The US Equestrian Dressage Sport Committee has finalized plans for a revamped Development Program and selected the US Equestrian Dressage Development Coach. Debbie McDonald has been appointed as the Development coach.
The Dressage Sport Committee also finalized plans for the Development Program. Through this revamped program, athletes with perceived ability to make the podium or contribute to podium scores within the following two quadrennials will receive strategic guidance and resources. The Development Program continues to be generously supported by USET Foundation Trustee Akiko Yamazaki and the Red Husky Foundation.
Debbie McDonald was selected by the Dressage Sport Committee as the US Equestrian Development Coach, pending contract negotiations. After a short hiatus in 2016, McDonald returns with over 10 years of experience helping the Development Program grow and moving athlete/horse combinations along the dressage pipeline.
“This revitalized program is going to give more individualized support to athletes, as well as their trainers and owners. Through this program, we will not only be able to target our funding and educational resources into identified combinations, but we will be able to continue to provide educational opportunities on a broad level,” McDonald said. “I’m very excited to be working again with US Equestrian and this unique opportunity that the Development Program is going to provide to our up-and-coming athletes.”
In May 2016 McDonald stepped down as the U.S. Developing Dressage Coach, a position which she held over the past 10 years, to spend more time with her family and focus on personal clients, including U.S. Olympic team riders Laura Graves and Kasey Perry.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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