The driving course designer for the upcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Richard Nicoll, was recently on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park for several days to work with the course builder, meet with various decorators, and generally check on the progress of the marathon obstacles.

the course designer for the driving portion of the WEG, Richard Nicoll (left), discusses a marathon obstacle with the course builder, Mick Costello

According to Nicoll, construction is now about ninety-five percent complete on the marathon obstacles. Once everything is finished, all that will remain is the decorating. Some of this will need to be completed at the last minute because two obstacles contain portable elements that will be moved into place after the eventing cross-country phase (on the first Saturday during the WEG).

After his meeting with the decorators, Nicoll was pleased to note how enthusiastic and, with the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event having been at the KY Horse Park for so many years, how experienced they are. He expects that spectators familiar with driving, and those new to the sport, will be wowed by the beauty of the course.

The drivers themselves may not appreciate the beauty of the obstacles to the same degree that the spectators will, but they will have their own beautiful views earlier in the day. While he was here, Nicoll inspected the course he had laid out for Sections A and D of the marathon. The track does not just go “round and round a field,” as he said, but follows roads, pathways, and pastures through several working farms adjoining the Kentucky Horse Park. So the drivers will get a unique view of some truly beautiful Kentucky countryside and farmland.

Nicoll says that he’s “very encouraged and excited about all the progress that’s been made at the Horse Park.” And he encourages everyone to come out on Saturday, October 9, to watch the driving marathon, if for no other reason than this is probably the only time in our lifetimes that we’ll be able to see so many FEI-level four-in-hand drivers in one North American location. Nicoll recalled how, after the 1993 World Pairs Championship in New Jersey, a number of people said they had heard how wonderful the championship was and how much they regretted having missed it.

“This time around, don’t be someone who regrets not having come to see the driving championship,” said Nicoll. “This is going to be too good to miss!”

a beautiful view of the Bluegrass from the track on Section A of the marathon (photo by Richard Nicoll)

... and the start of the walk section ... what a lovely view (photo by Richard Nicoll)

this beautiful grassy field, beyond the trees in the foreground, will be the location of the driving arena (for dressage and cones)

detail of a completed portion of one of the marathon obstacles (photo by Richard Nicoll)

Lenny Courtemanche sanding a new post

a moveable element (in the eventing cross-country complex known as the "Head of the Lake") being put into place for Richard Nicoll's visit

an aerial view of a portion of one of the marathon water obstacles