Front Runners Performance Pathway is an elite training programme for aspiring young event riders. It is aimed at ambitious riders aged 12-21 who are motivated to learn and want to compete at the highest levels. Riders who are selected for Front Runners will get access to monthly training camps and individual lesson slots, backed up by online training covering a wide range of topics from horse care to use of social media.
Riders and their parents will be offered individual help with goal setting, seasonplanning and post-competition performance analysis. Course walks and warm ups will be offered at key events Fun, educational outings to events like Badminton and visits to top riders’ yards are also on the agenda. Additional features including an annual awards ceremony and providing support to riders to “give back” within the sport complete the package.
Front Runners is in its first year and my daughter was lucky enough to be chosen to be a part of it. It has become one of the best horsey’ things we have been involved in. The support, encouragement and level of coaching has been second to none - I cannot thank Jonquil and Katie enough for what they have done for C over the last few months and at camp this week. And it’s not just the coaches that make Front Runners so good but the other parents and children A really great, supportive and fun community is building that we feel very privileged to be a part of.
Julie A
WhyJoin?
This is a unique, fully comprehensive package designed especially for up and coming young riders. It enables them to develop their skills in a systematic way across the full range of technical, tactical, mental and physical areas so they can progress successfully and safely within the sport.
We are building a community within which riders and their families support and encourage each other through the ups and downs of high performance sport and make friendships for life. We want to nurture and support talented young riders through the early stages of their competitive journey to becoming elite athletes, while still providing an environment in which everyone can enjoy their sport, make friends and learn - not just equestrian skills but life skills which will improve their confidence and ability to perform in any field and thus equip them for a successful future
Howdoesitwork?
Training days and camps are held approximately once a month, at a variety of locations to make them accessible - venues include, among others, Aston le Walls, Rectory Farm, The Unicorn Trust, Boomerang and Somerford Park. There are monthly group Zoom sessions on a variety of subjects, with guest speakers from time to time. In addition, riders can arrange one to one sessions with either coach, either mounted or unmounted, to go through topics like skills-profiling, goal-setting, season planning and assessing performance on an individual basis, using video analysis where appropriate.
Riders have access to a full support package which provides for course walks and warm ups at key events taking pressure off parents in these stressful situations.
Further elements include:
Course walks at events like Badminton, with the opportunity to meet and talk to one of the competitors
Visits to top riders’ yards to learn about their routines and horse care regimes
Annual social evening and awards ceremony
Riders (and parents) are also educated about the important role of volunteers within eventing and the need to give back to the sport, and we do so within the programme
In 2025 we are planning a FR coach-supported trip to compete abroad (TBC) for those who are ready.
Who Can Apply?
Anyone aged from 12 to 21 in 2025 can apply to Front Runners The following performance guidelines give you an idea of the level we are looking for:
12-14 years – proven track record at BE90/PC 90; training at 100
14-16 years – proven track record at BE100; training at 1*
16-18 years – proven track record at 1*/Novice; training at 2*
18-21 years – proven track record at 2*/intermediate; training at 3*
However, these are not strict criteria and we are more interested in your enthusiasm, attitude to training within Front Runners and ability to learn than we are in your results So if you feel you have what it takes but don't quite meet these criteria, do send in an application anyway.
Membership of Front Runners is strictly limited to ensure that everybody can access the training they want to
We are looking for riders who want to engage fully with the programme and you will be expected to attend a minimum of three training camps and five group Zooms a year.
“I first met Jonquil in 2010 when I was in my first year of ponies. Her guidance, mentorship and coaching over the following 3 years definitely contributed to my European Double Gold Medals in 2013 She is a person I will always look up to for her practical, logical and inspiring system I have so much to thank Jonks for… 2013 Pony European Champion to 2022 World Champion!”
Yaz Ingham (Former European pony individual gold medalist; reigning individual World Champion)
How Much Does It Cost?
There is an upfront fee of £75 to join Front Runners In return, you will receive a welcome pack including:
Front Runners softshell jacket
Access to first Zoom session free
Access to a closed Facebook group for riders and their families.
Other training sessions will be individually priced, see table below. The cost of camps will vary somewhat, depending on venue and travel costs
Each 1 day camp (excluding stabling, accommodation etc)
Each 2 day camp (excluding stabling, accommodation etc)
Individual lessons (excluding arena hire and travel)
Monthly Group Zooms (First included with joining fee)
Optional one-to-one Zooms eg competition reviews, skills profiling/goal-setting, season planning
On event support (course walks, warm ups etc)
£100-£125
£200-£275
£50.00
£10 00
£25 (30 mins)
£50 (75 mins)
TBC
“Katie has coached me for six years now, working with a variety of horses from babies to 4*. She has a great eye for detail and the improvements she has made in my top horses’ jumping technique have been striking, turning them into double clear machines! She is such a positive, horse-friendly and open-minded coach, always willing to try different approaches to find out what suits a particular horse: since working with Katie, I have so many more tools in my box and the horses are happier and more secure in my training system Katie is also a fantastic mindset coach, always seeming to know how to get the best out of riders. She is there to support me in every aspect of the sport, and I know she is always in my corner. ”
Charlotte Armstrong (professional event rider)
TheCoaches
Jonquil Hemming (BHSI, BECC Level 4) was GB Pony event team coach for 25 years, winning numerous gold medals at European championships and coaching many riders who have gone on to senior team and 5* success. Jonquil formerly produced and rode many horses up to 5* level
Katie Williams (BECC Level 4, MSc Professional Sports Coaching) is BE Regional Youth coach for Wales and the West Midlands and was recently team coach for a party of British Juniors and Young Riders who travelled to take part in a friendly competition in Ireland. Instrumental in developing The Howden Way Regional Academy programme, Katie formerly produced many horses through the grades up to 4* level.
Both Jonquil and Katie are part of British Eventing’s Youth Performance coaching team and, while they coach a wide variety of riders from grass roots up to 3/4* level, they have particular expertise in coaching young athletes Graduates of the BEF Youth Performance Coaching programme, they are specially trained in all aspects of youth coaching, from adolescent mental and physiological development to developing resilience and self-efficacy in young athletes
“I was lucky enough to be coached by Jonquil throughout my time on ponies. She provided me with so much valuable information over the years and her endless experience across a huge variety of different tracks gave me huge amounts of confidence on course walks, particularly at events/championships where the pressure was higher, as I totally trusted her advice Her support didn’t end when I finished ponies and Jonquil is definitely someone who I know I can always pick up the phone to whenever I need which means a lot to me in a tough sport.
Bubby Upton
(Former European pony team gold medallist; 8th Badminton 2023)
Jonquil and Katie first started working together about ten years ago and have been running a hugely popular three day camp at Somerford Park every August for several years. Finding that they share similar coaching values and approaches, it seemed a natural progression to look for an opportunity to work more closely together, and Front Runners was born!
While they use similar techniques and develop riders in similar ways, Jonquil and Katie both bring a distinct skill set to the programme and will offer slightly different insights and specialisms which will benefit riders Their blend of skills and experience make them a powerful combination, uniquely placed to deliver a top class programme for aspiring young athletes. Both coaches have horse welfare at the core of their philosophy, and believe in educating riders in how to train their horses kindly and correctly.
Katie first taught my daughter Lucy when she was 14 and has provided her with training and support for the last three years, including at Bishop Burton u18 championships and Bicton three day event, and with Katie’s help, we have made the transition onto horses Katie is incredibly patient, encouraging and positive yet is very clear about her expectations She challenges riders to try their hardest and take responsibility for their own learning and, as a result, she empowers them and builds their self-confidence. Katie is always there to support both Lucy and me, her enthusiasm and belief in Lucy’s endeavours is inspiring - we feel lucky to have her as part of our team.
Sarah Davies (u18 parent)
it to frontrunnerspp@btinternet.com (no payment required at this stage). Riders will be notified via email whether their application has been accepted – successful applicants will be sent detailed joining instructions with full terms and conditions.
I first met Katie in 2022 when I was 17, at the very beginning of my eventing career. Over the last three years, Katie has helped me produce my horse from BE100 to 3*. She has developed me in every way – attitude, mindset, motivation and most of all just having fun! In 2024, I joined Front Runners and have found the additional training from Jonquil really useful - with Katie and Jonquil's help I have now successfully stepped up to Advanced, and I can't wait to see what 2025 will bring for Zippy and me!
Carys (Young Rider and member of Front Runners Performance Pathway)
