Richard Waygood has been confirmed as the new performance manager for the British eventing team.
The news follows the announcement of Chris Bartle as performance coach — a newly created role — on Friday (25 November).
This confirms the rumours of a new coaching structure for the World Class eventing programme.
“I am very excited and feel privileged to hold the highly prestigious position of performance manager for the British eventing team,” said Richard.
“It has been a lifelong ambition, which I have dreamt about on so many occasions, having worked within the World Class programme for the last seven years and seen the dedication of the riders and staff alike, I just can’t wait to get going.”
A former riding master of the Household Cavalry, Richard has been the performance manager for the British dressage squad for the past seven years. He has ridden and been placed at four-star level and is also a top British Eventing (BE) accredited coach.
Outgoing eventing performance manager Yogi Breisner revealed in April that he planned to step down from the position after 17 years following the Rio Olympics.
David Holmes, BE’s chief executive, said they are “thrilled” to have found such an experienced team to take the eventing squad forward.
“This combination will not only help us advance our elite level athletes, but also to use their knowledge and skills to enable us to develop pathways throughout our sport so that we can produce a stronger performance culture from ponies to podium,” he added.
“As we look towards Tokyo 2020, Richard and Chris will be key for eventing to ensure the World Class team has the skills, tools and support to reach its full potential — we are excited to work with both of them as we welcome them into their new positions.”
A statement from the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) said they will also begin the process of recruiting a new performance director to replace Dan Hughes “in the next few days”. This will be joined by another new position — a head of performance support — and the organisation will also be recruiting a new dressage performance manager following Richard’s job move.
The statement added the aim of the new coaching programme will be “more individually tailored”, placing a greater focus on human and equine sports science.
It also said the organisation will be “examining opportunities to improve the collective horsepower in Great Britain”.
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Chris added it is “exciting yet daunting” to be offered the chance to train the British team.
“On the other hand it’s with sadness that I leave behind the German team and all those at the DOKR [German Olympic equestrian committee] and the German federation with whom I have worked over the last 16 years,” he said. “I am equally delighted that Richard has agreed to come on board as performance manager for eventing.
“I am looking forward to building a strong and effective partnership with Dickie [Richard] — I can’t imagine a more suitably qualified person for this position.
“I am really looking forward to building up equally strong relationships with the British riders and their home teams, the owners and the members of the support team within the World Class programme, the BEF and with British Eventing.”
