Bicton Arena appoints new course designer

Bicton Arena has announced Eric Winter will be the venue’s new course designer for novice and intermediate cross country courses.
In his role, Eric will also mentor arena manager Helen West who will design all other courses at the venue, including BE 90 and 100 courses and the unaffiliated tracks.
Explaining the change around in roles, Helen explained: “Primarily I am stepping up to course design alongside Eric to save the estate money. We will also give Matt Lynch, who is the equivalent of a clerk of the course, more responsibility. He is already a bronze level builder but he will be taking part in some workshops to develop his own career and so that he can utilize and progress members of the team already working at Bicton.”
Eric Winter is from a competitive background and has ridden  internationally both showjumping and eventing.
Helen said: “Eric’s courses always ride incredibly well and we are delighted that he has agreed to come on board for our first event in April, and also that I will be learning about course design which is surprisingly different when you look at it from more than just a rider point of view.”
Intermediate tracks will be continue to be aimed at the more experienced horse and rider combinations while the BE90 and 100 tracks will be redesigned to encourage more flow. “I want the tracks to ask questions but in a more simple and uncomplicated way. For example the combinations will be on distances that set riders up to answer a more difficult question at the final obstacle. At the moment I feel the novice courses in particular are quite stiff.”
Bicton Arena’s first BE event this season is on April 25-26. Class range from BE90 to open intermediate.
ENDS