Tag Archives: Will Connell

Community/Charity, Olympic Games

Live from Rio with Will Connell: Transport Woes, Dressage PBs, and Jumping

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Laura Graves and Diddy (Shannon Brinkman Photo).

By: Will Connell

8/16/2016 – Rio 2016 continue to mess up a perfectly functional transport system, U.S. Dressage rider hits another Personal Best, and the Jumping horses have started leaping.  All is good in Rio.

The transport (to be more precise the Drop Off/Pick Up) debacle would be comical if it wasn’t so disruptive to everything that we (and other Nations) have been doing for the last two weeks.  To then be told that it was our fault and that we, the Teams, were disobeying the rules was insulting and insane.  Anyway, it is one of many things that have to be approached with “positive intent”.  “Positive intent” has been the byword and mantra of the USOC leadership and the USOC have certainly led by example.  Well, my positive intent gauge is most certainly starting to show empty.  Please send a refueling tanker.

It was a shame that the stands were not full for the Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle (the Individual Final) as there was some fantastic dressage and great competition.  Another Personal Best for Laura Graves rounded off an outstanding Games for her.  4th is just the worst position to finish in; so close to yet so far from, the podium.  But Laura can look back on the Games with immense pride as can all of the U.S. Dressage Team and their support staff.  U.S. Dressage is back at the Top Table.

I have not made mention of the British for obvious reasons but Charlotte Dujardin was supreme again.  However, I am compelled to make mention of Carl Hester who coached every member of the GBR Dressage Team here in Rio and of course medaled himself – some achievement.  Time for him to go down on one knee at the Palace.

The dressage team head home leaving behind them one casualty.  A belt.  A belt that could not handle the Olympic pressure and gave way as one of the dressage athletes was giving 101% during the Grand Prix to bring home a Medal.  It will be, like my trousers (a.k.a. pants), buried with full State honours.

A little break for some cat herding.  Sedan 1 and Ana Car 1 to restaurant with 4 Dressage grooms + 1 x Vet, 1 x Physio and 1 x Farrier to eat and then head back to venue to load horses:  Van 1 loaded with 9 Jumping crew to same restaurant and back to hotel:  Van 2 picking up three at Gas Station (alternate pick up point recently instigated due to Rio 2016 Transport Madness Disease) to head to aforementioned restaurant:  Van 3 loaded to the rafters with Dressage athlete luggage…  athletes enjoying wine.  Departure of athletes imminent.  Or did I get some athletes mixed up?  And people wonder why I drink.

The jumping competitions are a little drawn out at an Olympics but we are now well in to the meat of the matter.  The first round of the Nations Cup (Team Competition) took place today and we are exactly where we want to be – on 0 penalties going in to the second and final round tomorrow.  Rather annoying that there are three other Nations on 0 but I guess that is good for the crowds, if a little nerve-racking for us.  There were plenty of highs and lows today; there will be some celebrating tonight and some commiserating.  This has not been an easy Games to enjoy, but it most certainly is an Olympic Games.  What is it about the Games that creates such passion and emotion or drive and determination amongst athletes that are competing against each other on many occasions throughout the year?  It is a very special environment and watching the athletes’ drive to win, the euphoria of medaling and the despair of losing is something that still excites and intrigues me:  Unlike dealing with Transport dumbdelardies, which just infuriates me.

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USEF

Will Connell Named as USEF Director of Sport Programs

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Will Connell (teamgb.com)

Lexington, Ky. – United States Equestrian Federation Chief Executive Officer Chris Welton announced today the culmination of an expansive search for the USEF Director of Sport Programs by naming Will Connell to the post.

From 2003 to present, Connell served as the British Equestrian Federation Performance Director with responsibility for the coordination and delivery of the UK Sport Funded World Class Program for disciplines of eventing, dressage, jumping, and para-equestrian dressage. With lifelong involvement in equestrian sport Connell brings a breadth of experience to the position. He served 17 years in the Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) and was Commanding Officer of the King’s Troop RHA. He was Chef d’Equipe for the British Young Rider Eventing team from 1997 to 2001, served as a British Eventing Steward, and was Deputy Equestrian Director of Olympia, The London International Horse Show.

“The addition of Will Connell to our team as Director of Sport should be seen as a clear indication of our intent to provide our athletes every possible opportunity to excel at all levels of our sport,” states Federation CEO Welton. “Will’s accomplishments in building and sustaining championship caliber teams are without parallel. His success arises from his ability to create and implement a plan for bringing together all of the elements required for success in equestrian sport – from riders and horses, to owners, coaches, and trainers. We are thrilled to have Will on board to lead our efforts to ensure that all of our athletes have the opportunity to perform and achieve to the best of their ability.”

In his new role with the U.S. Equestrian Federation, Connell will be responsible for the administration of all aspects of sport programming across the eight international disciplines, nine national disciplines, and eleven breeds recognized by the USEF.

Connell will collaborate with and lead the dedicated USEF Discipline Directors and their staff who work diligently to support these programs with a focus and commitment to meeting competitive objectives that foster excellence in equestrian sport at all levels, both at home and abroad.

In addition to serving as the Chef de Mission at the FEI World Equestrian Games, Pan American Games, and Olympic Games, Connell will also be responsible for oversight of the USEF coaching programs.

Referencing his new role with the Federation, Will Connell remarked, “My eleven years with the British Equestrian Federation’s and Team GBR’s World Class Programme has been challenging and rewarding. Equestrian Team GBR has enjoyed a number of successes over the last few years which have provided me with fantastic memories. I now look forward to working with the USEF, riders, owners, staff, and all involved in equestrian sport in the U.S. I have a great deal to learn and look forward to tapping into the vast array of equestrian knowledge and experience that exists within the United States. It will be an exciting challenge.”

“With our sights firmly set on the potential of our great athletes and horses, I believe Will Connell will be an excellent addition to the Federation’s senior staff,” remarks USEF President Chrystine Tauber. “He possesses both the experience and the proven track record to align the resources necessary to deliver on that potential. It is my pleasure to welcome Will to the USEF.”

Connell will see his commitment to the British Equestrian Federation through this summer’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy and will join the USEF full-time in October.

From the USEF Communications Department