FOUR-star cross-country course designer Mike Etherington-Smith had this to say about designing courses for different levels of horse and rider.

“As course builders we must try to test the rider and their training rather than punish the horse,” said the former chief executive of British Eventing (BE). “At lower levels the horses must be able to see through the first element of coffins. I am also moving away from using steps out of water because there is always an element of luck involved.