Wednesday, 10 July 2024
The British Equestrian World Class Programme is inviting up-and-coming athletes with ambitions to compete on future senior teams to put themselves forward for consideration to join the Podium Potential Pathway (P3) squad for 2025–2027.
British Equestrian’s World Class Programme was first introduced in 1998 to provide a targeted approach to athletes demonstrating high potential in the equestrian Olympic and Paralympic sports, by offering the right support and environment to enable them to realise their medal winning potential. Now embedded in the World Class Programme, the Podium Potential Pathway squad, which is funded by The National Lottery and Government Exchequer via UK Sport and Sport England, 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 current pathway model was introduced when I was appointed Head of Performance Pathways in 2017. The model ensures that, at Podium Potential Pathway level, we can underpin future senior championship success with the performance foundation skills and education for younger riders who demonstrate high potential, all within an inclusive development environment.”
“Since 2017, we have seen the British Equestrian’s performance pathway support talented younger riders to go on to achieve senior championship team selection, while many others achieve high level international success, which demonstrates that the model is working. We will continue to evolve the pathway, while ensuring that the Podium Potential Pathway programme continues to nurture the human element of the partnership, to provide a broader base of skill development that helps young athletes to develop a career that supports their performance campaign, as well as a skill set and profile to attract the horsepower required to progress and achieve their ultimate goals.”
Selected athletes will 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 have achieved increasing success on the world stage, with a number selected to represent their country at world and European level before moving higher into 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 Olympic 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.”
Joe Stockdale, recently selected to compete as part of the British showjumping team at Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is another young athlete to advocate for 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, known as the World Class Programme, 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.
Registration is now open for athletes who would like to be considered for the Podium Potential Pathway squad for 2025–2027 and closes on 30 August 2024. For further details about the selection process, click here.