Mark Phillips will stop training US eventing team after 2012

Captain Mark Phillips (pictured) will hang up his boots as manager of the US eventing team after the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The US Equestrian Federation (USEF) is already starting to form a “search committee” to look for a successor to Capt Phillips, a Horse & Hound columnist and former Olympic gold medallist for Britain.

During his 20 years as chef d’equipe and technical advisor to the US three-day eventing team, Capt Phillips has led America to 23 team and individual medals. This includes a clutch of gold, silver and bronze medals at many Olympic Games, including individual silver for Gina Miles at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong.

Announcing his retirement this week, Capt Phillips said it is now time “to let someone else have a go”.

The USEF search committee will include athletes, committee members and experts in equestrian sport. The committee’s first responsibility will be to create a job description, in advance of advertising the position later this year.

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