Paul Jewell has replaced longtime course designer Bobby Murphy as the hunter and equitation designer for the 142nd National Horse Show, which takes place Oct. 22-Nov. 2, in Lexington, Kentucky, at the Kentucky Horse Park.
“In my opinion [Jewell is] one of the best, and the National Horse Show tries to stay at that top level, and I always know the job is getting done where he’s involved, and it’s an honor that he accepted the job,” said Jennifer Burger, president of the National Horse Show.
Originally from Colchester, England, Jewell is a USEF “R: course designer for hunters and jumpers and and “R” jumper judge and has worked at prestigious shows such as the National Horse Show when it was held in Madison Square Garden, the Hampton Classic, the Devon Horse Show, the Upperville Colt & Horse Show. He was also named the 2022 USHJA Course Designer of the Year.
Murphy had designed for the National for the past 13 years, including the ASPCA Maclay Finals. The change, Burger said, is to keep up with current trends of horse shows rotating course designers every two to three years, and the NHS organizing team decided to follow suit.
“[I believe Jewell] will bring fresh design concepts, fresh rideability and a new angle of approach and challenge for the riders, and I welcome all that,” Burger said.
