competition news


Emerging talent joins BEF Excel Programme


The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has inducted the next squad of athletes onto the 2017-2019 England Excel Talent Programme.


Selected from the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian disciplines, 29 athletes were invited to Solihull Riding Club on 17 October and welcomed onto the Programme by the BEF Pathways team, joined by inspirational key note speakers.


David Hamer, Head of Performance Pathways, posed the question, “What is Talent?” He challenged the riders to think about how high level success is achieved and whether ‘Talent’ is something that people are born with, or is a result of natural ability that had been well practised until it had become a skill? He also gave an overview of the different aspects of the talent pathway and how Excel can support them and their home teams on their performance journey.


Sally Kettle, a professional adventurer who became the first woman to row the Atlantic Ocean from East to West, gave an animated and lively account of her two Atlantic attempts, the first time with her mother as her second crew member. Her key messages outlined the need to rise to a challenge and not let barriers get in the way: “You have an end goal so control what you can control to achieve it”.


Riders were all briefed on anti- doping rules and regulations before being introduced to their coaches and mentors who will be helping them on their journey throughout the cycle.


The final presentation of the day came from Catrin Pugh, a 96% burns survivor following a 2013 coach crash in the Alps when she was 19 years- old. An inspirational speaker and ambassador for multiple charities, Catrin emphasised the need to have hope, and talked openly about how she had used her natural resilience to get her life back on track, leading her to take a different path than she had previously envisaged.


Hope Hayward, a para- www.theequinesite.co.uk


equestrian dressage athlete who is returning to the Programme said: “It was a very informative day with some fantastic stories from the speakers. Being on the Excel Programme has made me much more organised and it is great to have so much support from the Excel team as they have helped to outline my goals and they are always available to help when I need it.”


David Hamer added: “We were impressed by the high standard of applications we had for this year’s re-focused programme and we are thrilled for the athletes who have been chosen. Former Excel riders have already gone on to achieve success at senior Championships and our mission is to continue that success by supporting riders to reach the top level of equestrian sport.”


The Excel Programme, funded by Sport England, seeks to identify, support and develop riders and horses that demonstrate talent and potential in the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian disciplines. The Programme has been developed to extend the rider talent pathway below the UK Sport National Lottery funded World Class Programme and to help support riders to go on to achieve their potential.


The athletes selected to the Programme for the 2017-2019 cycle are:


Dressage - Charlotte Dicker, Charlotte Murgatroyd, Fiona Brennan, Angus Corrie-Deane, Rebecca Bell, Emma Bond, Victoria Maw


Eventing - Georgina Herrling, Saffron Cresswell, Phoebe Locke, Richard Coney, Chelsea Pearce, Lizzie Baugh, Georgia Bartlett, Heidi Coy


Showjumping - Lily Freeman- Attwood, James Winter, Chelsea Skelton, Bethanie Knight, Yazmin Davis, Chloe Reynolds.


Para-Dressage - Diane Green, Mari Durward-Akhurst, Caitlyn Saddington, Georgia Wilson, Ilse Taylor-Owen, Molly Bowen- Morris, Marcelle Ward, Hope Hayward.


WIN a Practical Winter Care Pack THREE lucky readers will each win a very practical pack of


winter care items from Groom Away


Each Winter Care Pack will contain a tub of Healthy Hoof Conditioner, a tub of Thuja Cream, a spray can of Stockholm Tar, a bottle of Purple Spray and a Himalayan Salt Lick.


Healthy Hoof Conditioner (500ml Natural) helps prevent or aids repair of cracked and chipped hooves. A blend of pure lanolin EP for strengthening and pure mineral oil to ensure penetration into the hoof, with concentrated essential oils to protect against fungal conditions and added conditioners.


Thuja Cream is a 100% natural treatment to remove and reduce abnormal skin conditions. Proven effective on rain scald, sarcoids and warts, it is suitable for sensitive skin.


Stockholm Tar (200ml) is an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal treatment for all hoof related infections. Stockholm Tar Spray combats thrush and other bacteria to help maintain healthy hooves. Use on horses’ feet to maintain healthy frogs and general hoof health. It works as a physical barrier.


Purple Spray (200ml) contains Tea Tree, Lavender, Chamomile and Arnica, all well known for their healing properties. Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral activity makes it ideal for use on minor wounds, abrasions, cuts and bites. Cracked, split heels are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungi; use this spray as a preventative and to aid recovery.


Himalayan Salt Lick (5kg) can be offered in the stable or the field, where it provides the essential minerals sodium and chloride, which are often short in the diets of working horses. Salt (sodium chloride) is such an important mineral for good health that horses will seek it out if they are short.


To enter, simply answer the following question:- Name two of the active ingredients in Groom Away Purple Spray


Entries must be made online at www.onlineentry.co.uk If you are reading the digital edition, simply click the link now - and remember to include your full contact details.


Closing date: 30/11/2017. The winner will be chosen at random after the closing date from all fully completed entries and notified by email. No postal entries will be accepted.


Competition at more than 60 venues


in Dressage, Show Jumping, Combined Training, Showing and


Working Hunter for enthusiastic riders Find out more at:


www.trailblazerschampionships.com Equine Page 45


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64