Pierre Le Goupil, designer of the cross-country course at this year’s Paris Olympic Games, has been appointed the new course designer for the Mars Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill beginning in 2025, succeeding designer Ian Stark.

Stark, who oversaw the construction of the cross-country courses and has designed them since the event’s inaugural running in 2021, will be retiring at the end of 2024. Le Goupil will be the designer at Fair Hill through at least 2027.

“I am delighted to design for the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill starting in 2025, and I am filled with gratitude towards the organizing committee for their trust,” said Le Goupil. “It’s a fabulous opportunity for me, and it’s also a great honor to succeed Ian Stark, who in less than three years, has greatly contributed to the event’s reputation.”

Le Goupil, 61, has was also the lead designer for last year’s Pan American Games (Chile) and the 2023 FEI European Championships (France). He began competing in high-level international events in 1975, doing so for nearly 30 years before retiring from eventing in 2002. He began organizing events in 1995, working with his family to create the “Le Grand Complet.”

“Upon announcing my retirement, there was obviously going to be a new designer, and I’m thrilled for the event that Pierre will be the new man,” said Stark. “He has the talent, the imagination and the flair to succeed, and I look forward to following his plans for the future of the course.”