As one of Horse of the Year's most exciting spectator sports this Saturday's cross country course in eventing is a chance for riders and horses to put their expertise, confidence and composure to the test.
Solid wooden jumps, hilly terrain and pools of water are all course obstacles that keep the stakes high for riders, and behind the scenes there is one man making it all happen.
John Nicholson, 65, is well known for his knack to think like a horse when designing courses and travels the world to hone his design skills.
"It's a very difficult venue to work at as far as events go but as long as you be organised and you be flexible, you become that flexible sometimes you think you're broken in half, but that's what makes it work."
Mr Nicholson said with the sport being such a high risk it's important that he completes what is a mammoth logistical task as best he can.