Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) High-Performance Dressage Committee has appointed Debbie McDonald to the position of USEF Dressage Developing Coach for the remainder of 2006 and through December 31, 2007. This appointment is one of many steps being taken toward expanding the USEF Dressage Developing Program. In this new role, McDonald’s responsibilities will include increasing awareness and visibility of the USEF Dressage Developing Program and furthering the education of riders, trainers and owners about specific aspects of proper training for competition at the high-performance level. Working in close cooperation with the U.S. team coach, the USEF director of high-performance dressage and the USEF dressage committees, she will also conduct training sessions and attend championships to observe and coach competitors, as well as identify prospects for further training and observation.

“I am so honored to have been selected as the developing coach,” McDonald said. “I have always wanted to give back to the sport that has been so great to me. I love to coach and feel that I can bring my skills in this regard to greatly benefit the future of high-performance dressage. I am devoted to finding new blood in our sport by scouting areas that might not normally get seen. I am also very excited to work closely with our team coach, Klaus Balkenhol, as I feel that our training philosophies are very similar.”

Work is currently under way to schedule a series of training sessions throughout the U.S. where athletes who are on the USEF Developing Rider List will be invited to train with McDonald. Riders are named to the Developing Rider List through their accomplishments, which includes qualifying to attend the USEF National Intermediaire Championships or the Brentina Cup. The USEF Dressage Developing Program will be coordinated with the U.S. team coach Klaus Balkenhol, who will work closely with McDonald to ensure that developing riders in the U.S. have every opportunity to successfully make the transition to the high-performance level and eventually represent the U.S. as a member of an international team.

For more information, please contact Gil Merrick, USEF Director of High-Performance Dressage, at (859) 225-6913 or [email protected].
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