‘End of Next Year’: Following His 70th Birthday, Equestrian Icon To Announce 2024 Retirement

Ian Stark is an equestrian legend and for good reason. The Scotsman had a long and storied career. He established himself as one to watch in three-day eventing. Among his accomplishments are four Olympic silver medals in that event. He also designed cross-country courses. A couple of years ago, regulations would have halted that soon enough. The FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) had an age limit in place.

Of course, that limit is now long gone. Regardless, Ian Stark will start looking towards the future. He wants to stay in touch with the sport that made his name. Simultaneously, he wants to abide by that now-abolished rule. He had planned accordingly to call time on that part of his career at the end of the next year.

Officials aged 70 must retire

Ian Stark began designing courses in the year 2005. He was the brain behind many notable equestrian courses. For instance, there was the 2015 European Eventing Championships track at Blair Castle. He confirmed via Horse and Hound that the 2024 Maryland five-star at Fair Hill will be the last course he designs.

Stark has a contract in place to coach the US equestrian team until the end of 2024. That includes overseeing his charges taking part in eventing at the Paris Olympics. Post that, he may continue to coach but will steer clear of long-term commitments. Stark will turn 70 in February 2024.

Ian Stark is not ready to bid equestrian adieu

The retirement plan had been in the works for a long time. It kicked off at the start of the year. Of course, many of his colleagues want him to stay on. They understand the reasoning behind his choice, though. Stark plans to help in an advisory capacity for a time. That was in response to a request put forward by the FEI. He wishes to go out on a high rather than be forced out. Yet, the veteran promised to help in any way he could if his input was needed.

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Stark said, “I’d always planned [to stop at] the end of next year, and I’ve decided to stick with it. It is tempting to go on, but I’ve always had it in my head. I’m a bit like that in my life and career where I have aims and goals, make decisions and I stick with them. I’m probably a bit bloody-minded when it comes to it, and various people have tried to talk me out of it, but that’s not going to happen.”

Ian Stark will still compete. Fit as a fiddle in his late sixties, he will keep on eventing. Of course, he retired from top-level equestrian sport in 2007. Regardless, there are aspects of equestrian he is not ready to say goodbye to. His mind and body permitting, with his family’s blessings, he hopes to continue riding.

He added, “I’ll keep riding while I’m fit, and compete a bit. I enjoy it and I enjoy producing horses and getting out there. I’ve always said I’ll know when my reactions are no longer effective enough. And I have a very good wife and children who will very quickly tell me if it’s time to stop being an idiot and grow up, but I’m not ready to grow up yet!”

Ian Stark admittedly enjoyed every facet of his association with equestrian. Sadly, every tale must end somewhere. The beginning of the end is upon him now. He wishes to go out on his own terms while keeping in touch with the sport. One can only hope for a fitting farewell when he bids it adieu completely.

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