The new TecRail obstacle courses in Compiègne
The first obstacle meeting took place on 6 march 2017 on the new racecourse in Compiègne with no less than 10 races on the program.
Following the closure of Enghien, the obstacles have given a new look to Compiègne. The Société des Courses has trusted TecRail to complete the project in record time. Jean-Philippe Boisgontier, TecRail director, gives us the details of the work :
JDG : What did you do in broad outline ?
JPB : First of all, we did a lot of work on the hedge course which was moved inside on the former flat track in the opposite line with 5 new hurdles.
JDG : Theses hedges, features to note ?
JPB : Yes, they are 20 m tall in front, wich is very comfortable, and are designed respecting the perfect uniformity with the rest of the track : 3 hurdles have not been replaced. Even if these new hedges have a traditional design, they integrate all our innovations in terms of safety : take-off and impact bars at the top of the body in flexible polyethilene, protected facade of damping foam… We habe particulary cared the esthetic to make clear and jumping obstacles for horses.
JDG : And the Steeple ?
JPB : FOr the Steeple, the reflexion turned out to be much complex. The challenge was to deliver a selective track for the first quarter of 2017 with constraint of not using the diagonals alreadu under construction and new non-operational tracks before 2018. Fisrtly, we had to give another dimension to the opposite line provided with several natural obstacles. On the other hand, the constraint of the track forced us to use the stands line of hedge in steeple also. It was absolutely necessary to “break” the monotony of the row of hedges for Steeple-Chase tracks.
JDG : La Steeple line in front ?
JPB : It is progressive with a more selective obstacle in the 3rd, an open ditch very “welcoming” and perfectly secure but wiht respectable ribs. Following, the new double barrier is a simple obstacle especially for experienced horses and the opportunity to blow before the last turn.
JDG : And this line of hegdes, how did you differentiate it into Steeple ?
JPB : First of all, the last turning point has a Fence as in the past in Complègne. However, this news Fence is particulary bright white and brown while being made of 100 % synthetic materials and therefore extremely secure. It is not a difficult obstacle and allows the tired horses to stay focused on their jumps : the idea being, in this technicla place of the course, to bring variety.
JDG : And this temporary Open Ditch, wich we have already talked about in our lines ?
JPB : yes, we have proposed to the Racetrack managers to transform the penultimate hedge in Open Ditch for the time of the Steeple Chase race only : it is unprecedented. Specificaly, a second raised polyethylene hedge is affixed to the back of the hedge to create a real small open ditch, and this in 10 minutes. This is made possible thanks to the TecRail monoblic casings, wich are light and robust at the same time. This Open Ditch is passed twice in each track and especially in penultimate hurdle, wich gives this Steeple Chase of this first semester a unique character.