Leinster Dressage - Training - Leinster Dressage Training Strategy and Plans 2009

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Leinster Dressage Training Strategy and Plans 2009

Published 13.01.2009

Strategy for 2009

Main training objectives identified by the Leinster Dressage Committee for 2009 are:

To increase participation in dressage and skill levels of young riders by:

Increasing the frequency and coverage of Youth Development Dressage Training
Providing new classes at Leinster Dressage shows in 2009 aimed at junior riders who have not participated previously in Dressage Ireland shows and at under 12s

To promote and provide dressage training for adult riders by:

using a stratified approach (see below) to ensure that riders’ can access the type of training best adapted to their needs;
co-operating whenever possible with local branches of other equestrian organisations in the provision of training to optimize use of financial and human resources and maximize the participation in training.

To promote dressage generally in the area, one or more demonstrations will be organised, ideally in co-operation with local branches of other equestrian organisations

Plans for 2009

Young Riders

The Leinster Dressage Committee has agreed to add an under-12s class to its winter schedule, using the Pony Club under 12s test. Actions are in hand to publicise this new class through the local Pony Club branches and using the usual Dressage Ireland PR channels (Dressage Ireland and Leinster Dressage websites, Dressage Ireland monthly Info Update email, Irish Field). Action has also been put in hand to find sponsorship for this class to allow training bursaries to be presented to the winners.

In 2008 the Youth Development Training supported by HSI was started very late in the year so that only one session was run and not all of the HSI funds that could have been used for this purpose were spent. In 2009, this training will begin as early as possible in the year and continue over the maximum number of sessions that can be funded. As Leinster Dressage has put by some funds for training, this can begin before funding from other sources, such as HSI, is confirmed.

As a follow-up activity to support the training, an additional class has been added to the Leinster Dressage winter schedule specifically for junior riders eligible to participate in Leinster Youth Development Training, who have not previously competed at a Dressage Ireland show. Actions are in hand to publicise this new class through the usual Dressage Ireland PR channels (Dressage Ireland and Leinster Dressage websites, Dressage Ireland monthly Info Update email, Irish Field). Action has also been put in hand to find sponsorship for this class to allow training bursaries to be presented to the winners

Adult Riders

Leinster Dressage has raised funds during 2008 specifically intended to subsidize the organisation of training for adult Leinster Dressage members and participants in our shows even if they are not Dressage Ireland members.

In order to optimize the use of available funds and human resources, as well as facilitating the delivery of training most suitable to the recipient’s needs, the following approach will be taken:

For adult ‘entry level’ riders, many of whom are not Dressage Ireland members, we will be offering a training bursary to the value of €30, which can be used at the recipient’s convenience with any local dressage trainer, to all competitors in our ‘Amateur’ class who compete in all four shows of the winter season. Most of these riders will not have had a dressage lesson and they are often reluctant to apply for places in clinics, as this can be quite intimidating. By using the training bursary approach we hope to encourage them to try out training in a more comfortable and convenient situation, as well as encouraging to keep on competing. The current criterion (attendance at all 4 shows) and amount (€30) have been chosen to ensure that the cost of this initiative does not become excessive, but that a reasonable proportion of our regular amateur competitors have a chance to benefit. It may be adjusted for future seasons, in the light of experience.
For mid-level riders, competing preliminary and novice, a different approach will be taken. Many of the people in this group are also riding club members and most will not have previously ridden or competed above the grade in which they are currently competing. Training for this group will be based on a ‘step up’ theme, i.e. for Preliminary riders, training will be aimed at helping them develop their skills and train their horse towards Novice level. For the Novice riders, training will be aimed at helping them step up to Elementary. We hope to arrange this training jointly with the AIRC North East Region, but this is still to be discussed.
For riders competing at Elementary and above, we aim to source one or more international trainers and host several clinics this year. This training level will be aimed predominantly at those riders who are not eligible for Schumacher training. Any such clinics will be open to Leinster Dressage members first. If any places are unfilled, they could be offered to other Dressage Ireland regions and Eventing Ireland. However, given the rate of interest expressed by Leinster members, it seems probable that we will be able to fill the clinics with our own members.
We have received a request from members to organise a demonstration/lecture on Freestyle to Music. As we ran two demos in 2008 on the scales of training, we plan to try to act on the request in 2009, possibly in co-operation with the local AIRC clubs or region. In 2008, the demos run were very well supported and raised funds, thus we would hope that the 2009 demos would be at least self-funding.

Document drawn up December 2008

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