Resource material for Junior Athletes

Printout #1:  Rules questionnaire (click here)
Printout#2:   Plan for 2014 (click here) Edit dates as appropriate.
Printout#3:   Competition record (click here)
Printout#4:   Evaluating your competition performance (click here)
Printout#5:   Record of cross country obstacles encountered (click here)
Printout#6:   Stages of training the horse (click here)
Printout#7:   Glossary of terms used by dressage judge and what they mean (click here).

Development Squad Riders will be encouraged to develop an achievable short and long term plan appropriate to their own experience to date and the ability and training level of their horse/s. These plans need not be an essay. In its simplest form use Printout#2 above. However, for older riders, it is good practice to write up important points in a log for each horse. The log could include notes from coaching clinics, competition results, health issues, conditioning plans and general observations.

1.      The Folder

It is good practice to carry a copy of the Eventing Rules or at minimum a summary (Printout #8), plus relevant dressage tests with you to every competition. Other documents that you should get into the habit of carrying include Horse Registration/ID papers (EA or FEI) and copies of your up-to-date Medical Armband.

Squad Members will be asked to provide and bring to squad clinics the following recommended materials: 

(a)  EA Rules for Eventing (see the EA website for current Rules, 2014)

(b)  2-ring binder (recommended heavy weight waterproof Beautone binder) with:

• 2014 Dressage tests applicable to Eventing (go to Dressage NSW on the Equestrian Australia site)
• Horse ID/description form (click here) – or photocopy EA registration papers
• Medical Armband photocopies
• Calendar of Events for 2014 (click here)    
• “My” Eventing Program with Aims for 2014 Goal Setting Program, Competition Program PRINT OUT (2) see below Item 2.
• All recent dressage test papers (at minimum the last FOUR)
• Results from events this year and last year for horse and athlete PRINT OUT (3) and PRINT OUT (4)
• Record of clinics attended with notes PRINT OUT (4)
• Note book (recommended soft with fold-back ring binding A5 lined) and suitable pen/pencil
• Individual Horse Logbook or stable Diaryshowing training, feed, worming and shoeing records for horse(s) ay veterinary treatments

(c)    Equestrian NSW "Equi-skills" folder and workbooks (if enrolled)

(d)    List of things to be checked before you leave for the competition:
        e.g.  Grooming Kit, First Aid Kit, Farriers Tools, smart dress clothing.

 2.      Setting Goals

Examples of short term goals might be:

• To join a Development Squad
• Move up a level – safely and with confidence
• Move down a level – with the aim of better results and greater confidence
• Significantly improve dressage scores
• Showjump clear, every time
• Ride Cross Country precisely to time
• Complete a PN CCN (three day event) on your dressage score

Examples of possible medium term aims:

• Become established at CNC1*
• Join the EvNSW Junior Squad,
• Compete CIC*
• Compete CCI*,
• NSW Junior Teams CCI*,
• Qualify and ride at CNC 2**

Examples of longer term goals could include:

• Win or place at CCI 2*
• Be selected for Aust YR Oceana team, (recently won at the MIHT3DE by Australia)
• CCI  3* Melbourne/Sydney,
• Aust Senior Oceana Team,
•  Adelaide 4*,
• Olympics and WEG

It is important to be realistic about achievable goals and ambitions in the short term, rather than articulating grand plans involving multiple competitions. This is why we have included a sample of a possible Goal Setting Plan below:
 

Competition Plan 

The Competition plan will set out proposed competitions (Eventing and non-eventing, such as Showjumping, Dressage, and PC or Interschools) – and the closing date of entries of each. It should take into account the Goal Setting Plan, (see example above), location and suitability of events, possible clashes with school and work commitments, budget considerations, and horse management requirements.

 3.      What to expect at a Development Squad Clinic

At Clinics riders will be exposed to some or all of the following:

• Prepare and present the horse (unassisted) for competition/trot-up
• Execute a “trot up”
• Understand the correct saddlery and equipment used for each phase
• Understand how to care for equipment
• Discuss rules, and answer and file an Open Book questionnaireon the rules, download PRINT OUT 1 it has all the answers!!
• Understand the differences between CNC, CIC and CCI events and relation to general plan.
• Know the pathway for event horses to 4* and be able to plan their horses’ progress
• Understand the importance of horse and athlete fitness and plan fitness program for both
• Understand the importance of horse and athlete nutrition and plan event preparation
• Observe and treat simple health and injury problems of the horse as an athlete in training
• Understand requirements for long distance travel, including preparation for, horse management
• Understand Horse Welfare issues
• Recognise “Dangerous Riding”
• Discuss previous performance, relationships with other riders, the team, coaches, mentor and officials.
• Be prepared to work on the greatest weakness in the dressage phase with Group Coach
• Walk jumping course with a view to understanding placement of jumps, difficulty factors, options.
• Ride to time cross countrywith understanding of terrain as at beginning, middle and end of course.

5.       Other Resources

The Guide to Eventing (Emma D'Arcy, Alison Duthie) from [email protected]
The Horses' Health Bible (Colin Vogel)
The BHS Complete Manual of Stable Management

Junior & Young Rider sub-committee of Ev NSW:            Norm Hindmarsh, Bradley Hayden, Penny Rose, Charles Tym , Bronwyn Doong       

PRESIDENT of Ev NSW:                                                  Shane Rose
SECRETARY of Ev NSW:                                                 Vicki Burgess