Eventing Course Designer Appointed for LA28

Alec Lochore (GBR) has been given the nod by the FEI to design the Olympic cross-country course at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.

A man standing beside a cross-country fence.

Alec Lochore (GBR) has been appointed as the eventing course designer for the Olympic Games LA28.

By: FEI Communications | June 18, 2025

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you're listening to an article from horse sport.com. eventing course designer appointed for la28 by: fei communications |. alec lochore (gbr), fei level 4 course designer and technical delegate, has been appointed as the eventing course designer for the olympic games la28. the decision was taken unanimously by the fei board at its in-person meeting on june 17-18 in lausanne (sui). lochore will be assisted by michael etherington-smith (gbr), who will act as course advisor. alec lochore, 53, is a highly-skilled course designer with over two decades of experience in international eventing who brings a distinctive blend of strategic leadership, technical insight, and course design expertise. he served as the eventing manager at the london 2012 olympic games where he oversaw the cross-country planning and test events at greenwich park as well as at tokyo 2020. he has also held roles at the fei world equestrian games™ as well as numerous fei eventing european championships. lochore has served two terms on the fei eventing committee and has been a member of various fei working groups over the years. advertisement scroll to continue with content “i would like to congratulate alec lochore on this important appointment,” fei president ingmar de vos said. “he holds excellent credentials as a first-class eventing course designer but also as a technical delegate and an organiser. he was instrumental in advising the fei on the cross-country feasibility at the la28 equestrian venue at santa anita park in arcadia and we are confident that, in cooperation with mike etherington-smith, he will design a course that challenges the world’s best while showcasing the heart of our sport to a wider global audience. work on the la28 olympic cross-country course will begin in the coming weeks.”. “i am humbled, honoured and delighted to have been asked to design the cross-country track for the olympic games la28,” lochore said. “it will be a great challenge, and one which i am looking forward to immensely. “i am fortunate enough to have been involved with the organisation and planning of several olympic games, and each olympics is unique and special. the olympics is the biggest showcase that our sport – that any sport – has, and to be chosen as course designer is very exciting.”. the olympic games la28 will take place from july 14-30, 2028. equestrian will be staged at santa anita equestrian park in arcadia and will feature team and individual competitions in jumping, dressage, and eventing. a total of 200 athletes and horses will compete in the equestrian events.

Alec Lochore (GBR), FEI Level 4 Course Designer and Technical Delegate, has been appointed as the eventing course designer for the Olympic Games LA28. The decision was taken unanimously by the FEI Board at its in-person meeting on June 17-18 in Lausanne (SUI). Lochore will be assisted by Michael Etherington-Smith (GBR), who will act as course advisor.

Alec Lochore, 53, is a highly-skilled course designer with over two decades of experience in international eventing who brings a distinctive blend of strategic leadership, technical insight, and course design expertise. He served as the Eventing Manager at the London 2012 Olympic Games where he oversaw the cross-country planning and test events at Greenwich Park as well as at Tokyo 2020. He has also held roles at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ as well as numerous FEI Eventing European Championships.

Lochore has served two terms on the FEI Eventing Committee and has been a member of various FEI Working Groups over the years.

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“I would like to congratulate Alec Lochore on this important appointment,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“He holds excellent credentials as a first-class Eventing course designer but also as a technical delegate and an organiser. He was instrumental in advising the FEI on the cross-country feasibility at the LA28 equestrian venue at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia and we are confident that, in cooperation with Mike Etherington-Smith, he will design a course that challenges the world’s best while showcasing the heart of our sport to a wider global audience. Work on the LA28 Olympic cross-country course will begin in the coming weeks.”

“I am humbled, honoured and delighted to have been asked to design the cross-country track for the Olympic Games LA28,” Lochore said. “It will be a great challenge, and one which I am looking forward to immensely.

“I am fortunate enough to have been involved with the organisation and planning of several Olympic Games, and each Olympics is unique and special. The Olympics is the biggest showcase that our sport – that any sport – has, and to be chosen as course designer is very exciting.”

The Olympic Games LA28 will take place from July 14-30, 2028. Equestrian will be staged at Santa Anita Equestrian Park in Arcadia and will feature team and individual competitions in jumping, dressage, and eventing. A total of 200 athletes and horses will compete in the equestrian events.