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3 minute read
The first The Howden Way Rider Talent Academy Camp of 2025 proves a resounding success
The Howden Way Rider Talent Academy for British Eventing riders recently held a successful two-day training camp at the British Showjumping National Training Centre (NTC) in Hothorpe, bringing together riders from their Pony, Junior, and Young Rider categories.
This weekend’s event provided a unique opportunity for the riders to enhance their skills with expert guidance, culminating in a comprehensive learning experience that benefited both horse and rider.
The camp saw a diverse array of activities, with participants engaging in dressage lessons under the expert guidance of renowned coaches Tracie Robinson, Andrew Fletcher, and Camilla Kruger. Camilla also co-delivered the jumping sessions alongside Christie Wright and Philip Surl, offering valuable instruction and insight on technique, form, and strategy.
Included within the camp was a veterinary session, where British Eventing team vet Sam Offord conducted health checks for horses being targeted for future youth teams. The veterinary assessments ensured that the horses were in optimal condition for competition and further training.
In addition to the mounted sessions, the riders were introduced to the use of heart rate monitors, a valuable tool in training. Enduro led an insightful discussion on how heart rate data can be used to track and improve performance. Each rider group was invited to volunteer a horse to demonstrate the heart monitor during a gallop, providing the riders with a hands-on learning experience.
Strength and conditioning sessions also played a key role in the camp’s success, allowing the riders to explore practice techniques to improve their physical preparation. These sessions, which focused on injury prevention and physical development, were designed to help riders enhance their overall fitness and strength for better performance both on and off the horse.
The camp also provided valuable support for parents and guardians through an educational session titled Understanding Young People, delivered by Will Parker, Director of Sport at Cheltenham Ladies' College and former Head of Children and Young People at Sport England. This insightful session focused on cognitive brain development and how it impacts behavior and emotions, helping parents gain a deeper understanding of how to best support young athletes during their developmental stages.
The Howden Way is committed to providing high-quality training and educational opportunities across the Rider Talent Academy for athletes aged 14 – 28 years competing within the British Eventing framework as they transition through the age groups and into senior competition. The purpose, working collaboratively with British Eventing is nuture and develop the next generation of talent enabling them to reach their full potential.
Justine Parker, Programme Director said “It was a very successful weekend at the national training centre which showcased the academy’s dedication to developing well-rounded athletes who are physically mentally and emotionally prepared for their future not only this season but within equestrian sport as a whole. We had a great two days with all the athletes and the feedback received from them at the end of the weekend surpassed our expectations to the point of it being quite overwhelming in terms of what they felt they had achieved from being there. This was the first of the academy’s for 2025 and it was exciting to see so much talent and shared commitment across the cohort which certainly bears well for the future of our sport.”
The Howden Way also delivers a Young Horse Academy in addition to supporting Young Horse classes with additional prize fund for British Eventing. Alongside the eventing academies The Howden Way also has within its portfolio the Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme which offers subsidised training alongside educational material for riders taking on thoroughbreds with a view to assisting them transition from racehorse to riding horse.