Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (US Equestrian) is pleased to announce the appointment of Isabelle Bibbler Parker to the newly created position of Vaulting Director of Performance. Parker (Redwood City, Calif.) brings to the position 35 years of experience as a vaulter, coach, club manager, USEF committee member, and American Vaulting Association (AVA) judge.

Parker will work in partnership with the US Equestrian Vaulting Sport Committee and Vaulting Director to develop, articulate, and implement a vaulting pathway that develops sustained success across all vaulting disciplines and age categories at the international level. Additionally, this position will develop and implement a system for athletes, lungers, and horses that tracks and analyzes performance progression, analyzes results and trends, and sets and reviews Key Performance Indicators and Milestone Targets.

“I am excited and honored to take on this new role,” said Parker. “[The position] represents a huge opportunity for vaulting in the U.S. and places a significant expectation on my shoulders. As I build a detailed plan, my first priority will be to listen to, and communicate with, as many of the stakeholders as possible within U.S. vaulting. Following the [FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) Tryon 2018], my priority is to analyze, in partnership with the US Equestrian Vaulting Committee, how we can measure and start to rollout programs. I am also very keen that the work we do with athletes on the pathway trickles down to all vaulters. These are exciting times for vaulting in the U.S.!”   

In addition to her credentials of involvement within the sport of vaulting, Parker has coached three bronze medalists at the FEI World Vaulting Championships and was inducted into the AVA’s Hall of Fame for her coaching accomplishments.

“This is a new position within U.S. vaulting, and I hope the creation of this position sends a clear message that US Equestrian, the Vaulting Sport Committee, and AVA are focused on putting U.S. vaulting athletes back on the podium in all vaulting disciplines and growing the sport in the U.S.,” says Will Connell, US Equestrian Director of Sport. “Isabelle brings a wealth of knowledge to this position, and her analytical abilities and logical approach will put her in good stead as she seeks to build the programs and introduce a more formulated approach to analyzing how and where performance can be developed.”

Parker will coach Elizabeth Osborne through WEG, and as such, will have no involvement with the WEG U.S. vaulting team selection process or the awarding of any funding ahead of WEG. She also confirmed that she will no longer have any coaching or governance relationship with Woodside Vaulters.

“US Equestrian is extremely grateful for the support of the [United States Equestrian Team] Foundation,” continues Connell. “Without the generosity of Akiko Yamazaki, Jerry Yang, and their Red Husky Foundation, the creation of this position would not have been possible. The USEF Developing Fund is also supporting the implementation of programs linked to this position.”

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The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.