British Equestrian Federation England Excel Talent riders are out of the starting blocks
Friday 28 October 2011
What does it take to be an elite showjumper? How do you ensure that you are always in control of the controllable? And how can you glean that extra performance margin needed to win an Olympic medal?
These were the sort of questions being discussed and debated by around 50 of Britain’s brightest young talents who gathered on 20 October at Warwickshire Racecourse for an Induction Day to the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) England Excel Talent Programme.
The programme aims to produce a talent pool of up and coming riders across the England Regions, providing selected individuals with access to top equestrian specialists including coaches, physiotherapists, psychologists, vets and nutritionists via a series of rider performance camps.
The informative induction day included presentations from the BEF Anti-Doping Liaison Officer Sophie Thomas on Anti-Doping and Medication in Equestrian Sport and from World Class Performance Director Will Connell on the road to the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the challenges for equestrian sport post London 2012.
Simon Wergan, Senior Talent Development Manager for Sport England spoke about what sets elite athletes apart from the rest and how the Excel Talent Programme can help riders reach the pinnacle of their chosen discipline.
He said: “Elite athletes leave no stone unturned in their quest to be the best. The Excel Talent Programme is the next step of this journey for athletes who have already been earmarked as having the talent to succeed. It is important that these riders grasp the opportunities on offer with both hands.”
The Excel riders also had the opportunity to listen to World Class riders in their disciplines – Simon Crippen - talked about his experience of making the transition into the senior ranks and onto the world stage.
The BEF England Excel Talent Programme is new for 2011 and the nationalised format will allow the BEF to provide a heightened level of expertise, so aiding riders' development as all-round athletes. The BEF are working closely with British Dressage, British Eventing and British Showjumping to ensure they add value to what is already on offer through the disciplines.
Leader of the programme, David Hamer, said: “We are lucky to have the funding to support these riders from the Lottery and Government Exchequer through Sport England. The induction day has set the theme for the programme which is to develop riders for future Olympics and Paralympic Games.
