Yogi Breisner to step down as eventing performance manager after Rio Olympics

Great Britain eventing team boss Yogi Breisner to step down from his role after the Olympics in Rio this summer.

The British Equestrian Federation confirmed it will start the search for a new performance manager later this year.

Breisner, 61, has overseen a period of sustained success for British eventing at international level.

Since taking charge eight months before the 2000 Sydney Olympics, his reign includes Britain winning four successive Olympic team medals - three silver and a bronze - five European team titles and the 2010 world team crown in Kentucky.

He said: "Having decided after London 2012 that I would step down as eventing performance manager following the Rio 2016 Olympics, now is the time to start the process of appointing my successor.

"However, my full concentration and focus remains on our preparations for Rio. When I took up the position of performance manager in 1999, it was the early days of lottery funding for equestrian sport. It is incredible to see how much it has developed since.

"I have been privileged to have been part of that evolution and to have worked with some world-leading athletes, horses and practitioners during that time.

"We have some very exciting British combinations available for selection for Rio and I am really looking forward to the opportunity, once again, to work together with such a professional team."

BEF performance director Dan Hughes said: "Yogi has played a central role in the success of the lottery-funded World Class Programme since 1999, and his knowledge, experience and advice will be sorely missed.

"However he remains absolutely focused - as we all are - on winning medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

"We are inviting expressions of interest in the role now so that we maximise our chances of attracting the very best candidates from around the globe, although interviews and selection will not start until later in the year after we return from Rio."