Para-Dressage Confirm New Managerial Appointments

The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has confirmed Georgina Sharples as the new Performance Manager for Para-equestrian Dressage and Erik Mackechnie-Guire as the new Performance Pathway Manager for Para-equestrian Dressage.

The British Para-equestrian Dressage team is one of the most successful in the world – with the Rio 2016 Paralympics and Tryon 2018 WEG yielding 15 medals in total.

Georgina will work with such riders as Paralympic gold-medallists Sir Lee Pearson CBE, Sophie Wells MBE and Natasha Baker MBE. She will lead the team at international competitions, European Championships, World Championships and Paralympic Games.

There are exceptional riders coming through the ranks and with more than 20 years of professional experience, Erik will work alongside these riders to support them on their journey to the podium.

Georgina will take up the Para-Dressage role whilst retaining a Head of Performance Support strategic role with the English Institute of Sport (EIS) across the Equestrian Team GBR World Class Programme (WCP).

Commenting on her new role Georgina said

I am delighted to be joining the team and immensely privileged to have the opportunity to lead such a well-regarded and high-performing World Class Programme on the journey to Tokyo 2020 and beyond. This is a really exciting time to be involved. It is a Programme with strength in depth; established medal-winning partnerships, exciting developing combinations, talented athletes combined with an incredible support team and I know we will relish the journey as we fully focus on our preparation for delivering personal best performances next summer in Tokyo 2020.”

Commenting on his new role, Erik said

It is a really exciting time to be joining the team. I am looking forward to working with an outstanding team of practitioners who collectively underpin and support our Paralympic athletes to create an environment where our athletes can grow and develop to achieve Podium success for Team GBR”.

Erik and Georgina will work together to deliver an effective programme that recognises potential, encourages growth and drives medal success in Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024, Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.

Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.