United States Eventing Association

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 Preview, Part 3: A Sneak Peek at the Cross-Country Course

The cross-country course at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy is going to be an uphill battle, in every sense of the word. Not only will the 4* course be longer than last summer’s 2* test event course, but the extra distance will be uphill.

That’s just one of the ways eventing course designer Pierre Michelet of France plans to put his stamp on the 2014 Games. Still under construction, the course at Haras du Pin will be of particular interest to riders with an eye on the 2016 Olympic Games, as Michelet has been named course designer for Rio de Janeiro. He was a technical advisor for the London 2012 course and designed the 4* courses at Saumur and Pau, the 2009 European Championships course in Fontainebleau, and the World Cup Eventing Final at Deauville.

After a recent planning trip to Rio, he returned home to France, where he discussed his plans for Normandy with US Eventing.

Michelet revealed some interesting twists that he has in store for cross-country day, August 30. The track will present a surprise even to those who competed at the test event last summer. This time the course will be run in the reverse direction, which means none of the field will have encountered the same series of questions before. In addition, the 6,800-meter track will be approximately 2,300 meters longer it was at the test event (4,500 meters). Because of the lay of the land, the 11-and-a-half minute Games course will be more rugged and hilly, although it doesn’t appear so when viewed from the dressage arena, situated high above on the main grounds of Haras du Pin.

As Michelet pointed out, for organizers like himself and Games eventing discipline manager Jean-Marc Varillon, “The target of the test event was not to have a true (Games) competition. Our intention was to test the footing, the new water jumps, and the organization of the venue.” The riders, he said, “came to get a familiarization and knowledge of the site. The field was a mix of 4* horses and riders and 2* pairs. The course was easy for the 4* group and at the right level for the rest.”

A series of three water jumps, which will be positioned throughout the course, has drawn particular interest. Michelet said the first water will be obstacle number 7, followed by another about halfway through the course, and then the last water coming near the end. As for the rest of the course, he said, “The most difficult points will be the narrow fences and the corners. Many combinations will ask for precision and good balance, especially with the (steep) slopes.” Such features have been a hallmark of Michelet’s previous courses, often described by riders as “gutsy,” due to their distances and acute angles.

Added Michelet: “Another factor that could be influential is the weather conditions. If the footing is wet, it will be difficult to make the time because of the hilly profile of the venue.” That was a big problem for some competitors in London, where the rain-soaked terrain became slippery as the course wore on. The fact that the grass had been recently laid in Greenwich Park may have contributed to that. As a proactive measure, Normandy officials have long been at work on the track’s footing.

“This is a wonderful venue, ideal for cross-country, and we want to do everything we can so that all will enjoy it and the best will win,” said Michelet. “I wish good luck to everybody.”