Albert and Shortt confirmed for 2024 HSI High Performance eventing programme

Dag Albert and Sue Shortt

Horse Sport Ireland Chief Executive Denis Duggan has confirmed that Dag Albert has been appointed to the role of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) High Performance Director for Senior Eventing and will lead the Irish team into the Olympic Games in Paris next summer.

Albert, with a wealth of experience, has been in the role on an acting basis since 2022 and will spearhead Ireland’s hopes in Paris with Irish eventing in rude health coming off the back of some impressive performances at the highest level.

The Swede was at the helm for fantastic underage success over the last couple of years as he led Irish Junior teams to medal wins, and took the reins as manager of the Eventing team manager at the FEI World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Le Lion D’Angers earlier this year.

Having competed at the 1996 and 2008 Olympic Games as an athlete Albert boasts an impressive CV, and his involvement with the senior Irish team makes him the ideal candidate to oversee the lead-up to the Olympic Games and beyond.

With the likes of Austin O’Connor coming off the back of an incredible 2023 season which him finish third at Badminton and winning a first Irish five-star in 65 years at Maryland with Colorado Blue, Albert can be sure to have some of the world’s best to choose from in Paris.

Many of Ireland’s eventing athletes are bidding for a place on the plane to Paris, and Ireland can be hopeful of medal success in the summer and Albert is thrilled to be leading the team.

He said: “I am delighted to lead the HSI High Performance Eventing Team to Paris next summer. Having lead the team to qualification in Pratoni, Italy at the 2022 World Equestrian Games, it is a great honour now to build on that success, and lead the team to the 2024 Olympic Games.”

Former double Irish Eventing Olympian Sue Shortt, will take over Dag Albert’s former role at Junior Manager. She has been the Young Rider Manager since 2021 and for the year ahead will manage both the Young Rider and Junior Eventing programmes for Horse Sport Ireland.

HSI Chief Executive, Denis Duggan, said: “We are delighted to have secured Dag’s services as High Performance Director for Senior Eventing in what is a very exciting period for Irish eventing. Equally, we are pleased that our existing Young Rider Manager, Sue Shortt will assume additional responsibilities for the Junior Programme while Dag focusses on the Olympic programme over the months ahead.”

“Dag has done a fantastic job at underage level and in the role as Acting Director over the last 20+ months and he has the utmost trust of the organisation and the athletes as we build towards Paris. He has outlined his plans and hopes for the team and has had really productive conversations with our Acting Head of High Performance Sport, Bernard Jackman – we’re really excited for the future and delighted to have him leading the programme, with support from Sue in the Junior and Young Riders programme along with Jane Kinsella who continues as the Eventing Pony manager.”

All High Performance roles within Horse Sport Ireland are until October 2024, when the programmes will be reviewed after the Paris Olympic Cycle.