World’s Best Top-Billing Tour

Leopoldo Palacios is known the world over as a master of his craft.

The top-flight international course designer is celebrated for his innovative courses that have graced arenas at Olympic Games, Spruce Meadows, World Championships and World Cup finals, to name but a few.

Hailing from Venezuela, Palacios is one of the most sought after designers in the world. But when Kevin Hansen called him and said, “come design at the Kiwi Super Classics”, he didn’t hesitate to say yes. His innate connection through his courses comes from his own riding. He competed internationally from the mid 1950s to the 1980s and was named Venezuela’s Rider of the Year twice.

He grew up in a horse-loving family in Caracas and at nine followed in the footsteps of his older brother Jesus Eduardo who was a celebrated international rider at the time.

Leopoldo has designed in New Zealand a number of times at the Horse of the Year Show under Kevin’s watch.

Hansen is rapt to have secured Leopoldo for the tour. “We wanted the best for our riders,” he says. “To excel on the world stage they need to be exposed to top course designers and having Leopoldo here for all three shows is just brilliant.”

·      Manfeild April 2-4, 2027

·      Blenheim April 9-11, 2027

·      Blenheim April 17-18, 2027