Posted: 20th December 2022 | Back to news feed
The Wesko Equestrian Foundation, a non-profit organisation founded in memory of Christina Knudsen, has today announced its further expansion via the Young Eventers Pathway which aims to support sixty young riders, between the ages of 21-28 years, with training, education, and support.
The Foundation aims to support young Eventers from every background, to become better and more viable athletes, with a vision to create an eventing community and peer learning environment that surrounds these riders, who are participating in the programme, expanding its support from grassroots all the way to 5* riders.
Applications for the 2023 intake of riders to the Young Eventers Pathway are now open (19th December 2022) and will close on 1st January 2023.
The new Young Eventers Pathway will operate at 3 different levels encompassing the grassroots of the sport (BE80, BE90 and BE100), a combined CCI2* and CCI3* pathway, and a combined CCI4* and CCI5* pathway. Each Pathway will welcome up to 20 supported riders, with a minimum of 2 riders at each level receiving full funding for both the ridden training and education programme.
Each pathway level will feature a tailored training programme, with all ridden training taking place at Aston-Le-Walls. Riders will benefit from expert training, advice and mentorship from British Olympian and Rolex Grand Slam Winner, Pippa Funnell MBE, European Champion, Nicola Wilson, World Class Performance Manager, Richard Waygood MBE, 5* dressage judge Nikki Herbert and British Equestrian Assistant Performance Manager, Philip Surl. The Pathway riders will have shared access to a 12-month education programme, that will offer riders support in a variety of areas, from business to media training, fitness and nutrition, and equine welfare.
European Champion, Nicola Wilson is welcomed as a new addition to the Foundation’s coaching roster. Of the new appointment Nicola commented:
“I am delighted to be supporting the new programme that the Wesko Equestrian Foundation are launching, and I very much look forward to getting started with many exciting up and coming riders and their horses. It is a fabulous foundation allowing riders to draw on a wealth of knowledge and experience in a lovely environment.”
With the Foundation named after his CCI5* winning mount, Wesko, FEI World Number 1, Tim Price continues as Foundation Ambassador and said of the expansion:
“The help the foundation gives to young riders is invaluable, to have that support system in place to be able to help and guide you is second to none. The change to Pathway training days will see more riders across all levels have access to this support and programme and I’m very excited to see the progress the riders will make.”
The goal at the heart of the Foundation continues to be, bringing increased education and training to talented young event riders to support their futures, with the welfare of the horse and rider at the heart of the programme.
The Wesko Equestrian Foundation has played a key role in supporting the careers of several young riders over the past 3-years, including new FEI World Champion Yasmin Ingham (GBR) and Susie Berry (IRE) who made her senior championship debut at the 2022 World Championships in Pratoni.
Said Yasmin Ingham of the Wesko Equestrian Foundation:
“It was a privilege to be a part of the Wesko Equestrian Foundation, even though I have graduated from the foundation I still stay in contact and asking Pip for her valuable advice! I believe what I learnt when on the programme I use in my everyday life running an equestrian business. I am very grateful to all at the Wesko Equestrian Foundation.”
The first of the new Young Eventers Pathway training days is scheduled for the 13th – 16th February, at Aston-Le-Walls.
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