London Olympics 2012 show jumping course designer Bob Ellis has died at the age of 79 after a short illness.
Course designer Guilherme Jorge, who worked with Bob in London, called him “a great horseman, a great course designer and a great friend. His leadership and the way he looked after his team is something that I will always remember.”
Bob was a rider who began building courses in the 1990s under the mentorship of Jon Doney. He stopped riding in 1993, concentrating on course designing and achieved the FEI’s O status, enabling him to design courses at some of the world’s major competitions.
The crowning achievement of his career came at the London Olympics, where he created a series of iconic courses featuring fence designs that showcased Great Britain to a global audience.
He will be remembered not only for his outstanding contribution to the sport, but also for his ready smile and infectious sense of humor.
U.S. judge David Distler recalled, “I had the privilege of working with Bob on a number of occasions. Each time I came away with a greater understanding of courses, thanks to the generous sharing of his knowledge.
“One of the very best to ever lay a rail, a true genius, with a wonderful sense of humor. A mentor to so many.”
A statement from British Showjumping said Bob’s “distinctive style, creativity and ability to challenge competitors while always prioritizing horsemanship earned him international recognition and respect.
“Throughout his career, Bob was admired not only for his professionalism, expertise and eye for detail, but also for his warmth, humor and unwavering passion for the sport. He inspired generations of riders, officials and fellow course-designers, many of whom benefited from his guidance and mentorship.”