BEF invites applications for second Young Professional Programme

The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) is inviting applications for the second cohort of its Young Professional Programme.

The 12 month programme is made up of eight workshops and covers a range of areas including business management, business operations, media awareness, personal development and career enhancement.

Funded by Sport England, and in collaboration with British Dressage, British Eventing and British Showjumping, the Young Professional Programme supports young athletes who are looking to develop and acquire skills that will help them to continue working in the equine industry.

Head of Performance Pathways at the BEF, David Hamer says:

After the first cohort having completed their year on this new programme, we are looking forward to welcoming more athletes onto the next intake this Autumn. We have had a very confident group this year who have all gone on to develop business plans that will help them focus on the areas they would like to develop as they go out into the industry.

“The aim of this Programme is to help guide young athletes through what can be an uncertain time in their sporting career, particularly as they set themselves up in business. The Programme builds on the great work that has already been done by the Olympic disciplines in this area to support them to go on and hopefully have a thriving future.”

Re-capping on his experience on the Programme, eventer Alexander Tordoff said:

Over the last 12 months we have covered pretty much every aspect of running a yard; from the financial side to the performance related area, it’s really helped improve my business.”

Showjumper, Georgia Leader-White added:

Being on the Programme has allowed me to meet new people from different industries and pick up ideas that I can take back and try out. I am in the middle of doing my UKCC Level 3 and I would now like to push my coaching even further.”

Outlining her plans for the future, dressage rider Amy Schiessl said:

Thanks to the Young Professional Programme I am now looking to set up a yard on my own which I probably wouldn’t have done without this support before. I am really aware of what I need to do around insurance and health and safety and I can’t wait to put my new skills into practice.”

The Young Professional Programme is open to athletes aged 19-26 who are not in full-time education.

Applications will open on 1 July and will close on 31 July 2018. More information can be found on the BEF website under the Young Professional Programme page.