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3 minute read
Equine talent on form at The Howden Way Young Horse Academy Camp
A two-day camp across the 6 – 7 February at the National Training Centre, Hothorpe, saw the 2025 Young Horse Academy and Tier 1 cohort come together for the first time this year ahead of the forthcoming season. The two days provided a wealth of educational and learning opportunities where the horse/rider combinations received expert tuition from coaches Emma Winter, Tracie Robinson, Kylie Roddy and Tina cook. Working across the three phases of dressage, showjumping and cross country during the two-day camp with the quartet of highly respected coaches the riders were able to concentrate on particular areas of focus with their up-and-coming horses.
In addition to the performance training and advice given riders also had the opportunity to assess their horses with veterinarian Spike Milligan and equine physiotherapist Emma Dainty. Alongside being able to overview how their horses were looking at this point in the year they were also able to find out more and trial Enduro heart rate monitors with a view to understanding how they can assist athletes in in their horses fitness training programmes.
The two-day camp provides a great opportunity to bring riders together in the evening where they can share their own experiences in addition to allowing for informed discussions away from the ridden training. In this instance that came in the shape of an educational and interactive talk from Spike and Emma with the cohort riders with regards to managing the performance horse.
A core objective of the Young Horse Academy, where the cohort are invited to join as a horse/rider combination, is on the preparing and supporting of both the equine and human athlete. With this in mind, riders also benefitted from strength and conditioning training with a view to helping to supporting each rider to optimise physical performance and minimise risk.
Programme Director, Justine Parker said of the camp “In this year’s cohort we have a fantastic group of riders who are eager to make the most of every session made available to them. They all have a clear desire to further develop their skills and knowledge with a view to assisting both them and their horses to be the best they can be.
“It was brilliant to see the fabulous cohort of young horses on the Academy and their development since last season, All of the coaches were very impressed with the calibre presented to them during the two days and we are all very excited to see what these talented combinations will achieve this season. “
In addition to the Young Horse Academy, which the 2025 cohort were invited to join based on their performance at the Cornbury House Young Horse Championships, The Howden Way also delivers a Rider Talent Academy. Both academies are run collaboratively with British Eventing to support both horse and riders competing within the British Eventing framework. Alongside these The Howden Way also delivers the Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme, which launched last December, to support the transition of thoroughbreds as they leave the racing industry to become riding horses of the future.
To find out more visit www.thehowdenway.com