(British Dressage) – The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has announced the riders who have been selected for the 2013-2015 Word Class Development Programme.

The aim of the Programme is to be a sustainable system that can deliver more medals on the international stage now and in the future, and it is structured in such a way to encourage progression from World Class Start through to World Class Potential and then onto the Performance Programme.

“After such a fantastic 2012 which saw our equestrian athletes perform magnificently in London at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is great to start 2013 with the announcement of the Development Programme which identifies our most up and coming athletes,” commented Equestrian World Class Performance Director, Will Connell.

Established in 2002, the programme underpins the World Class Performance Programme, and is divided into two parts; World Class Start and World Class Potential. Selection for the squads take place every two years, and during this time performance is continually assessed with formal reviews for riders every six months.

The Development Programme, which is funded by UK Sport, works with talented riders to maximise their potential and deliver success on the international stage. All riders on the programme have access to the same World Class benefits including; mentoring, coaching, human and equine sports science & medicine (which includes fitness and nutrition programmes, equine management advice and access to world class farriery)

Those selected for the Potential Squads are now sure to have their sights set firmly on a place in the World Class Performance Programme in time for Rio 2016.

Dorset based rider Hannah Biggs, who was thrilled to have been re-selected for the Potential Squad with her long term Grand Prix partner Weltzin, commented “The Development Programme really is a catalyst for riders to get onto the world scene in a professional way. As part of the squad I receive access to some of the best help in the world and I couldn’t have got to where I am without it.”

British Dressage offer huge congratulations and best of luck for the coming two years to all of our riders who have worked so hard in order to be selected for the Development Squads. They are as follows:

Dressage Para-equestrian dressage

Hannah Biggs, Dorset Natasha Adkinson, South Yorkshire
Nikki Crisp, Buckinghamshire Katherine Cooksley, Berkshire
Maria Eilberg, Worcestershire Ashleigh Jones, West Midlands
Alex Hardwick, Herefordshire Ruth MacCarthy, West Midlands
Bobby Hayler, Essex Annastasia Neale, Staffordshire
Gabrielle Lucas, Essex Erin Orford, Buckinghamshire
Olivia Oakeley, Hampshire Natalie Povey, North Wales
Annie Perry, County Durham Alex Sutton, Wiltshire
Zoe Sleigh, Worcestershire Nicky Thompson, Surrey
Amy Stovold, West Sussex Georgia Wilson, Conwy
Samantha Thurman-Baker, Oxfordshire Ryan Todd, West Yorkshire

Photo Courtesy of British Dressage – Hannah Biggs and Weltzin