Endurance GB has unveiled plans to restructure the management of its international squads to enable the country’s pool of “potentially top-class horse and rider combinations, both at senior and junior level, to compete on a level playing field” with current world leaders.
The report says that the international management team, squad managers, selectors, riders and all involved in international competition must “raise their game”.
It adds: “Endurance GB must conduct itself professionally when competing abroad, in the way we behave, dress, present our horses and especially in the way we win.”
The first task for the organisation is to “identify first-rate management, veterinary and training expertise that is capable of building on our previous successes”.
The plan suggests that a team is not sent to next year’s World Championships, but for the focus to be put on preparation for the 2005 European Championships.
Despite disappointment at the European Championships this summer, Britain holds more team and individual medals than any country besides the USA and France.
The plan — which will be put to the membership at a meeting on 30 November — includes proposals for a scouting system to seek new talent, better training, earlier selection and tighter criteria on the senior squad. These combinations should already be FEI-qualified or at least have completed 160km in a day.
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