Inaugural National Academy riders selected

British Dressage is delighted to announce the 12 riders who’ve been selected to attend the Sport England-funded BD Youth National Academy, supported by Avansce, which takes place over the weekends of 9-10 February and 2 – 3 March 2019 at Kilbees Farm in Berkshire.

The 2019 BD Youth National Academy cohort is made up of the following riders selected from last year’s inaugural Foundation Academies:

Danielle Balsdon (South West region), Caitlin Clancy (South West), Mollie Clough (Eastern), Emily Coller (Eastern), Manon Evans (Southern), Jersey Garrett (Southern), Florence Human (South West), Sofia Jankiewicz (Central), Libby Johnson (Wales), Izzy Lane (Eastern), Olivia Rose Robertson (South West) and Susie White (Northern).

Selected on their talent, determination and trainability, the 12 young riders will receive coaching from British Olympian Spencer Wilton as well as number of high profile specialists from the industry. These include international groom Liz Geldard-Walsh, athlete mentor Charlie Hutton and practitioners such as physiotherapist Andy Thomas and TheraPlate – manufacturer of equine rehabilitation and sports conditioning platforms.

Riders will also benefit from training sessions with Academy supplier Avansce which will involve an introduction to the Synchronicity System™ as well as individual rein contact analysis sessions. The sophisticated sensor-based system records rein tension on a smartphone app during riding and, with the aid of a scoring system, helps guide coaches and riders to find effective training solutions.

“I’d like to congratulate all the riders on their selection,” commented BD Youth Director Claire Moir. “The Foundation Academies have proven to be a great success in their first year and it’s exciting to have so many committed and talented young people keen to develop their skills and carve out a future in the sport.

“The purpose of the upcoming National Academy which is the ultimate stage of the series is to provide the selected riders with a 360 degree, comprehensive approach to both their own and their horses’ development, and we look forward to working with them over the two weekends.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the 2018 Foundation Academy athletes, and remind you that you’re invited to reapply for the 2019 Academies later in the year.”

The 2019 Foundation Academy camps will take place between October and the end of the year. BD Youth Foundation Academy riders attend two two-day camps running at four locations across the UK. The camps include test riding, performance profiling and goal setting, rider fitness including a balance and core strength workshop, a lecture demo by an inspirational rider, sports psychology, BD branded Academy clothing and automatic eligibility for selection to the 2020 Sport England-funded National Academy.

The dates and venues will be announced shortly and applications open in the summer.

The BD Youth National Academy is funded by the National Lottery and Government Exchequer through Sport England to support and develop young athletes within the youth pathways to reach their full potential.