There are a variety of grants/support schemes that can be utilised by riders:
SportsAid
SportsAid is a charity that financially supports young talented sports people to help them to achieve sporting success. Within the sport of equestrian, SportsAid has supported young able bodied and disabled riders when they are on the first rungs of the sporting ladder to Olympic and Paralympic success for approaching 30 years.
In 2009/10 SportsAid supported over 25 riders through both the SportsAid and the TASS schemes (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) to the value of about £20k. The grants have been used to benefit the riders in a variety of ways including rider and horse equipment, competition entry fees and training.
Grants usually vary between £500 and £1000 and can be gained on either a National or Regional basis. This financial contribution is gratefully received because participating in equestrian sport is very costly, but it should not overshadow the huge personal, psychological and media advantages of being recognised by both their NGB's and SportsAid as a talented young individual.
To view the full SportsAid Framework for the British Equestrian Federation see here
Criteria set by SportsAid and the NGB:
SportsAid require the able bodied athletes to fit into the following criteria:
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Performance: regularly meet the criteria set out below
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Location: Live and train in England, Wales and Scotland
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Age: between 12 and 18 years old (25 for para-equestrian dressage)
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Income: must not earn over £8,000 a year
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Funding: must not be in receipt of any other funding such as a TASS or Lottery Award
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Individual circumstances will be taken into consideration
All applications must come through the NGB.
The following criteria will be used to identify equestrian athletes nominated for a SportsAid Award:
Dressage
Pony riders - consistently achieving 65% at Medium level or Pony FEI level (minimum 4 scores)
Junior riders - consistently achieving 65% at Advanced or Medium Open level and above 67% at Advanced Medium Restricted and above (minimum 4 scores)
Please note freestyle scores do not count towards minimum criteria
Eventing
Long Listed Pony/Junior Rider European Championship Team
Registered to compete in the JRN system
Showjumping
Long Listed Pony/Junior Rider European Championship Squad
Home Pony International Team (148cm)
Children on Horses Team
Para Equestrian Dressage
Consistently achieving a minimum of:
60% or above at BD National Level Competitions
Or competing at RDA Championship level and achieving 62% or above in their grade
All riders applying for this award must be eligible to compete in BD National para-equestrian Competitions
Please note freestyle scores do not count towards minimum criteria
Identification Process
Information about the SportsAid awards will be available on the BEF and discipline web sites:
www.bef.co.uk
www.britisheventing.co.uk
www.britishdressage.co.uk
www.britishshowjumping.co.uk
PLEASE NOTE : Each discipline will approach relevant key personnel such as team coaches, Chef d'Equipes and selectors to nominate individuals who they feel would be suitable for the award. These riders will in turn be sent a letter and nomination form inviting them to apply.
Nominations are now closed
For more information please contact: Sarah Armstrong, World Class Programme Manager.
T: 02476 698874 / 01480 860448
E: sarah.armstrong@bef.co.uk
Find out more at www.sportsaid.org.uk
TASS Scholarships
The overall aim of the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) is to assist Great Britain's most talented young athletes who wish to optimise the effectiveness of their sports and academic programmes. It enables them to take advantage of a scheme that will propel them towards Olympic medals, whilst ensuring that they can fulfil their academic potential alongside their sporting ambitions. This system is driven through partnership working between Higher Education Institutions, Further Education Colleges National Governing Bodies of Sport and other sports organisations.
The aim for British Equestrian
The TASS programme aims to provide a seamless transition for riders filling the gaps in current provision between the World Class Programmes as well as providing a stepping stone for 'non-funded' riders into the World Class Start, Potential and Performance Programmes, while encouraging riders to pursue an academic career.
The scheme also provides effective links with regional and national development programmes such the Pony, Junior and Young Rider squads, and forms an integral component of the Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model and the BEF One Stop Plans.
For more information please contact: Sarah Armstrong, World Class Programme Manager. Tel: 07881 950543/ 02476 698874/01480 860448. Email: sarah.armstrong@bef.co.uk
