Jim Dunn's role as Chef d' Equipe (manager) of the Australian Three Day Event Team from 1993 has been one of personal effort to organise team logistics. This includes training and coaching schedules, horse veterinary inspections, travel to and from horse stables and training venues to accommodation.
Dunn's career started when he was appointed Chairman of National Selectors (1989 to present) - a panel of five to seven people responsible for selecting the Australian elite list (potential Olympic / world championship rider / horse combinations) and the Long List / A List of up and coming combinations all selected to participate in a national coaching scheme aimed at continuing our gold medal successes and bring in younger riders and horses up to elite / Olympic level. Dunn has played a major role in this program. As team manager / selector, he is one of the final decision makers on the day of competition to decide on team composition versus individual places.
Apart from his Olympic role, Dunn has been a stalwart in the administration of equestrian sports over many years. In addition to his role as Chairman of National Selectors, he continues in other administrative roles, including Chairman of the National Events Committee (1981 - present). This committee is ultimately responsible for the administration of the eventing discipline within equestrian sport in Australia.
Dunn is also a past president of the South Australian Branch of the Equestrian Federation of Australia from 1988/89 to 1993/94 and a long serving member of that state branch committee from 1976 to 1997. Dunn has more recently turned his talents to judging and has been a member of the grand jury at numerous international Three Day Events in Australia and is a qualified FEI International Judge for three day events and show jumping. In 2004, Dunn was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the development of equestrian sports in Australia and at Olympic level as a coach, manager, administrator and judge.
Jim's daughters Bridget & Hayley accepted his award
