Course designer and builder Tremaine Cooper has left us

Tremaine Cooper died last weekend in an accident while working outdoors near his home in Bluemont, Va., the U.S. Eventing Association announced. He was 52.

An eventer, course designer and builder, his thoughtful approach resulted in tremendous advancements for the sport of eventing in all areas, but especially in the safety and design of cross-country courses.

“Tremaine will be missed by so many, myself included,” stated U.S. Eventing Association CEO Rob Burk

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“I consider him a friend and advisor in so many ways. The last time he called was to remind me of a safety proposal he had made to improve our sport. I’m going to sincerely miss his visits to our office and just being able to reach out to him for guidance. I’m devastated for his family and all of his connections.”

Tremaine Cooper. (Photo from his Facebook page)

Tremaine grew up on a Connecticut farm and started riding when he was five.. A graduate ‘A’ Pony Clubber, he started eventing in 1984, competing through the Advanced level. At an early age, Tremaine began helping out with the cross-country courses at the Pony Club rallies at his parents’ farm.

At the end of high school and through Colby College, where he got a geology degree, he started building seriously and ended up constructing courses throughout the U.S. as well as in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Tremaine then focused more on course design, earning his FEI ‘I’ license more than 15 years ago. He designed at some of the country’s premier venues, including Morven Park, Millbrook, The Fork, Aspen Farms, Poplar Place, the USEA American Eventing Championships, and many others.

Tremaine, who had trained with Bruce Davidson, was one of the USEF national course advisors. He was involved in the educational design seminars for both the USEF and the FEI, and was co-chair of the building/design committee. Tremaine also sat on the USEA Board of Governors. In 2006, he was awarded the Neil Ayer Course Designers’ Award for his service to the sport as a cross-country course designer. Most recently Tremaine worked with the USEA staff to establish the frangible distribution program through the USEA headquarters.

Tremaine’s family is establishing a fund in his memory. Donations may be sent to the USEA Foundation, 525 Old Waterford Road NW, Leesburg, VA 20176 or by visiting www.useafoundation.org/donate and by using the drop-down menu titled “Use my donations to support:” indicate that the donation is “In Honor of Tremaine Cooper.”