Marilyn Adams, USEF High-Performance Director of Dressage, and a highly regarded manager for international teams in both show jumping and dressage, has resigned from the USEF effective Tuesday, June 20, for personal reasons.

After a highly accomplished career as a young rider in three-day eventing, including international competition, Adams was with the American Horse Show Association (AHSA) in New York prior to joining the USET in 1999 as Assistant Director of Show Jumping Activities, and then as High-Performance Director of Dressage in July 2002. She has diligently served the USEF through many selection trials and international games including the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain; annual World Cup competitions from 2004 through 2006; the 2003 Pan American Games and the 2004 Olympic Games.

Adams is highly regarded for her organizational skills, her supportive attitude and rapport with athletes, coaches, competition officials and USEF committees. With a smile on her face and constant good cheer, she has consistently organized and facilitated everyone involved in qualification, team selection, games preparation and international competition earning their respect along the way.

"Marilyn has been a valued member of our high-performance team and has contributed significantly to our recent successes in dressage. Her upbeat and personable manner will be missed by the athletes, owners, coaches, organizers and her colleagues here at the USEF," said Jim Wolf, USEF Executive Director of High-Performance.

Klaus Balkenhol, USEF dressage team coach, gave high praise to the contribution Adams has made to the sport and the team, "I have always been able to count on Marilyn to be exceptionally competent in her role, quick in making decisions and trustworthy in dealing with all kinds of situations. She has tremendous knowledge of the sport and all aspects of high-performance management. Marilyn has always placed the interests of the riders and the team ahead of everything else and in the forefront was always her loyalty and thinking on behalf of the Federation. It has been a great pleasure for me to work with her and I deeply regret that Marilyn will no longer be with the USEF, the riders and the team."

“For numerous years I have had the honor to work with dedicated people at the USET and USEF,” said Adams. “Klaus and Judith Balkenhol have been an incredible part of my life for some time now and I will always count them among my closest friends. My travels have afforded me the opportunity to meet some wonderful people and I will treasure the experiences. I am proud to have been a part of this sport and look forward to watching it grow.”

Gil Merrick, Managing Director, Dressage Sport Programs, will assume all of Adams' responsibilities. He can be contacted at (859) 225-6913 or [email protected].~~~