TIPPERARY course designer Alan Wade was the talk of the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina, last week for his imaginative and well thought out course designs.

Individual bronze medallist, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, said: “We saw amazing sport all week and I think most of these horses could jump one more round tomorrow or the day after. If that’s possible, it’s only thanks to an amazing job from the course designer Alan Wade and his team.

“I actually think he deserves a medal this week for what he has done, it’s been absolutely amazing. Congratulations and thank you very much.”

Speaking to The Irish Field after the final press conference, Wade said: “It has been a very enjoyable, stressful and exciting week, but I think the results were the correct results over the week. I was very comfortable in the arena, the ground was perfect.

“I knew I had the material to get a result without overbuilding and I think we had great show jumping, proper show jumping.”

He continued: “This is all about the sport. In all my courses I try to protect the horses and test the riders to the exact limit of their ability. The other day we had 121 horses, which is a marathon, and 119 went through the finish line.

“They might have had rails but that was it. That is always at the back of our minds. But still, we stretched them to the limit over the last couple of days and I think both results, in the team and individual, no one could complain with it.”

Team gold medallist Laura Kraut also paid tribute to Wade.

“It was amazing sport, I don’t think we will ever see something like that again. So thanks to everyone here, Alan and all of our supporters and owners,” Kraut said.