British Equestrian invites young athletes to apply for its World Class Programme for 2025–2027
Thursday 11 July 2024
The British Equestrian World Class Programme is inviting up-and-coming athletes with ambitions to compete on future senior equestrian teams to put themselves forward for consideration to join the Podium Potential Pathway (P3) squad for 2025–2027.
Now embedded into the equestrian performance pathway, the aim of the Podium Potential Pathway is to act as a transitional level to help athletes make the progression from the well-established youth and talent programmes to the next stage in their sporting careers. Funded by The National Lottery and Government Exchequer via UK Sport and Sport England, the pathway provides athletes with a process of development that delivers the essential performance foundation skills to underpin future sustained senior championship success.
David Hamer, Head of Performance Pathways at British Equestrian, explains: “The continued success of our senior championship teams is very much underpinned by the pathway of development that Podium Potential Pathway provides.
“The aim of the programme is to identify and develop younger athletes who demonstrate the ability to compete on the world stage and provide support to help them to reach their potential. The unique element of equestrian sport is the requirement to have an equine sporting partner with the same potential to be an elite performer. Podium Potential Pathway nurtures the human element of the partnership and provides a broader base of skill development that helps young athletes to develop a career, as well as a skill set and profile to attract the horsepower required to progress to the next step in British Equestrian’s structured performance pathway.”
Selected athletes have access to top equestrian specialists and coaches during their time on the programme. Technical skills and knowledge are supported by a human and equine sport science team, who deliver physiotherapy, sport psychology, nutrition advice, vet and farrier support, and saddle-fitting advice. Athletes also receive guidance on managing themselves and their careers, as well as their finances and public profile.
In recent years, athletes on the Podium Potential Pathway are achieving increasing success on the world stage, with a number selected to represent their country at world and European level before moving onto higher levels of the World Class Programme’s performance pathway. Across the four Olympic and Paralympic disciplines, seven past and present Podium Potential Pathway athletes appeared on nominated entry lists for Paris 2024, with two making the final selection for the Games.
“Being on the Podium Potential Pathway was a fantastic experience,” shares dressage rider Lewis Carrier, who was on the nominated entry list for Paris 2024. “It was such a valuable part of helping me through Young Riders and with the transition to Senior level. The team of professionals offered us such a wide array of knowledge to help to improve both performance and management for both horse and rider. Having a support team further afield than the yard, in what can be a very isolated sport, definitely enabled me to achieve my goals in the Youth classes and, having now progressed onto the next stage of the World Class Programme’s performance pathway, I can really vouch for how much the support helps.”
Showjumper Joe Stockdale, recently selected to compete as part of the British squad at Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is another young athlete to advocate the programme. “Being on the World Class Programme has been extremely beneficial for me. The support I’ve been given by everyone has been incredible and has really helped to progress my career and understanding. I am very grateful for all the education I’ve been given.”
Eventer Yasmin Ingham, who has also been selected for the Games, credits the programme for its positive impact on her career so far. “The transition from being successful in the Young Rider ranks into Seniors is very difficult for many riders, but the support I’ve had from the World Class Programme has massively helped my progression,” she explains.
“I’ve found the support, advice and encouragement from the entire support team invaluable, from the management of my horses at home, to the sessions with the programme practitioners at training and events. Any rider aspiring to get to the top of the sport should apply for the programme – the network of support and training is unrivalled.”
British Equestrian’s performance pathway features three distinct levels – Podium, Podium Potential and Podium Potential Pathway – which support athletes across the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and showjumping, and the Paralympic discipline of para dressage. Each stage of the pathway is designed to provide athletes with the specific support needed at that stage in their competitive career as they progress towards a place on the championship podium.
JOIN THE PODIUM POTENTIAL PATHWAY
Registration is now open for athletes who would like to be considered for the Podium Potential Pathway squad for 2025–2027. For further details about the selection process, click here.
Image credit: British Equestrian / Adam Fanthorpe
