German former Olympic team rider Klaus Balkenhol, 68, has resigned as American team trainer. According to the U.S. Equestrian Federation, a mutual decision has been made not to renew the contract of USEF National Dressage Coach Balkenhol which expires at the end of 2008.
The decision between Balkenhol and the USEF’s High Performance Dressage Committee means that his role as Chef d’Equipe, National Dressage Coach and Technical Advisor to the Committee shall be concluded according to the terms of the existing contract on December 31, 2008.
In recognition of Balkenhol’s excellent service to the USEF over the past eight years the High Performance Dressage Committee looks forward to further discussions about his future role with the USEF and the support he can lend to our international riders both in the US and in Europe. Balkenhol has guided the US Team to a number of Team medals during his tenure, including Gold at both the 2003 and 2007 Pan American Games, Silver at the 2002 World Equestrian Games and Bronze at the 2004 Olympic Games and 2006 World Equestrian Games.
Balkenhol's resignation does not come as a shocking surprise as his term would end in December 2008 and Balkenhol expressed no real desire to have it renewed. The U.S. team did not perform to the expectations at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. The fantastic fourth individual place of Steffen Peters with Ravel is eclipsed by the Courtney King doping case and Debbie McDonald's below par performance on Brentina in the Olympic team competition. The U.S. team was unfortunately scratched from the results list as King's Mythilus was caught on being doped on Felbinac.
Klaus Balkenhol has moved on and made new plans for the future outside the U.S. The German is currently training the British Olympic team rider Laura Bechtolsheimer and rumours have it that he might coach Nadine Capellmann again. "Already in Hong Kong, I was approached by various people with the question if I would train Nadine again," Balkenhol said. "We have met since then, but nothing has been decided yet."
Balkenhol will fulfil his duties for the U.S.E.F until the end of the year. "But I still have to think about it, if there still will be a work relationship with American dressage riders. We'll have some talks about it at the right time."
Details about the appointment of a new coach for the period leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games will be discussed at a Dressage Athletes' Forum in November 2008. Riders who are on the 2008 USEF Long List for Training will be invited to meet with members of the USEF Dressage Active Athletes Committee to discuss a wide range of topics relating to the Dressage High Performance Strategic Plan for the next quadrenium, including the coaching requirements for Young Riders, Developing Riders, and Elite Riders.
Photos copyrighted: Eurodressage
Related Links
Klaus Balkenhol – The Man and His Training Methods
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Klaus Balkenhol Appointed U.S. Dressage Team Coach