NORTHERN YOUNG RIDERS FORM PART OF THE AASE PROGRAMME

British Showjumping is proud to announce the launch of its government funded Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) for talented young riders. Twenty one aspiring professional showjumpers, together with their horses, assembled at the world class facilities at the Solihull Riding Club on 10 February to start their Apprenticeship.

This ground breaking initiative , developed in partnership with Haddon Training Ltd, offers riders on the British Showjumping Elite Talent programme a unique opportunity to develop their potential as a professional showjumper, whilst continuing their education and gaining a valuable Level 3 qualification.
 

The Apprenticeship covers all aspects of a professional athlete’s career. It develops the riders’ technical and tactical skills, and also ensures that they are well prepared to deal with the wider challenges of a career in showjumping. Top showjumping coaches; sports’ psychologists, nutritionists and fitness experts will support and develop the athletes.
 

Grand Prix Dressage Champion, Niall Quirk led the first session of the flatwork training and he was impressed with what he saw: “These riders have a great natural ability; the Apprenticeship will offer them the potential to become a more educated rider and succeed in showjumping”.
 

Corinne Bracken, Chef d’equipe and team coach for the Children, Junior and Young Rider International Squads and Programme Manager of the Elite Talent Programme commented:

“The Apprenticeship is delivered entirely within specialist training camps throughout the year and in the riders’ daily routine as aspiring showjumpers; our philosophy has been to develop the Elite Talent programme and incorporate as many opportunities for educational development as possible. The ‘value added’ the Apprenticeship offers is outstanding”.
 

Emma Ball, joined spectators as her daughter Jess took part in a coaching session by Niall Quirke, She was thrilled that Jess had gained a place on the programme: “It has come at exactly the right time in Jess’s life; she will gain so much from the expert tuition and develop her self-confidence to take her to the next level, and hopefully to the top of her sport”.
 

For the initial cohort for the AASE programme candidates were invited to apply who were identified on the talent pathway by being within the specified age range and having jumped on Junior, Children or Young Rider Nation Cup/ European Squads or who had produced horses onto the equine pathway.
 

The candidates selected from the Northern Region and accepted on the inaugural AASE programme are:
 

 

Pippa Allen (Cleveland)

 

 

It is anticipated that there will be an opportunity for a further intake of candidates later in the year. Information on this will be available nearer the time along with the criteria that applicants will be required to have met.