FEI Debuts All-New Education Program for Youth Equestrian Games Athletes

Lausanne, (SUI)  - The FEI Youth Equestrian Games will take place June 23rd through July 3rd in Aachen, Germany, and will host a robust Education Program series to promote positive growth and development for all equestrian participants.

Over the course of the 11-day event, 30 equestrians between the ages of 15 and 18 years old will have the unique opportunity to participate in a variety of seminars and workshops. Each of these experiences will be centered around the core Olympic values, as upheld by the FEI.

“One of the main goals of the FEI Youth Equestrian Games is to significantly impact the lives of the participants beyond the competitive element. The FEI is committed to encouraging young athletes to grow and develop according to the values of the Olympic movement. To educate and support the young generation of equestrians is vital for the sustainability of our sport,” said FEI President, Ingmar de Vos.

The FEI Youth Equestrian Games Education Program has been developed by the FEI Solidarity Team, led by Jean Philippe Camboulives, FEI Solidarity Director.

“This is a program fully tailored to the needs of young athletes, so they can expand their knowledge on areas that will play an essential role throughout their lives. Educating new generations of equestrians is a key focus for the FEI, and the FEI Youth Equestrian Games provides the opportunity for 30 young adults with a once-in-a-lifetime experience”, Jean Philippe Camboulives said.

“We have designed a holistic program, with a variety of sessions that will focus on crucial topics for the equestrian athletes of the future. The topics range from anti-doping policies, physical and mental health issues, to transitioning into the job market. Ensuring the well-being of human and equine athletes is key to the future of the equestrian sport,” Camboulives explained.

One of the key elements of the Education Program will be directed by FEI partner, JustWorld International.

The nonprofit will host the Leadership and Philanthropy seminar where participants will come together to learn how to leverage the equestrian sport as a platform to become better athletes while incorporating philanthropic work into their passions.

“Whether riders give their time, talent, or make a donation - JustWorld gives equestrians the opportunity to learn about worlds beyond their own experiences and make a change in the lives of others less fortunate. They learn how to become leaders, how to make a difference in the world around them, and how small acts can have a large impact,” stated Jessica Newman, JustWorld Founder and President.

FEI Youth Equestrian Games Education Program Agenda

Mentally Fit with Dr. Alan Currie (Member of the IOC Mental Health Working Group)

This workshop will aim to create awareness of what mental health means for a young athlete, how it relates to performance, how athletes can identify any issue relating to their mental health, and how they can seek help and support. 

Concussion – with Prof. Christopher J. Newman, pediatric neurorehabilitation physician and Dr Stéphane G. Tercier, pediatric sports physician (Lausanne University hospital) 

The workshop experts will embark the participants on a journey through a virtual concussion episode where choices will need to be made regarding the diagnosis, time frame to recovery, and return to sport. Concussion will then be discussed in the context of the equestrian sport by understanding what it takes to manage concussions adequately and minimize the risk of complications.

Human Anti-Doping - with Olya Abasolo, OLY (Senior Education Manager, International Testing Agency) and Catherine Bollon (Human Anti-Doping Advisor, FEI)

Using an interactive format, the Human Anti-Doping workshop will introduce participants to key elements in the anti-doping system for human athletes: Rules, Prohibited List, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), and Testing Process. Athletes and coaches will gain insight into the substances that are an issue in the sport, identify what their roles and duties are, and understand why all these matter. 

Social Media with GER Influencer and Social Media Coach Harriet Charlotte Schulz (45 minutes): 

Harriet Charlotte Schulz was one of the first equestrian bloggers in Germany and has plenty of experience in the Social Media game. She will educate the participants on Social Media best practices and how to build their digital presence on the different digital platforms.

Equine Anti-Doping and Equine Welfare - with Anna Thorstenson (Legal Counsel, FEI)

Using an interactive format, the Equine Anti-Doping and Welfare workshop will introduce participants to key elements in the anti-doping system for equine athletes in addition to equine welfare, such as Rules, Prohibited List, Testing Process, and Risk of Contamination.

Career+ / Sport Up Your Life

This session will provide the participants with tools, resources, and advice to help them prepare for a smooth transition from competitive sport into the workplace, in, around and out of the equine industry.

Leadership and Development Seminar with JustWorld

During the JustWorld Leadership and Development Seminar, JustWorld leaders will go through an engaging team-building curriculum that couples learning with fun hands-on activities that will leave riders with a greater sense of their own individual power to create positive change. Riders can come together to use their sport as a platform to become better equestrians while being great philanthropic leaders.

Founded in 2003, JustWorld International is a not-for-profit organization that fractures the cycle of poverty by providing education and nutrition programs to children from under-resourced communities around the world. Named an Official Charity Partner of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), JustWorld provides a unique opportunity for equestrians and individuals to learn about, experience, and contribute to a global campaign against poverty.

For more information on JustWorld International, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.

JUSTWORLD CONTACTS:

Caitlin Demaree-Dyer

Content & Design Developer

equestrian@justworldinternational.org

FEI CONTACTS:

Didier Montes Kienle

Manager, Sport Communications and Media Relations

didier.montes@fei.org

+41 78 750 61 21 

Olivia Robinson

Director, Communications

olivia.robinson@fei.org 

+41 78 750 61 35