One week until Badminton: Fences to watch out for.

The cross country day at Badminton attracts quarter of a million spectators from all over the world, all hoping for a fantastic day of sporting activity - and this year will be no exception. Yet, after watching the video of the course walk I am sure that this year's course will not fail to impress.

As usual, the course has been reversed from last year's - with the Quarry at the end of the course and the Lancer Village at the beginning. This also means that the testing Lake will be towards the end, perhaps giving even more of a challenge to those who's horses are feeling the strain of the 6.5 kilometre long course. This year, the lake entails the traditional Mitsubishi Pickups, then a willow wave, with a sharp left-hand turn over another willow wave into the lake. The direct route then consists of a jump up and a bounce out over another wave, which may prove a strong obstacle.

One of the strongest fences to watch this year though, in my opinion, would be the Sunken Lane. Consisting of a large open rail upright jumping straight down into the ditch, then straight into a jump up the ditch and then to a large spread. This will easily cause a few issues and may even catch out the most experienced of riders, not only due to its technicality but also its size. Hugh Thomas has provided a brilliant fence that will be sure to test the riders in every way.

Other notable fences include the HS1 Farmyard - the reverse of last year's, which caught out many (for example Alex Hua Tian and Mary King), and is sure to do the same for this year. In addition, the Huntsman's Close will also prove to be a testing fence. Starting with a jump over the white gates in, followed by an imposing log, before a sharp right-hand turn into two new brush fences at bounce distance - all on a curving line. So late on in the course it will surely be a challenging fence to those horses now beginning to tire.

Obviously, each fence may cause issues of its own - with the course requiring both boldness and accuracy in equal measures. Hopefully the weather will hold off for the day and it will prove to not only be a fantastic rider event, but also for the spectators.