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3 minute read
SAFFRON CRESSWELL JOINS THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE PROGRAMME
Former 4* international event rider and youth European championship gold medallist Saffron Cresswell from Malvern, Worcestershire, has joined the Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme (TAP) team as one of their coaches in the West Midlands region.
Since June 2024, when Saffron suffered a life-changing injury as the result of a fall at Bramham Horse Trials, she has been following her love for coaching. A certified level 3 coach, Saffron enjoys helping and mentoring riders across all level of ability from those still at Pony Club through to those competing on the international stage.
Alongside coaching those already on a competition pathway, Saffron also takes particular pleasure in assisting those with horses who are just starting their journey. Having ridden and produced many ex-racehorses herself, as well as assisted others with retraining their own thoroughbreds, Saffron was keen to support TAP and align with the programme.
Explaining why, she said “I read about TAP when it launched last December and knew it was something I very much wanted to support. When they were first recruiting for coaches last year I was still undergoing my rehabilitation, following the injuries I sustained, so it was too early for me to put myself forward. Then I saw a recent recruitment post and jumped at the chance to reach out and see if I could join the existing team of coaches already covering the programme.
“‘TAP is a fantastic initiative, and it is amazing that David Howden and his team have been able to create such an inclusive programme. Allowing people of all levels whether they are wishing to hack, be involved in riding club or compete in any discipline to the highest level they can, to really benefit from the coaching they are able to receive is invaluable. Thoroughbreds are such giving, intelligent and versatile horses and If I can play a part in assisting more riders to have the confidence to take on ex-racehorses and transition them to riding horses then that would be amazing.”
Justine Parker, Programme Director for TAP said “It’s great to have Saffron on board and joining our existing team of high qualified and valued coaches. Her unique insight into the sport and the enthusiasm with which she embraces everything she does is both infectious and inspirational, and I am delighted that she is making herself available to our members and the ex-racehorse community.”
Saffron will be booking subsidised regional training dates shortly into the TAP calendar which can be found by visiting our website here.
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme, which sits under The Howden Way umbrella, offers a nationwide support framework to help ensure a smooth transition from racehorse to riding horse for either a competitive or non-competitive second career. By simply registering, which is free of charge, those who have taken on an ex-racehorse can access subsidised regional training from an extensive team of carefully selected coaches to help them better understand their horse and guide them through the transitional stages of retraining a racehorse.
Further information on the programme and The Howden Way can be found by visiting our website at www.thoroughbredaftercareprogramme.com