This was followed by a talk from entrepreneur and ex-Royal Marine, Ben McBean who spoke of his time in Afghanistan and how a near death experience where he stepped on a Taliban landmine, losing an arm and a leg whilst on duty, changed his life and pushed him to go on and become a motivational speaker and role model.
The athletes then split off into specified workshops in the afternoon which covered a range of areas including sponsorship and marketing, managing accounts in a small business, media tips and conflict and negotiation skills, concluding a very educative and rewarding day.
Lead Coordinator for the Excel Talent Programme, David Hamer summarising the day stated:
“The purpose of the day was to give the riders guidance to support their sporting costs by being more media aware, business savvy and have better promotion and marketing skills. The day also aimed to motivate the riders, and the presentation by the athletes who had been to the Rio Games certainly did this.”
“The athletes also learnt a lot from Ben who engaged the audience with his powerful personal story, that was delivered with enthusiasm and humour , whilst being moved and humbled in equal measure.”
“We have had great feedback from the day, so it was mission accomplished!”
Supported by Sport England, the BEF England Excel Talent Programme seeks to identify, support and develop riders and horses that demonstrate talent and potential in the Olympic (dressage, eventing and Showjumping) and Paralympic (para-equestrian dressage) disciplines. The programme has been developed to extend the rider talent pathway below the UK Sport funded World Class Programme and to help support riders to go on to achieve their potential.
