Equestrian sport science days at Staffordshire University

 

Two days of Sport Science were delivered to riders at Staffordshire University as part of their education in sport psychology, nutrition, fitness and strength and conditioning as members of the British Equestrian Federation Regional Foundation Squad.

 

Some 22 talented young riders from across the West Midlands attended the Regional Foundation Squad sport science days which were held earlier this month at Staffordshire University.

 

The Squad, which aims to produce a pool of up and coming talented riders, has been set up through funding from Sport England as part of the Excel targets and is being co-ordinated by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF). The aim is that it will identify riders between the ages of 16-24 who show the potential to progress to International sporting success.

 

 

The University has been commissioned to provide sport psychology, strength and conditioning, and health and fitness guidance to these talented young riders from eventing, show jumping, dressage, and para equestrian in the West Midlands region. The days were delivered at the Stoke campus and included sessions in health, fitness and skills testing and workshops on healthy lifestyles and sport psychology. The delivery is being over seen by Dr Jamie Barker, sport psychology lead and June Sampson, health & fitness lead. The selected riders attended the sport science days to learn more about the importance of sport science in elite athlete development. Over the first two days, the riders had workshops on nutrition for sport, an over view of sport psychology plus fitness and strength and conditioning.

 

 

“It was great to see these young riders being ‘put through their paces’ and all the riders today who were unanimous in their enthusiasm,” said David Hamer, Regional Coach for West & East Midlands, BEF. “I feel privileged to be involved in a project like this, working with potential equestrian stars of the future. Sport science is something they need to have a good understanding about and what is required to make a performance difference and help them develop the skills to enhance natural talent that they have.”

 

Mounted squad training sessions take place at Kingswood Equestrian Centre, near Albrighton with the four Regional Foundation Squad coaches; Maria Eilberg (International dressage rider and European Silver Medallist), Fred Bergendorff (International show jumper/ trainer), Jeanette Brakewell (International event rider and double Olympic medallist) and Rhett Bird (International dressage rider).

 

 

David Hamer
British Equestrian Federation
Regional Foundation Squad Co-ordinator
M: 07776294298
E: David.Hamer@bef.co.uk