Paris Olympic course-designer to take on five-star job as Ian Stark retires

France’s Pierre Le Goupil will be the cross-country course-designer at Mars Maryland 5 Star from 2025 and will hold the role until at least after the 2027 event.

Ian Stark, who has been the designer since the inaugural five-star at the US venue in 2021, retires from designing at end of this year.

New Maryland 5 Star course-designer Pierre Le Goupil, 61, competed at the top level for 30 years before retiring from eventing in 2002.

He began organising events in 1995 and is the course-designer for the Olympics this year in Paris. He was also responsible for the track at last year’s European Championships at Haras du Pin and at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

Ian said: “I’m thrilled for the event that Pierre will be the new man. He has the talent, the imagination and the flair to succeed and I look forward to following his plans for the future of the course.

Pierre said he is “filled with gratitude towards the organising committee for their trust”.

“It’s a fabulous opportunity for me, and it’s also a great honour to succeed Ian Stark, who in less than three years, has greatly contributed to the event’s reputation,” he said.

Jeff Newman, president and CEO of the event committee, said: “We’re thrilled that Pierre has agreed to be our cross-country course-designer starting in 2025 for the Mars Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory building upon the incredible foundation that Ian Stark has created through this year.

“There is no position more important in eventing than the course-designer as it’s paramount both to ensure horse and athlete safety and the entertainment of our fans globally. We’re so fortunate and honoured to have two of the very best supporting Maryland as we continue to build upon our legacy as a world-class event at the highest level of the sport.”

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