The team at the Windrush Equestrian Foundation have announced the new riders going on to the 2020 Foundation’s Young Eventers programme.
Having the unenviable job of whittling down the applicants were; Yogi Breisner, BE World Class Performance Manager for 17 years, Alice Fox Pitt, journalist, media professional and wife to Olympic medal winning event rider William, Darrell Scaife, Team GB eventing selector, Philip Surl, Team Manager to the Eventing Nations Cup teams and Emma Chesworth (Windrush Equestrian Foundation).
Fresh from her Burghley win, programme mentor and trainer, Pippa Funnell commented:
On the back of having such a fantastic weekend at Burghley, all I wanted to do was rest and soak up the win, but I was surprised at how refreshing it was to meet such a great bunch of enthusiastic and talented young riders and how much I look forward to being able to pass on much of what I’ve learned and experienced over the last 30 odd years. It makes me feel even more passionate about my role as a mentor and trainer of the Windrush Equestrian Foundation”
Following a tough selection day held at Pippa and William Funnell’s Billy Stud, Windrush Equestrian Foundation reveal the following riders that will be joining them this year.
On the full programme:
Connie Copestake, FR
20-year-old International event rider Connie is based in South Lincolnshire and was 2014 British National Junior Champion as well as a member of the 2015 French Young Rider European Squad. Connie has 7 horses, her top horse El Kolibri is competing at Blenheim International this week.
Will Furlong, UK
Will is based at the family farm and was 2015 Individual and Team Young Rider Europeans Gold medallist and U25 British National Champion 2017. Will convincingly stepped up to CCI5* level last year posting an impressive clear cross-country round at Badminton in the Spring.
Alicia Hawker, UK
Having successfully moved through the British Eventing Pony, Junior, Young Rider and CCI3*-S programmes, Alicia is now competing internationally at CCI5*. She rode for the first time at Burghley two weeks ago finishing 16th with her top horse Charles RR.
Max Warburton, UK
Based at the family farm, near Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, International event rider Max has an impressive string of 12 horses. He hopes to make his Team GB debut at the 2020 CCI3* European Cup with further aims of competing for this country at Senior Team Level.
On the part-time programme:
Yasmin Ingham, UK
Current 2019 U25 British Champion Yasmin has enjoyed a number of high-profile top results since her first National Title in 2013. Claiming Individual and Team Pony European Gold medals as well as National Junior U18 and Young Rider U21 Champion titles, Yasmin stepped up to CCI5* in 2018 in style finishing in 16th.
Lorenzo Monachesi, Italy
Based with FEI World Number One Tim Price and wife Jonelle, Lorenzo moved to the UK from Italy to pursue his Eventing career. With his sights firmly set on an Italian Senior Team place he is currently competing at Intermediate and CCI2* level.
India Wishart, UK
Oxfordshire based 21-year-old event rider, India represented Great Britain at the Young Rider European Championships in 2016 and posted an amazing top 10 finish. Alongside her Eventing career, India is also a 1st Class Honours Graduate from the University of Birmingham.
What is the Windrush Equestrian Foundation?
Equestrian enthusiast Christina Knudsen’s wish was to create a foundation which would give young, talented riders the opportunity to achieve their dreams of becoming professional eventers. With the Windrush Young Eventers Programme we aim to seek out natural talent, support young riders in their training and education, develop their skills and increase their confidence by offering them a pathway to support themselves not only in the sport, but also in business.
The Foundation’s purpose is to offer all-round training and education to our riders with the intention of setting them up for long, successful and profitable careers in the eventing sector.
For more information on the Windrush Equestrian Foundation, please visit www.windrushfoundation.org.uk
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.
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