Olympic Games LA28: Alan Wade Named Jumping Course Designer

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has named Ireland’s Alan Wade as the official Jumping Course Designer for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, a decision reached by unanimous vote during the Board’s teleconference held on 10 October.

I am honoured and grateful to accept the role of Jumping course designer for the Olympic Games LA 28

Wade said.

He was brought up in a family deeply involved in equestrian sport: his father, Tommy Wade, was a celebrated show jumper and later a course designer himself. He laid out his first tracks at age 12 at local gymkhanas, absorbing lessons from his father and the international community of course builders. By 2009, he had already designed for Ireland’s premier event, the Dublin Horse Show. Since then, his work has spanned continents, from Rotterdam, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Lisbon, and Rabat to the United States and Canada. Among his marquee achievements are the 2017 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Omaha and the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon. He also served as Assistant Course Designer at the London 2012 Olympics, alongside Bob Ellis.Wade’s philosophy centers on fairness, flow, and respect for the horse. He is not a fan of traps or needless tricks. Rather, he aims to build courses that are jumpable, allowing the best combinations to shine. In one interview, he explained his style when designing a course:

It will be fair, it will be jumpable, and it will respect the horse, but if you make a mistake there will be a consequence. I never try to trick a horse into doing something stupid.

Reflections on His Appointment

Wade responded to his Olympic appointment with gratitude:

I am honoured and grateful to accept the role of Jumping Course Designer for the Olympic Games LA28. I would like to thank the FEI Board and Olympic Games LA28 Organising Committee for entrusting me with the important role of creating the courses and fence designs. I look forward to designing courses that produce good competition and present our sport in the best way possible on the world stage that is the Olympic Games.

FEI President Ingmar De Vos praised the choice, calling the role “crucial for the success of equestrian in Los Angeles. He said:

I would like to congratulate Alan Wade on his appointment as the Jumping Course Designer for the Olympic Games LA28. This is a crucial role for the success of equestrian in Los Angeles and I’m convinced that we have made the right choice. Alan is hugely experienced and has a profound understanding of the sport. He is well known for his subtle designs, which are challenging but set a fair test for the athletes and the horses and reward skill and horsemanship. I’m looking forward to world class Jumping at the LA28 Olympic Games.

Per the schedule, the LA28 Olympic Games will run from 14 to 30 July 2028, with equestrian disciplines held at Santa Anita Equestrian Park in Arcadia, California — featuring team and individual competitions in Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing. A total of 200 athletes and horses will compete in the equestrian events.

The IJRC proudly congratulates Alan Wade on his appointment as Jumping Course Designer for the LA28 Olympic Games.