EA High Performance Staff support our Australian Equestrian Team members both domestically and internationally through various initiatives and programmes, pathways, and squad opportunities.
HP Staff also work closely with Selectors and Team Support crews. HP Sport Managers assist international based Australian riders with FEI entries and related administration requirements.
Will Enzinger, High Performance Director
Will oversees the entire program as High-Performance Director. This includes oversight in the management of, and collaboration with, relevant stakeholders of the disciplines of Dressage, Driving, Endurance, Eventing, Jumping, Vaulting and Para-Equestrian. An Equestrian athlete and coach, Will is well equipped to lead the future of Australian Equestrian High-Performance sport.
Nick Hunter, High Performance Para Equestrian Lead
Nick is responsible for coordinating the overall Para Equestrian programme, including the design and implementation of program strategy and planning. Nick joined the team in early 2022 following the EA HP Tokyo review process highlighting a need for additional leadership support to ensure the discipline remains on track to achieve podium targets. Nick has over 25 years’ experience in the sporting sector including Performance Manager and consultant at the AIS as well as considerable experience in Paralympic sports.
Stuart Tinney OAM – High performance Eventing Technical and Program Lead
Stuart Tinney OAM is an Olympic Gold and Bronze Medallist, Australian Eventing representative, elite coach, mentor and FEI-accredited course designer with more than 25 years’ experience at the highest levels of the sport. His career spans five Olympic Games, multiple World Championships, High-Performance coaching and technical advisory roles, and extensive development of riders and horses from emerging talent to international competition. As an experienced leader within Australian Eventing, Stuart combines elite competitive knowledge with a strong understanding of athlete development, horse welfare, coaching, competition strategy and cross-country standards. He is passionate about developing the people, horses and systems that will shape Australia’s future success.
Dianne Saunders, High Performance Dressage and Non-Olympics Manager
Di offers administration support to the HP Team as well as supporting Dressage, Driving, Endurance and Vaulting athletes based internationally with their entries and other FEI related requirements. Having competed in Jumping as a young rider, most recently the sandpit is her preferred discipline. Her children rode through the Junior ranks in Eventing as teenagers, where Di still happily assists the OC of Sydney Int 3DE. Di can be found enjoying all equestrian disciplines in her spare time.
Coco Miles, High Performance Jumping Manager
Coco administers the HP Jumping athletes. Australian Jumping athletes competing in FEI events overseas should contact Coco for entries, qualifications and other questions relating to FEI events. Coco has held many positions on EA Committees both at State and National level, as well as holding the role of rider’s representative. A keen Jumping competitor often found at events along Australia’s east coast, she has also spent time working and training in Europe.
Sam Bolton, High Performance Para Equestrian Pathways Lead
Sam will work collaboratively with state and industry stakeholders, Paralympics Australia and EA staff to activate strategies that support the Para Dressage performance pathway. She will also manage Equestrian Australia’s athlete classification program and be a key point of contact for Para High Performance pathway matters.
Sam brings with her extensive experience in the sporting sector. She has managed high performance cycling teams in Road and Track Cycling, worked with riders in BMX, Mountain Bike and Cyclocross, and is currently the WA Operations Coordinator for AusCycling. She is also familiar with equestrian sport, having been a recreational rider and instructor.
Julia Battams - Para Dressage Technical Lead
Julia’s role covers assisting the High-Performance Squad athletes with the planning, management and technical support of their competition and training plans towards key events including Paris Paralympics 2024 and Aachen WEG 2026. Julia has a Bachelor of Science degree and a Diploma of Education, in her personal sporting career, Julia is an FEI level dressage competitor and has educated many horses through to FEI level.
She is an EA Level 3 Dressage Specialist coach and Coach Educator and is a graduate of both the AIS Performance Coach and Podium Coach programs. Julia was the National Performance Director for Equestrian Australia in the disciplines of Dressage and Para Equestrian from 2009 until 2016. In this role Julia worked with State and National Squad athletes from their daily training environment planning through to the logistics and management of Australia teams at Kentucky WEG 2010, London Paralympics 2012, WEG Normandy 2014 and Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016. Julia is passionate about Paralympic Sport and is Founder and Program Manager of Equine Pathways Australia.
Lucy Miles - High Performance Eventing Operations Manager
Based in the UK, Lucy supports Equestrian Australia’s international eventing programme, coordinating the planning, logistics and operational delivery of the Australian Eventing Team’s international campaigns overseas. With more than 15 years’ experience at the highest level of eventing, including 10 years as a professional groom for Tim and Jonelle Price, Lucy has been part of three Olympic Games, three World Championships and four 5* victories. This extensive high-performance experience provides a deep understanding of the demands of elite sport and the importance of detailed preparation, teamwork and operational excellence.
Jessie Downs, High Performance Para Equestrian Operations Manager
Jessie is responsible for managing the High Performance Para Equestrian Program’s operations and logistics, including all major national and international team campaigns, managing the coordination and delivery of Australian-based CPEDI events and being a key point of contact for the Para High Performance Squad and other program matters. Jessie brings with her strong experience in corporate program delivery, communications and stakeholder management, alongside extensive involvement in dressage, coaching and the para sport environment.
Michelle Clough - High Performance Pathways Lead - Olympic
Michelle is responsible for implementing and leading the talent development system, working collaboratively with technical leads, coaches, multi-disciplinary teams, and state associations to create high-quality and supportive development environments that help athletes progress effectively through performance pathways. Michelle brings 25 years of experience in sports development within the equine sector in the UK, including Development Manager with British Showjumping, and International Youth Performance Pathways Lead with British Eventing.
Erin Smyth - Lead Physiotherapist & Clinical Services Coordinator
Erin has worked in high-performance sport for 26 years as a Physiotherapist, supporting athletes across a diverse range of sports including hockey, football (soccer), rowing, wheelchair racing and netball. Her international experience includes supporting the Great Britain Wheelchair Racing Team at the Beijing Paralympic Games, the Australian Rowing Team at the London Paralympic Games, and the Australian Women’s Hockey Team at the Rio Olympic Games.
Erin has completed post-graduate study in Performance Health, a PhD focused on injury and illness prevention in developing athletes, and is a Level 2 Australian Strength & Conditioning Association (ASCA) Coach. Passionate about the integration of health, rehabilitation and performance, Erin focuses on optimising athlete health while developing the strength, mobility, movement control and cardiovascular fitness required to perform consistently at the highest level. Her approach is centred on building robust, resilient athletes and creating the foundations for world-class performance.
