Stevenson’s week working with Pierre Michelet

SURREY-based James Rooney was the sole Irishman among the officials at Le Lion d’Angers last week when on duty as President of the Ground Jury of the CCI3*-L for seven-year-olds.

The eagled-eyed among the many Irish supporters at these FEI world breeding championships for young event horses would also have recognised a familiar face among those working on the cross-country track under the direction of famed course designer, Pierre Michelet.

This was Adam Stevenson, course designer for the Northern Region of Eventing Ireland, who spent five days with Michelet and his team putting the finishing touches to both tracks and attending to fences which needed any repairs during Saturday’s cross-country action. “It was an outstanding opportunity to learn from the best,” said Stevenson.