LEXINGTON, Ky.--US Equestrian announced that Robert Ridland will continue in the role of U.S. Jumping Team Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor through 2028.
Robert Ridland (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)“During my time with the U.S. Jumping program, our teams and combinations have produced tremendous results at Championships, and it’s important we keep the momentum moving forward into this next quad,” said Ridland. “I’m very proud of the development and growth we’ve seen in our programs and am committed to continuing that success over the next four years as we head into the home 2028 Olympic Games.”
While Ridland is in Wellington with the U.S. team that will compete in the Nations Cup, a number of top riders, including Kent Farrington, McLain Ward, Richie Vogel and Beezie Madden, have traveled north to Ocala to compete at the World Equestrian Center.
Vogel on Viva Las Vegas W won the $32,000 Grand Prix Qualifier over Ward on Snap Chao Van de Broekkant Z.
Ward and Madden have each won speed classes and all four of them have also placed well in a number of other classes.
The post Paris review process looked at all aspects of the programs, including the role of the Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor.
This process included participation of U.S. Jumping Team riders with a broad range of team experience, as well as program staff, and key stakeholders.
Ridland will continue to work alongside Managing Director of Jumping, Lizzy Chesson, and together they will oversee the management and advisement of the team programs, performance, and strategy.
RIDLAND'S focus will be on delivering success at key events throughout the quad including the 2026 World Championships, 2027 Pan American Games, and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, as well as continuing to identify and introduce new horse and rider combinations at the CSIO5* level.
Under Ridland and Chesson’s tenure the team has produced top international championship results including three team Olympic silver medals (2016, 2020, 2024), two team bronze medals and team gold at the Pan American Games (2015, 2019, 2023), as well as team bronze and team gold at the FEI Jumping World Championships (2014, 2018), alongside numerous Nations Cup podium finishes.
Meanwhile at WEF, the overall title in the Under 25 Grand Prix Series is within reach for several up-and-coming show jumping talents.
Hallie Grimes currently leads the U25 Grand Prix Series season standings.
“I’ve been doing the U25 series for five years now and there was definitely a point where a U25 grand prix was the biggest thing I’d ever jumped,” said the Houston, Texas native. “Now I’ve jumped a few five-stars consistently. This year I have 10 horses here but a lot of them are quite young, so I’ve been focusing on producing them. I don’t have the string to compete at the highest level this year at WEF but my goal is to win the U25 series this year.”
The U25 Series in Wellington grows increasingly more competitive every year.
Current Top-10 Standings – U25 Grand Prix Series
Hallie Grimes (USA) 269.5
Tim Brennan (IRL) 248
Emily Dehoff (USA) 224
Isabelle Ehman (USA) 210.5
Nina Mallevaey (FRA) 183
Mia Bagnato (USA) 180
Niamh McEvoy (IRL) 179
Taylor Cawley (USA) 174
Carlee McCutcheon (USA) 161
Ansgar Holtgers Jr. (USA) 160
