Equestrian Australia High Performance Update

Equestrian Australia (EA) High Performance is pleased to announce structure and plan towards Tokyo 2020 and beyond! 

Following a detailed review process conducted since the conclusion of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Equestrian Australia’s High Performance department has now finalised its elite program structure.

Equestrian enjoyed welcome success in Rio with the Australian Eventing Team securing a Bronze medal and now has an opportunity to capitalise on that success. The recent achievements of the Australian Eventing Team have enabled Equestrian Australia to implement a two-tiered high performance plan to secure its future direction:

• Current Cycle “Tokyo Success” - focus on medal outcomes at the next Olympic Games
• Future Cycle “International Sustained Podium Success” - focus on high performance development.

In accordance with the Australia’s Winning Edge (AWE) objectives, High Performance investment will be primarily focussed on the eventing and Para Equestrian disciplines. EA will also work with the State branches, the discipline committees and the National Institute Network to support the Non-AWE disciplines of Jumping and Dressage together with the Non-Olympic disciplines.

EA is pleased to announce the following staff to the High Performance Department:

Chris Webb – High Performance Director (part-time)

Chris Webb will continue to oversee the entire program as High Performance Director. This will include management of the overall Eventing and Para Equestrian whilst collaborating with relevant stakeholders of the disciplines of Jumping, Dressage, Carriage Driving, Endurance, Reining and Vaulting.

Webb and new High Performance Consultant Gina Haddad will also manage the planning and preparation of the identified current cycle Eventing combinations based in Australia.

“The achievements at Rio were an exciting time for our sport and full credit must go to all who were involved especially the riders and coaches. The adjustments we are making to the program will go a long way to building on this success and keep Equestrian and our athletes on the podium for the years to come” said Webb.

Mike Etherington-Smith - High Performance Advisor (part-time)

Mike Etherington-Smith will oversee the planning and preparation of the “Tokyo Success” Eventing combinations based in the UK and the US.

Etherington-Smith is recognised as one of the most respected cross-country course designers and Equestrian administrators in the world. With a wealth of experience and exposure to the highest level, all stakeholders will benefit from his insight and leadership.

“I am honoured to be asked to become part of Australia’s High Performance team and to be able to help build on the success at Rio. Australia has a very strong group of top athletes who are motivated, committed, determined and hungry for success and this is what makes this role so exciting as we head to next year’s World Equestrian Games and on to Tokyo 2020,” said Etherington-Smith.

Gina Haddad - High Performance Consultant (part-time)

Gina Haddad will manage the delivery of the development plans for Equestrian. This will include the development of currently identified future high performance Eventing athletes and coaches within the context of EA’s new Coaching Framework as well as the connection and integration of the State branches and the SIS/SAS network.

A former Equestrian athlete, coach and now a University lecturer in elite sports coaching and related studies Mrs Haddad is well equipped to lead the future of equestrian high performance sport.

"My time working at the University of Sydney has also afforded me the opportunity to see excellent practice in other sports and exposed me to world leading research and I look forward to sharing my knowledge and network with EA. It's a very exciting time to be involved with the EA HP program and I'm looking forward to working with our talented Future Cycle riders and coaches to further develop our depth and capability, " Mrs Haddad said.

EA believes that this new structure and team will enhance efficiencies and allow stronger investment in the Australian domestic scene with a greater focus on the development of the next generation of riders and coaches and a more direct distribution of funds to identified athletes for training and preparation.

"After much discussion with the riding athletes and the key bodies with a vested interest in our future we are genuinely excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for our sport,” said Chris Webb.

“Equestrian enjoys a rich history of Olympic success and a collaborative adaptive approach will ensure we convert that history into the future as well.”

“We welcome Gina and Mike into the High Performance team as we apply our new structure and model and plan for an efficient performance outcome delivery for our riders and horses to Tokyo and beyond," he said.