Wade Showjumping legacy continues as Alan is appointed Olympics course designer
Alan Wade has been appointed as Jumping Course Designer for the LA28 Olympic Games by the international equestrian governing body, the FEI.
A native of Boherlahan who has designed courses at the highest level of the sport including the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 in Tryon (USA), and was the Assistant Course Designer at the London 2012 Olympic Games alongside Bob Ellis, said he was honoured to accept the role.
“I am honoured and grateful to accept the role of Jumping course designer for the Olympic Games LA 28,” Wade said.
“I would like to thank the FEI Board and Olympic Games LA 28 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.”
The Tipperary man, an FEI Level 4 Course Designer and Technical Delegate, grew up immersed in equestrian sport and began designing his first tracks at age 12 at the local gymkhanas in Tipperary.
He is the son of jumping great Tommy Wade, who was part of Ireland's winning Aga Khan Cup team in 1963 and 1967 aboard the legendary Dundrum.
He began his professional career on home ground in Ireland designing in the main arena of the Dublin Horse Show for the first time in 2009. Since then, he has officiated in Dublin over a dozen times.
He has designed in Rotterdam, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Lisbon, and Rabat. His reputation for excellence has crossed the Atlantic and his popularity has grown in North America. Currently most of his designs are created for shows in the United States, alongside some in Canada and Mexico.
Horse Sport Ireland Chief Executive and Tipperary native Denis Duggan, congratulated Wade on his appointment, saying: “Alan has been at the forefront of his field for many years now and this appointment is testament to his hard work, and excellence, as a course designer.
“We are very proud as the Irish National Federation that he has been selected by the FEI to be Jumping Course Designer at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles and are very much looking forward to seeing the design of the arena at Santa Anita.”
The Olympic Games LA28 will take place from 14 to 30 July, 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.