Rob Hoekstra to step down as manager

Rob Hoekstra has announced he is to step down as World Class Performance showjumping manager at the end of the year.

Incisive style

Since his appointment British Showjumping has enjoyed one of its most successful periods, winning six championship medals. The highlight was the London 2012 Olympic Games where the team won gold for the first time in 60 years

Gordon Burton, interim World Class head of performance said: “When Rob came into the sport in 2010 his incisive style quickly unified our athletes as a team and provided vital coaching and leadership to enable them to achieve their full potential, the turning point coming at the European Championships in 2011.

“Since then he has transformed the outcomes of the discipline to inspire a new generation and his efforts will have a long reaching positive impact on the sport. We wish him well for the future.”

Criticism

According to the BEF Rob has left to “take up new challenges elsewhere in the sport.” Rob said it’s a good time for a new manager to take over, as it allows them time to prepare for the Rio Oympics in 2016 – although Britain has yet to qualify.

Despite having overseen the team through a period of great success, Rob came under criticism when the British team didn’t make it to the final round at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) earlier this year. The result also meant Britain failed to secure qualification for the next Olympics. They now have to wait until the 2015 European Championships for another chance.

Fantastic journey

Rob stated the new performance manager will be taking over a “great team”.

“We are reigning Olympic and European Champions and have the number one in the world in Scott Brash,” he said. “I believe the sport at performance level is in a very exciting phase. With our existing championship riders and all the new talent coming through the future looks very bright for continued British team success.

“It has been a fantastic journey but it had always been my goal to lead the team to victory in London and then explore other opportunities and look for new challenges within our sport and I believe this is the right time to do that.”

Rob will step down from his role as performance manager on 1 January 2015. A new manager will be announced in due course.