Which cross-country fences caught riders out at Houghton’s Nations Cup CIC3*?

The Houghton Hall International Horse Trials held in Norfolk last weekend (26-29 May) drew some of the world’s leading event riders.

The CICO3* Nations Cup section was the feature class. Nicola Wilson claimed individual spoils, taking first and third place riding One Two Many and Annie Clover respectively. Frenchman Matthieu Vanlandeghem was second riding Trouble Fete Ene HN.

The course caused problems at a number of different fences. In total 72% of cross-country starters completed the cross-country course with no jumping penalties.

15% of cross-country starters finished inside the optimum time while 88% of starters completed the course.

Here are pictures of the fences riders faced on the cross-country. The course was 3880m in length with an optimum time of 6 minutes 49 seconds. Find out which fences caught most riders out with our fence-by-fence analysis.

Start box

Fence 1: EHOA Brush Roll
0 faulters

Fence 2: Morgan Evans Equestrian Hay Rack
0 faulters

Fence 3: Events & Tents Veg Stand
0 faulters

Fence 4a: EQ Life Podium
0 faulters

Fence 4b: EQ Life Medal
0 refusals

Fence 5abc: Spillers Quarry Logs

Fence 6: Horsezone.co.uk Laptop
0 faulters

Fence 7: APMS Dray
0 faulters

Fence 8ab: Newmarket Equine Hospital Corners
3 refusals resulting in one retirement

Fence 9: Ben Burgess Flower Box
0 faulters

Fence 10abcd: Askham Bryan College Water and Treasure Chests
One rider fall and 17 refusals resulting in one elimination

Landing side of 10a

Fence 11ab: Suzuki ATV Running Track Hedges
0 faulters

Fence 12: Devoucoux Gate
One frangible pin broken

Fence 13ab and 14: Smith & Williamson Meridian Line and Sundials
2 horse falls and 2 refusals

Fence 15: Hatters Events Picnic Table
0 faulters

Fence 16ab: Shadwell Estate Company Rails
1 horse fall

Fence 17: William Mason Fine Wines Kent Seat
0 faulters

Fence 18: Shearwater Insurance Open Ditch
One unseated rider

Fence 19ab: Howes Percival Brush Arrowheads
4 refusals resulting in one retirement and one elimination

Fence 20: Bedmax Saw Bench
1 elimination

Fence 21ab: Barefoot Estates Houses
0 faulters

Fence 22: Walking with the Wounded Olympic Diamond
0 faulters

Read the full Houghton Hall International Horse Trials report in Horse & Hound magazine (2 June 2016).

Gemma Redrup

Former H&H features, racing and point-to-point editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.