Team GBR

The World Class Development Programme Was established in 2002, and underpins the World Class Performance Programme, by providing two key parts:

• World Class Start - designed to support talent identification and nurturing of that talent.
• World Class Potential - designed to assist in the development of that talent.

The philosophy behind the Development Programme is that training achieves excellence and correct training is the foundation to success. The Programme provides an established training pathway and is structured in such a way to facilitate rider improvement that will see them progress from World Class Start through to World Class Potential and onto the Olympic and Paralympic Performance Programmes. It includes the following elements:

• Competition experience including international exposure
• Coaching, advice and competitive support
• Equine sports science; soft tissue therapy, veterinary advice and education, equine nutrition, farriery advice and education
• Human sports science; fitness, nutrition, sports psychology, medical backup
• A comprehensive support network nationally and from around the world
• Performance analysis to enhance technique and improve performance
• Developing teamwork and team spirit through innovative squad sessions
• Lifestyle, business and communication advice
• The Programme seeks to promote the concept of developing riders basing themselves with established and successful senior riders.

The riders are reviewed on a 6 monthly basis, with targets and objectives being set and funding to assist with achieving these aims agreed. Selection is on a two yearly basis but this does not mean that a rider cannot be taken onto the Programme during the 2 year cycle or removed.

The Start and Potential Programmes are proving to be a successful blueprint for training future riders to move onto the Performance Programme. However, to increase GBR’s medal chances further, a more detailed Rider Performance Pathway is being developed that will profile the characteristics of a potential equestrian Olympic medallist, which will enable the Programme to provide a structured career path from an early age to the medal rostrum. The Development Programme provides significant funding to support the Dressage, Eventing and Show Jumping Pony, Junior and Young Rider Championship teams in addition to the funding provided to support the riders on the Programme.

The riders currently on the World Class Development Programme can be viewed here.