Ian Stark Hired as Course Designer for Proposed CCI5*-L at Fair Hill

From left: Tim Gardner, Fair Hill International board member; Ian Stark; and Jay Griswold, Fair Hill Foundation board member. Photo courtesy of Fair Hill.

Fair Hill International and the Fair Hill Foundation announced today that Ian Stark has been hired to design the new cross country course in preparation for hosting a CCI5*-L event in 2020.

Fair Hill confirmed to EN that Ian will also design the CCI3*-L course at the venue starting in 2020, and a CCI4*-L will not run in 2020 due to the planned addition of the CCI5*L. Derek di Grazia is still the designer for the CCI4*-L and CCI3*-L courses for the 2019 event, which will be held Oct. 16-20.

Ian visited the venue in Elkton, Maryland earlier this week for an initial survey. “I am thrilled and excited to be involved in America’s new five-star event at Fair Hill and can’t wait to get started planning the cross country course,” Ian said. “This is every designer’s dream.”

Fair Hill will be Ian’s first CCI5-L* track. A highly decorated medalist for Great Britain, Ian designs at U.S. events including Carolina International, Rebecca Farm and Woodside, as well as at top venues in the UK and Ireland, including Bramham, Tattersalls and Chatsworth. He also designed the 2015 FEI European Championships track at Blair Castle.

Fair Hill has begun a series of upgrades to the facility to make it suitable for hosting five-star events. Trish Gilbert, president of Fair Hill International Inc., said they are delighted to welcome Ian on board.

“His global reputation and experience will be invaluable to the five-star competition,” Trish said. “We all look forward to working with him as we bring this event to fruition.”

This report has been updated with additional information about the CCI4*-L and CCI3*-L at Fair Hill.