News
National Academy Athletes Selected for 2025
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Fri, 03 Jan 2025 12:23
We're pleased to announce the 12 athletes selected to the British Dressage National Academy, funded by Sport England.
From the group of 40 young riders from across Britain who attended the British Dressage Foundation Academy training camps from October to December 2024, 12 young athletes have been selected to attend the Sport England funded National Academy programme in 2025. All Foundation Academy Athletes demonstrated their hard work in training sessions throughout the camps, showing dedication to development, as well as their horse’s welfare.
The 12 athletes selected for the 2025 National Academy have proved their ability to perform in the arena, alongside the implementation of training plans to show progress between camps. The selected athletes also showed progress outside of the arena, with improvements made in their own strength and conditioning, athlete profiling, goal setting and performance planning.
We're also delighted to welcome five returning National Academy athletes, whilst congratulating other graduates of the Academy programme who've now completed their three-year term on the programme. We wish the best of luck to Academy graduates Ruby Gumbley and Tegan Ball who completed their final Foundation Academy in 2024, alongside Ellie Roberts and Lily Hughes Bell who will be continuing onto the National Academy.
We hope the graduates of the BD Youth Academy have developed the skills and support network to sustain their future development in the sport and we wish these riders all the best for the future.
Congratulations goes to the following 12 National Academy athletes for 2025 (in alphabetical order):
- Alanna Clarke - North & East
- Crystal Robinson Long - South & East
- Daisy Hills - South & East
- Ellie Roberts - North & East
- Flora Hayes - South & East
- Lily Hughes Bell - North & West
- Marie-Ayesha Barilits Gupta - South & West
- Megan Lane - North & East (pictured)
- Mia Smith - North & West
- Moya Payne - South & East
- Pippa Reed - South & East
- Tabitha Leicester - North & East
Plus two named reserve riders:
- First reserve – Millie Neath - North & West
- Second reserve – Natasha Bonnick - North & East
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 progress, either in the sport or future careers in the equestrian industry.
National Academy athletes are selected annually from the pool of Foundation Academy athletes. If you're 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 on 1 May 2025.
