Where it begins. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Oo la la baguette! The Olympic cross country has got the riders pumped and ready for action.There are the usual discussion points: the weather, more specifically the incessant rain that drenched dressage day; the ground, because of said rain; the time, because, If youre not thinking youre late when you leave the start box, youre not going to be making the time.One thing the riders all agree on is that the course is totally stunning the most beautifully-built cross country course dressage leader and record-breaker Laura Collett has ever seen. Pierre le Goupils designed a creative, fair and flowing, impressive track the perfect mix for an Olympic Games.Check out all the fences for yourself in Tillys course preview.Whos gonna say I love it? Who thinks people may be feeling a little too unsuspecting? Whos 100 percent ready to go and give it a crack? Is Chris Burton back for good? Find out all this, and more besides, straight from the horses mouth, so to speak#Paris2024: [Website] [Equestrian Schedule, Timing, Scoring] [Peacock for U.S. Viewers] [How to Watch Guide] [Ticket Resale Market] [Spectator Guides] [ENs Coverage] Laura Collett and London 52 17.5 1stOlympic record breakers Laura Collet and London 52. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Theres lots of [fences] that need a lot of respect. The water at the top of the hill has a lot of options, and theres a fence jumping into water [the horses] have not really seen before with the shape of it. Its gonna come up very quickly because its at the top of a long pull up a hill. To be honest, I think its as tough any other cross country course. Youve got to be on your A game from start to finish, and youre not home until youve gone through the finish flags.Ive been walking it every day since Wednesday; its the most beautifully-built cross country course I think Ive ever seen. It gives it a really nice feel because you want to get out there and attack it, and Im looking forward to the pictures afterwards. Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH 17.8 2ndMichael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.I really like the course, its a super nice build. Every fence is very nicely built and the gallop track is so nice. Im really looking forward to tomorrow. I think the rain is good for the ground before, I thought maybe its a bit hard somewhere, but we will see tomorrow. We [do not] have not much experience here. We will know tomorrow after maybe 20 to 30 horses, but my feeling is that cross country will be amazing tomorrow.I really try to concentrate to give the same feeling to my horse like at every other competition. It doesnt work all the time, but I try to ride him to the same feeling with him, the same fun with him, to enjoy and let him gallop We need to stay concentrated. We need to do everything 100% perfect. But I try not to give the horse a feeling that its something special to make him more nervous. Christopher Burton and Shadow Man 22 3rd=Chris Burton and Shadow Man. Photo by Tilly Berendt.We have to go clear first, and Pierre has built a really tough track out there, so weve got to do our job. Weve got to keep our head in the game and stay focused step by step. Luckily for me, hes got a real turn of foot, so well do what we can do.I think parts of the ground actually needed [the rain]. I think now it might be a bit skatey, I hope by tomorrow it dries out a bit and it might be good going we will wait and see.[We asked him if hes back for good?] Stop asking difficult questions! We will see. Do you want to buy him for me?! Alex Hua Tian and Jilsonne van Bareelhof 22 3rd=Alex Hua Tian and Jilsonne Van Bareelhof. Photo by Tilly Berendt.I think its an absolute masterpiece technically and aesthetically, its stunning. I think the weather is going to play a big role; well see how much it dries up tomorrow with a bit of sunshine. I think the time is going to play [its part] the big boys and girls in the big nations, I think, will breeze around, but the rest of us have got to have a pretty good go. Felix Vogg and Dao de lOcean 22.1 5thFelix Vogg and Dao de lOcean. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Its the prettiest course I ever seen I think its maybe a little bit too pretty. Everyone feels comfortable. If you have the line, you maybe forget a little bit to ride, but I think thats where it gets you. If you are not really focused and riding like it is a cross country, I think it will be tough. The time I cannot say, youll see after first riders. Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo 23.4 6thRos Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Plenty to jump, plenty of places where youve just got to be on your game the whole way around. The time is going to be a big factor, of course, and thats where mistakes creep in. Ive got a plan, Im open to that plan changing, but Im going to try and stay in my bubble. Ive got a fantastic team around me and hopefully we can get the job done tomorrow. Clarke Johnstone and Menlo Park 25.7 9th=Clarke Johnstone and Menlo Park. Photo by Tilly Berendt.I think its great compared to what I expected. Ive never been here before, but its a bit more strong than I expected, and more undulating. Theres a lot of terrain theyre not huge hills, but theres a lot of terrain everywhere, testing that you can keep your horse balanced going uphills and downhills and the water jumps are all pretty strong. I think [Pierres] done the most wonderful job designing it that it feels certainly to walk like it has a lot of flow to it. It doesnt feel twisty to walk. I think its got beautiful flow [and] the jumps are great. I think it should be well suited to our team. Giovanni Ugolotti and Swirly Temptress 25.7 9th=Giovanni Ugolotti and Swirly Temptress. Photo by Tilly Berendt.I think its a lovely track, beautifully built. Now with this rain, I dont think it will be heavy, but it probably will be quite slippery and you know speed with slippery ground is never ideal. I think mistakes probably will come, but hopefully not. Thats my guess, because especially under the trees, is very squashy. Tim Price and Falco 26.5 12thTim Price and Falco. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Its a proper challenge. This rain that has been quietly falling all day, I think its probably going to have a bit of a toll on the ground; well see if that plays into the advantage of the Kiwis or not. Weve got good cross country horses and its a great course, beautifully presented, some nice big, open gallops, and then some very difficult patches as well. Seems like there are options everywhere its always like that at Games, isnt it? Mark Phillips, I remember, having ABCDE and things like that, but once you get your head around it, you can see why the options are there. I wouldnt say that the options are Get Out of Jail Free cards anywhere though; theres still a challenge in those. But theres the obvious straight routes, a few options, and its just our job to make a good plan to know whats important in terms of results, and ride the horse underneath you. Evelina Bertoli and Fidjy des Melezes 26.6 13th=Evelina Bertoli and Fidjy des Melezes. Photo by Tilly Berendt.[I dont watch] too many [riders before cross country]. Ive got my plans and I think there are no so strange things that you have to see. Normally its about the horse, because there are no lines that you say, I do that or I do the opposite I think its quite clear. The time will be difficult. I have to be focused on not looking around me. I have to be focused on my plans and my course and dont get butterflies. Karin Donkers and Liepheimer Vant Verahof 26.6 13th=Karin Donckers and Leipheimer Vant VerahoIts very fairly built, the cross country fences are clear I think the horses will read it well. When I walked it, I felt very Woah [its] a lot of fences you really have to know your lines very well in case of something going wrong. You definitely have to pay really good attention. Good riding, being prepared its definitely not going to be a dressage show.Its a nine minute course, but I think they have the maximum fences allowed, so that makes it already tight enough. Lots of combinations, a lot of choices you have to make, in combination with the crowds the people always make it extra tense and more difficult to ride. I think it will be tough enough to go around clear and in the time. Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21 26.9 15thJulia Krajewski and Nickel 21. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Its impressive as always, beautifully presented. Everything is being asked; I think you actually cannot say its in any way easy [or] to be underestimated. The course is very clever. I think if you ride forward and brave and have an honest horse, you probably will do well. Elisabeth Halliday and Nutcracker 28 19thLiz Halliday and Nutcracker. Photo by Tilly Berendt.I think its beautifully presented; its a gorgeous course. I think its difficult, its tough. Theres definitely some five-star questions on the track, but everythings been built in a way thats fair. I think the distances are there to be ridden. Theyve worked incredibly hard on the ground already out there today, theyre spreading gravel and doing everything they can. Its very impressive, what theyve presented us with here. Its a its a joy to be able to be here. Robin Godel and Grandeur de Lully CH 29.1 20thRobin Godel and Grandeur de Lully CH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.I think its a very beautiful course. The time will be very difficult, and now with the rain, the ground will be softer, so it makes the time even more difficult. Im very happy with the jumps and we are very confident with my horse; it is our [best] discipline. I will try to be in the time I know that hes not the fastest horse but I can take the turns sharp.There are a lot of combinations that we have to be careful at, but I think the most difficult one technique-wise is at the end the last water because the angle is not so easy to ride and its [at] the end, after eight minutes; we have to pay attention. Also, when the horse is a bit tired and long, we have to react and be ready. Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S 29.4 21stChristoph Wahler and Carjatan S. Photo by Tilly Berendt.It is absolutely beautiful; the way its designed and everything, its outstanding. We will have to wait and see, with the rain, whether that will affect the ground maybe, or not, because I think theyve done loads and loads of work already over the last two years to prepare the ground. Nobody knows well have to find out, and I think Julia [Krajewski] has the best possible option to find out and give us the best of information on how we can react. Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake 30.4 25thCaroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Its easy to make a mistake at any jump. Every jump is hard because either theyre under shadows, the design of the jump, the terrain there is no give away jump. Even with the footing now, with all this rain, its beautiful turf, but it is new turf in some places, so its quite easy to slip. I was fortunate to run around Tryon because I feel like its the same sort of terrain and it has similar bridges, which is great for America, to have another course of [preparation] for this. But its not gonna be easy, and if other people are saying its easy no way.I think its a fantastic course. If I compare it to Tokyo, its slightly different with the ideas and questions, but I think it very cleverly opens you out. Theres galloping areas its not just twisty but then I actually think at the end, thats when youre going to slightly get caught out. Theres lots of twists and turns, not just the fences, but obviously the land as well, and actually, I do see the time being quite tight. I see it riding quite intense a little bit like a nine-minute Luhmhlen type of idea. I sort of see that as a comparison, really. Its a great course, really well designed, beautiful.Like all cross country courses, its actually sort of a state of flow. If you can get the flow and the idea of the course, then it should go [well]. Sometimes you can get away with something that looks quite simple, but will catch you up later. For me, I think a big question and I think its a big jump in [is] the direct route up at the second water, the highest point of the course thats tough. I think theres a few different questions elsewhere. I think its accumulation you can build the easiest course in the world, but its the Olympics and people will make some mistakes with the pressure. Boyd Martin and Fedarman B 30.5 26thBoyd Martin and Fedarman B. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Its a hell of a course out there, but I feel like my horse is tailor-made for this sort of track. Ive just got to stay switched on for every jump, every stride. Ive got complete belief in Bruno in the cross country hes ready to go. Every jump counts, every moment counts. You can learn a bit by watching some of the others and getting feedback. But then this rain, the ground will be a bit ripped up, and that could be an extra challenge going later.I think I have just got to work at obviously going flat out, but then trying to keep him settled in the first mile. Thats when he gets really fired up and so Ive got to try and ride him fast but calm at the beginning. I think that theres tough combinations the whole way around. Theres nothing I see out there that we cant do, but theres a lot of jumps you could have a mistake at.ve got confidence that were going to get through it well, but by no means am I going to be losing concentration til I get through the finish flags. I think Ive made a couple of mistakes in the past at this level, by going too fast and flying jumps and then getting caught out by not not getting him back to the correct speed on a few of the accuracy fences. So thats my moment that I have got to concentrate on.I rode a bit out on the cross country this morning, and it [the ground] felt fantastic. There will be parts underneath the trees that will get muddy, but the bulk of the course will be fantastic. It should be fun. Jonelle Price and Hiarado 30.8 27thJonelle Price and Hiarado. Photo by Tilly Berendt.I think Pierre has done a fantastic job. Its not an easy brief, I dont think, building an Olympics where youve got the worlds best combinations, and then youve got some of the lesser [established] nations as well, but I think hes done a really good job. Theres some things we havent really seen before hes been creative. Its got to be fast and clear theres a reason Im out first for the Kiwis! Well, theres only one Olympics I havent gone out first, so [its] pretty standard practice and I actually quite like being done early.[In] the third minute, I think the key is youve got to be as conservative as you can you look at the second minute, I think theres seven jump efforts. Number one, you could be cruising quite happily; you could come out at minute two, and find yourself 10 seconds down, and then theres not going to be a whole lot of places to catch it up. I think its going to be about minimizing the damage in those busy patches. Austin OConnor and Colorado Blue 31.7 28thAustin OConnor and Colorado Blue. Photo by Tilly Berendt.I certainly wouldnt get lulled into a false sense of security with the man thats designing it. He [Pierre] is a very, very clever course designer fair, but clever. Its quite intense; nine minutes is going to be quick. I think itll be good safe ground, but its certainly going to be on the softer side. Janneke Boonzaaijer and Champ de Tailleur 31.9 29thJanneke Boonzaaijer and Champ de Tailleur. Photo by Tilly Berendt.I think its really friendly for the horses. It has a lot of questions, but [is] also quite readable so if you ride well, its really good to do, but if you make a mistake, then youll have a run out. I think thats really clever. With the options, its maybe a little bit longer or you can do what suits your horse. I think the time will be hard. For sure, were gonna try and chase it, but in the back of our heads and minds, we want to do it safe as well. Im gonna say I love it. Its really nicely built, nice details, and in this garden, its amazing. Peter Flarup and Fascination 32.4 30th=Peter Flare-up and Fascination. Photo by Tilly Berendt.The first time I saw [the cross country course], I thought, Oh, this is too much they really squeezed it to the highest level. But after walking it a few times, I think it looks more doable. I have the feeling that if you get out of the start box with a good, positive feeling, and you can get that into your horse, I think they will fly around. But if you start having concerns at the beginning of the course, then its going to be tough.I know its a 4* course, but you cannot be closer to a 5*. The distance is only nine minutes but you have the same amount of fences [as over a longer course], and that makes it really compact. One, two, three, four are really nice, and gets them going, and hopefully that makes them more positive for the rest [of the course]. Its really nicely built, and Im looking forward to riding it. When we walked [it] yesterday, it was already a little bit slippery in places, but Im quite sure they will fix it, I have no concern about that; Im quite sure that we are in really good hands [and] they will do the best they can. Rafael Mamprim Losano and Withington 32.4 30th= View this post on InstagramA post shared by Rafael Losano & Amanda Brieditis (@r_a.equestrian)Id love to ride cross country on that course. Absolutely, 100 percent ready to go and give it a crack. I think its big we are at an Olympic Game, so thats exactly what we expected and Im sure theres lots of room to go wrong. We need to walk it five, six times make sure weve got a plan A. Its only nine minutes, but I think its gonna ride pretty fast. Marcio Carvalho Jorge and Castle Howard Casanova 33.3 33rd=Marcio Carvalho Jorge and Castle Howard Casanova. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.To be honest, I dont think much about [the order.] Going first or last, its about the same for me. Of course, if you go last, its good for you. You can watch some and then that helps a bit, but we walked the course many times, we have a plan and it doesnt change much. Sofia Sjborg and Bryjamolga van het Marienshof Z 33.3 33rd=Sofia Sjborg and Bryjamolga van het Marienshof Z. Photo by Tilly Berendt.It looks really nice. Theres a few tough questions at the end, just where they jump in and dont know whats coming until quite late. If youve got a bit of a tired horse, a mentally tired horse, then you just have to really make sure that you show them where theyre meant to be going and you help them as much as possible. It looks testing, but it looks fair, and itll be hunting down the clock.It is very mental. I think the horses dont get many rests, because even though theres a few galloping parts, I think theyre always turning in the woods, out of the woods. I think they will need a few breaths around there to carry on. Shane Rose and Virgil 34.6 38thShane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.I think there are some some really strong elements to it. I think the time could be could be tight as well; it does flow a little better than perhaps we thought, but I think the first couple of minutes certainly that second minute is going to take a lot of time and a lot of thought process to get through. Overall, I think its definitely stronger than Tokyo. It seems quite similar, potentially, to Rio. Certainly in that second minute, there are a lot of influential fences that are going to shape the way the competition runs, and then you need a bit of force at the end of the course to negotiate the last couple of lines. Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS 35.4 43rd=Jessica Phoenix and Freedom GS. Photo by Tilly Berendt.I am pumped. I cannot wait to leave the start box on that horse, like from start flags to finish flags. It is game on. I am so excited to take her out there tomorrow. Normally Im the pathfinder at these things, so having the ability to just watch some of the key combinations to see how the flow goes, see how the striding is, see how the horses are interpreting the different jumps out there, is going to be a huge advantage before leaving a start box tomorrow.The course designer is brilliant. What he has set up out there is next level, hes just put so much thought into it into the design and to the layout, using the terrain. Its pretty exceptional to walk around a course like that. From the start flags to the finish, theres not going to be any letting up out there, or youre going to be having time faults. It feels like a four-star short over nine minutes. Its a lot of jumping efforts in a short space with a lot of turns. If youre not thinking youre late when you leave the start box, youre not going to be making the time. Karl Sleazak and Hot Bobo 35.8 46th=Karl Slezak and Hot Bobo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Im looking forward to seeing how [teammate] Mike [Winter] has a good go out there, but Im optimistic. It looks like a great course. I think that you have got to get their focus early, but then it opens up and we can fly.I was never concerned about coming here, because it is the Olympics. You just put your heart and soul into it, and so you come out of the [start] box hard. I think itll be good for [Hot Bobo] and it will be good for me to get focused in on the job right away.Certainly, you are going to be slow at the beginning, but there are some stretches where there are only one or two fences, so there are opportunities to catch up a little bit. I do think its going to be difficult [to get the time]. I dont think its going to be easy, but I am curious to see. We will see after the first few horses.I like to have my plan and stick with it. Obviously, if things are going haywire out there I will adjust it, but for the most part, I like to stick to my plan and not get too too focused on whatever anyone else is doing. Ronald Zabala Goetschel and Wundermaske 37.7 51stRonald Zabala Goetschel and Forever Young Wundermaske. Photo by Tilly Berendt.I think maybe five or six riders will make the time, but the question is will those horses be sound the next day? You have to plan and see; you need to know your horse well. I know that people will be like, I can make the time, but I think they will be surprised the next day. This is a challenging course its not hilly, but its challenging. Theres new grass in some areas, so the roots will not be long enough, so here we need to use bigger studs besides, its been raining a lot. Carlos Parro and Safira 37.7 51st=Carlos Parro and Safira. Photo by Tilly Berendt.When I first walked it, I thought it was nice I thought it was really jumpable. Then the more you walk it, the more you see problems that could occur, but shes jumped the level before. I think this course, if you ride well on a good horse, youve got a great chance of getting good results.The last water is quite tricky, being [at] the end of the course. The middle water, we dont know how the horses are going to react to the new development, jumping into the water. But this horse and most of the horses here have jumped courses like this. If I can ride well, get in a good spot, in a good rhythm and let her read the question, its very likely the horse is going to jump. Some of the horses here have a lot of experience and theyll be able to get the time.________________________________________________________________________________Go eventing!#Paris2024: [Website] [Equestrian Schedule, Timing, Scoring] [Peacock for U.S. Viewers] [How to Watch Guide] [Ticket Resale Market] [Spectator Guides] [ENs Coverage]