According to the FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Olympic Games, which are approved by the IOC, Course Designers are appointed by the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (OCOG) from a short list of not less than three names drawn up by the FEI Jumping and Eventing Committees respectively. Their travel accommodation expenses and other fees will be met by OCOG.

Stephen Stephens (USA) and Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), both of whom correspond to the above criteria, were the organisers’ choice.

Steve Stephens has a vast experience as a rider, event organiser, Chef d’Equipe, Technical Delegate, and of course, International Course Designer. From 1968 to 1986 he competed internationally at Grand Prix level; as an organiser, he is involved in the management of the Hampton Classic Horse Show since 1984, the American Invitational since 1986, and the Winter Equestrian Festival since 1989. From 1991 to 1994, he acted as the United States Equestrian Team Chef d’Equipe at major International events such as the Nations Cup Final in Lanaken (BEL) or the National Horse Show in New York. He was the Technical Delegate at four FEI World CupTM Jumping Finals: Gothenburg (SWE) in 1984; Dortmund (GER) in 1990; Geneva (SUI) in 1996; and Leipzig (GER) in 2002.

Steve Stephens, pupil of such remarkable tutors as Bertalan de Nemethy and Dr. Arno Gego, is a figure in International Course Design ever since 1980. He designed, amongst other events, CSIO Washington from 1981 to 85, the Jumping events at the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis, Indiana (USA), the National Horse Show in New York, and the Royal Winter Fair in Tronto (CAN). He was the Course Designer of CSI-W Devon, Pennsylvania, for 14 years and CSI-W Tampa, Florida for 20 years. He has done work at the similar level for CSIO Wellington (2002-2003), CSI 4* Wiesbaden (GER) and CSI 3* Valkenswaard (NED) in 2003, and the USEF National Championship in 2005.

Steve has also been involved in events at the highest International level. He was Assistant Course Designer to Bertalan de Nemethy at the 1980 World Cup Final in Baltimore, Maryland (USA), the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and the 1989 World Cup Final in Tampa, Florida. In 1996 and 1998, he assisted Prof. Arno Gego at CHIO Aachen (GER) and in 2000 he worked with Leopoldo Palacios at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

Venezuela’s Leopoldo Palacios is a figure well known to horsesport professionals and enthusiasts around the world. He has designed courses at International competitions in some 35 countries – Canada, USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia to name but a few – and the detailed list of his jobs reads like an atlas.

Leopoldo competed nationally and internationally from 1956 until the 80s. In 1971 and 72, he became Venezuela’s rider of the year. As of 1976, he began working as a Course Designer, nationally to begin with followed by an extensive international career. In 1993, he became Official International Course Designer.

Leopoldo has designed 60-odd FEI World CupTM Jumping qualifiers, the 1997 World Cup Final in Gothenburg (SWE), the 1991 and 1995 Pan American Games in Buenos Aires and Havana respectively and the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. At the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, he acted as a Technical Delegate just as he did at 2005 FEI World CupTM Jumping Final in Las Vegas.

The goal of this imaginative duo will be to create fences showcasing the beauty of the host country to the world with motifs from its monuments, architectures, nature and handicraft, as well as its lifestyle, while ensuring safe and fair competition. The Great Wall, pandas and the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai will most likely be among the motifs to be used in Hong Kong.