The Equestrian Experience

Designing the biggest equestrian courses in the world

March 13, 2022 Eric Winter Season 1 Episode 15
The Equestrian Experience
Designing the biggest equestrian courses in the world
Show Notes

Eric Winter is an FEI International Level Course Designer, an A-list British Eventing Accredited Course Designer, an FEI Technical Delegate and a Technical Advisor for British Eventing. He’s the mastermind behind advanced courses in many iconic venues throughout Britain, Western Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia. 

In this episode, Eric shares how he draws from his own showjumping and eventing experience to create courses that unfold like stories. 

  • Hear how Eric’s love affair with horses started after his father had a few too many drinks one day. Plus, what does a pen of ponies have to do with an ornamental sword and a horn?
  • Reflect on the irony of how your worst day can be your best day, and how a financial disaster as a young man kickstarted Eric’s eventing career.
  • Did you know that a good course designer is exactly like a good instructor? Eric details how he designs courses with the aim to train both horse and rider.
  • It’s history time, and Eric reminds listeners that a cross country course is all about the terrain. We’re taken back to war-times when soldiers had to jump everything in their way to deliver military communications. 
  • Eric shares how much he loved course designing for the Blenheim Palace and Badminton Horse Trials, and elaborates why his all-time favourite course to build was the FEI Eventing European Championship for Ponies.

All this and so much more in this episode of THE EQUESTRIAN EXPERIENCE.