60 riders chosen for BEF talent programme
The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has revealed the list of riders for its 2015/17 Excel Talent programme.
A total of 60 applicants out of more than 100 that put themselves forwards have been accepted.
This includes 12 who have been reselected from the 2013/15 squad.
Among the chosen riders are H&H bloggers Chloe Vell (dressage) — who was also on the previous intake — and Suzanna Hext (para-dressage).
Chloe told H&H that she is “delighted” to be accepted onto the programme again.
“It is the one place where the priority is to help both rider and horse as a team progress and achieve their goals, with support for all aspects of horse care and training,” she said.
“Since joining Excel, I have progressed to be on the European junior team twice and it has been fundamental in shaping my progression as a rider.”
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Suzanna added that she is “really excited” to be chosen and is looking forward to the whole package of support that the riders receive, particularly the nutrition advice.
“It is a great opportunity and I am really looking forward to what is ahead,” she told H&H.
“This tops off a really good year for me.”
Joining them is record-breaking young dressage rider Phoebe Peters, along with her gold medal-winning team-mates Isobel Berrington and Rebecca Bell, and children on horses showjumping team silver medallist India Bussey.
European junior team bronze medal-winning eventers Alex Kennedy, Charlotte Bacon and Charlotte East are also on the list, as is their fellow squad member Alex Tordoff.
“To keep Great Britain at the forefront of equestrian sport, we must continue to support and give opportunities for riders to develop the skills to be successful at international level,” said David Hamer, lead coordinator for scheme.
The two-year programme is open to showjumpers, eventers, dressage and para-dressage riders.
It is funded by Sport England and looks to identify, support and develop both riders and horses that show talent and potential in Olympic and Paralympic equestrian disciplines.
It gives selected riders with the chance to have access to top specialists, including international coaches, physiotherapists, psychologists, farriers, saddlers, vets and nutritionists.
Riders will attend up to three two-day training camps each year, plus other one-day sessions.
The Programme has been developed to extend the rider talent pathway below the UK Sport National Lottery-funded World Class Programme.
Click here to see the full list.
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.