Horses for courses

What does it take to win as a working hunter at the Royal International? Ahead of the 2021 show, Alex Robinson speaks to those who know the track best

- Alex Robinson

ALL artists go into their projects with a vision, and for course-designer Kevin Millman, the grassy, undulating turf of ring five at Hickstead, home of the Prenetics Royal International (RIHS), provides the perfect canvas.

“It’s a true hunting course over true hunting obstacles,” explains RIHS senior working hunter course-designer Kevin, who has been designing the track for some 20 years. “It’s a championship class so naturally, we’re not expecting lots of clears, though this does depend on the judges; some will request a really tough course which will produce only one or two clears, while others will ask for more clean rounds so the show and conformation section has more weight.

“We walk the course together and the decision on the final course is ultimately down to them, at my discretion.”

The 12-fence course, which is set on a slope and requires 15 to 16 efforts from the combinations, is a mix of seven permanent fences – including a Cornish wall, an open ditch, and a hedge – and some temporary constructions.

While Kevin says the course is arguably not as sizable as it was 15 years ago, mainly due to health-and-safety regulations, questions are still asked and the nature of the fences certainly separates the wheat from the chaff.

“Competitors often come back after the class in the evening to measure some of the fences so they can build them at home,” says Kevin. “True hunter types tend to fare better, and while the course is built forward and some horses have no problem with the pace, it’s the required stamina which can let them down.