The British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Podium Potential Pathway Programme 2019-2021 squad of 30 talented riders has been announced. The selected athletes attended an Induction Day at Solihull Riding Club, West Midlands today and were welcomed on to the programme. Eight dressage riders have been selected.
Riders listened to several inspirational speakers focusing on what it takes to win, maximising their potential as an athlete, being part of the legacy plus an insight from double Olympic Champion Helen Glover MBE on her Olympic journey.
The BEF Head of Performance Pathways, David Hamer, presented an overview to the riders of the pathway programme and challenged the athletes to consider what is talent and if this is an innate ability or can be developed into a skill. David explained “This is an exciting stage in the newly structured performance pathway as we now have three clear stages of the athletes journey starting here in developing the foundation skills to support their sport and sporting career. To achieve this standard these young athletes have already shown capabilities and the programme will now support them to aid their potential.”
Riders who have been selected for the two year programme, funded by UK Sport National Lottery and Sport England, will have the opportunity to access top equestrian specialists including: international coaches, human sport science and medicine practitioners (physiotherapists and psychologists) and equine sport science and medicine practitioners (farriers, saddlers, vets and equine physiotherapists) via a series of squad training sessions.
The Podium Potential Pathway Programme, which replaces the former Excel Talent Programme, will bring the performance foundation skill development level into the main World Class Performance Pathway and looks to identify, support and develop athletes who demonstrate the potential to progress to Podium Potential, by providing education to develop the foundation skills required for future performance.
The dressage athletes accepted onto the two-year programme are:
- Lewis Carrier
- Lucy Amy
- Joanna Thurman-Baker
- Ellie McCarthy
- Angus Corrie-Deane
- Lara Kuropatwa
- Isobel Berrington
- Jessica McConkey
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
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