Equestrian Junior Groups

Monday 21st January 2002

The Scottish Equestrian Association (S.E.A.) is celebrating their second year of funding following an award of £39,700 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund's Junior Groups Programme, which allows talented young athletes to follow a comprehensive training and competition programme.

Foot and Mouth Disease had a huge impact on sport last year and the S.E.A. experienced a most difficult year in 2001, resulting in the cancellation of many competitions and training sessions, particularly in Eventing as animal movement on agricultural ground was banned. Despite this however there were positive achievements; all riders qualified for the UK Championships and accomplished personal bests, two riders represented the UK at European junior level and another competed successfully in France and the young dressage squad competed at Addington in the south of England and won or were placed in 22 out of the 40 classes.

The junior equestrian programme consists of 30 young riders training and enjoying competitive opportunities for the three Olympic disciplines: eventing, dressage and show jumping. There are residential and coaching courses and pre-competition coaching which use the services of world-class coaches to deliver the programme with assistance from qualified Scottish coaches. National and international competitions have been identified for the riders to attend and as these events attract world-class riders (junior and senior) the young Scottish riders will be given the opportunity to gauge their performance against the best in the sport. This programme will give the riders an opportunity to train as squads, impossible before due to lack of funding.

Muriel Colquhoun, Hon Sec for the S.E.A. said: "The S.E.A. is extremely grateful for this funding for the young Scottish riders. To get world class coaching at this stage in their equestrian career is a fantastic opportunity to help them be the best they can be. sportscotland and the Lottery Fund have put these riders on the ladder to success, for which we are extremely grateful."

Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland, said: "sportscotland are delighted to work together with the S.E.A. in developing these talented young athletes. This is a fantastic opportunity for young Scottish riders to train and compete at elite level, with world famous equestrian coaches, which should help ensure our best young riders are given every chance to become world amateurs."

• Junior Groups Programme provides support to groups of talented young people participating in a co-ordinated programme of coaching and competitive events over a minimum period of six months.
• Those eligible to apply for support are governing bodies of sports through the National Programme and local authorities through the Regional Programme.
• Applications for the following costs are considered for funding: facility hire, coaching fees, accommodation, travel, equipment and competition entry fees.