Lexington, KY - In late 2005, the FEI determined that to better serve the sport, and because stewards’ responsibilities have considerably expanded, each of the seven FEI disciplines in a National Federation (NF) should have a Steward General. There will also be one overall Coordinating Steward General for each NF. Previously, just one Steward General for all disciplines was appointed in each NF.

The new Steward General responsible for each discipline will report directly to the USEF Coordinating Steward, and to the FEI Steward General for the same discipline.

After a thorough process, and based upon the recommendations of the USEF Technical and High Performance Committees, the USEF has appointed the new Stewards General to four year terms as follows:

Discipline and Steward General
Dressage, Elisabeth Williams, Horsham, PA
Driving, David Saunders, Charlottesville, VA
Endurance, Teresa Cross, Clayton, CA
Eventing, Sally O’Connor, The Plains, VA
Reining, Eric Straus, New York, NY
Show Jumping, David Distler, Norwalk, CT
Vaulting, Graves Cox, Carmel Valley, CA

In August the FEI appointed two of the above representatives from the United States as the FEI Stewards General for Show Jumping and Reining, they are David Distler and Eric Straus respectively. David Distler will also serve as the United States’ Coordinating Steward General.

Captain John Roche will serve as the Coordinator of Stewards General for the FEI. His responsibility will include coordinating matters relating to stewarding between the disciplines.

“This is a much improved system that better serves the interests of each discipline and the competitors,” said John Long, Chief Executive Officer of the USEF. “We certainly appreciate the time and commitment each of these individuals is making to their discipline and to the thousands of USEF members involved in the sport.”
~~~For more information, please contact Maria Partlow, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, at (859) 225-6941, or via e-mail at [email protected].