The British Young Riders Dressage Scheme (BYRDS) department of British Dressage has had a busy few months recruiting for some key team staff and volunteer vacancies but it’s now full steam ahead for the 2014 season for our UK Sport supported Pony, Junior and Young Rider squads.
Pony Team
Pam Bushell and Andrew Harris will join Sarah Pidgley to complete the trio of Pony Selectors. International Teams Director David Trott will oversee the group. Pam is a list 2 judge and is familiar with the youth teams having had a daughter involved in the under 21s. Andrew Harris gained notoriety as an event rider but is now more involved in dressage, riding himself to Inter I level and he’s a list 4 judge. Andrew has also helped his daughter Emily through the under 21 system.
Dr Robert Oulton is the new team vet. A Canadian by birth, Robert has been based in the UK since 2007 and is based at the Chiltern Equine Clinic in Buckinghamshire. He was FEI vet at Hartpury CDI3* in 2012 and 2013 and team vet to the silver medal winning British team at the CIC2* European Team Championships last year.
Junior and Young Rider Team
Andrea Smith is now a selector alongside Clive Halsall and Islay Auty. A list 1 judge and prix st georges competitor, Andrea has been closely involved with the teams over the last 15 months so brings a great deal of knowledge.
Cara Hayward and Leanne Wall will take on the Chef d’Equipe duties under the guidance of Anne Keen. A UKCC level 3 coach, Cara was a member of the Horsepower team which organises Royal Windsor Horse Show and Olympia CDI. Leanne also holds a UKCC level three qualification as well as being a list 2A judge. She is very involved at a regional level at ‘home’ in the Southern region.
David Rowlands of Penbode Equine Vets in Devon has been appointed the team vet. He’s been involved with the Para Dressage World Class Development Squad since 2006 including travelling with riders abroad and was a Duty Vet for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
British Dressage Chief Executive Amanda Bond commented; “British Dressage is extremely grateful to all our volunteers and those who stepped down from the youth committees at the end of 2013 contributed a great deal to our continued successes. These are exciting times for our young riders on the European stage and we now have a complete support network in place to help them achieve their dreams and goals.”
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
British Dressage Seeks Under 21 Team Veterinarian, Selectors and Chef d'Equipe
British Pony, Junior and Young Rider Squads for 2013-2014 Announced