- Sue was looking effortlessly elegant despite a long day working at Badminton,  FH&C asked her which course she had designed, that she had been most pleased with or had, in her opinion ridden best.  Sue was very thoughtful and felt she couldn’t pick out a single event but that she had most enjoyed the 10 years she had spent developing the Boekelo course.  She felt that she had consistently improved the course and its presentation and that this course had not only raised the profile of the event but had helped develop many of the young European riders and their horses.  In contrast although she had been immensely proud to be selected to design the Pan American course she had  felt a little disappointed with its final execution.  However she realised that triumphs and disappointments are both necessary to help improve any course designer’s knowledge base. 

Overall she still remains hugely enthusiastic about her job and studies everyone else’s  course with great thoroughness.  She had been impressed with that day’s X-C course at Badminton and in particular how well the ground had been prepared and had withstood torrential rain overnight.  The course only lost 2 fences to the weather and rode exceptionally well from first to last rider.

We turned to the future and FH&C asked how as a course designer she would maintain the influence of XC against the growing dominance of showjumping.  Sue briskly maintained that XC would continue to be the heart of 3 day eventing  - developing fresh challenges for both horse and rider - and that it would continue to excite all who partake and all who spectate.  She looked forward the XC 2012 being the pinnacle of equestrian endeavour in the event

Sue then turned to her concerns about safety both in the 2011 test event and the 2012 final at Greenwich.  She emphasizes that she and her team would put horse and rider safety at the core of her plans and that they were continuously monitoring a broad swathe of research.  They intend to update every element of the course as well researched and proven safety developments took place.  She felt that the frangible pins at the jump where Alex Hua Tian had fallen, had almost certainly saved Alex and Jeans from serious injury.

When FH&C asked her what breed and type of horse might successfully meet not only the challenges of 2012 but more importantly the 2014 WEG in Normandy – she smiled, Sue’s loyalty and love of the classic thoroughbred is well documented! When pushed she admitted the Sports Horse might well develop equally well to meet future challenges but it was difficult for Sue to shift her loyalties from her tried and tested thoroughbreds.

Finally onto 2012 itself.  Sue is still hugely excited by the prospect although the work load will be daunting. Obviously, she is well aware that some will continue to feel that Greenwich is not an ideal location – however it’s location best meets the requirements of London’s contract with the Olympics committee.  Sue pointed out that in contrast to many other established equestrian locations that could have been used, this will be an arena that all competitors will come to for the very first  time and never again – a unique and very fair experience for every horse, rider and spectator - a one off event to remember.  This will truly be a city experience and a very egalitarian event and, because it will be highly accessible, will encourage a new audience for the Olympics Equestrian showcase.

FH&C asked Sue just what do the French riders need to know about Greenwich.  She pointed out that as a city event over limited ground her greatest challenge was to provide a sufficient length of course.  She would be taking advantage of every centimetre of ground and that would mean switchbacks etc to make the required duration of ride.  But above all she wanted to remind everyone who had never visited Greenwich that this lovely park is naturally blessed with a hilly profile – fitness will absolutely be key – she will design a brilliant course but she cannot flatten the hills!