Team GBR

The World Class Programme delivers:

• Performance director/managers advice and support
• Programme administration
• Coaches and coach development
• Technical support (performance analysis)
• Sports science and medicine consultants, including physiotherapy & sports psychology
• Squad training
• Rider allowance for training and competition
• Key competition support (vets/coaches in attendance at key competitions)
• Research & development
• Veterinary support
• Farriery support
• Medical support for riders
• Performance enhancing equipment
• Team clothing
• Championship costs
• Olympic/Paralympic Test event
• Olympic/Paralympic Games

The Performance Plan outlines the vision of Winning gold medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games of 2008 and beyond. It exists to provide our elite riders with the best preparation to represent the British Equestrian team at World, European, Olympic and Paralympic level in the four Olympic / Paralympic equestrian disciplines, Eventing, Dressage, Show Jumping and Para-Equestrian Dressage.

The Programme seeks to provide a range of services and support but it is the rider that needs to take personal responsibility for buying in to the Programme’s aims and decide which services will best help them to maximize their potential. The Programme aims to make the best better.

The Performance Programme for each discipline is managed by a Performance Manager. It is based around the principle of providing a professional management team, veterinary support and education, coaching and competition management. Squad sessions are used to develop a team atmosphere and also deliver coaching support. However, coaching and veterinary monitoring is also delivered at competitions and at the rider’s home yard (working in partnership with the “home team”).

Riders receive a means tested allowance direct from UK Sport and they can claim, through the Programme, support for coaching, travel, entry fees and veterinary fees, etc. The funding support allows a “no-compromise” approach to Championships;

If it is felt that a certain aspect will provide a performance advantage at a competition we will ensure that it is in place. This includes a central logistical and management back-up that has the financial freedom to visit Championship venues before the competitions start and to ensure that a robust logistical plan is put in place for the British teams. The Championship teams are fully funded by the Programme. In return, what we expect from riders is open communication and buy-in to the target of winning medals on the World stage.

Selection for the Performance programme is on an annual basis with a 6 monthly review together with a continuous assessment of performance, which provides an indication of potential medal success within an Olympiad, including World and European Championships. Selection is based on results combined with potential to deliver.

It is expected that senior Team GBR riders will be selected from the World Class Performance squad. The riders currently on the World Class Performance Programme can be viewed here

You can find out more about those riders currently selected for Team GBR in our ‘Meet the Team’ section.