Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire in the CCI4* Adelaide 2012. Photo by John Lechner.
The cross country at the Australian International Three-Day Event in Adelaide is run through Victoria Park, which is nestled right in the heart of Adelaide, located in South Australia. This park, which is a popular destination for area residents on a sunny day, plays host to many sporting events throughout the year, and the Adelaide event is always a popular spectator attraction.
One thing we noticed while watching the live stream of cross country yesterday was how well the course was laid out with the park’s natural layout. Course designer Wayne Copping integrated the ponds and streams in the park to create water questions, and even wrapped the course around a playground in the center of the park.
Spectators were lined up along the galloping lanes and at the big questions all day, even braving rain to see the CCI4* riders go. Cars drove past on the roads bordering the park, most likely wondering why there were horses and their colorful riders gallivanting about the park.
While we realize that this park-like environment isn’t feasible in many locations, particularly in the U.S., we still hand it to the organizers of the Adelaide event for their creativity in bringing the sport to a city where more people can come out to watch.
Be sure to check out this helmet cam from the 2012 event, complete with commentary, of Natalie Blundell & Algebra for an idea of how the course is laid out in Victoria Park.
