News
Do you have Podium Potential?
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Mon, 16 Jul 2018 10:14
Registration is now open for the British Equestrian Federation’s UK Sport National Lottery funded World Class Programme Podium Potential 2019-2021 squad.
The initial registration process, which is open for applications until 20 August 2018, follows the announcement of a new structure for the performance pathway as the World Class Programme builds to Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 and beyond.
International showjumper, William Whitaker, who is part of the World Class Programme Podium squad, says: “I’ve been on the Programme for just over 10 years and for me it has been a massive help. It has educated me on a lot of aspects of the sport and it has given me access to specialists across the equestrian industry.”
The structure of the World Class Programme pathway has been redeveloped to ensure the best support is provided to both human and equine athletes to promote their continued development and enable Equestrian Team GBR to deliver medal success in the future. The programme supports athletes across the Olympic and Paralympic disciplines and is split into three different levels: Podium, Podium Potential and Podium Potential Pathway.
BEF Head of Performance Pathways, David Hamer explains more about the structure: “Podium Potential aims to identify, support and develop partnerships that demonstrate the potential to deliver medal winning performances at senior championship level. The changes we’ve made to the policy recognise that it’s about the continuous development of two athletes – human and equine, as a combination.
“We have revised our criteria and, recognising that at this level performance can fluctuate due mostly to athletes acquiring or losing the ride on a horse, we have removed the previous age restrictions to ensure that athletes at any stage of their development, who meet the selection criteria, are eligible to apply. Supporting riders in their progression along the pathway is an integral part of the World Class Programme."
Registration for the Podium Potential Programme is now open! Anyone wishing to apply for the Podium Potential squad should visit the Equestrian Team GBR website for more information and to download a registration form. Please note that the initial registration process is open 16 July – 20 August 2018; any registrations submitted after this time will not be considered.
For those interested in applying for the Podium Potential Pathway Programme, initial registrations will open on 1 September 2018.