Description of Obstacles

Jan Jönsson vid hinder nummer ett

1. Diamond Jubilee HedgeThe London 2012 Olympic cross-country course begins with a friendly hedge, framed in a diamond, in recognition of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The hedges are growing naturally in containers and are therefore suitable for many other uses after the Games. This fence reflects my desire to design an imaginative and interesting course. The inner frame has been built from steel, then clad in timber and painted in London 2012 colours. The flowers express my wish to exhibit colour and beauty wherever possible. Builder: J. Clissold

2. Royal Park Seat
On many of my early visits to the Park I saw people enjoying picnics in the sunshine; the Park Seat was built with this in mind. The detail is remarkable and the box hedge surround is included in order to make the fence look as big as
possible whilst still being 'user-friendly'. Riders and horses must gain early confidence and this should help them do just that. Builder: S. Brickell

The Bandstand ska hoppas lite på skrå så det gäller att komma rätt

3ab. Bandstand Rails
The inspiration for this fence was the nearby bandstand and music is the overall theme. The intricate detail of the railings has been replicated here after many hours of painstaking work. The top rails of both fences are 'pinned' for safety reasons. If a horse exerts a certain downward pressure on the top rail (which would result in a fall) the pin will break before the horse rotates forward through 180 degrees. However, this early combination is not duly demanding and is simply designed to encourage concentration and make minor steering adjustments. Builder: A. Ditcham

4. The Royal Herb Garde
This is the biggest and widest fence on the course and comes off a significant turn. However, the best horses will make it look easy. As Greenwich Park lacks a herb garden this has been designed (temporarily) in its honour! The

crowns represent the Park's royal status. The hedges are growing naturally in boxes, working with the London 2012 Organising Committee's desire to use responsibly sourced materials wherever possible. Builder: S. Brickell

Här vakar ekorrarna över hindret

5abc. The Chestnut Logs
With so many chestnut trees in the Park it was natural to design a complex of chestnut logs. They offer an invitin profile, but they are also very heavy! Siting them accurately became a challenge as minimising ground damage was a high priority throughout. Now they sit comfortably in their surroundings and offer the brave their first real question.Each rider must know their own horse's striding pattern and select the correct gear accordingly. The slope and drop landings add to the difficulty. The longer option will prove time consuming. Builder: S. Brickell

6. The Planet
The nearby Observatory required me to look to the stratosphere for inspiration. A planet seemed an unlikely shape for a cross country fence but actually proved possible. This challenge is one of accuracy and trust. In dimensional terms either side of "the planet" (centre ball) is not a big fence but understanding the question will be the key to success. The 'planet ring' (the elliptical sphere) is a steel structure clad in timber; the planet itself is made of resin coated polystyrene. Builder: J. Clissold

Fantastisk utsikt över London och sen bär det av nedåt

7. The Moon
There could be no planet without a moon and again we turned to steel for the initial framework. Its sheer size gav rise to some anxiety during its transportation, but now safely in position it is hoped that the photographic opportunities will put equestrian sports on the world map forever. Technically, 'jumping into space' requires a leap of faith. Olympic competitors are used to this! Builder: J. Clissold

Det susar i säven. Herr Groda vilar vid hinder åtta.

Och vid strandkanten fiskar herr Råtta och herr Mullvad

8abc. The River Bank
This temporary water feature, constructed in May, has been built above ground in order to avoid any earth penetration and will be removed after the Games. Inspired by the children's book The Wind in the Willows, Ratty's House and Toad's Caravan blend with wild flowers, fallen trees and willow trees to evoke a scene of joy for the riverside 'friends. The house is built in reclaimed African Opepe timber rescued from Ryde Pier on the Isle of Wight. The hill riders go down as they approachdescend will dictate their speed control is critical. Builder: A. Ditcham

9. Silver Birch Brush
The silver birch tree is a favourite of mine so I was delighted to find this spot for a birch fence framed in silver, the timber for which was sourced from Shropshire woodland. At the top of such a long hill it was necessary to design an inviting fence. While this may look big it is also very straightforward and should give horses a chance to catch their breath. The cobwebs and spiders demonstrate my love of nature. Builder: A. Hunter

10. Ancient Market Place
Beside the underground ruins of a Roman Temple, this complex endeavours to recreate some detail from an ancient market scene. All the approach ground was levelled in 2010, and the ditch and ground contours inside the jumping efforts were landscaped for the test event last year. The direct route will save crucial seconds but riders must first select the right gear and then hold an accurate line through all three elements. Lack of space created more problems than I anticipated when rolling out the design from paper to reality. Builder: A. Ditcham.

11ab. Ancient Market Place

Beside the underground ruins of a Roman Temple, this complex endeavours to recreate some detail from an ancientmarket scene. All the approach ground was levelled in 2010, and the ditch and ground contours inside the jumping efforts were landscaped for the test event last year. The direct route will save crucial seconds but riders must first select the right gear and then hold an accurate line through all three elements. Lack of space created more problems than I anticipated when rolling out the design from paper to reality. Builder: A. Ditcham

HÄR hoppar de av säger fälttävlanstränare Jan Jönsson och pekar på den vita pelaren

12. The Chess Table
Weaving willow is a unique skill and the availability of different coloured willows inspired the idea of a chess board. The chess pieces were an appropriate addition and while the table is a steel- based structure, the Somerset- grown willow was woven by local craftsmen and women to create another beautiful fence. It is a straightforward jump but at maximum height and near maximum spread it still demands respect. Builder: J. Clissold

Lite annorlunda banbyggnad med färsk frukt i hindret

13. East End Barrows
These colourful barrows demonstrate my intention to keep London in the limelight. After the demanding downhill terrain, coupled with the unavoidably tight turn to this fence, the jumping challenge will be the least of riders' worries.
Builder: A. Hunter

14ab. The Sundials
A sundial outside the Maritime Museum gave me this idea. As riders pass over the timeline from west to east they face one of the more difficult challenges on the course. Much will depend on how well horses focus on the question, as the backdrop could be distracting. The unseen structures are steel, the frames are cut out of solid oak and the numbers and letters are carved into granite. As with the other hedges on the course, these are growing in boxes. Their presence makes the narrow elements higher but more inviting. Builder: S. Brickell

15. Tower of London
These two hedges would have looked lost in the massive Olympic arena without the added structures designed to replicate The Tower of London. Nevertheless, they are big and wide and are sited in such a way as to ask questions of power, obedience and accuracy. The stride pattern between the two fences will be critical, and concentration in such an atmosphere will add to the overall difficulty. Building the structures in a workshop was a masterful feat as they travelled to Greenwich in 'flat-pack. Builder: A. Ditcham

16. Tower of London
These two hedges would have looked lost in the massive Olympic arena without the added structures designed to replicate The Tower of London. Nevertheless, they are big and wide and are sited in such a way as to ask questions of power, obedience and accuracy. The stride pattern between the two fences will be critical, and concentration in such an atmosphere will add to the overall difficulty. Building the structures in a workshop was a masterful feat as they travelled to Greenwich in 'flat-pack. Builder: A. Ditcham

Det mycket smala upphoppet ur vattenhindret

17. Inland Waterways
The theme here is one of a working canal wharf, as it was before the Industrial Revolution. Borrowing the Park's Boating Lake saved some design time, although using the existing shape proved a challenge. Nevertheless, a big drop into water has been achieved followed by two demanding fences on a right hand turn. Any deviation from the correct and fastest line could be costly as the step out of the water is very narrow. Everyone has to jump the barge, which is as near to authentic as we could make it and represents many hours of painstaking work. Builder: A. Hunter

18ab. Inland Waterways
The theme here is one of a working canal wharf, as it was before the Industrial Revolution. Borrowing the Park's Boating Lake saved some design time, although using the existing shape proved a challenge. Nevertheless, a big drop into water has been achieved followed by two demanding fences on a right hand turn. Any deviation from the correct and fastest line could be costly as the step out of the water is very narrow. Everyone has to jump the barge, which is as near to authentic as we could make it and represents many hours of painstaking work. Builder: A. Hunter

19. The Playground
After the intensity of the previous three combinations this delightful farm tractor and trailer offers a real 'let-up' fence for horses and riders, and gives them an opportunity to re-group before the next long and demanding hill. The immaculate little Ferguson 35 has been generously loaned for this unique occasion. The sheep will find their way into the playground for children to play on after the Games. Builder: S. Brickell

Så här ser hinder 20 ut från sidan

Och så här ser det ut vid anridning. Den lilla vita och röda flaggan som skymtar nedanför uthoppet är b-hindret, en smal spets

20ab. Royal Greenwich Borough
Not only does this site offer a spectacular photographic opportunity, it also gives competitors plenty to think about.
From the top of the step it looks a very long way down and the next fence, the Village Flower Troughs, will come up all too quickly, leaving no room for deviation. This is a perfect example of a fence looking more alarming than it is.Children from Greenwich Borough were asked to paint their favourite London icon; Sebastian Coe judged the competition and the result is a montage of their work flanking the lower areas of this complex. Builder: A. Hunter

21. The Altar
Horses have now reached the top of the hill for the second time and need a straightforward fence while they catch their breath. I have deliberately placed this fence after a turn which should ensure that riders have rebalanced their horses in order to engage concentration. This fence was transported in pieces and put together on site due to its sheer weight. Builder: A. Hunter

Vackra blomstersängar och små fontäner vid hinder 22

22ab. The Flower Garden
Such beautiful gardens deserve to be seen. I fought hard in the early days to bring the track through here and I hope that the world will appreciate its splendour. The hanging baskets that line the route serve only to enhance the glory that already exists. Their arrangement took many hours of delicate labour. The technical question is accuracy – with a difference. In order to jump the ball horses must jump over the fountain first – not something they do every day. The water pumps are battery powered and should last all day! Builder: A. Ditcham

23. The Cricket Ball Basket
In quieter times this area is a cricket pitch! Where better, therefore, to place a basket full of cricket balls? Woven by craftsmen in Somerset around a steel frame, this fence is not difficult, but the distraction factor of passing the finish should not be under estimated. The cricket bats have been carved by hand from pieces of oak and even the scoreboard and seat have been especially made for purpose. Builder: S. Brickell

24ab. The Rose Garden
I was pleased to be able to use this corner of the rose garden, so featuring the English rose was an obvious choice. Simple but beautiful -– the flowers innocently decorate a true challenge. The artist responsible for every illustration here has also spent many hours painting these pretty pink roses. The trees before the corner and the holly bush beyond make the perfect riding line difficult. The only way is to approach from left to right, thus opening up the risk of a run-out. The weary may be wise to opt for the scenic route involving both hedges. Builder: A. Hunter

Rosenträdgården bredvid hinder 24

 25. The Timeline Clocks
Technically there is nothing difficult about this let-up fence. However, the interest lies in the detail. Every competing nation is represented by a working clock that accurately tells the time in their capital city. Crossing the timeline inspired the idea – putting it into practice was more difficult. The towers on either side mirror the Royal Observatory. Sometimes the simplest fences take the longest to create and this was no exception. Builder: A. Ditcham

26. The Observatory Turn
After a long gallop the 180 degree turn to this fence requires a change of gear. The adverse camber adds to the overall question and should be taken into account. From a designer's point of view the stars link nicely to the planet and the moon (fences 6 and 7), all lying in close proximity to The Observatory. The hedge here is another example of sustainability – a hallmark of this Olympic course. Builder: S. Brickell

27. Saxon Village
These beautifully recreated Saxon houses nestle beside the Saxon burial grounds and illustrate the builder's ability to make use of authentic and old material. The roofs are covered in the sedum plant, which has been grown on matting and lovingly cherished ever since. The timbers come from recycled Opepe hardwood that was once Ryde Pier. The question here is by no means original but serves to concentrate the mind and delay riders' temptation to celebrate an early homecoming. Builder: A. Hunter

28. The Olympic Horses
Building this massive structure was a daunting undertaking. However, no one can deny its final magnificence. The two mighty horses are made of recycled horseshoes, while the jumpable horseshoe is another timber-clad steel frame. As a final Olympic cross-country fence I hope it accurately represents the magnificent efforts of the many skilled people who have enabled me to design an unusual cross-country course in a very unusual and spectacular setting. Builder: J. Clissold