Dressage-News

Dec. 16, 2021

United States Equestrian announced Thursday that George Williams has been appointed dressage High Performance & Pathway Development Advisor instead of immediately naming a successor to Debbie McDonald as team coach. A coaches support network will be launched.

A chef d’equipe–essentially a team manager–will likely be appointed next spring for horse and rider combinations named to the long list for the U.S. squad for a possible European tour ahead of a team of four horses and riders being selected for the world championships in Herning, Denmark next August.

The federation described the changes as an “updated structure” to “provide further support and clarity around the roles and responsibilities of the current coaching staff, detail of program planning and development of the Coach Support Network.”

Debbie McDonald was coach of the team that earned an historic silver medal, three years after Robert Dover as team coach assisted by Debbie captured team silver at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon. The United States has had four team coaches in recent years–German Olympic gold medalist Klaus Balkenhol, Anne Gribbons, Robert Dover and Debbie McDonald. The federation announced last month that it would not renew the team coaching contract with Debbie.

The announcement said that George Williams will remain as emerging youth coach in addition to his new role. Charlotte Bredahl will continue as development coach and Christine Traurig as emerging young horse coach.

“Program leaders will collect feedback from constituents and athletes throughout the year on the degree of need for centralized coaching support at the Elite & Pre-Elite championship levels, with the goal of naming a chef d’equipe for the 2022 FEI Dressage World Championships in Herning, Denmark by spring 2022,” it said.

USEF coaching and program staff will provide support to program and team athletes “ensuring the various functions performed by the Technical Advisor are well covered,” including oversight of training for Elite and Pre-Elite athletes. Members of the Coach Support Network can serve as chef d’equipe when needed.

As High Performance & Pathway Development Advisor, George Williams “will assist in the development of coaching professional development opportunities and initiatives, as well as oversee the Coach Support Network, and promote the USOPC Coach Program opportunities and help identify potential coaching candidates for participation.

“Williams will also advise the Elite/Pre-Elite programs and attend home visits and competitions, as needed, to advise on appropriate performance targets and assist in the overall strategy development and planning for championships and preparation for those events.”