David O'Connor at Badminton 2016. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
The USEF just announced that David O’Connor will serve as the Eventing Technical Advisor for the U.S. Eventing Team for the next two years with a focus on the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina.
“Following the post-Rio Review, the role of the Technical Advisor has been adjusted to focus more on management of the programs and the athlete’s personal programs and goals rather than hands-on coaching,” the USEF said in a press release.
David will work alongside Joanie Morris, the USEF Managing Director of Eventing, “in the development and implementation of eventing plans, pathway, program and systems that will help grow programs for developing and elite athletes.”
“I think this is a great opportunity to continue strengthening the U.S. Eventing Team and the sport overall,” David said. “I will work closely with the Eventing Managing Director, the Eventing Sport Committee, personal coaches and athletes to communicate targets and strategies for continual athlete improvement and to develop a sustainable system in all three phases to deliver medals.”
The USEF added that David will continue working to implement his “pipeline program,” which he introduced in 2012 to “more effectively identify and develop talented youth while also developing programs for the riders at the top end of the sport.”
“David has brought continuity and commitment to U.S. Eventing for years,” USEF President Chrystine Tauber said. “From his gold medal and his position as President of the USEF, to his continued focus on growing development programs, David is well positioned to move the sport of eventing forward.
“As an athlete, chef d’equipe and technical advisor, David has been fully committed to the process of making the USA a leader in the eventing world.”
[David O’Connor to Serve as U.S. Eventing Technical Advisor]
