The World Class Equine Pathway

The Equestrian World Class Programme operates an Equine Pathway alongside its development pathway for riders, with the aim of identifying and supporting horses with the potential to win medals at the highest level. The Pathway was introduced during the 2006/2007 season in partnership with the Olympic Member Bodies of the British Equestrian Federation.

Purpose of the Pathway

The Pathway is designed to identify horses capable of developing into medal-winning prospects. Once a horse is identified, the World Class Programme works with and supports both the rider and the owner to help maximise the animal’s potential. Horses are recognised either through competition results across different age groups or through direct viewing of the horse.

Development is then monitored against a pre-determined but flexible plan, with the goal of having horses qualified to compete for medals at major championships such as the Olympic Games and the World Equestrian Games. A further aim is to encourage owners to keep their horses with British riders, strengthening the prospects of the British squads.

Selection

Selection for the Pathway varies between disciplines. The criteria and format for each are set and continually reviewed by the relevant individual sport, reflecting the different demands of dressage, showjumping, eventing and the other disciplines.

Applications and Enquiries

Application windows for the National Lottery funded World Class Equine Pathway Programme are announced by the relevant governing bodies when they open. Enquiries are handled discipline by discipline, with dressage queries directed to British Dressage, showjumping queries to British Showjumping, and eventing queries to British Eventing.