The Austrian Equestrian Federation (EFA) announced that Deborah MacNicol has been appointed Chef d'Equipe for Dressage for the next four years including the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The Appointment Panel consisted of Sue Bright (Chair), Jan Geary (the other member of the National Dressage Committee), Glennis Barrey (Rider with international experience), Peter Horne (High Performance Manager) and Geoff Sinclair (National Director).

Deb MacNicol has been the driving force behind the Victorian State Dressage Championship and Winergy Dressage Festival CDI . She has been a long time chair of Dressage Australia and is quoted as being "a walking rule book," and "a most necessary, undaunted Technical Delegate."

Photo copyrighted: Mary Phelps - featuring Australian dressage rider Emma Youngman on Rasputin at the CDI Wiesbaden