Applications Still Open for USA Dressage Chef d’Equipe/National Coach

16 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Applications Still Open for USA Dressage Chef d’Equipe/National Coach

LEXINGTON, Ky., May 4–Applications for the position of the U.S. Dressage Chef d’Equipe/National Coach are being accepted by the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) up to Friday, May 15.

The USEF posted a reminder Monday about the forthcoming deadline for applications to fill the position that had been held by Klaus Balkenhol of Germany through the end of 2008. He served two four-year terms. Jessica Ransehousen, a two-time Olympian and a former chef d’equipe, is filling in until a new chef is appointed.

Candidates who have made known they have applied for the position include six-time Olympian Robert Dover of Wellington, Fla. and Axel Steiner, one of only four U.S. “O”-level judges and trainer who lives in San Diego, Calif.

2008 US Olympic dressage team, (l to r) Michael Barisone, Dr. Rick Mitchell, Debbie McDonald, Steffen Peters, Courtney King-Dye, Gil Merrick and Klaus Balkenhol. © 2008 Ken Braddick
2008 US Olympic dressage team, (l to r) Michael Barisone, Dr. Rick Mitchell, Debbie McDonald, Steffen Peters, Courtney King-Dye, Gil Merrick and Klaus Balkenhol. © 2008 Ken Braddick

The USEF said in a statement that applications should be sent to Assistant Executive Director of Sport Programs, Gil Merrick, at USEF Dressage Chef d’Equipe Search, PO Box 11906, Lexington, KY 40578 USA.

The search committee comprises Chester Weber, a combined four-in-hand driver who is chairman; Capt. Mark Phillips, Eventing Chef d’Equipe; George Morris, Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe; John Madden, Show Jumping representative, Karen O’Connor, Eventing representative; Mary Anne McPhail, High Performance Dressage Committee and Susan Blinks and Guenter Seidel of the High Performance Dressage Eligible Athlete Committee.

The search committee will review the applications and determine which applicants should be interviewed. Interviews will be conducted jointly by the chair of the search committee, members of the USEF High Performance Dressage Eligible Athlete committee and USEF staff. The Eligible Athlete committee will then put forward their recommendation to the search committee.

Compensation details will be discussed with applicants during the interview process. Compensation will be commensurate with an applicant’s experience and accomplishments.