US Equestrian (USEF) has announced the appointment of Robert (Bobby) Costello as Eventing Technical Advisor/Chef d’Equipe.
The appointment follows Costello’s time as the interim USEF Eventing Chef d’Equipe and Team Manager, following changes to the US Eventing Team Management in 2021
In this interim role, Costello helped to lead the USEF Land Rover Eventing Team to a Team Silver at the FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni, Italy, their first World Championship medal in 20 years
“It is an immense honour to be named Technical Advisor/Chef d’Equipe for USEF Eventing,” says Costello. “I’ve been involved in the sport beginning with my first competition at the age of twelve and have been privileged to wear many different hats within the sport ever since.
Being Interim Chef for the last seven months has left me with a clear idea of what is necessary in supporting our athletes in producing more exciting medal-winning performances for the U.S. As we look toward the Paris Olympic Games 20 months from now, I look forward to getting right to work collaborating with our top athletes, owners, grooms, and USEF Staff. I am deeply appreciative of this opportunity.”
Costello will work with Graeme Thom, the recently appointed USEF Director of FEI/HP Sport
“I am delighted that Bobby will be extending his duties as USEF Eventing Chef d’Equipe and Team Manager with our WEG 2022 Silver Medal Team in Eventing” says Thom “I have known Bobby for a number of years and was impressed with how he adapted to the interim role and supported our Eventers in Italy. I have no doubt that Bobby will be a constructive and encouraging influence as he begins the next leg of the journey to Paris 2024. I very much look forward to working with him.”
Costello first became involved in the discipline of Eventing in the 1970s and has enjoyed a successful career as a competitor and coach for over 30 years, competing at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, earning an individual eighth place. On the sport governance front, he has held numerous positions, including chairing the USEF Active Athletes Committee (2001-2008) and the USEF Eventing High Performance Committee (2009-2012).
He also chaired the USEF Eventing Selection Committee for the Olympic, World, and Pan-American Games from 2013 through the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Most recently, Costello has been serving as the interim USEF Eventing Chef d’Equipe and Team Manager
