The IHSGB sport squads aim to grow and develop sport riding in Britain and to develop riders for international performance. The three-tier squad system supports riders who are already on the path to international sport, and riders who need help to get there. It is not only for the top level: we also want more riders to climb the national rankings and progress from C sport to A sport.

The programme held its first event in April 2025, and the squads were launched in September 2025.

The three squads

Squad A: Elite

A very select few riders with a strong performance history. They already have training programmes and “home” teams that focus on both their horse’s performance and their own. The squad supports these riders and their home teams where needed, and encourages them to keep climbing the World rankings.

Squad B: Pathway to Performance

The main focus of the programme. A larger squad of riders identified from their previous performances as being on the path to international teams: riders at the higher end of A and B sport nationally, and riders who need support and encouragement to earn places on our national teams in future. With the right support, the aim is for them to perform well in B sport at the Mid-European Championships (MEM), become more competitive in the World rankings and, in time, ride in our World Championship teams.

Squad C: Grassroots

Grassroots and foundation sport riders, encouraged to take part and to progress through the sport levels. Riders are invited after we have watched them at training events and at competitions of all levels, with guidance from trainers visiting Great Britain on the potential of riders and horses.

At the launch in September 2025, Squad A had 4 riders, Squad B had 16 and Squad C had 19 invited riders. Riders in each squad follow a programme of development and support to help them achieve their sporting goals.

The squads are a sport initiative: we build squads that then lead on to team performance. We don’t train individual riders, but we support their development in every part of what it takes to perform at international level, and give each squad some of the tools they’ll need to do it.

Selection

Riders are invited to join the squads through their performances, where we see potential and development. The IHSGB sport group invites riders to the squads, with Kirsty Carson taking the lead in proposing and championing riders based on performance. All squad members are reviewed in the autumn: some move between squads, some leave the programme and others are invited in. We also keep an eye out for riders with good sport potential.

Not every rider who takes part in sport wants to compete at international level, and there is no shame in that. Our vision is to support those who do, and to build squads that are competitive enough to lead into selection for teams.

The aim is to give sport a national focus, with competing for Team GB at international events as the cherry on the cake. Being in a squad doesn’t give a rider priority when teams are selected: that is a separate process.

Training weekends

The venue for each training weekend will vary. So far the weekends have been at Connegar Farm, by kind permission of Elizabeth and Mike Adams, but we are actively looking for other venues elsewhere in the country.

• April 2025: the first squad development weekend. Eight of the 13 Squad A and B riders invited came, with four Squad C riders. On Saturday, riders rode their chosen tests on the oval track with Fi Pugh, who gave feedback from a judge’s point of view (Squad C worked with her as a group). Each group spent time in the classroom with Kirsty Carson and Andrew Nickalls on performance preparation: competition, time management, self-awareness, shoeing and more. Some riders had a pace clinic with Mike Adams, and the day ended with a discussion, led by Fi, on changes to the sport guidelines. Sunday was an open competition for all members, with A, B and C sport classes on the oval track. Read the news story.
• October 2025: international rider Katie Sundin Brumpton was guest trainer for 10 Elite and Pathway squad riders over two days. Riders went away with goals and homework. Read the news story.
• March 2026: Katie Sundin Brumpton returned to train 12 Elite and Pathway squad riders, who came from across the UK, with sessions in the school and on the oval and pace tracks. Read the news story.

Find out more

For further information about the sport squads, email Kirsty Carson at teamgb@ihsgb.co.uk.

• The Winter 2026 issue of Sleipnir will have a full article on the squad development programme. Members will be able to read it in the Members’ area.
• Team sponsorship packages: how businesses can support the squads and Team GB.