Eventing’s new HP manager: a coup for NZ?

Canada's loss, New Zealand's gain?

Graeme Thom’s appointment has caused controversy in his homeland of Canada

Graeme Thom’s appointment as New Zealand’s new High Performance Eventing Manager has been met with a mixed reaction. Some are definitely celebrating, and others are furious.

The angry ones are upset – and Canadian – because New Zealand has secured who they see as Canada’s best chef d’equipe in recent history; there were efforts even just recently to get Equestrian Canada to take him back after his resignation just before the 2014 World Equestrian Games.

Jennifer Anstey, editor of Canada’s Horse Sport magazine and other equestrian-related publications, has told us of the impact this announcement had in Canada.

“Graeme has a fantastic reputation among Canadian eventers, who are bitterly disappointed not to have him as part of our team. He is a passionate advocate for the athletes, and a stickler for following the established processes. The Canadian eventing community is quite upset at losing such an experienced and successful advocate to another country.”

She talked to Graeme after the appointment was announced – click on this link to see the resulting article.

Patricia Da Silva, another Canadian, founder of Horse Junkies United, Heels Down Media and part of the family business ECOGOLD was another to say NZ had made a good decision. “Team NZL gains a great asset. From my experience as a sponsor of the Canadian team, Graeme is the lynchpin who understands all the stakeholders – athletes, owners, coaches, vets, sponsors, etc – and helps provide the best conditions for success.”

Many other Canadians have taken to social media to vent their frustration with their national federation since ESNZ announced the appointment. Morag O’Hanlon, who has many years’ experience as a rider and a coach, was one.

“I cannot begin to say how bitter I am about this. The Canadian riders and owners have begged EC to take Graeme Thom on as part of our eventing team. However, the completely non-horsemen/horsewomen who have taken dictatorial charge of our sport wouldn’t listen to any of us. I personally feel that the leadership of EC is at an all-time low and my own sport is being crushed out of existence at the high performance level. New Zealand now has both our vet and our chef from the most successful teams we ever had. And we are left with…  I am absolutely bitter about the loss of Graeme Thom to New Zealand. We have lost him now and we can’t get him back.”

Morag’s daughter, Selena, represented Canada at the Beijing Olympics and the 2010 World Equestrian Games. She was named as part of the Canadian eventing team for the Rio Olympics, but the Canadian Federation withdrew her on the basis of veterinary medical grounds, though did not provide the report to Selena, who came out publicly saying her horse was fine.

So, understandably, Morag might have a negative bias against Equestrian Canada. But she’s not the only person who believes Canada’s loss is New Zealand’s gain.

Jenni Autry, an acclaimed American equestrian journalist, says: “It is brilliant news for the Kiwis. Graeme Thom is quite simply the best.”

Elizabeth Hay, who has worked for CBC and Radio Canada, posted this: “I am so sad to hear this news. Equestrian Canada has cut off its nose to spite its face. I am happy for Graeme Thom that New Zealand has recognised his skill and knowledge. It is a shame, a deep, deep shame that Canada did not.”

Eventing Connect, an eventing news website, states in its article on the appointment: “Top Canadian Eventers had recently put forth a letter to Equestrian Canada requesting Graeme’s return in a paid position after the team management and selection disasters [referred to in more detail in the article] that have taken place in the last two years since his resignation. The request to Equestrian Canada obviously was ignored. Now one of the most competitive eventing teams in the world have scooped up our Canadian treasure! We wish Graeme much success in his new position.”

Canadian supporters may have been cheering at the Olympics but they are not cheering now on the news of Graeme Thom’s appointment to the NZ Team

ESNZ, in announcing the appointment, outlined Graeme’s background in finance and said that when he was the Canadians’ chef d’equipe it was “most certainly the heyday of eventing for Canada, with the team winning the greatest number of medals in any similar period in its history.”

Graeme held the chef d’equipe position for the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio, the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong, the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (where the Canadians won team silver), the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara (individual gold) and the 2012 Olympics in London.

The 55-year-old has also competed as an amateur to CCI3* level, and was shortlisted for the Canadian eventing team.

ESNZ also provided a statement from Graeme: “I am extremely excited to be joining Eventing Team New Zealand. I have always admired the New Zealand teams that have done so well in the sport of eventing. What is particularly impressive is the high respect afforded the athletes both on and off the field of play. They certainly represent their nation well at every turn.”

This position fills the gap left by Erik Duvander’s exit as high performance coach in October last year. The pair were both chefs d’equipe at the same time at one point and there have always been great friendships between many of the riders in both teams. However, Graeme’s role has been structured differently from the coaching role held by Erik for 10 years.

Sarah Dalziel-Clout, the High Performance Director, talked to us about how the role has evolved within the high performance programme. “The role is now more of a manager than the traditional coach role. The evolution of the programme now means there is specialist support and individual trainers for each rider. It is now more about sitting above that support in a managerial role, ensuring there is the right environment for great performances.”

HP director Sarah Dalziell-Clout (Image: Libby Law Photography)

There was a high quality of applicants and a good response to the advertisements, and Sarah is really excited about getting someone of Graeme’s excellence on board. “His references were glowing, and all the people we spoke to were sorry Canada was losing him. He has worked with some high-calibre people like David O’Connor and Bruce Davidson. There is a lot of respect for him.”

With Graeme’s appointment, there is also an opportunity for Sarah’s role to change. “Graeme is so experienced in financials and budgeting that he may take on some of the stuff that I have traditionally done. That will free me up to grow the programme further, and to explore additional funding sources.”

She was also pleased that most of the riders already have a good relationship with Graeme. “He knows most of them from when he was with the Canadian team and there has always been a lot of crossover and good relationships between the teams.”

 

Andrew Nicholson: could Graeme broker peace?

As to whether he could be the person to broker some peace between Andrew Nicholson and ESNZ, Sarah said that she hadn’t yet spoken about that with Graeme. “There is a lot to discuss when he starts, and that is one on the long list of things we need to talk about!”

Graeme is due here in early February, but has yet to lock in his flights. He will be splitting his time between various places in the world, some in New Zealand and some in the UK as well as his home base, Canada. Sarah confirmed that Jock Paget and Clarke Johnstone will be very involved with the programme here in New Zealand and as such will work closely with Graeme. “Our performance programme is now split between UK and NZ, so Graeme’s role will be very mobile.”

We hope that Graeme likes flying, then!

 

 

 

 

 

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