Wilmington Sunday Spotlight: Alan Wade

Wilmington, Ohio – This week’s Wilmington Standlee Sunday Spotlight shines on FEI Level IV course designer Alan Wade (IRL). Alan has spent nearly four decades shaping the sport from local Irish shows to the world’s biggest stages. As he prepares to take on 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, we caught up with him Saturday afternoon at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington to talk about where it all started, how the sport has evolved, and his experience at WEC.

WEC: Tell us about how you got into course designing and where you are today?

My name is Alan Wade. I’m an FEI Level IV course designer from Tipperary, Ireland. I started helping my father at local shows, and then I became a regional course designer in Ireland, that’s almost 40 years ago now. I began as an assistant, then became regional, and just went up through the ranks in Ireland until eventually moving up to international level.

WEC: You were just named the course designer for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Tell me about that and how it feels.

It’s a huge honor. Even just to be considered is incredible, and then to actually be asked, it’s something I’m really looking forward to. Over the next couple of years, I’ll start designing fences and planning tracks. I won’t be building anything for a while, but I’ll begin working with the LA Committee to understand what they want, the themes, the number of fences, and so on. I’ll send designs to the logistics department, and there’s a process similar to what I went through with Bob Ellis for the London 2012 Olympics. This time, I have more lead time, so I’m very excited about it.

The main designs will be done well in advance, probably over the next two and a half years. The material will stay the same, but we might have slightly different versions. Usually, you get two looks out of one set of fences — a more delicate version and a standard one. Everything is finalized much closer to the event after approval from the technical delegate and the organizing committee. It’s a balance, the fences should be impressive and stunning, but also practical. We’ll also design fences for the three-day event show jumping, so there’s flexibility built into the process.

WEC: How has your perspective or strategy evolved with the sport throughout your career?

I’m still true to the same principles my father taught me, that hasn’t changed. The biggest development in my career has been the introduction of safety cups. The materials have also gotten lighter, and most shows now have a great selection of jumps and fences. The quality of the materials available has improved a lot.

WEC: Could you tell us about your experience designing in Wilmington and what it’s like building tracks in this indoor facility?

This is about my fourth year here at the indoor shows, and I’ve also had a very enjoyable time designing the CSI2* outdoors earlier this year. Wilmington is a great venue. This indoor is big, which is rare. You don’t get too many indoor arenas of this size where you can really let the horses open up. It rides nicely, and it’s always fun to come here. There are lots of classes and there is always a good atmosphere. It gives both horses and riders a good education. Indoors in Europe are much tighter and smaller than this for sure.

WEC: Course design has both technical and creative elements. What’s your favorite part of the job?

I like having the ring look neat and tidy, that’s important to me. I enjoy presenting the fences in a nice, balanced way. I try not to hide jumps or surprise riders; the test should always be in front of them. Indoors, sometimes you have to be a bit quicker around the corners, but the goal is always balance, color harmony, and a layout that looks good and rides well.

WEC: Finally, looking ahead to our $60,000 IDA Development Grand Prix. Can you tell me about your process designing for this field here in Wilmington?

There are quite a few extra entries this week, so I rely a lot on Bobby Murphy to coordinate with me. I sent him my course plan yesterday evening, it’s set at about 1.40m. There were a lot of riders clear in the 1.35m Welcome, so I think tonight’s course will be a bit more delicate. I’m sure it’ll make for a good competition and a good winner, it always does here. Bobby keeps the level consistent week to week, and we always work together to make sure it rides well.