Spain’s Santiago Varela Ullastres and France’s Gregory Bodo have been appointed as Co-Course Designers for both the Show Jumping and Eventing Jumping Competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
54-year-old Santiago Varela, a 4* Technical Delegate and Course Designer in Jumping, has designed courses at events of all levels across the world, including the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup qualifiers at Lyon (FRA) and La Coruña (ESP), the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals 2018 and 2019 as well as various championships for Children, Juniors, Young Riders, and U25.
He has also served as Technical Delegate for Jumping at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy (FRA) in 2014, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final 2017 in Omaha, NE (USA) and the FEI Jumping European Championship 2017 in Gothenburg (SWE), among many others
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games his designs were lauded for their vibrant colours, creativity, sensitivity to Japanese culture as well as the challenges they set for riders
The French course designer Gregory Bodo, 44, has built Jumping courses internationally for over 20 years, during which time he has worked closely with Santiago Varela and their joint effort will continue in Paris
Bodo officiated as the Assistant Course Designer at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, where he first worked with Santiago Varela, and they went on to co-operate at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
“As is always the case for the Olympic Games, we went through a thorough evaluation process and selected two individuals both of whom hold a wealth of experience and are renowned for their dedication and impeccable work ethic. The designs created by Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo are stunning and combine huge expertise with unique local flavour. Most importantly, they always put the horse at the core of their thought process and produce courses mindful of the welfare of both our equine and human athletes” says FEI President Ingmar De Vos
“Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo have worked together on numerous occasions and will make a great team. I am convinced that with their knowledge, creative spirit, and professional attitude, the equestrian community, the spectators and the fans around the world can expect Jumping courses of the highest quality. With the equestrian events scheduled to be held in Versailles with the historical château as the uniquely beautiful backdrop, these are set to be truly exceptional Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games."
