British Dressage is excited to announce their involvement with a new scheme aimed at young riders who have the talent and aspirations to make it pro.
From September 2013, Hartpury College, through their Equine Academy and in conjunction with British Dressage (BD), British Eventing (BE) and the British Equestrian Federation (BEF), will bring their hugely successful Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) to equestrianism.
Already successful in several main-stream sports, the course offers selected talented riders the opportunity to get their foot on the career ladder and progress their skills, whilst learning how to manage all aspects of life in a professional sport as well as the chance to continue their education at the same time.
The AASE dressage and para-dressage schemes are open to riders aged 16 – 19 who meet specific criteria set by BD, and those who are selected will have the choice to complete the course either at Hartpury or from their home training base.
Apprentices will combine their riding with units aimed at preparing them for all aspects of their future career and will have access to a high quality training environment with modern well equipped facilities plus the benefit of talented coaches, conditioning experts, physiotherapists, nutritionists and one-on-one mentors.
The course has a variable duration, starting at twelve months for a full time Hartpury based student, through to much more flexible packages for those who choose to take the apprenticeship from home.
BD Education and Development Manager Jo Brown commented; “This is a great new initiative for riders who are talented and driven to become the elite riders of tomorrow. AASE provides a great way to combine a focus on a competitive dressage career with the opportunity to learn all the additional skills which make athletes successful. Riders also have the option to study A levels alongside the apprenticeship, which gives a realistic choice for young people who want to combine further education with a growing passion and dedication to dressage.”
Entry Criteria
All riders must have 5 GCSE grades at C or above. This is a minimum requirement to be considered for selection.
Dressage
Riders should be competing consistently at Medium level and above, and be achieving 65% or more.
Applicants should have a minimum of four results at this level in the 12 months prior to application.
Riders will also be considered on younger horses (up to 7 years of age) who demonstrate the potential to compete successfully at International level and are already competing consistently at Elementary or above (must be achieving 70% +)
Please note freestyle scores do not count towards minimum criteria.
Para-Dressage
Riders must have a current classification and should be consistently and currently scoring 62% + in their relevant grade in BD Para-Dressage Competitions.
Please note freestyle scores do not count towards minimum criteria.
To find out more:
Details on the scheme including different ways of taking the course, what you can expect on a day-to-day basis and for more information about Hartpury College, please visit the Hartpury College website www.hartpury.ac.uk and search ‘Hartpury Equine AASE’.
For more information about the AASE opportunities at Hartpury College, please contact Jennifer Mellows, the AASE Coordinator at jennifer.mellows@hartpury.ac.uk, telephone 01452 702245.
For dressage and para-dressage AASE eligibility or other queries please contact Jo Brown, Education and Development Manager at British Dressage, jo.brown@britishdressage.co.uk, tel 02476 698833
Related Links
Riders Selected for British World Class Development Programme 2013-2015
British Dressage Sponsors Its World Class Talent Riders
Funding Opportunities for Talented Riders in Great Britain