Pierre Le Goupil to design Maryland CCI5 Star

Mia Farley rides Phelps on cross country at Maryland at Fair Hill CCI5* eventing | An Eventful Life
Mia Farley rides Phelps through Ian Stark's impressive water complex at Maryland 5*

Paris 2024 Olympic course designer Pierre Le Goupil has been named as successor to Ian Stark as the cross country designer for the Mars Maryland at Fair Hill CCI5*.

Pierre will take over from the current course designer Ian Stark in 2025, after Ian’s retirement at the end of 2024.

“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” says Pierre.

One of a small number of Level 4 course designers, Pierre started his career as a top level eventing rider before turning to course design, initially at his home event, Le Grand Complet at Hars Le Pin.

In 2023 he designed the course for the European Eventing Championships and the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

“Upon announcing my retirement, there was obviously going to be a new designer, and I’m thrilled for the event that Pierre will be the new man,” says Ian Stark “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.”