Pine Top CIC3* Cross Country Course Walk

12 - Popular Open Oxer

We’ve finally arrived at the inaugural CIC3* at the ever popular Pine Top Advanced Horse Trials. I hurried into town last evening just in time to take a quick tour of the cross country course as the light began to fade.

In the style we’ve come to expect from Pine Top, the jumps are tall, the tables wide (very wide) and immaculately presented. You won’t find picnic place settings and wood-carved forest friends here — the jumps are solid and natural looking with tactful decor.

Another staple of Pine Top cross country is the clever use of terrain, and this track is no exception. I have a sneaking suspicion that time will be a major factor today. It’s a 6 minute, 5 second course with 19 numbered jumps and 34 efforts. The Advanced track is very similar to the CIC3*, save some technical elements.

While I only shot pictures of the three-star fences, I kept an eye on the CIC1*/2* and national division courses as I went around, and they are certainly nothing to sneeze at. Across the board, this will be a strong test for competitors.

Huge props and sincere thanks to organizers Glenn and Janet Wilson, course designers Derek di Grazia (FEI, A, I, P) and Jeff Kibbie (Training), and the builders and course prep crew including Rob Mobley, Steve Terry and Jamie Gornall, along with the rest of the Pine Top team for all their hard work and dedication. We’re looking forward to a great weekend!

All three FEI divisions will run as a one-day today, so keep an eye on the live scores here and we’ll be back with pictures and a full report at the conclusion.

Pine Top CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

: 1 – Log Stack

: 2 – Truck

: The hay bale brigade strongly suggests you not cut the corner to the Trakehner at 3.

: 3 – Trakehner

: 4AB – Janet’s Hammocks

: The backside of Hammock A. There is a small rise up to the base of the fence and from the backside, it seems a very long way down.

: Hammock B, no less intimidating than its friend!

: 5 – 4X10 Slab Table

: The view from 5 to 6AB.

: 6AB – Hayfield Corner

: 7ABC – Upper Frog Pond. The first of three waters.

: The backside of 7A. There is a significant slope on the landing side down into the water. The picture doesn’t do it justice.

: 7BC. There is a black flag option outside the frame to the right.

: 8 – Double Brush

: 9ABC – Boot Hill. It appears you’re jumping up onto Boot Hill and out into space… but no…

: You can’t see these skinnies until you’re on top of Boot Hill. The CIC3* C element is to the right, the Advanced C element is to the left.

: 10 – Ditch and Wall

: 11ABCD – Glenn’s Boathouse. (B is a ditch and D is not visible from here)

: 11CD

: 12 – Popular Open Oxer

: 13ABC – Wilson Mounds. There was no way to get all three elements in one frame at this complex.

: 13BC

: 14 – Log Table

: 15ABC – Big Water Complex. Advanced shares the first two elements with the CIC3*, but Advanced goes straight after B to the corner on dry land, while the CIC3* hangs a right over the corner in the water.