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Australian Dressage News
Australian Equestrian Federation Reforming Dressage High Performance Program
September 10, 2009
 Dealing with national team trainers has proven to be problematic for the Australian Equestrian Federation. Germans Ulla Salzgeber and Ralf Isselhorst, who served briefly as Australia's high performance team trainer, both left or resigned from the program. The Australian Equestrian Federation has been rethinking the format and came up with the following proposal:
The Dressage High Performance Program has for some time now been seeking a suitable model to deliver
effective coaching programs to riders within the High Performance Program. To a large degree, this has been
limited by the resources available, but past programs have not quite achieved what has been expected. This
has been for a variety of reasons, but perhaps primarily because we have been looking to the one coach to
deliver programs at all levels.
In recognition of the long term importance of ensuring that Australian Dressage riders at all levels have access
to quality coaching programs, the HPP have reviewed the current budget and operational plan to focus on the
delivery of quality coaching programs at all levels of the high performance program. The review has focussed
on the preparation and support of elite teams and riders, the development of emerging riders and horses in
AUS, along with the transfer of knowledge from experienced overseas trainers and coaches that work within
the AUS HP Program to future AUS-based coaches.
The HPP have identified three key coaching roles within the HP Program to allow delivery of programs across
the board to riders and horses. A brief overview of these roles along with the timeframe and appointment
process is outlined below. It should be noted that while there is currently one position available as the
scholarship coach, the HPP believe that ideally more coaches there will be more coaches undertaking this
development role in the future and as funding allows.
One further addition to the coaching structure and appointment of the three coaches will be the addition of
the ‘Dressage National Talent Search Program’. Information on this program is contained below.
1. National Team Trainer
The primary role of the National Team Trainer will be to oversee the preparation of the AUS Dressage Team for Olympic & World Equestrian Games.
As part of the preparation of the National Team, other commitments would include:
- Assist the HPP and work with riders in the planning of competition schedules for the National Team & National Squad riders in Europe
- Fulfil the dual role of National Trainer & Chef d’Equipe at designated CDIO Events in Europe where the Chef d’Equipe is unable to attend
- Conducting two National Squad Clinics per year in Australia
- Conduct training clinics with EUR-based AUS National Squad members in Europe as agreed with HPP
- Consult with National Dressage Selectors in regard to performance of AUS riders in Europe, potential
National Squad horses and feedback on combinations at High Performance Clinics.
It is expected this role will be undertaken by a Europe-based Trainer. This position will not be advertised but the HPP will draw up a short list and then approach suitably qualified trainers for this role.
The intention will be to have this position filled over the coming months in time for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
2. National Development Trainer
The primary role of the National Development Trainer will be to provide coaching support to AUS-based
National Squad members and identified emerging combinations and their trainers throughout Australia
The role would include:-
- Conduct of National Development Clinics in States throughout Australia (NSW, VIC, QLD, SA & WA).
There will be two clinics in each of the nominated States per year.
- Attend the Australian Dressage Championships and one other major competition as agreed with the
HPP to assist in talent identification and provide support to identified combinations in a competition
environment
- Provide feedback to National Selectors as requested on the progress of National Squad horses and
identified combinations
- Liaise with the National Team Trainer in areas of talent identification and development
- Provide coaching support as designated to members of the Youth Development Squad
- Consult with the Youth Development Co-ordinator on the development of the YD Program
The HPP have identified a Trainer who they believe has the necessary experience and qualities required to
effectively delivery this program. An approach will be made to the Trainer.
3. Scholarship Development Coach
The primary aim of this position is to provide the identified coach with an opportunity to gain experience,
develop and be mentored by qualified trainers and coaches in a high performance environment.
The appointed coach would be required to undertake the following:-
- Attend and assist with National Squad Clinics in AUS with the National Trainer
- Attend and assist with National Development Clinics States as designated by the HPM
- Undertake training as required to develop administrative skills
- Assist in the management of the Youth Development Program
- Continue to undertake training required to develop skills a Dressage coach
 The position will be widely advertised throughout Australia and open to all Dressage coaches. Applications will
be reviewed by the HPP and the successful candidate selected.
While the HPP accept that many of our leading riders are also some of our best credentialed coaches, due to
the nature and requirements of the ASC scholarship, riders who are current members of National Squads will
not be considered. At this point of time, the HPP will primarily target coaches who are committed to a career
in coaching.
Following the selection of the successful candidate, Equestrian Australia will make application to the Australian
Sports Commission (ASC) for the coach to undertake a two-year scholarship which are allocated to sports (on a
merit basis) to assist in the development of future coaches.
Applications to the Dressage HPP will close on 20 September. If EA are successful with the ASC scholarship
application, this role would commence in 2010.
Proposal for Dressage Talent Search Program
The Eventing High Performance Program has been successfully conducting a Talent Search Program for some
years now. To this date, there has been no such program for Dressage. However, with the introduction of a
National Development Coach and National Clinics to be conducted in each State, there is now the necessary
support to introduce a ‘Dressage Talent Search Program’.
The Talent Search Program is aimed at identifying promising young horses that may have the qualities required
for possible selection into National Squads in the future. The program allows promising young horses to be
identified, recognised and integrated into the High Performance system in their early developing years.
While all the details of the program are to still to be finalised, the HPP envisage the target age for Dressage
horses in this program would be around 4 – 6 years old. The process of identification would be similar to that
of the Eventing Program, where one assessment day is held once per year in each State and identified horses
(and riders) selected onto the ‘Dressage National Talent Search Squad’.
The process would be as follows:-
- A rider nominates their horse/s on the appropriate nomination form through the National Office to
undergo an assessment on the nominated assessment day in their State.
- The Dressage HPP would develop a standard assessment format to be used at each assessment
- The “Assessor” would mark the quality of each requirement through the assessment with all the
scores added up to provide an overall mark.
- The Assessor would most likely be a National Selector.
- Assessment days would ideally be held at the end of each year. Progress would be monitored at
State-based National Clinics and at shows throughout the following year.
- Riders selected onto the ‘Dressage National Talent Search Squad’ each year would be invited to the
State-based National Clinics with the National Development Trainer who would monitor the
development of Talent Search Squad members.
A maximum of 5 horses per State would be included on the National Dressage Talent Search Squad.
Talent Search Squad horses would need to be reassessed each year (while in the age bracket) in order to hold
their position on the Squad. This assessment may be through competition results or re-presenting to the
Assessment Day in their State.
Further details for this program are still being developed by the HPP, but this outline provides you with a
general overview of how this program fits in with the new role of the National Development Trainer and the
proposed National Clinics.
Brett Mace
High Performance Manager
Related Links
Australia Looking for a Dressage Scholarship Coach
Ralf Isselhorst Commences His Role with Australian Dressage Riders
Ralf Isselhorst Appointed Australian Dressage Coach
Australian Dressage Coach Ralf Isselhorst in Australia
Ulla Salzgeber To Train Australian Dressage Squads
Clemens Dierks to retire as Australian Dressage Coach
Uproar Over Australian Olympic Team Selection |
