2024 BD Youth National Academy athletes selected

After two intensive training camps in the autumn, 12 young athletes have been selected for the Sport England funded National Academy programme in 2024. Across the camps at both venues, all Foundation Academy Athletes demonstrated their hard work in training and dedication to all aspects of the sport, their development, and their horse’s welfare. Coaches at all camps were impressed by the commitment of all of the athletes aged 13 to 24.

The 12 athletes selected for the 2024 National Academy showed their ability to perform in the arena, as well as away from the arena in their own strength and conditioning, profiling, goal setting and performance planning. From the start of the Foundation Academy programme, the athletes demonstrated improvements and hard work away from the training environment, in order to show progress in themselves and their horse’s training at the second camp.

We are also delighted to welcome back five National Academy athletes who have been selected for the programme in previous years, whilst congratulating other graduates of the Academy programme who have now completed their three year total on the programme. We wish the best of luck to Academy graduates Daisy Mansfield and Ruby Gumbley who completed their third Foundation Academy in 2023 alongside Emma Horgan, Fi Grabham and Florence Human. We hope the Academy graduates have developed the skills and support network to sustain their future development in the sport and wish these riders all the best for the future.

Congratulations goes to the following 12 National Academy athletes for 2024 (in alphabetical order):

. Bethany Edginton (N&E)
. Crystal Robinson Long (S&E)
. Daisy Hills (S&E)
. Emily Clarke Attwood (N&E)
. Emma Horgan (S&E)
. Fi Grabham (S&E)
. Florence Human (S&W)
. Freya Walsh (N&E)
. Lois Hughes (N&W)
. Penny Smith (S&W)
. Shona Davies (Wales)
. Sophie Isaacs (N&E)

As part of the National Academy, the selected athletes will receive nine months of training activity and support from British Dressage and partners, fully-funded by Sport England. The aim of the National Academy programme is to aid the holistic development of individuals demonstrating the potential for future success and sustainability in the equestrian industry. The programme aims to provide selected athletes with the fundamental skills and knowledge required to be progress and become successful in sport and/or careers in the industry in future.

A programme of both mounted and unmounted training will support the development of both the human and equine athlete to sustain their future in the sport whilst developing their performance in the arena.

National Academy athletes are selected from the pool of Foundation Academy athletes annually. If you are interested in becoming part of the BD Youth Foundation Academy, developing your knowledge and skills for training and performance, and aiming for selection onto the National Academy in future, keep an eye out for applications opening in Spring 2024. For more information take a look at the Academies page.