Michel Assouline

US Equestrian appointed Michel Assouline Head of Para-Equestrian Coach Development and High Performance Consultant in May of 2017. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge about para-equestrian dressage and dressage trainer/coach development and in 2019 launched the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Coaches Program. During his tenure at the helm of the para-equestrian discipline, Assouline has guided his teams to numerous accomplishments, including:

• February 2021 - Assouline was named the 2020 Paralympic Coach of the Year across all disciplines by the United States Olympic and Paralympic committee (USOC and USOPC).
• 2021 Tokyo Paralympic Games – Assouline led Team USA to a Team Bronze and two Individual gold medals.
• 2022 Herning Para Dressage World Championships – Assouline led Team USA to a Team Bronze, two individual silver medals and one individual bronze medal
• 2024 Paris Paralympic Games - Assouline led Team USA to a Team Gold, four individual gold medals, one individual silver and one individual bronze medal.

Assouline continues to work closely with the US Equestrian/USPEA Para Centers of Excellence on seminars and coaching sessions. His work with the Centers of Excellence (COE) directly ties in with the aim to grow and develop para-equestrian dressage in the U.S. Prior to joining US Equestrian, he spent nearly 12 years as head coach to the multi-medal winning British para-equestrian dressage program where he led the Great Britain athletes to four silver and seven gold medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, a record-breaking result for Great Britain para dressage athletes. As such, Michel was awarded the Mussabini Medal, a sports award recognizing British coaches, and was inducted into the UK Coaching Hall of Fame.