9 April 2015, Lexington, Kentucky ~ The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Dial as the U.S. Endurance Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor.
“I am very excited to be able to work with some of the best riders and horses in the USA. In the following few years my expectations are that we will rise to the top of our sport on the international playing field,” said Dial. “The U.S. is fortunate to have a lot of great athletes, both human and equine. I am happy we also have exceptional Junior and Young Riders to work with.
“With Mark’s knowledge of the sport and the wide breadth of his horsemanship, he is a great fit within USEF’s sport management program,” said Joe Mattingley, Chair of the High Performance Endurance Committee.
“Kristen Brett (USEF Endurance Director) and I look forward to working with Mark as we, in partnership with the Endurance Committees, develop and implement the plans that will take Endurance through to the Bromont 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. These plans will involve working with the AERC at grassroots and development level through to helping our most talented athletes prepare for the highest levels of competition. We are in the process of recruiting a Team Vet to work with and support Mark and then it will be full steam ahead,” said Will Connell, USEF Sport Director.
Dial’s abilities and knowledge in the sport of endurance will be a significant advantage to U.S. athletes as they prepare for the 2016 Longines FEI World Endurance Championships and the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. Additionally, Dial is tasked with developing and implementing a pipeline to identify talented athletes with the potential for future team and international success, while building the depth of upcoming talented athletes.
Mark Dial has a long history in the sport of endurance, having played many different roles in the sport throughout his career. From 1995-2004, Dial owned and operated a competition and training facility outside Houston, Texas, and spent time competing alongside his family members in endurance rides, while additionally working as an equine chiropractor. From 2004-2006, he spent six seasons in the United Arab Emirates managing endurance operations of the W’RSAN Stables. Following his time at W’RSAN Stables, Dial became chiropractor and equine sports massage therapist for the Dubai Equine Hospital working with endurance and flat racing horses. In 2009, Dial returned to Texas and currently continues to be involved with endurance as the operator of training facilities and ride host, as well as managing his chiropractic and massage practice.
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