Two East Antrim PC members Reach Pony Club UK Rider Development Squad
Congratulations to Rachael Coulter and Justine Harding of East Antrim Pony Club who have made it to the final selection of young rider development receiving specialist training and development.
Naturally both East Antrim members were absolutely thrilled with their achievement. To have two members make it through this selection process is a very positive reflection on the dedicated training and encouragement offered by the club, parents and supporters.
Commenting on her daughter’s selection, Rachelle Harding commented “Justine is very dedicated rider who loves eventing and learning. ” She continued, “Justine is really excited to step up her education in the sport.”
28 talented Pony Club Members from all corners of the country made their way to Rider Development Pathway (RDP) Camp at Somerford
Park in Cheshire, June 14-15th for a weekend of top class coaching in their chosen discipline of Dressage, Show Jumping or Eventing
Launched in spring 2014, The Pony Club RDP is supported by the Sport England funded BEF Excel Talent Programme, developed to extend the rider talent pathway below the UK Sport funded World Class Programme, and to help riders develop to be the best they can be in their chosen discipline. Members attending the camp, who were selected at one of the nine Regional Training and Assessment days held in April, benefitted from coaching not just in their chosen discipline, but also on a holistic level to help them improve all aspects of their performance.
Ridden coaching was delivered by Maria Eilberg (Dressage), Gary Parsonage (Eventing) and Philippa McKeever-Curry (Show Jumping), with the additional opportunity for members to be filmed riding a jump round or a dressage test, as though they were competing; they were then able to review this footage with a coach to see how they could improve their competition technique
Ridden coaching was backed up by one to one mentoring on goal setting with Pat Crann, as well as balance and position work to analyse position and technique with Hilary Wakefield.
“The balance lessons were incredibly interesting and helped everything make sense, and the goal setting was also really useful” commented Chloe Dawes from the Berkeley Hunt Branch.
There were also one to one consultations on feeding, for each of the riders’ horses and an evening lecture on equine nutrition as a whole featuring the ever popular ‘Harry the gut’, courtesy of Dengie Horse Feeds nutritionist Claire Akers.
“Thank you very much for the amazing opportunity!” trilled Olivia Skinner from the Garth Hunt, at the end of the camp. “It was a fantastic venue, with great coaching, I met some lovely people and I have learnt a lot”.
“The RDP camp had a real buzz to it” commented William Blane, Chairman of Pony Club Training. “Riders not only had the opportunity to develop their skills with the coaches, but also to make friends and develop friendships with other members from across the country”.
The close of the camp also marked the final selection of the seven riders, who will now form the inaugural Pony Club Rider Development Squad and receive further training and support.
Selected riders are as follows:
| Name | Branch |
| Chloe Dawes | Berkeley Hunt |
| Rachael Coulter | East Antrim |
| Andrew Winn | Percy Hunt |
| Justine Harding | East Antrim |
| Katie Waldock-Smith | Enfield Chace Hunt |
| William Bower | Pendle Forest & Craven Hunt |
| Victoria Lillington | Linlithgow & Stirlingshire |
“Due to the standard of all the riders, selection for the Rider Development squad was extremely difficult” commented William Blane. “The RDP has shown The Pony Club is still, as it has always been, producing talented riders of the future”
Going forwards, those selected for the Rider Development Squad will work with an experienced mentor who will continue to develop their progression and training within their discipline. All riders who attended the RDP will be encouraged to attend further training, national and international competitions with further input from selected coaches.
