NutriRice Junior Star Squad 2010
The Junior *Star Squad was created for the year 2010 to help young athletes established 1-star (and above) in negotiating the move up into the FEI eventing ranks. Along with increased pressures on fitness and performance for both the athletes and their horses, the “Star” levels require a greater depth of understanding of the rules that govern our sport, and the roles and responsibilities of competitors, officials and organisers.
The Star levels are also the first opportunity for many athletes to compete as part of a representative Team, and the Junior *Star Squad is designed to help athletes understand the processes of Team selection, what is expected of Team members at events, and the various resources available to Teams prior to and during an event.
Squad Selection
In 2010, Athlete and horse combinations established at 1-star level and above are eligible for selection in the Junior *Star Squad on the basis of quality performances. They will remain as a squad member for the remainder of the year. Athletes who move up into the 1* ranks in 2010 may be invited onto the squad when they are established at 1* level and have recommendation by their current instructor or Development Squad Area Coach.
Athletes may also be eligible for the Development Squad with other horses, (as long as the required performance/level criteria are met). Athletes selected in a NSW Junior Representative Team for any 3DE will receive opportunities for additional coaching prior to the event. Non-*Star Squad athletes selected for Teams will be offered the same opportunities for additional coaching and support, prior to and at the event/s.
Clinics and Training
Athletes in this squad will be offered clinics as appropriate. One will be at the commencement of the year and the other at the Winter Junior camp. s or area-relevant Development Squad Clinics, where appropriate. Every effort will be made to obtain some support for these clinics but they will be essentially provided on a user-pays basis with vacancies filled from Young Riders who are no longer eligible for training as a junior.
The main training aim of the Junior *Star Squad is to identify performance strengths and weaknesses, and to provide targeted training for *Star Squad and Junior Team Members. This program is intended to complement the training provided by an athlete’s regular coach/es, and will cover additional areas of knowledge required for successful competition at Three Day Event level.
Personal development, fitness, nutrition of athlete and horse, managing soundness (pre- during and post-event), goal-setting and budgeting, entering events, registration requirements, managing long-distance transport, in-depth knowledge of the Eventing Rulebook, competition protocols and long-term planning and analysis will be covered in clinics. Guest experts have been sourced who will be available to present these topics at an appropriately professional and in-depth level.
The * Squad will receive an identifying uniform which should be worn at CIC and CCI events and at junior camps to assist in lifting the profile of junior athlete in training in NSW. Representative Team members will be provided with additional uniforms and team patches.
Squad Coaches
Nominations for the two coaching positions will be advertised in November each year. Each coach will be available for the three squad schools and at least one of the (Summer/Winter) Junior training camps. One of the coaches will be available at each of the 3DEs where NSW has nominated a Junior Team. The Squad coaches are not expected to be replacements for on-going private coaching, but will assist in goal setting and developing a “big picture” for young eventing athletes.
Coaches selected for 2010 are Sam Lyle and Sharmayne Spencer.
To read Sam Lyle’s biography, please go to the Coprice wesite,
To read Sharmayne Spencer’s Biography, please click here.
Enquiries regarding the Junior *Star Squad:
Norm Hindmarsh Ph: (02) 6767 1404 E: scwarmbloods@yahoo.com
Camilla Mowbray Ph: (02) 9653 2844 E: cmowbray@bigpond.com
Squad Sponsorship
Squad Members will be required to wear Sponsor’s logos when at clinics and competitions, and be available for promotional photographs and interviews.
General Requirements for Squad
· Athletes must be members of both Eventing NSW and Equestrian Australia.
· Both squads will be made up of horse and athlete combinations with quality performance at the level of application as determined from the eligibility criteria.
· All squad athletes must adhere to the EA Code of Conduct and the FEI Welfare of the Horse at all times and own his/her copy of the National Eventing Rules and Dressage Tests which should be available to them at all events and clinics.
· All squad members will be required to submit a plan for 2010 Events. The plan should include information regarding what they hope to achieve and what levels/qualifications they will be striving obtain. (see below).
· Team members will be required to support one another.
· All squads will be run on a user-pays basis although sponsorship will be actively sought to help with costs.
· Any athlete caught drinking alcohol at any competition or clinic will lose his/her position for the year.
Promotion of Program
The program will be promoted through The Eventer and regular reports to lift the profile of the squads will be submitted for inclusion.
"Quality" results obtained by members of the squad will be reported in the general News section of this website.
Opportunities exist for Area Squad sponsorships by way of saddle cloths with sponsors' logos and squad identying logos.
Assistance by way of Area Coordinators' assistant for athlete welfare and catering can be addressed directly to the Committee.
A meeting (with BBQ) will be held on Saturday 20th February at the Sydney (@SIEC) event for an exchange of information and ideas with coaches, athletes, possible mentors, officials and the Junior Squads Committee.
