Dressage-News

Riders selected for Great Britain’s 2013-2015 World Class Development Program were announced Thursday by the British Equestrian Federation, to receive financial support to maximize potential and deliver success on the international stage.

Funding by UK Sport for equestrian sports over thenext four years is up almost 34 per cent to £17.9 million (US$29 million) from the previous Olympic cycle.

For dressage, the riders are

Hannah Biggs, Dorset
Nikki Crisp, Buckinghamshire
Maria Eilberg, Worcestershire
Alex Hardwick, Herefordshire
Bobby Hayler, Essex
Gabrielle Lucas, Essex
Olivia Oakeley, Hampshire
Annie Perry, County Durham
Zoe Sleigh, Worcestershire
Amy Stovold, West Sussex
Samantha Thurman-Baker, Oxfordshire
Ryan Todd, West Yorkshire

“After such a fantastic 2012 which saw our equestrian athletes perform magnificently in London at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is great to start 2013 with the announcement of the Development Program which identifies our most talented up and coming athletes,” said Equestrian World Class Performance Director, Will Connell.

“The strength in depth across all four disciplines made the selection process very difficult. It is therefore beholden on both those athletes that have been re-selected and those that are new to the program to make the most of the help and expertise available to them.”

The BEF has implemented programs to support riders from a young age through to elite level.

All riders on the Development Programme will have access to the same World Class benefits including; mentoring, coaching, human and equine sports science and medicine (fitness/nutrition/equine management/farrier advice, etc.).

Performance is continuously assessed and riders are formally reviewed every six months. Targets and objectives are also set, as is funding to achieve goals. Selection is on a two-year basis but riders can be added or removed during the period.