USEF Launches a Chef d'Equipe Apprentice Program for Combined Driving
March 1 is the Application Deadline
February 17, 2026 at 10:54 AMBy a.dunne
The US Equestrian Federation (USEF) is launching a new program for combined driving - a Chef d’Equipe Apprentice Program. The initiative is designed to identify individuals with the potential to be developed to fill future Chef d’Equipe positions.
What an apprentice will do
The selected Apprentice, for an unpaid role, will work alongside the Chef d’Equipe, supporting a variety of tasks to gain first-hand experience with a deeper understanding of the responsibilities required of a Chef d’Equipe at a Championship. However, the Apprentice will not participate in team selection or hold any decision-making authority at the Championship.
How to apply
Interested applicants must submit the online application available on their USEF Dashboard by March 1, 2026. Following the deadline, all applicants and required materials will be reviewed by a panel consisting of USEF staff members, USEF Driving Chef d’Equipe, and an Eligible Athlete to determine program recommendations.
The panel will consider FEI competition experience, knowledge of the FEI rules and procedures, licensed official experience, and more.
Additional details are available here.
The above is an edited USEF press release.
Photo credit: ©Christine Rivet/US Equestrian
Related Articles
The Fire Horse Canters into a New Year
Today, February 17, 2026, marks the beginning of the new year, according to the traditional Chinese calendar. 2026 is the year of the Fire Horse and also marks the 43rd year in the 78th cycle of this calendar system. While the turn of the year in the Gregorian calendar took place on January 1, the Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar.
Other8 hours ago
National Horse Show Plans Move to Tryon International Beginning in 2026
A major shift could be on the horizon for one of American equestrian sport’s most storied events. The National Horse Show has revealed plans to relocate to Tryon International Equestrian Center beginning in 2026, subject to approval by the United States Equestrian Federation.
OtherFebruary 13, 2026
Brenden Weiss Claims Ariat National Adult Medal
Adult Equitation competition took center stage, where Brenden Weiss of Haverport, Massachusetts, captured the tricolor in the Ariat National Adult Medal.Weiss Climbs the LeaderboardPartnering with Monaco Optimus, owned by Maria Fernanda Gonzalez Jubiz, Weiss delivered a polished overall performance that earned a score of 89.1.
OtherFebruary 12, 2026
Latest News
Construction Well Underway of 2 of 5 New Barns for Wellington
Construction is well underway of two of five new horse barns for newly developed area of Wellington International scheduled to host the Global Dressage Festival in 2027.The roofs of both barns are being installed as work progresses on building concrete pads for the three other barns.Plans call for each barn to have 60 horse stalls measuring 12 ft. x 12 ft./3.6m x 3.6m.
Dressage2 hours agoThe Fire Horse Canters into a New Year
Today, February 17, 2026, marks the beginning of the new year, according to the traditional Chinese calendar. 2026 is the year of the Fire Horse and also marks the 43rd year in the 78th cycle of this calendar system. While the turn of the year in the Gregorian calendar took place on January 1, the Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar.
Other8 hours agoThe Soul of the Sport: How Mimi Gochman Is Redefining Equestrian Excellence
In our exclusive feature, we dive into the world of international showjumping sensation Mimi Gochman.
Jumping10 hours ago