The U.S. Equestrian Federation announced March 29 the hiring of Lisa Hellmer as its new para-dressage development coach. Hellmer will assist Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor Michel Assouline and Discipline Director Laureen Johnson with further implementation of a development pathway and support of new programs for athletes, as well as liaising with the Para Dressage Centers of Excellence with COE Coordinator Laura Roberts.

“I am really excited to be working with up-and-coming para-dressage athletes as the new development coach,” said Hellmer. “I hope to be another resource to riders and coaches working through the para-dressage program, helping them to navigate all the various aspects of the sport. I am thrilled for this opportunity to be part of U.S. Para Dressage.”

Hellmer will work closely with Assouline, Johnson and Roberts while implementing a developing program that can assist and advise athletes on setting and monitoring key performance indicators and tracking competition target goals. Hellmer will also provide guidance and structure to COEs, including scheduling visits, coordinating targeted symposiums and educational opportunities, while also supporting training and coaching at COEs. She’ll conduct observation sessions with athletes and their home coaches, and review progress of new athlete-and-horse combinations.

LIsa Hellmer has been hired as the USEF’s para-dressage development coach. Tylir Russ Photo Courtesy Of USEF.

Hellmer, a USDF bronze and silver medalist, runs her own business, LCH Equestrian, out of Ocala, Florida. She is a silver USEF Para-Dressage Coach and a USPC Traditional B graduate from Old North Bridge Pony Club in Massachusetts. Following her graduation from Johnson & Wales University (Rhode Island) with a degree in equine business management and a riding bachelor’s degree, Hellmer went on to work at the Hanoverian Verband in Verden, Germany, where she learned about starting and training young horses and preparing them for approval inspections. She has worked with many top trainers from around the world, and she regularly hosts clinics and educational opportunities at her farm in Ocala, to provide further support to athletes in her training program.

She begins her new position this month as the team looks ahead to the 2022 FEI Para-Dressage World Championships (Denmark) in August and beyond.