Graeme Thom, the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s director of FEI/High Performance Sport, has stepped down after six months in the post to attend to “personal obligations” with the countdown to the Paris Olympics less than 17 months away, and the Pan American Games set for this autumn.
But don’t worry. Filling the role he held will be Hallye Griffin, who has served as USEF’s managing director for dressage since 2015. She has a long history with the federation. Hallye was the competition department’s assistant for the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, which were staged at the Kentucky Horse Park, home of the USEF. The following year, she became USEF’s director of national dressage programs.
Hallye, who now also will serve as chef de mission at the Olympic, Paralympic, and Pan American Games as well as the FEI World Championships, cited how fortunate she has been “to work with a great team at US Equestrian over the last 10-plus years, and I am grateful for the knowledge and experience that has been shared with me.
“We have busy months ahead readying for the many events on the calendar for the FEI disciplines. We have a strong staff at the US Equestrian office, and we will be working closely on not only the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games but also focusing on the home Olympics and Paralympics –- Los Angeles 2028 –- which are on the quickly approaching horizon.”
Hallye Griffin.
Hallye managed U.S. dressage team efforts at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and the 2021 Games in Tokyo. which yielded team bronze and team silver medals respectively. She also served as team leader through two world championships, several Nations Cups and national championships, providing leadership, oversight and support for medal-winning teams. Beyond dressage, she was team leader for para dressage and vaulting teams at the 2014 WEG.
Laura Roberts, who worked with Hallye for five years as dressage performance and event support director, has been promoted to managing director of dressage.
It is great to see USEF promoting from within for important jobs. There are a number of people in key positions at the federation who have not only talent, but also great familiarity with the organization as well as the various disciplines, and can easily move up.
Lizzy Chesson, the USEF’s respected managing director of show jumping, said of Hallye’s promotion, “I’m super supportive and excited for her. I think we’ll be a great team. We’ve worked together as team leaders since 2016. We have a great relationship and we both are very focused on performance and growing the sport.”
Dressage technical advisor Debbie McDonald noted that over the years, she and Hallye “have shared many memories together” and in terms of their day-to-day dressage working relationship, “I am really going to miss her.”
At the same time, Debbie noted, “But she is still a part of the team. Laura is great, so I am sure we will be fine.”
Olympic medalist Adrienne Lyle posted about Hallye: “While all of us dressage folks would selfishly love to keep you to ourselves forever, I can’t think of a better person in the world to step up to this role than you. You have been the reason behind countless achievements for USA dressage and I feel fortunate to have had the privilege to work with you.”
Graeme, who competed in eventing, served as chair of the Canadian High-Performance Committee and as a chef d’equipe for Canada and New Zealand at major championships over the last 15 years.
He was appointed when Will Connell, USEF’s director of sport for eight years, resigned in 2022 to pursue other opportunities. At the same time, David O’Connor, a former USEF president and eventing individual Olympic gold medalist, was named the federation’s chief of sport
In explaining the decision to leave his position, Graeme said, “Over recent months, I have encountered some evolving personal obligations that are limiting my ability to commit the necessary time in my role as director of FEI and high-performance sport. It is out of great respect to the United States Equestrian Federation, the sport department, and most importantly, to the athletes, that I am stepping aside.”
He will, however, remain in a consulting role to ensure a smooth transition and continue as a resource for the federation.
“I welcome and look forward to staying on over the next few months to assist in special projects with a particular focus on Major Games preparedness,” said Graeme, adding, “I am confident that Hallye will do an excellent job and represent the federation and its athletes admirably.”
Hallye will report to David, who noted, “I am very enthusiastic about Hallye coming on as the Federation’s Director of FEI Sport. Hallye’s experience with the Olympic successes that dressage has achieved in these past eight years is a testament to her leadership qualities.
“Coming up the ladder from within the USEF family places Hallye in a position that will allow for a seamless transition and keep USEF athletes focused on the path toward the 2023 Pan American Games in October and the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games next summer. We are fortunate to have someone with these qualities step into this important role.”
