Sinead Maynard and Manoir de Carneville. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Earlier this week, US Equestrian released an updated list of its selection panel, who will provide recommendations to the Eventing Sport Committee regarding team selections for major international events and championships, including the World Championships (the next of which will take place at Aachen in 2026), the Olympic Games, and the Pan American Games.
The new selector list is as follows:
• Deborah Furnas (Ocala, Fla.), Chair
A longtime member of the Selection Committee, Deborah Furnas will chair the committee of incoming new selectors. With experiencing helming programs for the likes of Torrance Watkins, Bruce Davidson Sr., and Stephen Bradley, Deborah also holds a wealth of team management experience having served as the stable manager for the U.S. team at the World Equestrian Games in The Hague, Netherlands (1994), coordinated team efforts for the Canadians at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen (2006) and Kentucky (2010).
• Jonathan Elliott (Yelm. Wash.)
Also a current member of the selection panel, Jonathan Elliott has developed multiple horses and riders to the top levels of the sport. He finished as high as fourth place at what was then known as Rolex Kentucky in 1998 and also competed at Burghley before starting Aspen Farms in Yelm, WA with his wife, Suzy.
• Sinead Maynard (Citra, Fla.)
Sinead Maynard stormed onto the high performance scene with her French “princess” Manoir de Carneville, earning a podium finish behind Mary King in her first Kentucky (2011) and becoming the highest-placed U.S. rider at Burghley in finishing second in 2012, shortly after narrowly missing out on her own chance to ride in the London Olympics. Since then, Sinead has established herself was a sought-after clinician and coach, working through outlets such as Ride iQ to share her expertise in development of both horse and rider.
• Michael Pollard (Rome, Ga.)
Michael Pollard is another new name to the selector list, stepping back into the sport incrementally over the past few years after taking a hiatus for a period of time. Michael is a Pan American Games gold medalist and worked as a member of high performance eventing throughout the majority of his professional career.
• Ian Stark (Selkirk, Scotland)
Scottish Olympic medalist and Sports Hall of Fame member Ian Stark, who has advised the U.S. team on cross country for several years, steps into the role as a selector and brings his wealth of knowledge and expertise to the selection table. The impact of his shrewd eye has already been felt in team results over recent years, with his dedication to bold, accurate cross country riding standing at the forefront of his teaching.
Michael Pollard and Ballingowan Pizazz at Carolina International. Photo by Jenni Autry.
The Eventing Selectors are appointed by US Equestrian’s Chief Executive Officer, Bill Moroney, following recommendations from the USEF Eventing Athletes Working Group, Eventing Performance Working Group, and Eventing Sport Committee, according to the USEF. The Selectors provide their recommendations to the Eventing Sport Committee (ESC) for team selections for international CCIOs and major championships, including World Championships, Olympic Games, and Pan American Games with final approval from the USEF Board of Directors.
We are still awaiting word on an incoming chef d’equipe and/or Technical Advisor for the U.S. team following the departure of Bobby Costello at the end of 2024.
