Lexington, KY – US Eventing Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor, Captain Mark Phillips and the USEF have renewed the contract for Mark Phillips to serve in this capacity through 2012. In his 16 years in tenure as the Chef d’Equipe and coach of the US Eventing Team, Capt. Phillips has never taken a team to an Olympic, World or Pan American Games without bringing home a medal. His tenure has been highlighted by a Team Gold medal at the 2002 World Equestrian Games and David O’Connor’s Individual Gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. He continued his medal run this year in Hong Kong when Gina Miles won an Individual Silver medal with McKinlaigh.

Phillips has renewed his commitment to the US program for four more years, ensuring the US remains on-track for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) and the 2012 Olympic Games in London. In 2010, for the first time since 1978, the US will have a chance to win a World Championship on their home soil in Lexington, KY.

“We look forward to the next quadrenium with Mark continuing in his integral place in the US eventing program,” said David O’Connor, President of the USEF. “After mixed results at the 2008 Olympic Games, we are counting on Mark’s expertise and determination to bring our team back to the medal podium both in Kentucky in 2010 and at the 2012 Olympic Games.”

“I’m delighted to have renewed my contract with the USEF through the London 2012 Olympic Games,” said Phillips. “Over the next four years I will work to refine the training program for our top riders and put significantly more effort into reaching out to new or future talent in our Development Program. We have exciting times ahead.”

An accomplished Gold medalist in the saddle, Phillips is also a cross-country course designer, and his stamp is on some of the most prolific tracks in the world.

ENDS

For more information, please contact Joanie Morris at [email protected].