Ian Stark Named New Course Designer at Carolina International

The Cloud 11 Watership Down at Carolina International. Photo by Kate Samuels. The Cloud 11 Watership Down at Carolina International. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Carolina International Horse Trials announced this morning that Ian Stark has been named the new cross country course designer for the event. Ian also currently designs the cross country courses at Galway Downs and Woodside in California, Richland in Michigan and Rebecca Farm in Montana.

“We are looking forward to seeing Ian’s vision for the Carolina International and are confident he will design a course that will prepare and challenge riders in the lead up to spring CCIs and, ultimately, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio,” Carolina International Organizer Marc Donovan said.

“We are so grateful to Hugh Lochore for his great course design in our first two years and are happy to have him continuing to design the upper level courses at the Five Points Horse Trials. Everyone at the Carolina Horse Park is looking forward to the design developments that both Ian and Hugh will bring to our outstanding cross country facility.”

Ian has also designed tracks in Europe at Bramham, Tattersalls and Blair Castle and brings a wealth of experience to the Carolina Horse Park. He will make his first site visit to Raeford, North Carolina, this summer to begin planning the new course, which will be unveiled next March.

“I am delighted to be selected as the Carolina International’s next cross country course designer and to make my first site visit to the Carolina Horse Park in the coming months,” Ian said. “I look forward to presenting a track that will test North America’s best horses and riders at the outset of the 2016 season and provide a great weekend of sport for everyone involved.”

[Cloud 11 ~ Gavilan North LLC Carolina International Welcomes Ian Stark as Cross Country Course Designer]