The United States Equestrian Federation's High Performance Dressage Committee has appointed Jessica Ransehousen to be the interim U.S. Dressage Coach to support American dressage riders at the World Cup Finals and shows in Europe until a definite coach has been found.
As the position for the U.S. Dressage Chef d’Equipe/National Coach is open until May 15, the need was great for an interim substitute.
George Williams, chair of the USEF High Performance Dressage Committee, held a meeting with the high performance riders at the 2009 CDI Palm Beach Derby to discuss coaching plans. Sue Blinks, chair of the USEF Dressage Eligible Athletes Committee will hold a similar meeting on March 12 at The Dressage Affair CDI-W in San Diego.
Gil Merrick, U.S. High Performance Manager, told Eurodressage that, "the US will have riders at the FEI World Cup Final, at the CDI Lingen at the beginning of June, at the CDIO Rotterdam at the end of June and at the CDIO Aachen at the beginning of July. Since our search for the Dressage Chef d’Equipe/National Coach is open until May 15 it is unlikely we will have completed contract negotiations for the new coach before the June/July European competitions. So the USEF High Performance Dressage Committee voted to appoint Jessica as the interim Chef d’Equipe and she will be attending those competitions in that role."
American dressage riders interested to go to Europe can check the USEF website to find information about the 2009 Elite Rider European Grants that will be given to six riders to go to Europe in June/July and compete at these competitions.
The job description for the new coach is on the USEF website along with information about how to apply. " The USEF search committee wants to ensure that individuals who meet the position requirements are aware of the search and are encouraged to apply," Merrick told Eurodressage.
Ransehousen is a triple American Olympic team rider (1960, 1964, 1988) and has served as Chef d'Equipe for the United States team at the 1991 and 1995 Pan American Games, the 1990 and 1994 World Equestrian Games, and the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympic Games. An FEI "I" judge, Ransehousen is currently the Vice-President for dressage of the U.S. Equestrian Team. She served three terms as Chairperson of the AHSA Dressage Committee and was elected Assistant Secretary of the AHSA in 1997.
Photos copyrighted: Mary Phelps/Phelpsphotos.com
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