Dressage trainer Debbie McDonald, who was at the helm of the team that took silver at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, has been named the U.S. technical advisor for the discipline through the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Debbie McDonald. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The announcement comes 13 months after her technical advisor contract was not renewed by the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
She has operated as a private trainer in the interim, with a group of clients including her longtime associate Adrienne Lyle.
Adrienne, the USEF’s International Rider of the Year for 2022, now is the top-ranked U.S. dressage rider, 10th in the world standings.
Last year, there was no U.S. technical advisor for the world championships in Denmark, where the team finished sixth to qualify for Paris, but was out of the medals.
Debbie will be focusing on training support and collaborating with riders’ personal coaches over the next 18 months in the run-up to team selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“The team’s achievement in Tokyo was such an incredible moment for our program, and over the last year I’ve felt a fire and drive to want to get our athletes back on the podium in Paris,” said Debbie.
“I’m so passionate about the potential of our athletes and combinations, and it’s my intention to make sure we’re doing everything we can to produce the absolute best results possible in Paris. I’m very motivated and feel incredibly supported to help our athletes work towards that goal over the next year and half.”
Adrienne Lyle and Debbie McDonald. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
In the technical advisor role, Debbie will work closely with USEF Managing Director of Dressage Hallye Griffin and High-Performance & Pathway Development Advisor George Williams on preparation, planning, and training, as well as providing on-the-ground training support through the Paris Games.
Debbie has been an integral piece of the program’s success over the last decade, with multiple podium finishes at the championship level, including the Olympic Games, the FEI World Championships and the Pan American Games.
She began working for USEF as the Dressage Development coach and continued to support pathway development through her appointment as technical advisor in 2019. An Olympian who earned team bronze at the Athens 2004 Games with her special mount, Brentina, she is a double gold medalist from the 1999 Pan American Games. In 2003, she was the first American rider to win the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final.
Debbie’s contract was not renewed in 2021 after a lawsuit was filed against her and her husband, Bob. He had been suspended by USEF when allegations dating back nearly a half-century were made to SafeSport. After SafeSport arbitration, the case was closed and Bob was reinstated. The civil matter–for which the couple never had been served–was dismissed.