Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the promotion of Sara Ike to the position of Managing Director of Eventing. Ike has worked at the USEF Gladstone office since 2003, and has served as the Eventing High Performance Director since March of 2007. Prior to that appointment she was the Director of Vaulting.

In 2007 she was the Team Leader for the Eventing team which swept the medals at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She also traveled to the test event with two horses and riders in Hong Kong in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games. She will continue to serve in her role as the USEF coordinator of USADA and WADA programs.

“Sara has tremendous drive and energy,” said Jim Wolf, Executive Director of USEF Sport Programs. “Coupled with her organizational skills and extensive background in equestrian sport, I'm confident she will continue to make a positive impact on the USEF's Eventing programs. She has been an outstanding member of our management team since she began working for the USEF in 2003.”

A New Jersey native, Ike, 30, is the daughter of Sally Ike who has worked for USEF for 19 years. Sally has served as the Managing Director of Show Jumping since 2003. Sara's father, John Ike III, is also an avid horseman who hunts regularly with the Millbrook Hunt.

“I'm excited to expand the scope of my involvement in eventing,” said Sara. “I truly believe it is the ultimate test of horse and rider, and I'm thrilled to be part of such an exciting sport.”

Sara will continue to work closely with Shealagh Costello, National Director of Eventing, and the USEF's Eventing affiliate, the United States Eventing Association (USEA).

“I look forward to continue mapping out the sport's future with Shealagh and the USEA,” she said. “I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to enhance the sport and to work closely with everyone already invested in eventing.”