David O'Connor Steps into the Chef d'Equipe Ring - By Nan Rawlins

David O'Connor, as Canadian Chef d'Equipe, WEG 2010

The race is definitely heating up as USEF President, Canadian Chef d'Equpe, and Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist  David O'Connor joined the ranks of the likes of the team of Robert Costello and Olympic Gold Medalist Phillip Dutton, and multiple Olympic Silver Medalist Jimmy Wofford - all vying for the positions of US Eventing Chef d'Equipe.

Current Chef, Captain Mark Phillips, has proved controversial over the past several years, raising a collective voice among the ranks of active riders asking for change. O'Connor hopes to offer just such a change.

O'Connor told The Chronicle of the Horse  that  this position… "has been a lifelong pursuit…"

Serving as USEF president since 2005, O'Connor successfully coached the Canadian team to a Bronze Medal in the WEG 2010 games. He has been very active in FEI politics, having been a vice-presidential candidate  for the recently unsuccessful FEI presidential bid of Henk Rottinghuis.

David O'Connor during WEG 2010

O'Connor told Chronicle of the Horse that he didn't want to go on as USEF President  and all his commitments will end in 2012 freeing him for concentration on the US Eventing program. 

He obviously feels he's raring to go and will prepare the US team for a return to it's medal-winning performances of the pas, telling the Chronicle,  "I have the experience of producing a medal winning team.  I'm itching to do it."

Eventing Day