Dressage-News

WELLINGTON, Florida, June 1–At least 10 individuals from North America and Europe have applied to the U.S. Equestrian Federation  (USEF) for the position of the U.S. Dressage Chef d’Equipe/National  Coach.

USEF Search Committee members are reviewing the applications this week to determine those that meet the criteria for the position that was advertised in major equestrian publications in Europe and the U.S. Entries closed on May 15.

The search committee is chaired by combined four-in-hand driver Chester Weber and includes 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 position was held by Klaus Balkenhol of Germany for eight years through the end of 2008. Jessica Ransehousen, a three-time Olympian and a former chef d’equipe, is filling in until a new chef is appointed.

The search committee will review the applications and determine which applicants should be interviewed. Interviews will be conducted jointly by Weber as 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.

Gil Merrick, USEF Assistant Executive Director of Sport Programs, said that interviews of qualified candidates were expected to begin in about one month and were expected to be completed promptly.

Compensation details will be discussed with applicants during the interview process and contract negotiations conducted when a final candidate is selected.