Hartpury Equine | The Hartpury Equine Academy

Join our Equine Academy

Our Equine Academy has a proven reputation for supporting and developing talented young riders to be the best they can be – both in their competition career and academically.

About the academy

Whether you’re a dressage, showjumping or eventing star of the future, with the potential to represent your country, we can offer you the support you need to hit the heights in your chosen discipline alongside your academic qualification.

You’ll be supported by a world-class team of coaches and experienced support staff, plus you and your horse will have access to our multi-million pound facilities.

We can offer you competition support for high profile events, visits to top-level riders and trainers’ yards and access to a range of professional support services, including rider performance and biomechanical analysis, psychology, strength and conditioning, and physiotherapy – both human and equine.

Join the academy

There are three levels within the Hartpury Equine Academy: the Elite Squad, the Elite Development Squad and the Development Squad. Membership to each depends upon the partnership meeting present criteria, previous competition history and successful completion of a trial.

Applications for the Equine Academy open in January for students starting their studies in September of the same year.

If you meet the required standard of the first stage of our Equine Academy application process, you'll be invited to trials that take place at the start of the academic year. Applicants for squads are also eligible for Hartpury Equine scholarships, which provide financial support alongside the equestrian coaching programme available.

Entry requirements

Elite Squad and Elite Development Squad applications will be considered from horse and rider combinations that have competed successfully within the last 12 months at the following levels:

Eventing: CCI*** Long level (or equivalent national class) and above with points won
Dressage: BD Medium level with points won
Showjumping: BS 1.30m with money won
Para Dressage: To be competitive within the FEI Para structure or part of the BEF World Class Development or Podium programmes

Development Squad applications will be considered from horse and rider combinations that have competed successfully within the last 12 months at the following levels:

Eventing: BE Novice with at least 6 BE points won (not foundation points)
Dressage: BD Elementary with a minimum of 12 points won
Showjumping: BS 1.10m with money won or jumped 4 double clears at this level
Para Dressage: To be part of the BEF Rider Development and Talent ID Pathway competing successfully within the RDA and BD Rider Development programmes

Eventing scholarship

This will be offered to a rider who has been on either a British Eventing (or the equivalent overseas National Federation) Pony, Junior or Young Rider team or have been selected onto the British Equestrian Federation’s Excell Programme. The rider will ideally be competing successfully at 2 or 3 star level.

Dressage scholarship

This will be offered to a rider who has been on a British Dressage (or the equivalent overseas National Federation) Pony, Junior or Young Rider team or have been selected onto the British Equestrian Federation’s Word Class Start programme. The rider will ideally be competing at small tour level.

Showjumping scholarship

This will be offered to a rider who has been on a BS (or the equivalent overseas National Federation) Children, Junior or Young Rider team, or been longlisted for a team or selected onto the British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Start programme. The rider will ideally have jumped successfully in classes at 1.40 metres and above.

How to apply

Hartpury College Equine Academy

If you're keen to join our Equine Academy, alongside studying A-levels or a college diploma, you can apply here.

Hartpury University Equine Academy

If you're keen to join our Equine Academy, alongside studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, you can apply here.