years and always deserve respect as they need an accurate ride and a horse with enough scope to get across the spreads. At this point in the course the horses may start to feel a little tired which means the riders will need to be there even more to help out. The Open Oxer (#23) should not be a problem and will keep their confidence on the way to the last complex on the course (#24ab) the Springhouse Water. The preparation on the approach will be important as they negotiate the dimensional roll jumping down the slope into the water followed by the brush corner at the top of the slope. The corner at the top of the slope could catch a few that are losing their concentration at this part of the course. If you are still jumping without faults you want to be very careful not to have any unwanted mistakes. The gallop and ensuing three straightforward jumps will bring them to the finish. From page 45 Course Designer Derek di Grazia on this year's courses continued on page 51 47