When Nicole Met: Adrian Ditcham

From Burghley to Boekelo and even the London Olympic Games, course designer and builder Adrian Ditcham has shaped some of the most iconic tracks in modern eventing. In this Nicole Met episode, he joins Nicole to talk creativity, pressure, and the art behind building a fair but influential test.

Adrian shares how he went from Pony Club to Burghley's long-time build team, the story behind the London 2012 cross-country course, and why Boekelo is one of the most fascinating challenges in the sport. He also lifts the curtain on planning at Belsay as it steps up to four-star status and reflects on watching Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo deliver one of the great modern rounds.

Highlights

• How Adrian fell into course building and design
• Inside the Burghley build team and working alongside Derek di Grazia
• The story of designing and delivering the London Olympics course
• What makes Boekelo such a specific and strategic test
• Belsay's pathway to four-star and how designers collaborate with Bramham
• The round he still thinks about (hint: Ros & "Walter")
• Why watching horses at three-star tells you almost everything

Guests

• Adrian Ditcham: International course designer and builder, Burghley assistant designer, Boekelo designer, London 2012 build team

This episode of When Nicole Met is kindly supported by Bedmax, purpose-made, natural horse bedding designed to protect respiratory health, support hooves, and provide a clean, comfortable stable environment.