Aachen School of Course Design March, 2006 18-25 November 2005 During November Gerrit Beker attended the Intensive Course of Instruction on Course Design in Aachen, Germany as the recipient of an Equestrian Sports NZ Officials Scholarship. The Aachen School of Course Design was founded in 2004 and the Intensive Course of Instruction on Course Design was held in the new press facilities and the indoor complex of CHIO Aachen. The ASCD is working under the patronage of the FEI and in close cooperation with: the German National Equestrian Federation the German National Olympic Committee the RWTH Aachen University of Technology the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (CHIO Aachen) and the Cologne Sports University The ASCD is analysing the possibilities of creating postgraduate studies (mix of theory and scientific practice) leading to a DIPLOMA IN COURSE DESIGN (DCD). A view of CHIO Aachen grounds taken from one of the grandstands, showing the WEG dressage arena covered by a tarpaulin, and some of the fixed jumps. Besides the Course Directors Arno Gego and Olaf Petersen, there were an additional 10 speakers who presented topics from a wide range of subjects, making up a very interesting programme, followed by the final test. Twenty five nations were represented by 28 participants. The participants represented a wide variety of scientific and/or professional backgrounds. The course was given in English. The course was partly divided into parallel sections for different levels of experience (some students to be promoted to an FEI-International Candidate Course Designer and some to an FEI-International Course Designer). Gerrit participated in the FEI-International Course Designer section. The different presentations of theory and practice covered a wide range of subjects from theory of speed and strides, trajectories and jumping ballistics, distances to mobile and fixed natural obstacles, theory and application of colours, presentation and decoration, theory of composition and Masterplan, design and layout of showgrounds, technology of all-weather footings (grass and sand), freehand drawing, mother of arts (Leonardo da Vinci), organisation of international events, sports marketing, media and TV, computer assisted course design, theory and practice of measuring, distances and dimensions, theory and practice of lines and the degree of difficulty and many others. An interesting component of the course was the practical section where some selected course designs from participants were actually built in an indoor arena, scrutinised and discussed and amended to improve the lines and/or jumps, and later ridden by some prominent German riders including Helena Weinberg. The final test comprised a theoretical test, the preparation of a master plan for a 2-round Grand Prix competition with jump off on a showground plan provided at the time of the test, the assessment of one's showjumping CV and an oral test. The results of the tests will be provided to the National Federations of the participants early in the new year. Gerrit found this to be a very worthwhile experience. He learned a lot and enjoyed the interaction with the other participants. It was a good opportunity to network with other course designers from around the world. The CHIO facilities at Aachen are very impressive. The arena has full grandstands all round – it is a huge grass arena with various fixed obstacles, such as water jumps, liverpools, bank, devil's dyke, walls, and a lake. The dressage will take place in this arena for the WEG and the show jumping courses are built around it. At the conclusion of the course, Gerrit went to Indoor Maastricht in Holland for one day and had the opportunity of assisting the course designers. He hopes to pass on the knowledge gained to budding course designers in New Zealand to help them advance their skills for their benefit and that of the riders and horses in New Zealand. On checking the FEI website recently, Gerrit noted that he has been upgraded to FEI International Course Designer. He is very appreciative of the support given by Equestrian Sports New Zealand.