Masterplan and courseplan

The masterplan is an overall concept of a course on the tournament. Based on freehand drawn design by pencil and rubber in scale.
The masterplan should contain information about:
1. North and south
2. Size and shape of arena in scale
3. Other facilities of arena
4. Position and direction of obstacles
5. Type of obstacles, measurements of obstacles
6. Information about the distances between related obstacles
7. Name or sponsorname of the obstacles (colour)

Different Course Designers have different methods but I almost use this method which I will explain here:

1. First draw the course line, use only pencil and rubber

2. Put obstacles on your line but not type of obstacles

3. Decide type of obstacles in combinations

4. If there is a jump off, now you can plan the kind of obstacles in the jump off course

5. Now when you have a satisfied jump off, you can define the other obstacles in the basic course.
Dont forget to draw with a long line cross the combination if you use a closed combination

6. In the next step you will fill in information about measurements of obstacles and distances.

7. You can also write down which obstacle,colour and other information you and your assistents need.

Material list

The masterplan together with the material list made by Visio 2002 and the special course designing program PPD helps your assistents to understand your thoughts.

Combination plan

Helps you to not repeat same type of combination during a tournament.
You can also write down the distance and dimensions of the obstacles

Final course plan

With the software “PPD” (Professional Parcours Design) and a laptop you can draw and prepare at home or at the horse show professional course plans. With a simple mouse click you insert different type of fences, distances, dimensions – all in scale. You print working plans for assistants, official course plans, special plans for media, internet or TV.
After the show all your plans are in your computer file and help you for the next events. PPD is a world wide existing program for course designers, and most International Course Designers

PC Tool for designing Show Jumping Courses

EcCourse Design will help you to design and present your plans for riders, judges, sponsors, spectators, media and of course for your assistants.
EcCourse was launched in Swedish in October 2006. After a testing period the PC Software will be translated to English in November.

• Eccourse