Twenty-one-year old Laura Jarvis from Sandiacre, Nottingham has been awarded the prestigious 2011 British Dressage Young Professionals Award and a generous training grant of £4000 sponsored by Mr and Mrs David Manning.
Six of the UK’s most determined young dressage professionals went head to head in the final at the Talland School of Equitation, Gloucestershire on Monday 7 March.
Judged by international riders Carl Hester and Nicola Buchanan, the competition identified the young professional with the most talent and commitment to a career in the sport. Each candidate was required to discuss a business plan, encouraging them to think practically about their career path in the dressage industry as well as riding and teaching a variety of horses.
Laura was a runner-up in the 2010 competition and told British Dressage, “Winning the YPA has given me a great confidence boost. It has encouraged me to sit down and develop a real plan for a career in dressage and has been a massive learning curve.”
The young rider has built up a client base spanning from her home in Nottingham to North East Lincolnshire, holds a UKCC level 2 coaching certificate and is now working towards level 3. She showed an enjoyment for training others, “At the minute I’m really pushing my teaching. I love the variety of my clients; they range from six to their mid 50’s. I teach all types of horses and ambitions, some want to make it to the nationals and others just want to ride a good circle!”
Competing at advanced medium level with her ten year old gelding Cranswick’s .Com Laura is now looking forward to resuming her competitive career following a hip operation in 2010, “If all’s well we will go for the PSG at Sheepgate in May, we are getting back on track following my time off and I feel that he’s ready.”
Laura is actively involved in training riders on the British Young Rider Dressage Scheme (BYRDS), “I learned so much through BYRDS, I feel that I want to give something back!” Recommending the competition to others she said, “You get a lot from it. You can’t think I’m not right or I’m not good enough, it’s a great process for any young person who wants a career in dressage.”
Judge Nicola Buchanan commented, “Laura won as an overall picture. She rode well and was very confident and eloquent when assessing the horses and the way she rode.”
Laura must now have her business plan approved by the BYRDS committee to secure her £4000 grant. Second placed Amy Blount and third placed Sophie Barker will also receive contributions of £2000 and £1000 respectively towards their chosen paths.
The Young Professionals award was established in 2010 and replaced the talent spotting programme which ran for 20 years. The original format was developed to capture talented riders in days when perhaps dressage wasn’t such an obvious sport choice. With dressage now burgeoning in all regions it was felt that the formula had run its course – those coming through the final stages were undoubtedly talented but were also already ‘spotted’ and well supported through the regional networks. Instead it was felt there was a need in the industry for a scheme that helped young people from 18-25 structure a career path in dressage and to motivate and help them to achieve this and so the Young Professionals award was born through the BD BYRDS committee with Islay Auty, Janet Horswill and Rachel Hillier being instrumental in shaping the event.
1st Laura Jarvis
From Sandiacre, Nottingham. Qualified at Aspen Grove, Oxon.
£4,000 Grant & Double Bridle from the Worshipful Company of Saddlers
2nd Amy Blount
From Stockbridge, Hants. Qualified at Combridge Farm, Staffs.
£2,000 Grant & £40 Saddlery Voucher from the Worshipful Company of Saddlers
3rd Sophie Barker
From Yarm, Stockton on Tees. Qualified at Combridge Farm, Staffs.
£1,000 Grant & £40 Saddlery Voucher from the Worshipful Company of Saddlers
Runners up
Ashleigh Hill
From Tonbridge, Kent. Qualified at Aspen Grove, Oxon.
Rachel Finan
From Bournemouth, Dorset. Qualified at Catherston Stud, Hants.
Samantha Morrison
From Swinerten, Staffordshire. Qualified at Catherston Stud, Hants.
Each runner up received a £100 Grant.
Young Professionals Award Workshop Day
Monday 23 May in the Jersey Cattle Society room at Stoneleigh Park.
The day will run from 10 am – 4 pm and the format will include workshops on the application process including CV, DVD, references, self employment including tax and insurance implications, interview techniques and UKCC Coaching advice.
This workshop day is sponsored by Core Context Consulting Ltd.
Cost will be £25 per person and include lunch.
Related Links
Six Finalists Selected for the British Dressage 2011 Young Professionals Award
British Dressage Young Professionals Award 2010: Smyth scoops top honours