2003 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

Personality Profile: Jim Wolf

Ever present in the eventing world for the past couple of years has been the dispute over National Governing Body status between the US Equestrian Team (USET) and USA Equestrian (formerly the AHSA). With that finally settled and in the process of forming a joint Federation, both organizations can move forward and focus on events like the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** and the riders who keep the sport going.

Jim Wolf wears many hats, among them USET Director of Eventing and Director of Games Preparation and Athlete Services, which includes coordinating sponsors. In Kentucky his job has focused seriously on the sponsorship side of things, as well as coordinating television coverage with the Outdoor Life Network with Emmy award-winning producer Jim Carr and A-list commentator Jim Seger.

“This is one of the best-sponsored three-days in the world,” he said. “Rolex certainly is the longest sponsored events, by Rolex watch. It’s a model for everyone else as far as seeking sponsorship and making sure they stay involved. We always get sponsor input before making big decisions to make sure that they are involved.”

Wolf also coordinates team selectors and veterinarians, an especially important job in team selection years. He said,” The entire eventing world is here this weekend planning everything from the Pan-Am Games to the Olympic preparation. We can make a lot of decisions and move forward on them quickly.”

Not resting on his laurels when things do go right, Wolf commented that he always meets with Equestrian Events Incorporated at the end of the event to discuss what went right and what went wrong and where to make improvements for the future. “We make sure to discuss what went right too to make sure that you do it again next year,” he said. “We’re constantly improving the quality. Horses are our first focus, making sure that everyone is safe and sound.”

Wolf was please with Michael Etherington-Smith’s cross-country course this year and said, “It’s terrific for us in the US to have riders from around the world coming here to compete. It’s gives us really good exposure.”

Though Wolf hasn’t thrown his leg over a horse in a year, he keeps fit and de-stresses by racing a mountain bike. “I don’t have to feed it or groom it and I can fix it myself,” he grinned.

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