Changes to Equestrian Australia’s (EA) High Performance Leadership

With the focus for 2023 on key high performance outcomes to ensure qualification for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, EA has made some changes in the High Performance leadership, to optimise the team’s success now, and into the future.

Chris Webb is stepping down as High Performance Director.  Mr Webb will move into the role of High Performance Advisor. This will allow him to focus his time and expertise on working directly with our top riders and their support teams, in our funded Olympic and Paralympic disciplines, to drive performance outcomes.

Under Mr Webb’s leadership, which commenced in 2013, Equestrian has experienced significant success on the world stage including Olympic Silver and Bronze medals across the Rio and Tokyo Olympics and strong performances at the FEI World Championships. He has been instrumental in our success, has built key relationships and driven an increase in the sport’s funding.

We would like to thank Chris for his contribution in leading the team and we are fortunate to have him continue to work closely with the High Performance team.

Equestrian Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Will Enzinger as it’s High Performance Director, taking the helm effective from 1 March 2023, reporting directly to CEO, Darren Gocher.

Mr Enzinger has been the EA Deputy High Performance Director and Performance Pathways Manager since January 2020.  We congratulate him on this well deserved promotion and natural progression. Will has been involved in Equestrian for many years and has a strong background in High Performance, Sport Management and Strategic Planning.  He is a Level 3 Eventing Specialist Coach, and competes in Eventing. Will has been closely involved with the leadership of the program, including leading the team to the recent World Championships in Denmark and Italy. 

EA CEO, Darren Gocher said “The next 18 months are critically important for our sport, with Olympic Qualifications and then Paris Olympics and Paralympics. We are very confident we have the right people, structure and processes to set the team up and continue the incredible success we have had over the last decade and more.   I would like to congratulate Will on his appointment and thank Chris for his enormous contribution over the last 10 years.”

Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements said: “On behalf of the Australian Sports Commission, I would like to thank Chris Webb for his contribution to Equestrian and sport in Australia.

“We look forward to continue working closely with Equestrian Australia to ensure our athletes have the best platform for sustainable success for Paris 2024.”

Will Enzinger said “I’m excited to have the opportunity to lead the Equestrian Australia High performance team.  We have some amazing riders, coaches, grooms and support teams across the sport.  I am looking forward to working with them and our dedicated staff to deliver some great outcomes over the coming years”.

Equestrian sport in Australia has a great history and we have every confidence that that we have the right structure, with the right people to deliver success in Paris 2024 and beyond.