Young Danish FEI pony riders have been able to rely on a special "mentor system" in 2015 to help them with their first big show preparations. The mentor programme has been a success and will be continued in 2016.
Danish pony team trainer Jette Nevermann Torup and pony team captain Rigmor Kristensen set up the Mentor System in 2015 where new national level FEI pony riders would be coached and assisted by experienced riders and riding families at their first national shows. The new concept was very well received and will therefore be continued.
The program is not clear-cut restricted to pony riders, though they represent the majority of the riders tapping into the system. "The mentor system is meant to help riders and their family, when they are new participants at national B-shows. For new riders it can be a little bit difficult to mingle with the the riders who are used to participating in B-shows. It's not the riders age we are thinking about,"Rigmor explained. "In Demark you have to qualify at c-shows in local areas before you can participate in a national B-show. Only at B-shows you can qualify for participation in the Ecco Cup (squad observation trials) and Danish championships."
Nevermann is particularly pleased with the enthusiasm shown at the squad training seminars. "Good progress has been made in the number of participants at the national shows in 2015 and many new riders have participated in the observation and training seminars with the team trainer," said Nevermann. "Trainers like the observation sessions which gives us, the team trainer and team captain, a good feeling about the possibilities for each combination."
Long listed squad riders are all invited to the training seminars spread out over Denmark. They received mental and physical training alongside program riding and coaching by Nevermann Torup. Biomechanics specialist Lasse Kristensen set up individual programs for each invited rider at the last autumn seminar.
In their message to all Danish pony riders Nevermann and Rigmor Kristensen stressed sportmanship: "Be nice to each other, your parents, peers and trainers. Be polite to one another on social media. Remember also to maintain your joy in riding and develop yourself and your pony. Be happy and grateful for the experiences that come from that."
Photos © Astrid Appels
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