My Dressage

Building the Pipeline

From her greatest challenge—serving as US national dressage technical advisor— stemmed what may turn out to be Anne Gribbons’ greatest legacy

By Anne Gribbons with Katherine Walcott

When I was asked about my greatest dressage challenge, it was difficult to choose. Every horse I have trained presented a different challenge, and I have trained and shown 18 of my own to Grand Prix. Or surviving as a professional in a field that I had viewed as my hobby until I got married at 22. Or judging the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games as the head of the ground jury with a hurricane on the way.

But I think the biggest challenge I took on was the position with US Equestrian (USEF) as national dressage technical advisor and coach. When I started the job in 2009, it was the first time that US citizens were encouraged to apply, and the first time that the technical advisor was required to live full-time in the US during the contract period.

After my appointment by the USEF Elite Athletes Committee, there was some pushback from members of the press who preferred Robert Dover for the position, and even leaks from “confidential” conference calls, both of which made me feel uncomfortable. I had never been attacked for political reasons, and it was a strange experience. Meanwhile, our dressage facility at home could not be suspended in air but would still have to be a part of my duties. Had it not been for the support of my husband, David, who saw this as a great experience for me, I most likely would not have signed the contract.

What primarily attracted me to the job was the opportunity to organize a system for educating and helping athletes who were striving toward a berth on a US dressage team. Having worked for many years toward that goal and having ridden on a team myself, I knew that we needed a clearer pathway to the top. Like many riders, I had done several training and showing “hardship tours” in Europe. At the time there was little training or financial support available to the individual athlete with a good horse and big dreams. The USEF position was my chance to change things so that Americans would not have to spend years abroad in order to make a team.

Although I was told that my job was to “earn medals,” I did not see this as my only mission. Good teams come and go depending on the availability of quality horses and competent riders, but the “pipeline” that produces strong new combinations is the foundation of top nations’ continuing success. Building an educational and support system from FEI Juniors to elite Grand Prix became one of my goals. My first move was to gather and officially install the coaches for the various levels of development. (The one thing I could not convince the USEF to establish was a pony program, and I still think that is a missed opportunity that needs revisiting.)

As technical advisor, I was available 24/7 to the athletes at home, at team training and observation sessions, and at major competitions. A lot of travel was required, and I saw a great deal of this magnificent country in the process. Nothing was done online at that time, so showing up was the ticket.

As a team selection trial approached, the tension could become intense. Once the team was selected, the traveling, training, and showing in Europe were always exciting. I was never more nervous than when one of our riders was in the ring, and I totally shared their triumphs and tragedies.

Once I signed up, I never looked back and have no regrets about having taken the job. I learned a lot about working for a “firm,” which as a lifelong dressage professional was a new experience. There were some setbacks, but there were also wonderful opportunities for intense involvement in every aspect of our sport, and many more “highs” than I ever expected. The medals we won are good memories, but so are the team preparations and the daily work with many fabulous athletes and their horses. In the end, I take great personal satisfaction that the USEF pipeline, which has been improved and extended over the years, is doing well and helping to create new elite combinations for Team USA.

EYES ON THE GROUND: Gribbons ringside at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky

Anne Gribbons, of Chuluota, Florida, served as the US national dressage technical advisor and coach from 2009 through 2012. She is a Pan American Games team silver medalist and an FEI 5* dressage judge. In 2013 she was inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame. Katherine Walcott is a freelance writer based in Alabama.