The Australian Dressage Committee announced it is currently focused on establishing an exciting new program to enhance the development of the popular discipline.
The program, led by recently elected Chair Prue Spurrett and under the guidance of Equestrian Australia’s newly structured National High-Performance Team, will mainly be targeted at future Olympic and FEI World Equestrian Games Dressage campaigns.
Key aims include;
- Development of a Principal Program that suitably fits within the Dressage High-Performance Development Program
- Review of selection policies for WEG 2018 by newly appointed National Dressage Selectors that will involve consultation and approval. The new selection policies will be announced within the next three months
- Review of National Dressage Squad criteria with new squads to be announced soon and introduction of higher performance levels for Grand Prix level squad
- Formation of a Dressage High-Performance Panel that will work closely with EA’s National High-Performance Director to ensure alignment of communication, planning campaigns and management of teams for WEG and major international events and provide support and back-up for National Selectors. The Dressage High-Performance Panel will also engage support personnel to advise and support Australian Dressage riders both domestically and internationally
- Appointment of a volunteer Chef D’Equipe/Administrator who will also be a member of the Dressage High-Performance Panel. This position will be advertised soon
- Strong emphasis on Protocol Days to better gauge and improve performance during on-the-spot critiques. National Squad riders will be the first priority at these days followed by State Squad members
- Improvement of Equine Anti-Doping and Awareness practices
- Cultivation of Dressage team culture
- Development of future funding for Dressage in Australia
Equestrian Australia Dressage Committee Chair Prue Spurrett said this is a time of very positive change for the sport and that the program will encourage athletes to strive for “personal bests”.
"My thanks must go to the entire committee for their commitment to this strategic planning process and I would also like to acknowledge the leadership of our past Chair Mary Seefried during this process," Spurrett said. "It’s a good time to have confidence in our sport as we have the riders and the horses with the skills and talent to raise the bar to new levels. The Equestrian Australia Dressage Committee is putting the important foundations in place to be able to achieve this."
Related Links
Prue Spurrett Appointed Chair of the Australian Dressage Committee
Seefried, Selby, Creed Appointed on Australian Dressage Committee for 2017-2018
Schwennesen Elected as Chair of Australian Dressage Judges Committee
Schwennesen and Creed Appointed on Australian Dressage Judges Committee