Mike Etherington-Smith on course at Sydney Photo: John Lechner, ESJ Photography
Following the announcement last week that Mike Etherington-Smith was stepping down as the Chief Executive of British Eventing, it has been officially announced that he will take over the reins as the new FEI Course Designer for the Australian International 3 Day Event (Aus3DE) in Adelaide
Aus3DE Event Director Gillian Rolton has welcomed the highly acclaimed Beijing and Sydney Olympic Games Course Designer, who is based in the UK but has had significant input into many of Australia’s cross country course designs, including the Sydney International Horse Trials
“Over the past three years, Mike has been involved with the Australian High Performance program, designing the Sydney International Horse Trials and acting as mentor to a number of Australia’s developing Course Designers,” Gill said.
“The addition of Adelaide CCI4* to this program will see Mike working with Equestrian Australia High Performance and the Australian International 3 Day Event to grow and expand it into the future.
“With the Olympics in Rio 2016 at the forefront of everyone’s plans, we welcome Mike to Adelaide for next November’s top level event and look forward to working with him to produce another world class course.”
Meantime Gill has also thanked outgoing FEI Course Designer Wayne Copping for his years of fine service. “Wayne has spent seven years as FEI Course Designer of the 4* in Adelaide and over that time has delivered some outstanding results,” Gill said. “All event staff were very concerned about Wayne’s heart attack just prior to the 2013 event but are thrilled he has left us on such a high note after the excellent 2014 event.
“We thank Wayne for all he has done to develop the Adelaide event and wish him all the best for the new challenges he undertakes.”
Mike E-S, as he is known around the world, will also be undertaking a project at Wallaby Hill Farm in the Southern Highlands of NSW, a property which is fast becoming one of Australia’s best eventing venues. Next year Wallaby Hill will be hosting a CIC3* but there are plans to host a CCI in coming years with the recent expansion of the property
