15 December 2006

Amid a great deal of spectulation which began to filter out throughout the jumping at ISS-Tempo last weekend the EFA have moved quickly to make public the resignation of National Coach, Jamie Coman in the following release.

Coaching Changes in Jumping

Earlier this week, Mr. Jamie Coman tendered his resignation from the position of National Jumping Coach, stating: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my three years as Coach but feel that I am unable to give the position the necessary commitment leading up toBeijing.”

Coman had been contemplating this resignation since before the 2006 World Equestrian Games. He did, however, want to support the Australian effort at the WEG and stayed on until now. We thank Jamie for his dedication and commitment.

Coman was appointed to his position before the Athens 2004 Games. He worked with EFA Team officials and Selectors preparing for the 2006 WEG in Aachen and got particular pleasure from the performance that qualified Australia for Team participation in the 2008 Olympic Games.

National Jumping Committee Chair Vicki Roycroft said: "It is with regret that we accept
the resignation of Jamie Coman as National Coach. Jamie worked extremely hard to
improve the standard of our Elite and Developing riders, and it is rewarding to all of us
that we qualified a team this year for the Beijing Olympics. We wish Jamie well in his
future endeavours."

The High Performance Panel for Jumping is now reviewing the coaching program and is
now seeking expressions of interest from International coaches to assist in the Australian
team’s preparation for Beijing.