Coakley awarded Core Context Consulting bursary

Daisy Coakley (25), who hails from Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire, has received a £3,500 bursary kindly awarded by Core Context Consulting as an additional opportunity offered to the dressage participants in the cross-discipline Sport England-funded Young Professionals Programme (YPP).

To be in with a chance of winning the bursary, the dressage candidates were required to create a personal statement, a five-year plan and a business plan. Followed by a 10 – 15 minute presentation on the direction of the sport over the next 10 years, to BD Chairman Penny Pollard and BD Youth Director Clair Moir.

With much competition success including national titles to her name, Daisy is wisely looking ahead to developing a solid professional foundation within the industry and eloquently made an impression with her dedicated approach, vision and clear business plan.

Reflecting on her complete experience of YPP via her online blog she said; “Last October I started on the Young Professionals Programme (YPP) supported by the British Equestrian Federation. The YPP consisted of a mixture of showjumpers, eventers and dressage riders. Having this diversity within the group allowed us to all exchange experiences, and we came to realisation that, although we came from different disciplines, overall we were developing within the same industry and shared so much in common.

“Overall the programme gave us access to specialists within the industry, we learned so much, gained vital information and had some fantastic experiences.

“On our last workshop we visited the Bechtolsheimers' yard... it was completely stunning and such a privilege to have an insight into their day to day workings. We then returned to Hartpury College and spent the afternoon reflecting on our experiences, making goals and plans moving forward in our careers.

“The dressage riders had another fantastic opportunity on offer - we had the chance to win the Young Professionals Award, which is a bursary kindly sponsored by Core Context Consulting. We had to create a personal statement, five-year plan and a business plan. Followed by a 10-15 presentation on ‘where we see dressage as a sport going in the next 10 years’. It was great to further explore where our industry was heading in the future and I really enjoyed the process.

“I am very pleased to announce I was lucky enough to receive the award, and now have the support to pursue some exciting career developments...so watch this space! I am extremely grateful to British Dressage and Core Context Consulting for this opportunity!”

"The experience has been fun, informative and tangibly effective," says Daisy.

Second place went to Roberta Collyer (pictured right). The 25-year-old from Farningham in Kent was awarded a bursary of £1,500; “I am very excited and incredibly grateful to Equestrian Team GBR, British Dressage and Core Context Consulting for the opportunity to be a part of the Young Professionals Programme and for awarding me the runner-up bursary! I’ve gained so much from these past eight months and had such a fab time with a group of great people who all share the same passion. Sad that it’s over, but now it’s time to invest in the next stage of my business, watch this space!”

Last year saw the unveiling of this new look ground-breaking Young Professional Programme, incorporating what was previously known as the Young Professionals Award (YPA).

In collaboration with the British Equestrian Federation and fellow Olympic Disciplines, British Eventing and British Showjumping, the revised programme supports athletes moving out of the youth development pathway and provides them with a transition plan designed to help retain them within the wider equestrian sport network.

The YPP, for individuals aged 19 – 26, is designed to help support personal development, career planning and enhancement, leaving a wider and well-adapted skill-set that builds their confidence for continued work to thrive and earn a living in the equine industry.

The structure of the programme features up to eight core sessions delivered cross-discipline, with topics covered ranging from business management and business operations to media awareness, personal development and career enhancement.

YPP aims to promote young people into equine business rather than riding. They are taught skills such as accounting, tax, HGV law, marketing etc. to expand their knowledge on what happens behind the scenes to make a business run.

To be considered for the Core Context Consulting bursary all candidates had to give a presentation on their aspirations, plans to succeed, and direction of the sport, to Penny Pollard and Claire Moir.

Applications for the 2018/19 Young Professional Programme open 2 July. Read more here.