Guliherme — CourseIQ

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Brazil

Born in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, Guilherme Jorge is one of the world's most respected international show jumping course designers. Originally trained as a veterinarian, he transitioned into course design in the 1990s and has become a leading figure in FEI competition, designing at the highest levels of international equestrian sport. He is now based in Wellington, Florida, USA, while continuing to officiate at major competitions around the world.

Discipline

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Show Jumping
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FEI Course Design
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FEI Technical Delegate
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FEI Course Director
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Years Active

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National Course Designer: Since 1994
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FEI International Course Designer: Since 1999

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FEI Level 4 Course Designer: Since 2009
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With more than 30 years of experience, Guilherme has designed FEI competitions across North America, South America, Europe, and Australia, making him one of the sport's most experienced international course designers.

FEI Level & Certifications

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FEI Level 4 Course Designer
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FEI Level 4 Technical Delegate
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FEI Course Director
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Veterinarian (Brazil)
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Level 4 is the highest level of FEI course designer certification, allowing Guilherme to design the world's premier CSI5*, World Cup, World Championship, and Olympic competitions.

Olympic & FEI Assignments

Few course designers have a résumé as extensive as Guilherme Jorge's. His Olympic assignments include:

1996 Atlanta Olympic Games – Assistant Course Designer

2000 Sydney Olympic Games – FEI Steward

2004 Athens Olympic Games – Assistant Course Designer

2012 London Olympic Games – Assistant Course Designer

2016 Rio Olympic Games – Head Course Designer

2024 Paris Olympic Games – Jumping Technical Delegate

He has also worked at multiple FEI World Equestrian Games, FEI World Cup Finals, Pan American Games, and FEI Championships throughout his career.

Championships Designed

Some of Guilherme's most notable assignments include:

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2016 Rio Olympic Games
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2005 FEI World Cup Final (Las Vegas)
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2007 FEI World Cup Final (Las Vegas)
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2007 Pan American Games (Rio de Janeiro)

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2019 Pan American Games (Lima)
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FEI World Equestrian Games (Lexington & Caen)

Winter Equestrian Festival (Wellington International)

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Spruce Meadows CSI5*
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Helsinki CSI5*-W
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Numerous CSI5* and CSI-W competitions across the Americas and Europe.

National & International Shows

Throughout his career, Guilherme has designed competitions in more than 20 countries, including:

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Brazil
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Canada
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United States
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Finland
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England
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France
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Spain
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Portugal
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Netherlands
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Argentina
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Chile
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Colombia
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Mexico
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Venezuela
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Ecuador
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Sweden
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He is especially well known for designing major Grand Prix competitions during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.

Signature Course Style

Guilherme is internationally recognized for designing courses that reward:

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Forward, positive riding
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Rhythm and balance
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Careful planning
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Precision without unnecessary difficulty

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Fair but technical questions
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Horse welfare and rideability
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His philosophy is that great courses should challenge the world's best riders while allowing excellent horses to perform at their highest level.

Favorite Technical Questions

In interviews, Guilherme has discussed designing questions that emphasize:

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Careful use of related distances
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Technical combinations
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Rollback turns
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Adjustability between fences
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Maintaining rhythm under pressure
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Testing decision-making rather than simply increasing fence height

Rather than relying on difficult obstacles alone, he believes technical design should encourage riders to think strategically throughout the course.

Interviews, Publications & Podcasts

Featured Interviews

The Plaidcast – Guilherme Jorge on Course Design (hosted by Piper Klemm)

PodEqstr – FlashEqstr USA Round (Portuguese)

Publications

FEI Course Designer Biography and Career Résumé

Various interviews with international equestrian media discussing course design and Olympic competition.

Podcasts

The Plaidcast – Guilherme Jorge on Course Design

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https://www.theplaidhorse.com
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PodEqstr – FlashEqstr USA Round

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https://open.spotify.com/show/podeqstr
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Awards & Honors

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FEI Level 4 Course Designer
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Head Course Designer – 2016 Rio Olympic Games

Jumping Technical Delegate – 2024 Paris Olympic Games

Head Course Designer – Multiple FEI World Cup Finals

Head Course Designer – Pan American Games

Recognized internationally as one of the world's premier FEI course designers.

Mentors & Professional Influence

While Guilherme has not publicly identified specific mentors, his career has included collaborations with many of the sport's most respected FEI officials, course designers, and organizing committees through Olympic Games, FEI World Championships, World Cup Finals, and Pan American Games. His background as a veterinarian has also influenced his emphasis on horse welfare, fairness, and thoughtful course design.