Olympic Course designer comes to Prague to design courses in Chuchle Arena

Just three months before the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the Czech official jumping team will have a chance to compete on courses designed by Olympic course designer. Spanish designer Santiago Varela Ullastres – who has been appointed course designer for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo – accepted an invitation to the international CSIO3* Prague Cup that will take place in the Chuchle Arena Prague in May.

“I am excited that the course designer of the Olympic courses, Santiago Varela Ullastres, accepted our invitation to the CSIO3* CET Prague Cup that will be held in the Chuchle Arena Prague,” said Markéta Šveňková, Event Director.

Santiago Varela Ullastres was introduced to the world of equestrian sports at a very young age; he started his career as a course designer at the Club de Campo in Madrid in 1984. He then launched his international career in 1993 as a course designer in Santiago. Then he progressed to design courses at three- and four- star competitions in La Coruña, Vejer de la Frontera, San Sebastian, Santander, Sevilla in Spain, Vilamoura in Portugal and Queretaro in Mexico. He was the designer of courses for the European Championship in Madrid and for the Super League Final in Rotterdam in 2011.

In 2013, he started designing courses at FEI Level 4 and  designed courses for the FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona and for the European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors and Children in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain. He worked as a technical delegate at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. This year he will debut as the official Olympic course designer.

“It is excellent news that the Czech riders will get a chance to try out his courses in Prague at the beginning of May. The CSIO3* CET Prague Cup will be one of the most important events for the Czech Team to prepare for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. A final decision on the composition of the Czech Team is expected in the second half of June,” explained Markéta Šveňková. The CSIO3* CET Prague Cup will be held in the Chuchle Arena Prague from May 5th to 9th 2021. Just one week before this event, the Chuchle Arena Prague will also host one of the competitions of the Show Jumping World Cup.

“Most riders will not miss their opportunity to take part in both events, as they will have a chance to qualify not only for the Olympic Games but also for the 2021 European Championship and the 2022 World Championship,” added Markéta Šveňková who is also Chuchle Arena Prague Sport Director.