Natasha Adkinson - Plewlands 2012
A para-equestrian dressage rider from South Yorkshire has been selected for the 2013-2015 World Class Development Programme by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF).
Natasha Adkinson (Plewlands 2012) has been re-selected for the UK Sport funded Development Programme, which works with talented riders to maximise their potential and deliver success on the international stage.
“After such a fantastic 2012 which saw our equestrian athletes perform magnificently in London at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is great to start 2013 with the announcement of the Development Programme which identifies our most talented up and coming athletes,” commented Equestrian World Class Performance Director, Will Connell.
“The strength in depth across all four disciplines made the selection process very difficult so I’m sure Natasha will make the most of the help and expertise available to them.”
All riders on the Programme will have access to the same World Class benefits including; mentoring, coaching, human and equine sports science and medicine (fitness / nutrition / equine management / farriery advice etc).
Performance is continuously assessed and riders are formerly reviewed every six months. Targets and objectives are also set, as is funding to assist with achieving these agreed aims. Selection is on a two yearly basis but this does not mean that a rider cannot be taken onto or removed from the Programme during the two year cycle.
The World Class Development Programme underpins World Class Performance and, together with the Equine Pathway, they comprise the Equestrian World Class Programme, incorporating the three Olympic sports of dressage, eventing, showjumping and the Paralympic sport of para-equestrian dressage.
The aim of the Programme is to be a sustainable system that can deliver more medals on the international stage now and in the future. The Programme has been funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, through Exchequer and National Lottery funds, via UK Sport since 1998.
