National camp prize for college graduates

BISHOP Burton College will stage the north-east leg of a new talent support scheme organised by the Pony Club this Spring.

Nine regional assessment and training days will be held across the country, open to all Pony Club Members aged 12 to 18 years who meet the specified criteria in dressage, show-jumping or eventing.

The scheme is a stepping stone for young riders working towards the talent pathways of the Olympic disciplines – the British Equestrian Federation’s Sport England funded Excel Talent Programme and the UK Sport Funded World Class Programme. Together these initiatives form an athlete development pathway set out for equestrian sport towards the creation of future Olympians.

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The north-east leg will take place at Bishop Burton on Monday, April 14 and each regional assessment day will see a maximum of 20 riders, selected from the applications, working with two recognised and experienced coaches.

With a total of 30 places available, the most talented riders from the regional assessment days will be invited forward to attend a national camp on June 14 and June 15 at Somerford Park EC. The lucky 30 will receive top-class coaching in their chosen discipline. A final six riders will then be selected to be part of the Rider Development Squad.

William Blane, chairman of Pony Club Training, enthused: “The rider development pathway is really going to give our most able riders something to aim for within the Pony Club. We very much envisage that the scheme will also continue to raise the standard of training and support improvement in the standard of riding throughout the Pony Club as a whole. Applications are now open, closing on Monday, March 10. Full details including criteria, venues and the application process, can be found on the ‘Rider Development Pathway’ webpage or by contacting Jenny Yates on [email protected] or at 02476698305.