Dressage-News

July 1, 2025

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

Three-time Olympic medalist Günter Seidel and successful Nations Cup rider Olivia LaGoy Weltz have been added to support USA coach Christine Traurig, newly named as Technical Advisor.

US Equestrian announced the additional coaches to the dressage pathway programs to what it said was “strengthening access to resources and supporting additional opportunities for program participants.”

Olivia and Guenter Seidel will become assistant pathway coaches to work alongside Christine, a Sydey 2000 Olympic bronze medalist, who was named as chef d’equipe 18 months ago but not Technical Advisor, essentially the team coach and leader of Olympic, World Championship and World Cup competitions as well as Nations Cups.

The role of chef came six months after the resignation of Debbie McDonald as Technical Advisor who in turn had worked in partnership with Robert Dover in the producing the most successful period in American dressage that included silver at both the Tokyo Olympics and the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon.

Under the new structure, Christine is is also appointed Technical Advisor that places her at the same level as her predecessors. She had been the young horse coach for a decade and also became developing coach then chef d’equipe.

George Williams remains Dressage High Performance and Pathway Development Advisor and youth coach.

Günter, who like Christine is based in Southern California, was on the 1996, 2000 and 2004 USA teams that all won team bronze. He also was on three World Equestrian Games teams including in 2002 when the USA won silver and in 2006 for bronze. He has also been the coach of fellow Californian Anna Buffini among many others.

Olivia was on Nations Cup teams that were successful at premier events on both sides of the Atlantic in 2015 through 2018.

“I am extremely excited to work with these two longtime colleagues of mine who I have known and respected for many years,” said Christine who in addition to her personal Olympic experience was the long-time coach of Sabine Schut-Kery a star on Sanceo at Tokyo.

“Both Olivia and Günter will bring such skill and experience to the athletes in our programs.

“I feel very supported by their appointment to these positions, and I think they will be a tremendous addition for George and myself as we continue to build and strengthen the talent within our programs.”

The recent U.S. program has faced disappointments such as at the Paris Olympics last year and other high performance events. Part of it has been attributed to failure to develop top performance horses to succeed the outstanding combinations that included Laura Graves on Verdades, Adrienne Lyle on Salvino, Kasey Perry-Glass on Dublet, Allison Brock on Rosevelt and Steffen Peters on a succession of top mounts.

Plus, too many coaching requirements were seen as being placed on Christine as well as her being based in California, a continent away from the most competitive events in Florida. Christine has, however, devoted herself to the squad that will compete at this week’s World Equestrian Festival in Aachen and will be based in Florida during next year’s winter circuits leading to the World Championships at Aachen.

Changes in US coaching begin virtually immediately.

Olivia will attend this year’s North American Youth Championships to support George Williams and the Under-25 combinations, while Günter will focus on development level combinations at the U.S. championships named the Festival of Champions. Both coaches are scheduled to lead training sessions around the country this fall.

“The expanded coaching staff will also work to assess athlete and horse combinations and provide structured and accessible training guidance, as well as identify and communicate areas of performance and home program improvement with participants and their respective coaches and teams,” the federation said.

“Together, the coaches and program staff, will continue to develop and review sustainable performance-driven strategies aiming to foster long-term success and deliver podium results, both in the preparation for, and on home soil at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.”