Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Alec Lochore, FEI Level 4 Course Designer and Technical Delegate, has been appointed as the eventing course designer for the Olympic Games LA28 while fellow Briton Mike Etherington-Smith, will act as course advisor.
The decision was taken unanimously by the FEI Board at its in-person meeting on 17 and 18 June in Lausanne (SUI).
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.
Alec Lochore has served two terms on the FEI Eventing Committee and has been a member of various FEI Working Groups over the years.
“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.”
Rosie Williams, CEO of British Eventing, added: "We are delighted to see Alec Lochore appointed as Course Designer for LA28. It is fantastic to have a British course builder recognised in such a significant and prestigious role. Alec brings a wealth of experience, having competed at 5* level and organised over 165 BE events alongside his FEI commitments. We know he will deliver courses that challenge and inspire. Congratulations from all at British Eventing.”
Alec told the FEI; "I am humbled, honoured and delighted to have been asked to design the cross-country track for the Olympic Games LA28. 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 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.
“To have British representation of the calibre of Alec and Mike behind one of the showpiece features at the Olympic Games LA28 is fantastic news. Both have great Games experience in a number of roles which will be invaluable in helping to deliver an event which showcases the sport on the world’s biggest stage. Alec has a great mind for course design – clever, technical and artistic so we look forward to seeing what produces in the grounds of Santa Anita,” Jim Eyre, British Equestrian Chief Executive concluded.