Bromont WEG 2018 Unpatriotic?

Surprising news today as international course designer and Olympic Silver Medalist Michel Vaillancourt took to Facebook to announce that he was not chosen as the course designer for the 2018 World Equestrian Games being held in Bromont, Quebec.

More recently Vaillancourt was the course designer at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto to rave reviews from the athletes.

Instead, the job will be going to Venezuala's Leopoldo Palacios whose resume includes the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games.  Horse Sport reports that Palacios has been a member of the Bromont Organizing Comittee and was included as "Course and Equestrian Park Designer" in the bid book to the FEI. They also report that Vaillancourt was offered the job of co-course design with Palacios, but turned down the proposal noting that their styles differ and may not gel effectively as a result. 

This is a surprising move, given that a "home games" is typically an opportunity for the host nation to provide opportunities for their officials. Recent examples include the 2014 World Equestrian Games appointing French course designer Frederic Cottier, and the 2012 London Olympics having British course designer Bob Ellis. 

It is not clear if the appointment of Leopoldo Palacios is official as there is no information on the FEI website pertaining to the 2018 World Equestrian Games, aside from the initial press release in June 2014 stating that Bromont had been selected as the host city. The FEI rules do state that "With the agreement of the FEI Jumping Committee the Course Designer must be chosen by the National Federation hereinafter “NF”)/Organising Committee (hereinafter “OC”) from the list of Level 4 Course Designers."(FEI Jumping Rules Article 301.1 )

Full Statement from Michel Vaillancourt:

"Today is a sad day. As many of you know the World Equestrian Games are coming to Bromont Canada in 2018 for the first time. I was really hoping to get the position of course designer for show jumping especially due to the history that I have with that venue going back to the Olympic games in 1976. Instead the Organising Committe has chosen Leopoldo Palacio from Venezuela to lead the design team. 

I guess for me the most disappointing issue is that course designers from America were once again snub. And it came from our own people and that I find inexcusable. Championship of that caliber may not come back to Canada for a long time so it will be a lost opportunity to show case our talents ,which we have. Of course I wish Mr Palacio and his team the best of luck to make these games great. I just wish that WEG 2018 would have been more patriotic."

Many international athletes have responded quickly on Facebook noting their dismay at this news. 

Reaction from the Showjumping World

Mclain Ward: "That is a true shame. The job you did at the Pan Am Games was top class."

Jimmy Torano: "Inexcusable. Could've been Historical with your background at that Venue. Again inexcusable.And what organizing committee could be that blind to miss what is right in front of them, in Michel Vaillancourt.

Lauren Hough: "Am very sorry to hear this.....you did a fantastic job @ the pan ams."

Eric Lamaze "Michel, you're a world class course designer, As far as I'm concern, it's simply their lost my friend."

Statement from Bromont Organizing Committee COJEM

The Bromont Organizing Committee (COJEM) issued a statement today on Facebook stating: 

"No show jumping course designers have been appointed by WEG 2018 Organizing Committee contrary to what some might think. Official news will be posted on this page only, so make sure to keep up with us ! "