Clarke Johnston, Matangi, on Balmoral Sensation during the cross country at last year's National Eventing Championships held at Arran Station.
Fresh blood always brings new ideas, and that is the case at Arran Station, Takapau this month, where the course designers for the National Eventing Championships on 29 and 30 October are making their mark.
Chris Ross, from Woodhill Sands, Chris Lever, from Masterton, and Shane Tilson of Havelock North have designed the jumps and tracks.
All three will also use borrowed mobile jumps from a number of courses, to keep construction costs down, following almost total cuts in funding grants.
Riders may recognise the odd fence here and there, but it will show how different terrain changes the challenge of an obstacle.
John Holmes is making several mobiles available, and Shane will bring some from his new Havelock North Pony Club course.
Thanks to negotiation by Equestrian Sports New Zealand CEO Vicki Glynn, the Horse of the Year mobile jumps have been made available.
Expect to see some large machinery dotted around as well, with trucks and tractors incorporated into the décor, as well as Chris Lever's wooden works of art.
The Forest Gate Trophy title class is again supported by longstanding sponsor, Hans Dresel of Red Snap'r, who has been on board since 2003, when the first advanced class was run in the spring.
Oaklane Stables Premium Chaff, of Hastings, first-time sponsors at Arran Station, are supporting the Waiteko Trophy.
Equissage NZ return to sponsor the Ferndale Salver after initial involvement last year, and Mitavite has come on board as first time sponsors of the 105cm championship, the Blyth Tait Trophy. Mitavite is also the new sponsor of the Mitavite Young Rider series.
All other classes are supported by local businesses, many of whom have been sponsoring at Arran Station for many years, including Silver Fern Farms, which owns the property.
With less than three weeks to go, there is much to be done, but the weather in CHB has been good compared with most of the country and the recent rain has been welcome after an abnormally dry winter.
Arran Station will be mown and the haylage removed before the event, so the going should be great, say organisers.
The National Eventing Champs will move to another venue next year, so watch one of the country's top competitions at a spectacular venue.