HORSE Sport Ireland (HSI) and Para Equestrian Ireland (PEI) have announced the appointment of Naomi Donoghue as Chef d’Equipe for the Irish Para Equestrian Dressage Team. The position will run up to and include the Paralympic Games in London 2012.

Naomi replaces Avril O’Byrne, who stepped down after the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

Naomi Donoghue, a native of Mallow in Cork, comes to the role with strong credentials. As the current co-ordinator for Dressage Ireland’s Silver Spurs scheme, Naomi also serves on the Board of Dressage Ireland as the Regional Representative for South Munster and as the Judges Representative and Rider Training Co-ordinator on the South Munster Dressage Committee.

As a HSI Level 1 Assistant Coach and Dressage Ireland List 6 Judge, she has coached riders from grassroots to national level.

As Chef d’Equipe, Naomi will be responsible for devising and implementing a strategy to maximise the Irish Para Equestrian Dressage Team’s chance of qualifying for London 2012 and will be responsible for the High Performance Programme.

Speaking about her appointment, Naomi said: “It is an absolute privilege to be awarded this post. I have great expectations for our Para Equestrian team. I think we really have very talented riders and I am very excited that I have been given the opportunity to work with them.”

PEI Chairman and Horse Sport Ireland Director, Norman Storey, said; “We are delighted to have Naomi on board to build on the previous excellent work of Avril O’Byrne. Our goal is to qualify a team for the Paralympic Games in London 2012.”