THE JUMPS

1. The first jump is the stone wall. After landing, you continue on the left rein up the hill to…

2. The oxer, after which you stay on the left rein, down the hill towards…

3. The Liverpool, which is usually the widest fence on the course. Then you have a tight left turn into…

4. The giant steps. This is a closed combination. You jump over the first element up a step and over the second element up another step. Both elements are big! Then you have quite a long right turn to…

5. The hedge from which you continue right to the next fence…

6. The balustrade, which is an upright at the edge of the bank, making this a much more difficult obstacle than it appears. After this you take a sharp left to…

7. The table top, which is another closed obstacle with two elements. Over 7a, you land on the table and over 7b (the second element) you jump off the table. Then it is a relatively short related distance to …

8. The St Andrew’s cross. Once over the this, you must go sharp left and steady your horse for the next obstacle which is…

9. The Derby Bank. This is the one we have all been waiting for! It is an almost sheer drop of approximately 3m. From the bank you drop down directly to the next fence…

10. The planks. The planks are probably considered the trickiest obstacle in the course, as it takes serious balance and power to clear after the drop from the bank. Once over the planks, heading left, you have a few seconds to recover before the next fence…

11. The white oxer. After which you take a sharp right to…

12. The Devil’s Dyke, consisting of three elements: 12a – in, 12b – middle and 12c – out. 12b usually has a ditch or water tray underneath it. Being next to the stands, it is an obvious crowd favourite. As a rider approaches the whole crowd falls completely silent, holding its collective breath. After the dyke you take a tight right rein to…

13. The stile, from where it is a related distance to…

14. The rustic Hickstead planks, from where it is a sharp left and a burst of speed for…

15. The water, which is approximately 3.8m wide. You need balance, control AND speed for this element, after which you have to collect your horse rapidly for…

16. The stone wall which is usually the tallest obstacle in the course. From there it is a right hairpin bend to…

17. The combination white gates: 17a with one stride to 17b. You stay on the right rein to…

18. The rustic oxer over bales. WOOHOO! You’ve finished!