Jessica_Rhinelander_amd_Allende.JPGOttawa, ON—Para-Equestrian Canada is pleased to announce that Jessica Rhinelander of St. John’s, NL, will continue as a development coach in Eastern Canada for the upcoming year. An accomplished rider and coach, Rhinelander will fill a crucial role in the sport by working to transition talented para-dressage riders to higher levels of competition.

“We are very happy to have Jessica onboard,” said Elizabeth Robinson, High Performance chair and Chef d’équipe for Para-Equestrian Canada. “Development coaches determine the quality of our team in the years ahead, and Jessica will do a fantastic job with athletes in the Maritime region.”

As a development coach, Rhinelander will assess athletes who demonstrate an interest in para-dressage, and evaluate their suitability as future team members. It is a position she is excited to fill.

“I feel honoured to be appointed development coach,” Rhinelander said. “It gives me the chance to meet wonderful people and help them pursue their dreams.”

“Para-dressage has a strong development program for athletes that will help grow the sport, and provide guidance that athletes need to compete at the national and international stage competitively,” she added.

Rhinelander will work closely with national team coach Andrea Taylor to help athletes and their personal coaches set long-term goals and establish training regimes.

Rhinelander comes to the position with a solid coaching background. She spent the last four years working at the St. John’s Therapeutic Riding Association “Rainbow Riders,” where she specialized with competitive para-equestrian riders.

In addition to coaching, Rhinelander is also an accomplished dressage rider. She represented Canada at the 2008 FEI Young Rider Dressage World Cup Final, and was a member of the Canadian team that brought home a silver medal at the 2006 FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championships.