Chris Ross, Land Rover Horse of the Year 2024, Tomoana Showgrounds, Hastings, New Zealand. Thursday, March 07, 2024 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
Helensville’s Chris Ross has just been announced as an FEI Level 4 as a Cross Country Course Designer, one of only 14 in the world, along with top international designers that include Great Britain’s Mike Everington Smith and Captain Mark Phillips. He is qualified to now design 5* level five-star eventing courses for the Olympic Games and World Cup events.
“It certainly was a nice surprise. It was a pretty tough exam and I wasn’t convinced I had passed at all. But it’s a privilege to be amongst that crowd, that’s for sure,” says Chris.
Chris was invited to apply by the FEI after nearly 20 years of hard graft as he worked through the official course design levels, which culminated in a rigorous assessment conducted last month.
Chris is one of the few cross country course designers to reach this level of expertise, along with two designers in Australia, two in France, five in Great Britain, and one in Italy, Poland, Sweden and the United States, respectively.
“There’s just been so many contributing factors really – I’ve been around eventing since my late teens through Shelley’s team and then in the mid 80’s we worked for Syd and Merran Hain on their farm. We used to go off and build the hunting tracks and hunter rings. It was a great environment to learn so much around stockmanship. Merran had Chief, Bago and Smiley John, I think all representing NZ at the time.
Shelley Ross rides Elvis II in the Veterinary Associates CCI*, Puhinui International Three Day Event, Saturday, December 08, 2018. Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall
“I was lucky to be involved in a golden era with Blyth [Tait], Vaughan [Jefferis], Trudy [Boyce] Tinks [Pottinger] and Mathew [Grayling], while Shelley was usually on the shortlist for a few teams. We had a pretty big team, and she had a couple of really good horses. So, I spent a lot of time walking the courses and became really interested in design then,” he says.
“Then came Woodhill Sands. We built the property from a swamp into a crazy busy centre for all disciplines. This started off my design career as we had all levels built, including an advanced track and FEI, within three years. I would say that being so involved with the show jumping there, also played a big role in understanding design.”
Chris says he enjoys setting challenges that are technical, demanding, flowing and fun to ride in an exhilarating way, and courses that really make a rider think and plan the ride they need.
“Cross country is such a thrill-seeking sport, so you design for that thrill and challenge, while demanding the skills to achieve clear rounds. Looking back, it has been a great journey to get here, a privilege designing for all the riders over the years, and as a small country we just seem to always have talent coming through all grades,” says Chris.
“It has always been important and probably a big part of my drive, so achieving this L4 is just as much about the FEI and the international community recognising that NZ and Australian riders are riding true international courses, so that riders and selectors know that a result in NZ is totally comparable to a result in the UK.
“Along with that, it is also recognition and the reflection of our officials down here. As, while you might be the designer, you must have the total support and partnership from your TD, and the belief and approval from your judges when setting the course. So, they equally are a part of this achievement.”
Chris says that being involved with ESNZ General Manager High Performance Jock Paget and the High Performance programme – along with the cross country camps – has been invaluable for his development.
“Working alongside Jock as a world class rider has given me an insight and an edge into the micro details required in designing at this level.
“ESNZ, NZ Eventing and HPNZ have supported many trips overseas through the Prime Minister’s scholarships, thus keeping us in touch across modern design or any new trends internationally, and adapting any new concepts into the courses like HOY, the Taupō 3DE and more recently the Sydney 3DE.”
He says he is proud of the Kiwi teams and their many achievements over the years.
Monica Spencer (NZL) rides Artist during the Cross Country for the Eventing UBS Cup | CCIO4*-S. 2025 CHIO Aachen | Weltfest des Pferdesports. Soers, Aachen, Germany. Saturday 5 July 2025. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
“It’s great to see the recent Aachen success strengthened by riders who have been through the NZ-based HP programme, being a testament to the coaching and training in preperation for major events here and internationally.”
But most importantly, every designer needs a rider to bounce ideas with, and Chris has shared his ideas with Shelley throughout his career.
“I have been lucky to have my wife Shelley as my backstop, as well as her commitment to the sport and riders, advising me on making the courses present well, making them look and feel of an international standard.”
He says some of his highlights have included the 2019 Oceania Championship in Taupō, 2020 Horse of the Year, 2023 Oceania Championship HOY, and the 2024 Sydney International 3DE.
For now, Chris is looking forward to seeing how riders navigate his 4*L cross country course at this year’s Sydney International 3DE to be held at Horseley Park from 21 November.
“It’s a serious competition. Sydney is probably one of the hilliest tracks you’ll ever find. I’ve been able to iron it out a bit, just to make it not too taxing and look after the horses and make the time achievable. It’s been a great challenge and really enjoyable.
“And I’ve got Shane Rose to thank for that! as he gave me a call to come and design it,” he laughs.
“You need the riders’ support to get the oppurtunities I believe, as that who we design for.”