Learn more about the Gold Development Programme
Wednesday 05 February 2025
1kerimq7nzqxw.jpeg "Learn more about the Gold Development Programme")
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The Gold Development Programme is funded by Sport England and aims to support riders who want to establish themselves at 1.40m – 1.50m level as well as riders who are aspiring to be selected for World Class Performance Pathway Programme.
The programme is comprised of several training camps over the year which are held at British Showjumping’s National Training Centre in Northamptonshire. During these camps, athletes will participate in training sessions with the lead coaches for the programme, Matt Lanni and Nicola McLeish. Each camp will also include unmounted sessions to include saddlers, farriers, equine physiotherapists, rider strength and conditioning, clean sport talks, plus much more.
As part of the Programme, riders will also receive support from the coaches at UK International shows.
Nicola McLeish, who has been involved with the coaching of this programme for nine years, originally joined as a deputy regional coach to gain experience, allowing her the opportunity to observe and work alongside the regional coach and national coach.
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“As the programme has developed and adapted over the years so has my role,” said Nicola. “I originally worked alongside Matt Lanni and assisted the riders at the international shows, and now my role now has developed to an assistant coach. The programme values coach development and encourages coaches shadow to develop their skills and experience.
“I really enjoy the variation of my role and, as riders are individual, I’m also learning and adapting to them. One of my responsibilities is to gain a clear understanding of each of the rider’s individual needs and clarify how we can best support their development. This is achieved through initial information gathering, discussing their current system and future aims. This information is crucial as it informs us how we can best shape the programme to support the riders and is further monitored through regular reviews and planning sessions. I take great pleasure in seeing how the riders progress and grow over the duration of the course.”
Harriet Hodge, who was one of the riders selected for the 2024/2025 programme and has recently made the step up to horses after a successful time on ponies, commented: “I really enjoyed the training camp and the variety of sessions, both on and off the horse. The Strength & Conditioning session has definitely made me want to incorporate more of this towards my riding and has made me realise how important it is in the sport, especially from hearing about top riders like Scott Brash.
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“In the riding sessions I really found the flatwork exercises beneficial for my horses and this is an area I’d definitely like to improve and learn more about in future training camps. Often in showjumping you can forget how important flatwork is to being successful,” added Harriet.
Jake Ward, another successful participant of the 2024/2025 programme, who had a successful year in 2024 both Nationally and Internationally, said: “I am thrilled to be a part of the Gold Development Programme this year and found the first camp very interesting and helpful on all parts. I especially enjoyed that there are ridden aspects as well as strength and conditioning of us as athletes.
“I would say my favourite part would be the overall support I felt from everyone involved. For both the opportunity of being involved and the support with planning the year ahead with show, tips with improvements for my riding and as well as understanding where I need to improve in my physical fitness.
“My main goal for the year is to be selected take part in a 3* Senior Nations Cup which hopefully the programme will give me the guidance and support to do so.”
For more information about the Gold Development Programme, please email sportteam@britishshowjumping.co.uk
.jpg "Ben Maher claims a four-star win in America in this week’s international round-up")
