ON TO LOS ANGELES They’ve won three team silver medals in an Olympic row; Team USA will plan to go one better on home ground in Los Angeles in three years time.
As part of the process, US Equestrian recently announced that California-born Robert Ridland will continue his role as the U.S. Jumping Team Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor through 2028.
“During my time with the U.S. Jumping program, our teams and combinations have produced tremendous results at Championships and it’s important we keep the momentum moving forward into this next quad,” said Ridland, according to a US Equestrian press release. “I’m very proud of the development and growth we’ve seen in our programs and am committed to continuing that success over the next four years as we head into the home 2028 Olympic Games.”
Ridland, who himself competed at the Montreal Olympics, will continue to work alongside Managing Director of Jumping, Lizzy Chesson. Together they will oversee the management and advisement of the team programmes, performance and strategy.
The managers got off to a perfect start this weekend after Team USA’s home ground win in the Wellington Nations Cup, see Hippolink.
“We’re pleased with the outcome and appreciate the feedback and collaboration of the athletes and individuals who engaged with us through this process,” said Bill Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of US Equestrian.
“We look forward to supporting Robert Ridland and the team in their initiative of continuing to produce sustained success across the pathways in this next quadrennial."
Under Ridland and Chesson’s tenure, the team has produced top international championship results including three team Olympic silver medals (Rio de Janeiro 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024), two bronze team medals and a team gold at the Pan American Games (2015, 2019, 2023), as well as team bronze and a team gold at the FEI Jumping World Championships (Normandy 2014 and Tryon 2018), alongside numerous Nations Cup podium finishes.
Robert Ridland, Dublin 2024 © Susan Finnerty
Those Nations Cup results include a win at Dublin last year, where Ridland is pictured (above). Also pictured is Michael Blake, the Chef D’Equipe of the second-placed Irish team on that occasion. Ireland bid to defend their Ocala Nations Cup title later this month, after an impressive Wellington-Ocala Nations Cup double in 2024.
Currently, the United States hold the lead in the Hippomundo riders by nationality rankings - see here and Kent Farrington ranks second amongst show jumping riders in the latest rankings.
Back in 1984 - the most recent occasion for Los Angeles to host the Olympic Games - Team USA won team gold and individual gold and silver (Joe Fargis and Conrad Homfeld).
A big double act to follow!
