Bob Ellis, the 62 year old course designer charged with creating the jumping tracks for the Alltech FEI European Dressage and Jumping Championships at Windsor Castle in Great Britain, has a specific theme at the heart of his ideas.  He is not prepared to give a lot away ahead of the big week, but he says “this is a very special location, and I decided a long time ago that I want the arena to reflect an English country garden”. 

As a top international designer he has worked all around the world including the USA, Canada, Europe and the Middle East and he has built tracks for Nations Cup competitions, World Cup Qualifiers and Pony, Young Rider and Junior Europeans.  This however will be his first senior championship, and he’s really looking forward to it.

Biggest Challenge

He says the biggest challenge he faces is ensuring his courses don’t over-stretch the less-experienced competitors, yet provide a strong enough test for the best riders in the world.  “It’s not an easy thing to do, but its about getting the balance right” he points out.  He’s happy that he has the support of his great friend, Irishman Alan Wade whose courses during the recent Dublin Horse Show were highly-praised, and his own assistant 34 year old Bernardo Costa Cabrel from Portugal.  “Two great men – they’ll help me to do a great job” he explains.

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