Boost for bright young show jumpers
Britain’s brightest young show jumpers will be competing at the prestigious British Open Show Jumping Championships in Sheffield this spring for the chance to win a World Class Start & Potential training session.
The top 20 horse and rider combinations based on points collected throughout the qualifying series will compete in The British Young Riders U23 Classic on Friday 8 April 2005, which is being supported by the British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Start & Potential programme.
The British Young Riders U23 Classic is designed to give young riders the rare opportunity to experience first hand the intense atmosphere of competing at a major indoor show in front of a packed house.
Six of the seven qualifying competitions are being held at BSJA Premier League shows around the country. Prizes at the qualifiers will consist of training vouchers and money, with the winner of each qualifier being invited to attend a World Class Start & Potential training session. A total of £4,500 worth of training vouchers will be split between the qualifiers and the final of The British Young Riders U23 Classic.
Vikki Underwood, World Class Start & Potential Manager says: “By supporting The British Young Riders U23 Classic, including the qualifying series, it provides an opportunity to assist a number of the top young show jumping riders.
“The philosophy behind the World Class Start & Potential programme is that training achieves excellence and by offering training grants and financial assistance, this hopefully will encourage these young riders to recognise the importance of correct training and how it is the foundation to success.”
The World Class Start & Potential programme is for riders between the ages of 14 and 30 who demonstrate the exceptional talent and dedication to ride and win at Olympic level in dressage, Paralympic dressage, show jumping or eventing. The scheme establishes a development pathway for these riders to progress onto the Olympic Performance squads in 2008 and 2012.
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The World Class Start and Potential programmes are Lottery funded through Sport England.
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.