USEF Announces the Appointment of Hallye Griffin as Director of FEI Sport

March 23, 2023

USEF announces the appointment of Hallye Griffin as Director of FEI Sport

The US Equestrian Federation announces the appointment of longtime US Equestrian Associate Hallye Griffin as Director of FEI Sport. Griffin will take over the duties of former Director of FEI/High Performance Sports, Graeme Thom, who has decided to step down from his role to attend to personal matters.

“In recent months I have encountered some evolving personal commitments that are limiting my ability to devote the necessary time in my role as Director of the FEI and High Performance Sport,” said Thom. “I resign out of great respect for the United States Equestrian Federation, the Department of Athletics and most importantly, the athletes.”

Griffin, who will also serve as Chef de Mission at the Olympic, Paralympic and Pan American Games, as well as the FEI World Championships, will have plenty of support from Thom, who will remain in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition and a resource if needed to stay.

“I welcome and look forward to staying over the next few months to help with specific projects with a particular focus on Major Games preparation,” said Thom.

Griffin comes into the role with extensive experience and deep knowledge of the sport. A Kentuckian native, she joined USEF in 2011 as Director of National Dressage Programs after serving as the Competitions Department Assistant at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Promoted to General Manager Dressage in 2015, she has overseen both the National and FEI sides of the discipline, allowing her to hone her managerial and leadership skills.

Griffin led the US team’s efforts at two Olympic Games (Rio and Tokyo), each of which earned a team bronze and a team silver medal. In addition, she has served as Dressage Team Leader at two World Championships, several Nations Cup events, Finals and National Championships and has provided leadership, supervision and support to teams that have won multiple medals. Griffin’s experience extends beyond dressage having served as Team Leader for the US Para Dressage and Vaulting teams at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

“I am thrilled that Hallye Griffin has agreed to step into my position. Hallye brings a proven track record from her experience as Managing Director of Dressage and is respected by all who have worked with her. I am confident that Hallye will do an excellent job and represent the federation and its athletes admirably,” added Thom.

Griffin will report to and work closely with USEF Director of Athletics David O’Connor, and will assume her duties on March 22.

“I am very excited that Hallye is taking over as the Federation’s FEI Sporting Director,” said O’Connor. “Hallye’s experience of the Olympic successes that dressage has achieved over the past eight years is a testament to her leadership qualities. Rising from the USEF family puts Hallye in a position to ensure a seamless transition and keep USEF athletes focused on the road to the 2023 Pan American Games in October and the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games next summer. We are fortunate to have someone of these qualities step into this important role.”

The key to a smooth transition will be having a trusted member of Griffin’s team fill the position she vacates. Effective immediately, Laura Roberts will become Managing Director of Dressage. Previously, Roberts served as Dressage Performance and Event Support Director. Roberts has worked under Griffin’s leadership for five years and is well prepared for the transition.

Griffin is excited about the future and grateful for the knowledge and experience she has gained preparing for her new role.

“I have been fortunate to work with a great team at US Equestrian for the past 10+ years and I am grateful for the knowledge and experience that has been shared with me,” she said. “We have busy months ahead of us preparing for the many events on the FEI discipline calendar. We have a strong team in the US Equestrian office and will not only work closely together on the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but also focus on the home Olympic and Paralympic Games – Los Angeles 2028 – which are fast approaching on the horizon . ”