Bobby Costello, who smoothed the waters after a turbulent time for U.S.eventing two years ago, has decided not to continue as technical advisor and chef d’equipe for the discipline after his contract expires Nov. 30 at the end of the Olympic quadrennium.
Bobby, who is both respected and admired, noted his involvement “has been an incredible journey with this program and this role has brought me so much purpose over the past two years. For both personal and professional reasons, I have decided it’s time to step away and allow a fresh face to continue moving this program forward towards the success I know we’re capable of producing as a country and program.
“It’s been an honor to work alongside our athletes, team staff, owners, and supporters to bring some incredible moments of success back to the U.S. over the past two years. It’s bittersweet, but I am looking forward to continuing to support our U.S. eventing team in the years to come.”
Bobby Costello. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Bobby rode in the 2000 Olympic as an individual. His successes in the administrative end of the sport include the first team medal in nearly 20 years (a silver) at the 2022 FEI World Championship, two podium finishes at CHIO Aachen, a team silver at the 2023 Pan American Games, and a podium finish at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup in the Boekelo CCIO4*-NC-L in the Netherlands this fall. The U.S. Eventing Team finished seventh at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with Bobby at the helm.
In the fall of 2022, the U.S. Equestrian Federation offered no explanation for dropping Erik Duvander from the chef role, a little more than nine months before the 2022 Eventing World Championships in Italy.
Eventing “stakeholders” were notified by USEF in a brusque email that Erik’s contract, which expired Nov. 30, would not be renewed and that Jenni Autry, the managing director of eventing, was no longer with the federation. Peter Wylde, who had been coaching eventers in show jumping, also was dropped. Both Erik and Peter are still training U.S. eventers on an individual basis.
The controversial action followed “a detailed review involving stakeholder surveys” and a series of meetings among eventing constituents, USEF CEO Bill Moroney and the organization’s president, Tom O’Mara.
Bobby filled the chef role with style and grace, his congenial approach winning him friends and admirers.
“I know I speak for everyone when I say Bobby’s commitment and leadership in this role helped the program find its feet and has set us on the upward trajectory towards future success,” said Amber Braun, USEF managing director of eventing.
“We’re incredibly sad to see Bobby depart this role, but have nothing but gratitude and respect for the achievements and contributions he has made to U.S. Eventing during his term. We wish him all the best in his next chapter, and we will continue to focus on the LA 2028 Olympic Games.”
Now the mission is searching for someone to fill Bobby’s role. No details of that process have been announced.