Harold A. Wisell, cross-country course designer and builder for Doornhof Farm Horse Trials in Shaftsbury, Vt., died March 3, in Southern Pines, N.C. He was 84.

Born in Rutland, Vt., he pursued dual careers as ski instructor and woodworker. On the slopes, Mr. Wisell met his first wife, Lois, a New York textile designer. They married in 1946, settled in Manchester, Vt., and had two children; son Kurt and daughter Gwenn. By 1952, Mr. Wisell had become the ski school director at Bromley Mountain. Off the slopes, he was a woodworker creating and selling wooden products and building homes and furniture. 

Mr. Wisell found his way to the equestrian world in the early 1970s following his 10-year-old daughter. Gwenn Wisell Perkins was a member of Bennington Pony Club at Doornhof Farm, owned and operated by Henry and Janet Schurink, beloved friends of the Wisells.

When, in the early 1970s, the Schurinks began hosting the horse trials, Mr. Wisell inherited the design and construction of the early cross-country course from neighbor Phil Dewey. Over the horse trials’ 16-year duration, the event grew from an unrecognized event to a U.S. Eventing Association-recognized competition hosting beginner novice through intermediate.

Mr. Wisell garnered his ideas for his courses as he accompanied Gwenn to her competitions. Then, at age 50, Mr. Wisell took up riding and competed alongside Gwenn. Mr. Wisell eventually acquired his own horse, a registered Quarter Horse named Tom’s Poco Joe. Mr. Wisell and Poco moved up the levels and competed at preliminary.

Mr. Wisell was also active in community service. The current Vermont Summer Festival, held in Dorset, is the descendent of the Manchester Horse Show for which Mr. Wisell  designed and built the hunt course. Mr. Wisell also served the Manchester community as town treasurer for more than a decade.

During the mid-1990s, Mr. Wisell met Jean Rogers, of Pownal, Vt.  They married in 1996 and retired near Southern Pines, N.C.

Mr. Wisell is survived by his wife, Jean, West End, N.C., son, Kurt Wisell, of Lake George, N.Y., daughter, Gwenn Perkins, Manchester, Vt., and three granddaughters. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, 3800 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215.