When 15 years ago we have started to organize Strzegom competition, I didn’t think this adventure will be going on for such a long time. A lot has changed since this time. The event has developed; we have learned a lot and got a great deal of experience. For the last 7 years I have an honour and pleasure to design the course of cross country.

Nevertheless, we all remember about the input that was left here by Christan Zehe- designer of Strzegom course between 2003-2008 and Rudiger Schwarz- designer of cross country of World Cup Final in 2009 who has then been supervising my projects and designing the cross country course for European Championships. A great deal of effort was also put in by Krzysztof Rafalak and Michael Mohr.

Due to European Championships organized in August, 2017 is a year of a number of changes on the cross country in Strzegom. Those changes are part of preparation of our showground to this great event. The biggest change is the location of the start and finish on the other site of the road.
Cross country, as always, begins with warm up fences that are supposed to prepare the horse and the riders to the challenging tasks of cross country.

These fences are as followed: – STRZEGOM, BOGLER & HANS MELZER EQUIPMENT. Next one is a combination 4AB- BM HORSE- consisting with two gates in 4 strides distance. Another combination is - ACTIVOMED - 5, 6AB- the first water complex including huge jump into the water, then at the slight angle jump out through the boat and corner in 3 strides distance. After this strong opening there’s time for an easier jump- bounce ANR fence in the park. The beginning of this year cross country is very intensive but next one there is another difficult combination. BET GRAN is a complex of 8 and 9 fence- two very narrow skinny fences situated at the hills.

After this dynamic and tough part of the cross country it’s time for a canter on a longer distance and a single jump HANS MELZER EQUIPMENT followed by some time to rest both for horse and rider before they will approach two STRZEGOM fences. First one in a huge box for equipment and then next one massive corner jumped uphill with number 12. This jump opens another intestine part of the cross country because it’s time now for very challenging combination DEVOUCOUX - log jumped downhill and skinny with a very narrow front in 4 strides distance. On the way to ANR complex there’s a big hedge on the ditch and then fence 15 AB- oxer and corner in 3 strides distance. Another short rest and the hill on the left with jump down at HOEVELER fence. Now there’s time for water complex PODA- 17A jump into the water through the hedge, 17B boat in the water and 17 C jump out the water through the skinny.

Another portion of sports emotions is ahead of us. First jump into the water by IPAE fence, next skinny DCU fence and after two tractors.
Fences 20&21 are two houses sponsored by LOWER SILESIA. There is another challenging complex 22AB – two skew hedges in 1 stride distance. After this one there are only several seconds of canter to last two fences and finish. Good luck and see you in Strzegom!

Photo: Gillian Kyle (IRL) - Technical Delegate & Marcin Konarski (POL) - Course Designer