The names of the British up and coming dressage riders selected for the 2013-2015 World Class Development Programme have been announced by the British Equestrian Federation. Funded by UK Sport, the Development Programme works with talented riders to maximise their potential and deliver success on the international stage.
“After such a fantastic 2012 which saw our equestrian athletes perform magnificently in London at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is great to start 2013 with the announcement of the Development Programme which identifies our most talented up and coming athletes,” commented Equestrian World Class Performance Director, Will Connell.
“The strength in depth across all four disciplines made the selection process very difficult. It is therefore beholden on both those athletes that have been re-selected and those that are new to the Programme to make the most of the help and expertise available to them.”
“It’s an exciting time for our sport and to see such a wealth of young talent during the selection process is testament to the success of the World Class Programme, the Sport England funded Excel Programme and the member bodies’ programmes to date and should give us great confidence to build for the future.”
The selected dressage riders are:
- Hannah Biggs
- Nikki Crisp
- Maria Eilberg
- Alex Hardwick
- Bobby Hayler
- Gabrielle Lucas
- Olivia Oakeley
- Annie Perry
- Zoe Sleigh
- Amy Stovold
- Samantha Thurman-Baker
- Ryan Todd
Committed to supporting riders from a young age right through to elite athletes performing on the world stage, the BEF has in place a proven talent identification system which starts with its England Excel Talent Programme. Indeed, six of the Development Programme riders have progressed from this scheme while two have also moved up to the World Class Performance Programme, which continues to support the riders at the top of the pathway, including the medalists from London.
All riders on the Development Programme will have access to the same World Class benefits including; mentoring, coaching, human and equine sports science and medicine (fitness / nutrition / equine management / farriery advice etc).
Performance is continuously assessed and riders are formerly reviewed every six months. Targets and objectives are also set, as is funding to assist with achieving these agreed aims. Selection is on a two yearly basis but this does not mean that a rider cannot be taken onto or removed from the Programme during the two year cycle.
The World Class Development Programme underpins World Class Performance and, together with the Equine Pathway, they comprise the Equestrian World Class Programme, incorporating the three Olympic sports of dressage, eventing, showjumping and the Paralympic sport of para-equestrian dressage.
The aim of the Programme is to be a sustainable system that can deliver more medals on the international stage now and in the future. The Programme has been funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, through Exchequer and National Lottery funds, via UK Sport since 1998.
Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Riders Take Up the Reins for 2011-2013 World Class Development
World Class Dressage Equine Pathway Assessment Day in Great Britain
2009-2011 British World Class Development Riders Named
British Dressage Sponsors Its World Class Talent Riders
Funding Opportunities for Talented Riders in Great Britain