Barrett's appointment comes after long-term coach Wayne Roycroft stepped down from his role as eventing head coach in December 2010.

As an Assistant Coach to Roycroft over many major international campaigns, Barrett brings to the role a wealth of experience both as a coach and former rider herself.

"I believe it is an enormous privilege to serve Australian riders in this capacity as the eventing national performance director," said Barrett.

"We have extremely talented riders and horses both at home and based overseas and Australians can be very proud of the history that this country's eventing teams have enjoyed at the Olympic Games.

"I am looking forward to working very closely with the riders in the campaign towards the London Olympics."

Barrett will draw not only from her coaching knowledge but also from her extensive experience as a rider competing at the highest level.

Representing Australia twice at the World Equestrian Games and as a winner in Equestrian's three-star events in Adelaide, Lochinvar and Melbourne, she knows firsthand what it takes to compete at the highest level.

The 41-year-old was also in the shadow team for the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

"Prue Barrett's impressive record speaks for itself," Equestrian Australia's (EA) chairman Paul Cargill said.

"We believe she is the right person to lead our eventing team into the next Olympics with strong experience as a coach at major international campaigns as well as her passion to maintain Australia's reputation as a leading equestrian nation."

Eventing is one of Australia's most successful events at the Olympics.

They have won a total of 11 medals, including six gold.

"Being only 16 months out from London 2012, we couldn't afford to miss a beat which is why we were quick to appoint Prue after the role became vacant in December," said Cargill.

"Prue's position is not simply coaching but rather as the eventing national performance director who will be responsible for our high performance pathways and programmes.

"EA's high performance program is well recognised internationally and this programme has directly resulted in the success experienced by Australia at an Olympic level.

"Our strong performance at the Olympic Games was reinforced recently when EA was one of ten sports that received additional funding under the Government's Green and Gold Project.

"The targeted funding announced by Minister for Sport Mark Arbib, is designed to boost Australia's prospects of success at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Barrett said preparation for the Olympic Games is already underway and for her the London campaign starts today."