Team GBR

The British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Programme held its first coaching conference on 5th November 2009 at the Unicorn Trust in Stow-on-the-Wold.  Now set to be an annual event, the aim of the conference was to improve communication between the World Class Programme and World Class riders’ own coaches, developing a closer relationship between the two.

Attracting over 85 delegates from across the four equestrian Olympic and Paralympic sports of dressage, eventing, show jumping and para-equestrian dressage, the day was a combination of presentations and practical sessions. All the coaches working within the Programme and all coaches working at home with World Class squad riders were invited to the event, which was designed following consultation with home coaches earlier in the year. It is part of a long-term process to improve links between these two elements.

The day included a number of presentations and sessions delivered by experienced individuals from across World Class equestrian and sporting arenas, seeking to learn from other sports as well as other nations.

John Neal, currently Performance Coach at Bath Rugby talked about a passion for the process of winning, which focused on theories of how to think clearly under pressure and make effective decisions in challenging situations. With over 20 years experience, Neal has combined a career working at the top level in sport, business and in the forces, he now works as a Performance Coach throughout the world with teams, individuals and organisations.

David Holmes, FEI Executive Director of Sport gave an update on general developments within the International Equestrian Federation and talked specifically about coaching within the International context. 

Professor of Sports Physiology and Body Movement at the Leuphena University in Germany, Eckart Meyners, addressed the conference, the first time he has presented in the UK. Meyners has helped the German Equestrian Federation to develop a curriculum for professional and amateur riders, trainers, instructors and judges through a series of simple, easy movements that address “blockages” in the riders’ body.  These can interfere with mobility of the horse or impede proper communication between horse and rider, so by addressing these, the balance, seat and performance of the rider are improved. Over the past 4 � years Meyners has worked with German dressage rider Heike Kemmer, who won team gold and individual bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Meyners also presented practical sessions where he used World Class Development riders Lara Griffith and Laura Collett to demonstrate his system of training.

“The conference was another step in improving communication between the World Class Programme and riders’ home teams,” said World Class Performance Director, Will Connell. “We tried to balance informative sessions with looking at innovative coaching methods and approaches, with everything focused on the ultimate aim of improving performance. It was a great success and we will now be looking to hold it as an annual event.”