Classic Eventing Nation

Three Things to Love About OTTB United, the New Marketplace for Thoroughbred Lovers

By on Sep 24, 2022 9:00 am -

Photo courtesy of OTTB United.

I’ve purchased two off-track Thoroughbreds in my day, and each time the story went something a little like this:

Step 1: Idly scroll Facebook and see a horse for sale. It’s cute, the photos aren’t amazing but you can tell it’s cute. It’s a few hours away, so I’d have to find shipping, but the price is right…
Step 2: Convince my significant other that buying a horse IS, in fact, good for the economy (and my mental health). He is less than convinced, but the eye-roll without an accompanying emphatic “absolutely not” is enough for me to obtain tacit acceptance of what’s about to happen.
Step 3: Exchange questionable messages with the seller, again via Facebook, arrange equally questionable payment terms (this was before the days of Zelle and Venmo).
Step 4: Peruse the internet for viable shipper solutions, some of which seem legitimate and some of which seem like legitimate scams, especially at my paltry budget.
Step 5: Wait at the barn until 3:30 a.m. for said horse to arrive via said shipper, who inexplicably took 10 hours to drive what would ordinarily be just 3.5.

If this scenario sounds familiar to you, then I think you’ll be pleased to know that there’s now, in these modern times we live in, a better solution for buying and selling ex-racehorses. It’s called OTTB United, and it’s a new app designed to not only provide a marketplace for OTTB aficionados to network their horses and find new partners but also to create community around a shared passion.

OTTB United is an app-based platform released late in 2020. The concept was simple: create a space for OTTB lovers and placement professionals to network, while also promoting the overarching goal of quality racehorse aftercare.

Over this column and two more follow-ups to come, I’ll be diving in to various features of OTTB United as they pertain to buyers, sellers, and the Thoroughbred placement market in general. Aftercare is top of mind for these racehorses as they come off the track, and having reputable networking opportunities is invaluable in ensuring the proper placement of each horse.

Right off the bat, I’ve identified three features that stuck out to me as a first-time user of OTTB United:

1. The user interface is simple and clean.

One thing I can’t stand about some apps is the lack of intuition when it comes to the user experience. I don’t want to have to go searching for what I need, and I really don’t want to have to deal with an app that frequently quits, bogs down, or throws up so many ads that I can’t get what I’m looking for. OTTB United makes it easy for even a casual browser to see what horses are available AND who’s selling them (and what the seller’s profile looks like — which is something I’ll come back to later).

2. You can complete the whole shopping process within the app (minus payment).

There is a native messaging feature within each listing that allows an interested party to contact a seller directly. This removes the need to hunt down an email address or phone number and wait for a response on yet another platform. It’s a simple feature, but I imagine cutting out the middleman in terms of communication helps a lot with closing sales and building seller reputations!

3. You can also network with shippers directly in the app.

No more sketchy shipping! Granted, in the seven or so years it’s been since I made the purchase referenced above, there has been a vast improvement in the vetting process for shipping companies (and there are a massive amount of professional, quality shippers for us to use now!), but it can still be nothing short of a migraine to find and book a shipper. OTTB United’s developers thought of this, too, and integrated a way to find shippers right there in the app.

These days, it’s all about convenience and saving time, and OTTB United has created a one-stop shop for buyers and sellers — and Thoroughbred lovers, in general — with a greater mission to tie it all together.

The OTTB United app is available with three tiers of membership: Free, Premium Buyer, and Premium Seller. Click here to learn more about each tier and to download the app and see for yourself!

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Sep 24, 2022 12:01 am -

Jessa and McKinsey Lux present Ride iQ at the Pitch Competition at Denver Startup Week. Photo via Ride iQ.

We love to see equestrian sports go mainstream for all the right reasons and so we have to give a shoutout today to Jessa and McKinsey Lux, co-founders of Ride iQ. This week they competed in the 2022 Pitch Competition at the the annual Denver Startup Week against nine other companies, some of which won their way into the finals by winning other pitch competitions and some have previously been featured on Oprah’s favorite things and the Today Show. Jessa and McKinsey must have absolutely rocked their presentation and deftly conveyed the intricacies of the equestrian athlete’s needs, because they WON!

Huge congratulations go out to the entire Ride iQ team! Never tried the app or not convinced it’s for you? Here’s what it’s all about.

U.S. Weekend Action:

Stable View Oktoberfest (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Twin Rivers Fall International (Paso Robles, CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

ESDCTA New Jersey H.T. (Allentown, NJ): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Larkin Hill Fall H.T. (North Chatham, NY): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Meadowcreek Park Fall Social Event (Weatherford, TX): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Old Tavern H.T. (The Plains, VA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (Durham, NH): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

Ballindenisk International CCI4*-L: [Website] [Entries/Times]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

A Warming Climate May Bring Horse Owners New Health Worries

Real Rider Cup Champion Determined in a “Who Jumped It Best?” Virtual Jump-Off

Morris Animal Foundation Provides Over $100K In Scholarships To Vet School Students

Therapeutic riding program shown to benefit young people with anxiety

US university offers new equine degree course

Best of Blogs: Worthy

World Equestrian Brands Pick of the Week: Sergio Grasso is at is again with another drool-worthy boot design.

Saturday Video Break: You through circles were tough in ridden dressage? Try getting the geometry right behind a four-in-hand! The combined driver has taken over Pratoni and things have kicked off with driven dressage:

Capt. Mark Phillips Previews the Stable View Oktoberfest 4*-S Cross Country

By on Sep 23, 2022 2:00 pm -

We are moving right along into the full-fledged fall season in the U.S., and next on the docket is the popular Stable View Oktoberfest CCI4*-S, happening now in Aiken, SC. This event is an annual destination for horses and riders prepping for fall move-ups or three-days such as the Maryland 5 Star and USEF 3*-L National Championship.

Leslie Law and Lady Chatterley lead the headlining 4*-S division after two phases. Photo by Christine Quinn.

The 4*-S this weekend has completed dressage and cross country and will take on Capt. Mark Phillips’ cross country track tomorrow. Great Britain’s Leslie Law and Jackie and Steve Brown’s Lady Chatterley are the pair in charge of the division after two phases, adding no show jumping penalties to their leading dressage score of 26.6.

Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire are second in the 4*-S. Photo by Christine Quinn.

Liz Halliday-Sharp adds one rail to her dressage score for third overall in the 4*-S. Photo by Christine Quinn.

They’ve not got much room to spare, however, as Sydney Elliott and Carol Stephens’ QC Diamantaire are currently in second on a 28.0, followed by Liz Halliday-Sharp and The Nutcracker Syndicate’s Cooley Nutcracker in third on 31.9. Reigning USEF National 5* Champions Doug Payne and Quantum Leap are in fourth on a 32.0.

Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS take a 15.7 into today’s cross country. Photo by Christine Quinn.

A quick note on the 3*-S: Team USA rider Will Coleman slid back into stateside competition with a cool 15.7 on the flat with Hyperion Stud’s Chin Tonic HS. And yes, we’ve asked for video!

We can expect more than a few of these pairs to be more using tomorrow as a prep for a fall destination, so time penalties on cross country are to be expected. Nonetheless, it’s quite a challenge Capt. Phillips has set out for tomorrow. We were able to obtain a narrative of the course — which can be viewed with fence-by-fence photos on CrossCountryApp here (also, all levels can be found here) — from the designer himself, and we’ll let him take it from here:

The Log Box (1), Cabin (2) and Hammock (3) are a short warm up to settle riders’ nerves and put a smile on horses faces.

The first test comes early and involves a splash. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

The GL Williams & Daughter Water (4) gives horses an early opportunity to get their feet wet, but riders will need a good shot at the Step Up before sailing out over the Boat.

The Blanchard combination at 6AB will require commitment and bravery. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

The Metal Oxers (5) are large but relatively straight forward. The Blanchard Combination (6) in front of the Pavilion is a different matter, as riders will need real commitment for the three strides to the Corner.

The Derby Field Water (7) is a little speed bump and all will enjoy flying over the Cross Question (8).

Photo via CrossCountryApp.

Horses then climb up to the massive Double Brush (9) en route to the Dog Kennel Water (10). The drop into the water is not too frightening but riders will need to take care at the MIM Rail Corner four strides later.

The Step Down (11) looks familiar but the angled rail one stride later is anything but easy. It’s then back through the valley over the Tiger Trap (12) before climbing up to the Derby Field Alp (13). The Brush on top looks massive and needs pace, but riders will need to take their time to the Brush Corner at the bottom.

The Sunken Road at 16 will require “A” game focus from horse and rider, with a very narrow triple brush arrowhead coming at the end. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

It’s then holiday time over the Hayrack (14) and Barry’s Desk (15) before coming to the daunting Sunken Road (16, 17) where riders will need to be on their “A-Game” for the Triple Bar.

Final combination! But it’s not one to take lightly: riders will need to be on their line to make the skinny table at B work. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

The Step Table (18) holds no fears in the Cut Through. The Chevron Table and Corner at the Academy Alp (19) looks impressive but should ride well. Riders can now start to think of home over the Aquaduct (20) and the MIM Tables in The Meadow (21).

Finally, the last climb up to the MIM Log Pile (22) and the run toward finish over the Diamond Brush (23) before splashing through the FITS Water to the Stable View Village (24) and the welcome sight of home.

Stable View Oktoberfest (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [XC Maps] [Scoring]

Eric Smiley: Don’t Be an ‘Arena Rider’

By on Sep 23, 2022 1:23 pm -

In this excerpt from his book Two Brains, One Aim, FEI judge and popular clinician Eric Smiley reminds us why riding “outside the box” is a necessary component of every horse’s training—and of particular importance when preparing a horse to compete over a cross-country course.

Photo by Irina Kuzmina, courtesy of Trafalgar Square Press.

In the last 20 years or so, more and more people have become “arena riders,” opting to work their horse in the relative “safety” of an enclosed ring rather than venturing out into open spaces and riding over varied terrain and footing. I am very well aware of the reasons for this; not least the rider’s uncertainty of letting go and trusting her horse when they do get out into the country.

But horses that spend the majority of their time in arenas need to refresh their natural instincts in order to feel comfortable in the great outdoors. From a coach’s perspective this means that when I start thinking about cross-country training I must first look at encouraging riders to allow their horses to be horses and teaching them what they should expect by doing this. Only then can you have a meaningful training session; otherwise too much “school” riding goes with you into the country—to the detriment of good cross-country riding.

This is not a contradiction to my feeling that the fundamental skills of all three disciplines—dressage, show jumping, and eventing—are the same no matter what the discipline. I am merely making the point that cross-country includes many skills not tested in the arena. Some of these skills lie dormant in the horse and may never have been learned by the rider. To truly make the most of the cross-country experience, it is important to rekindle these instincts in the horse and develop the rider’s awareness of them.

Cross-country has its dangers and it is the coach and rider’s responsibility to mitigate these risks. To show jump in the country and look for a perfect takeoff spot does not always make it safer, nor should riders be overburdened looking for good distances. Some might say otherwise. I would argue that it shows fundamental flaws in the concept of cross-country riding and the training that goes into it. Many of the skills are complementary, but many are unique to riding over solid fences outdoors.

Crossing the country is not a refined science; to do it well requires two minds and their instincts. Horses have a wonderful awareness of where they are and what they need to do—if they are allowed!

Cross-country riding is about being in a trusting partnership: two individuals, each fully understanding their role, working for a common cause. It is not fair to ask a horse to jump something that he has not been taught in training. He must be allowed to develop the skills he will be asked to demonstrate when competing.

By the same token, riders need to do their bit. Many skills require practice: the change in balance, the variation in speed, judgment of speed, and how to ride the terrain. The ability to change the whip from hand to hand as required, being able to shorten the reins after a drop before a narrow jump, and moving the horse onto a chosen line. It is irresponsible of riders not to have honed these skills and have ingrained them as second nature.

  • Having the stick in the wrong hand and running out at a corner jump is irresponsible!
  • Traveling downhill to a narrow jump while grappling with long, unknotted reins and running out is irresponsible!

In training, horses need to know they are being asked to take an interest and not just do what the rider instructs. Once involved, it is possible to run to a fence without needing to arrive perfectly, as the horse that makes a decision will always be “right enough.” This is a win-win situation: two minds, solving problems, and being able to beat the clock because of the seamless join between galloping and jumping. This is cross-country.

This excerpt from Two Brains, One Aim by Eric Smiley with Ellie Hughes is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (www.horseandriderbooks.com).

Bred for the Job: Ellie Fredericks Takes NEXGEN Four-Year-Old Final on Granddaughter of 5* Winner

By on Sep 23, 2022 11:00 am -

Ellie Fredericks and Upsi Britannia. Photo courtesy of NEXGEN/1st Class Images.

Teenage superstar — and daughter of multiple-time five-star champ, Lucinda Fredericks — Ellie Fredericks has won the Sulby Hall Stud NEXGEN Four-Year-Old Eventing Final at England’s Hickstead Showground, riding her mother’s Upsi Britannia.  

Ellie bests a competitive top five filled to the brim with Irish talent: the other four members of the business end of the leaderboard all hail from the Emerald Isle, with serious experience in their ranks from the likes of Olympian Austin O’Connor.

Though there’s still some essential education to come on the flat for Ellie’s exciting young horse, the judging panel of German team stalwart Frank Ostholt, British CCI5* winner Oliver Townend, and experienced ground jury member Judy Hancock were compelled to reward generously the horse’s expressive gallop and committed, gutsy cross-country technique.  

“He’s very, very cool, and he loves his jumping,” says 18-year-old Ellie, who took the tiny gelding on after he was broken in and has enjoyed a fruitful year with him so far.  

“He might not be the flashiest on the flat, but he definitely brings it back for the cross-country – and he’s got an incredible gallop. You look at him and he’s not particularly big, but then he gallops and you’re like, ‘there’s something there!’” 

Ellie, who competes up to Advanced and CCI3*-L level, also pilots the family’s duo of talented stallions – but she wasn’t particularly involved in breeding Upsi Britannia, the credit for which she gives entirely to her mother.  

“I love the breeding, but my mother obviously knows a lot more ­– so I probably didn’t get a massive say in him,” she laughs. “I’d have been quite young when he was bred – just fourteen or fifteen – so all I really knew was that one day, there was a really cute foal in the field.” 

Upsi Britannia boasts a pedigree for eventing that’s as impressive as his rider’s: he’s by the Selle Français stallion Upsilon, who competed at senior championship level with France’s Tom Carlile, and is out of a daughter of Lucinda’s Badminton, Burghley, and Kentucky CCI5* winner Headley Britannia. The precocious talent that that lends him also expresses itself as a big, expressive personality. 

“He’s definitely got a cheeky side, but he loves his jumping, and the dressage will come with time,” says Ellie.  

Ellie Fredericks and Upsi Britannia. Photo courtesy of NEXGEN/1st Class Images.

Ellie, who also has a ride in today’s five-year-old final, values the NEXGEN age class series, which was developed in 2020 by Rachel Wakefield of Uptown Eventing and Victoria Wright of Caunton Manor Stud, as a crucial part of her young horses’ continued education.  

“It’s brilliant. We took him and our five-year-old finalist to Barbury, and that’s quite a big atmosphere, which sets them up so well,” she says. “After that, he went double clear at his first BE80, and then did the same around his first BE90. It was so helpful that he’d had the chance to see so much – there are NEXGEN classes in so many different places, so you can really take them wherever you want and show them a lot.” 

The lessened emphasis on penalising mistakes, and a scoring system that emphasises technique and rideability over raw speed and lack of mistakes, also creates a productive learning environment, she explains.  

“If you have something that’s a little bit spookier and it’s not going to jump a fence, you’re allowed to go around it – so no matter what happens, your horse gets a great education. It’s a brilliant concept.” 

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Summit Returns for 2022

By on Sep 23, 2022 9:11 am -

Got a super Thoroughbred in your barn? You’ll learn plenty at the Thoroughbred Aftercare Summit. Photo via Thoroughbred Makeover Marketplace.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Summit, a joint effort of the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP), Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), and Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), returns to the Thoroughbred Makeover on October 11, 2022 at the Kentucky Horse Park.

This year’s summit takes a unique angle compared to past conferences, which traditionally include panel-based discussion on a variety of topics. The 2022 Thoroughbred Aftercare Summit will take a hands-on workshop approach, allowing attendees (both in-person and virtual) to problem-solve through various scenarios that commonly face individuals and organizations in aftercare. Subject matter experts will help guide participants through a series of practice scenarios including biosecurity best practices, natural disaster preparedness, facility issues, and more.

“To provide the most value to our Aftercare Summit participants, both individuals and non-profit organizations, we decided to take a more interactive approach to our topics this year,” said the RRP’s development director, Erin O’Keefe. “By working through various scenarios, we hope participants will actively identify ways to apply the topics at hand to their own programs, while having the opportunity to receive input and guidance from our subject matter experts. We hope participants find this new format both engaging and educational.”

The conference is a collaboration of the four presenting organizations in an effort to bring together the Thoroughbred aftercare community — both non-profit organizations and the commercial sector — during what is already the largest gathering of both individuals and organizations who have a vested interest in Thoroughbreds after racing.

“The Thoroughbred Aftercare Summit will be a great opportunity for those involved in aftercare to think about ways in which unexpected scenarios can impact their programs,” said TCA’s executive director Erin Halliwell. “When the unexpected does occur, having a plan of action can potentially minimize disruption and assist with program continuity. With the collective knowledge of the RRP, T.I.P., TAA, TCA, and our subject matter experts, we hope to provide attendees with best practices that they can implement into their specific programs.”

Registration is required, which can be completed at therrp.org/aftercare-summit/. The cost to participate is $10 per person, which will be collected as a donation and awarded as a 50-50 to a randomly-selected aftercare organization in attendance. Registration will also include access to the live stream of the conference via Zoom so attendees can participate from anywhere in the world.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Summit takes place from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the TCA Covered Arena Lounge on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, one day prior to the start of preliminary competition at the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The Thoroughbred Makeover is a retraining competition for horses in their first year of transition from racing. Over 300 horses are expected to attend and compete across ten disciplines, with one Thoroughbred Makeover Champion crowned at the conclusion of a Finale on Saturday, October 15. The full schedule of events and activities can be found at TheRRP.org/attend.

Friday News & Notes from Zoetis

By on Sep 23, 2022 8:48 am -

 

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A post shared by Yasmin Ingham (@yasmin_ingham_)

It takes a long old time to truck horses back across Europe from central Italy, and most of last week’s World Championships competitors — including the winner, Banzai du Loir — only made it home yesterday. I’ve been following their journeys keenly, partly because I love a top-horse-hangs-out-at-gas-station moment, and partly because all the reunions at the end of the journey melt my heart. Check out how sweetly Banzai was welcomed back to his stable at Yaz Ingham’s stunning Cheshire base. Definitely a bedroom fit for a champion!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Stable View Oktoberfest (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Twin Rivers Fall International (Paso Robles, CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

ESDCTA New Jersey H.T. (Allentown, NJ): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Larkin Hill Fall H.T. (North Chatham, NY): [Website] [Scoring]

Meadowcreek Park Fall Social Event (Weatherford, TX): [Website] [Scoring]

Old Tavern H.T. (The Plains, VA): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (Durham, NH): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

Ballindenisk International CCI4*-L: [Website] [Entries/Times]

News From Around the Globe:

Congratulations to the newly-crowned Area IV champions! After a hotly contested weekend of sport at Otter Creek, four new title-holders walked away victorious. [Meet them here]

I remain convinced that one of the things that keeps us all going is that quest for perfection. Maybe none of us will ever achieve it, but maybe — just maybe — we’ll get the chance to enjoy one of those extraordinary days in which all the pieces fall into place and we have the ride of a lifetime. [It happened to Laura Adriaanse]

Virtual reality headsets are being trialed as a way to measure concussion recovery. It doesn’t sound quite as fun as using them to play Mario Kart, but football, soccer, and racing alike are putting the technology to the test to try to measure the severity of concussions and moderate the recovery from them, which could have a seriously useful trickle-down effect into our sport. [This is no glitch in the matrix]

Training Tip of the Week: Successful Eventing is About Speed, Not Power

Thursday Video: Yasmin Ingham Makes it Happen at Pratoni

By on Sep 22, 2022 5:22 pm -

 

It’ll be a long time before we get over those last moments of the World Championships at Pratoni, during which Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH gave us one of equestrian sports most extraordinary plot twists, pulling the final rail and changing the course of the whole week’s competition.

Before that fateful final round, though, in which Michi Jung opened the door for Yaz to become the World Champion, she had to deliver the goods herself — and doing so over Uliano Vezzani’s showjumping course was no easy feat. Just 13 riders would produce clear rounds in the 68 rounds throughout the day, and the technical, dimensionally massive was indiscriminate in who it victimised.

But 25-year-old Yaz and 11-year-old Banzai du Loir? Well, they were about as close to perfect as it gets over a five-star showjumping track. Relive their round now.

David O’Connor Appointed USEF Chief of Sport

By on Sep 22, 2022 2:37 pm -

David O’Connor and Giltedge on their way to winning the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2001. Photo used with permission from Shannon Brinkman.

On the heels of announcing Graeme Thom as the new FEI/High Performance Director of Sport Programs, US Equestrian has also announced the appointment of David O’Connor to the newly created position of Chief of Sport beginning October 3, 2022.

O’Connor, a decorated Olympian, is no stranger to US Equestrian, having earned individual gold and team bronze medals in Eventing at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics and a team silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. Additionally, David served as the USEF President from 2004 to 2012 and currently serves on the FEI Board of Directors. In 2021, he was presented with the USOPC’s General Douglas MacArthur Exemplary Service Award in recognition of his continued service and commitment to equestrian sports within the Olympic and Paralympic movements.

O’Connor’s responsibilities will be primarily strategically focused. He will be responsible for working with the Executive Team regarding overall international and national sport support of the USEF Strategic Plan and its initiatives, sport integrity, education, and equine and human safety and welfare. Additionally, he will provide oversight of the international and national sport operations, ensuring that the Sport Department’s short-term and long-term strategic plans align with USEF’s priorities, and he will focus on strengthening relationships with stakeholder groups such as the USOPC, FEI and USEF’s Recognized Affiliates.

“I very much look forward to the opportunities afforded by this new role within the USEF,” stated O’Connor. “The chance to perform a 365-degree view of equestrian sport from a national and a global perspective and share strategies to ensure safety, welfare, and enjoyment while growing the sport across all breeds and disciplines will be an exciting prospect. My passion has always been horses and promoting equestrian sport both within and outside of our equine community is a very important mission, both personally and for the USEF as a whole.”

“We are pleased to welcome David to USEF to serve in this new role,” said Bill Moroney, USEF CEO. “As a key member of the executive leadership team, David will provide thought leadership, innovative problem-solving, and share diverse ideas to guide strategic actions and important business decisions, drive priorities, and lead change for the organization’s success.”

US Equestrian President Tom O’Mara added, “David’s extensive equestrian and governance experience will be instrumental in the continued implementation of the USEF Strategic Plan and the growth of equestrian sport nationally and internationally.

US Equestrian Announces Appointment of Graeme Thom as Director of FEI/High Performance Sport Programs

By on Sep 22, 2022 1:35 pm -

Graeme debriefs with James Avery following cross-country at Bicton’s CCI5* in 2021. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

US Equestrian has announced the appointment of Graeme Thom as Director of FEI/High-Performance Sport Programs beginning October 3, 2022. This start date will allow for a smooth and collaborative transition as Will Connell remains with USEF through the 25th of November.

Thom has worked in the financial industry, ridden to the CCI3* level in Eventing, and was shortlisted for the Canadian Eventing Team. He served as chair of the Canadian High-Performance Committee and has served as a Chef d’Equipe for either Canada or New Zealand for the past 15 years at major championships such as the 2007 Pan American Games, 2008 Olympic Games, 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, 2011 Pan American Games, and the 2021 Olympic Games.

Thom’s responsibilities will be primarily sport operations focused. By supervising the activities of the Managing Directors and Directors for each international discipline recognized by the FEI, Thom will be responsible for developing and implementing the Strategic High Performance plan and programs and overall administration of all aspects of sport programming and pathways for those FEI disciplines. Thom will serve as the staff liaison to the USEF International Disciplines Council and the Athlete Advisory Committee. Additionally, he will fill the role of Chef de Mission at the World Equestrian Games, Pan American Games, and Olympic Games and is the primary sport contact to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

Photo courtesy of Graeme Thom.

“I am very appreciative of being offered this exciting role,” said Thom. “I have some extremely large shoes to fill with Will’s departure. He is legendary in his role as a Chef de Mission and High-Performance Director. It was a fitting testimonial that he was able to share in the USA successes at the recent World Championships. I will do my best to move up the curve as quickly as possible and hope my ten-plus years as a Chef D’Equipe in Eventing will act as a springboard for continued success in the future across all FEI disciplines. I look forward to meeting the staff and Team personnel very soon and am very eager to join the USEF organization.”

“Graeme’s extensive experience in high-performance sports operations and management coupled with his leadership and organizational skills makes him a great asset to the Federation,” stated Moroney. “I look forward to working with Graeme to strengthen and elevate high-performance equestrian sport in the U.S. across all international disciplines as we look to the future.”

US Equestrian President Tom O’Mara added, “We are excited that Graeme has joined our team and look forward to his leadership and contributions to USEF and equestrian sport.”