Mary Longden Appointed Para-Dressage Athlete Development Coach

Equine Canada is pleased to announce Mary Longden from Port Hope, ON has been appointed Para-Dressage Athlete Development Coach for 2016.

Longden has been an integral part of the Canadian Para-Equestrian High Performance Coaching Team for more than five years. In her new role, she will be responsible for identifying and developing the next generation of potential Paralympic athletes by working with development-level para-dressage athletes and coaches in Canada. Longden will help developing para-dressage athletes set long-term competition goals and establish appropriate training regimes to help ensure successful skill development.

“We are delighted that Mary will be continuing her valuable work developing Canada’s para-equestrian riders,” said Elizabeth Quigg, Chair of the Canadian Para-Equestrian Committee. “Her depth of knowledge and experience is paramount. Canada will need a strong team for the Bromont World Equestrian Games in 2018, and having Mary work with aspiring riders and their coaches can only make us more competitive.”

Longden is an internationally sought after coach (Level 3) in para-dressage, jumping and eventing. She has a vast number of achievements and recognitions within para-equestrian sport, including coaching riders to the podium at World Equestrian Games, Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Longden has served as Vice President and Secretary General of the Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International (FRDI), has written a multitude of books on para-equestrian sport, and regularly delivers academic papers at major international conferences.

Some of Longden’s career highlights include coaching Canadian riders to achieve world-class performances at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, 2012 Paralympic Games, 2014 World Equestrian Games, and 2015 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC).

For more information on Para-Equestrian Canada, visit www.equinecanada.ca/para-equestrian.