As Wesko Equestrian Foundation continues to expand our work, in March we launched the Young Eventers Pathway. This is a programme to run alongside the Young Eventers Programme and aims to support increased numbers of young athletes within the UK.
We welcomed just over forty young athletes to the British Showjumping National Training Centre across the two days for expert coaching with Richard Waygood MBE, Matt Lanni, Philip Surl and dressage judge Nikki Herbert.
The aim was to create a laid-back training environment where riders could bring up to four horses with them, for jumping and dressage coaching. Alongside the ridden coaching we provided access to our business coach, Sarah Armstrong, to the 4* riders on day one, and Julie Driver our Pilates coach to the riders on the second day.
“The whole day was really useful,” confirmed Norwegian international rider Yasmin Olsson-Sanderson
“Being able to run through a test and practice a course of fences really sets you up for the season, as well as having access to business help at the same time. The day had a laid-back feel and made everyone feel welcome.”
With so many talented young athletes out there, and a limited number of places on the World Class Programmes offered by British Equestrian (and other governing bodies) we can see a gap in support for riders between 21-28 years and we are aiming to do all that we can to support this group of riders. They’re the ones who could be on the podium in the Championships of the future, but we fear that we may lose some talented riders as they fall through the cracks between Juniors and making their break at Senior level.
The new Pathway Programme creates an extra net to catch some of the talents in and offers them access to additional training and support.
“The opportunity to attend and watch training at that level is so valuable. It was not just the training though; it was the opportunity to sit and talk with riders of a similar level and age. Comparing the ups and downs of the sport and realising you’re not alone and others are going through the same experiences as you” commented 5* rider Imogen Murray.
The Pathway isn’t just aimed at professional young riders, with the second day targeted at those either just starting their career at Novice level or those younger riders looking to progress up the levels of eventing as amateurs.
Nottinghamshire based rider Lucy Scholl commented; “I found the dressage session with Nikki Herbert extremely useful. She really helped iron out some small problems I’d been having. The jumping session was also very insightful, and I really enjoyed doing the cavaletti exercises before jumping a course of fences. I also found the Pilates session after I had ridden was good fun and informative.”
For those riders who only have one or two horses, moving up the levels in eventing can be a huge challenge. We really hope that the introduction of this new Programme we can help support the careers of even more talented young riders.
The Foundation now continues to plan for an increased number of Pathway Days throughout the year, working towards their goal of supporting an increased number of young event riders.
