• Home | Contact Us | Print

Summary of Para-Equestrian High Performance Meeting

Below is a summary of key areas discussed along with the outcomes at the High Performance Panel Meeting to establish the Equestrian Australia (EA) Para-Equestrian HP Program.  The meeting was held at the Office of Equestrian Australia on 24 March 2009.

Para-Equestrian Pathway

Para-Equestrian Riders - The panel discussed the issue of where the Para-Equestrian pathway started.  It was agreed that once riders are classified (1a, 1b, 2, 3 & 4) and become, or are members of Equestrian Australia, they will then be identified as Para-Equestrian riders.  Riders may still be classified, but unless they are, or become members of Equestrian Australia, they will not be Para-Equestrian riders.   Para-Equestrian riders will be issued with a ‘National Identification Card’ identifying them as Para-Equestrian riders.  

Action – EA to work with State Branches to establish a process of identifying Para-Equestrian athletes when they join EA and to compile a National Database of all Para-Equestrian riders.

National Squads – The Panel decided that there will be two National Para-Equestrian Squads.  These squads will be selected from Para-Equestrian riders on the National Para-Equestrian Database.  The Elite Squad, consisting of up to 10 riders, will primarily be those riders under consideration for selection for the next major competition (either WEG or Paralympics).  The Development Squad, consisting of up to 12 combinations, will primarily be those riders being prepared for future major championships.  An interim Elite & Development Squad will be selected for the remainder of 2009, while a more comprehensive selection policy is developed for the selection of National Squads in 2010.  Selection for National Squads will not be confined to combinations at this point of time due the transition from a ‘Borrowed Horse’ to a ‘combination-based’ Competition format.  However, the HPP believes that National Squads in the future (most likely post 2012 Paralympics) should be combination based.

Action – PE Selection Panel to meet and nominate interim National Squads for 2009.  Para-Equestrian HP Panel to finalise National Squad Selection Policy prior to National Championships in October 2009.  2010 National Squads will be announced with all EA National Squads on 26 January each year.

Coaching

Role of the National Coach - Discussion centred on the role and responsibilities of the appointed National Coach, Mary Longden.  The key tasks of the National Coach as identified by the HP Panel will primarily be:-

Deliver two clinics per year in each State (2 – 3 days each) for National Squad riders

Conduct two National clinics (at National Championships and WEG Qualifying event)

 Implement a ‘Case Management Program’ for all National Squad Riders in conjunction with the High Performance Manager (HPM).

Provide coaching support to National Squad members at overseas campaigns as designated by the HPP.

Other key areas of the National Coach will be:-

Monitoring National Squad Members in accordance with Case Management Plans

Liaison with riders support staff as required

Provision of written reports to riders following clinics and to the Selection Panel as required

Action – HPM to provide National Coach with a written agreement outlining the terms and conditions as per the requirements of HP Program.

The Panel also discussed that having access to specialised Dressage Coaches (as per the request of the riders) would be beneficial to the program. 

Action - Additional funding for specialised Dressage Coaches to be made available in PE Budget with a program for the use of identified specialist coaches to be discussed at the next HP meeting.

Competition

Domestic – The panel agreed that a major focus of the Para-Equestrian program was to mainstream PE with established Dressage competition.  The National PE Championships will initially be incorporated with established Dressage Events (such as Regional Championships or possibly State Dressage Championships) with the intention to incorporate the PE National Championships into the National Dressage Championships in the next 5 years.   Orana Dressage Club (Dubbo) has been approached to conduct the National PE Championships in October this year.  The Panel has agreed in principle to the 2009 National Championships being held in Dubbo subject to a suitable agreement being reached with the Organising Committee. 

Action – HPM to meet with the Orana Dressage Club to negotiate the National Championships being held in Dubbo on 2 – 4 October.

Underpinning Program – This program would focus on encouraging Dressage Clubs to incorporate Para-Equestrian into their event calendar providing regular competition for Para-Equestrian riders close to their home environment.  Initially the program will target clubs that have the appropriate facilities and also Para-Equestrian riders in their locality.  The EA Education Manager will work with the HP Panel to develop a package to educate and assist clubs in the conduct of Para-equestrian events.  This would include a package to assist current Judges to understand Para-equestrian competition.  

Action – EA Education Manager in conjunction with HP Panel to develop Para-Equestrian program for clubs to integrate Para-Equestrian into their club program.  HP Panel to compile a list of suitable clubs to target for the Underpinning Program.

International Competition – In the lead-up to WEG, the Panel has identified two International events for Squad riders to compete.  The first will be Hartpury (15-19 July) and the next will be the European Championships in Norway (20 -23 August 2009).  The Team will be accompanied by the National Coach and an appointed Manager.  There will be a limited amount of funding available for riders selected from the Elite Squad as nominated by the National Selectors to attend Hartpury (6 riders) and the European Championships (3 riders). 

Action – National Selectors to select riders to attend the International Events.  HPM to advise of funding package available to riders when HP Budget has been finalised.

 

Australia was originally scheduled to host a CPEDI3* in October at Werribee.  There was much discussion on what the preferred date is in order to attract the required number of entries required for a 3* WEG qualifying event.  The Panel decided the HPM will make a preliminary approach to hold this event in conjunction with a major Dressage event within the qualification period (the targeted event/s are not being published until initial discussions have been held with the organizing Committee).

Action – HPM to make approach to Organising Committee to discuss conducting Qualifying 3* with Dressage Event.

World Equestrian Games (WEG)

Selection Policy – The HPM advised the meeting that the Selection policy for WEG is due to be published mid year.  The HPM will work with the Chair of Selectors to develop this policy in the initial stages before further discussions with the HP Panel.  Following the approval from the HP panel, the policy will be distributed to National Squad riders for comment before publishing the policy publicly.

Selection Events – The meeting agreed that a key component of the policy would contain two (2) selection events.  These events would be the CPEDI3* and the 2010 National Championships (tentatively proposed for July 2010 at a venue TBC)

Pre-WEG Camp – A one week Pre-WEG Camp would be held prior to departure from Australia for team and reserve combinations.  Further details to be discussed at the next HP meeting.

 

Veterinary Program

Janine Dwyer the PE Team Vet will attend all major events and National clinics to assist in the monitoring of National Squad horses. 

As selection of the National Squads is not totally combination based, the Vet will only focus on monitoring horses that are considered WEG or Paralympic potential horses.

The Team Vet will be available to National Squad riders to provide advice on the management of identified WEG or Paralympic horses.

The Vet will also be available to offer a ‘second’ opinion when National Squad riders are purchasing potential WEG or Paralympic horses.

Budget

The HPM outlined to the meeting the key areas of the PE HP Budget for consideration when discussing servicing the HP Program. 

Action – Taking into consideration, the requirements of the key funding areas, formulate a budget to present to the HP Panel, EA Board and APC.

 

Brett Mace

High Performance Manager