Sportendurance-evo.com - Full Article7 January 2018
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By Leonard Liesens, coach of the Swedish team
Another big goal to me was to create a real ‘team spirit’ Obviously the Team Bronze was like the ‘icing on the cake’ for the Team Sweden.
It was not my goal to go for a medal at the European. I started my duty as the coach of Sweden only in April.
I wanted to review the whole elite system. Like in any situation, a first study of the existing situation was mandatory to me. I was already able to pick a list of rider/horse combinations which could pretend to a better speed on the distance of 160 km. But these amazons – almost all endurance riders in Sweden are females – didn’t really believe in their ability to perform better and faster.
A first gathering with the riders, followed by a couple of clinics in the spring were organized. Some changes were introduced in the training program, in the management of the horses, and so on. Also a major change was brought to the selection system: no minimum speed – except the 14 km/h FEI threshold which was required to enter the long list.
All in all, we were able to reach a total of 15 horse/rider combinations qualified on 160 km. While only 5 were qualified at the start of the season. So the new policy was working...
Read more here:
http://www.sportendurance-evo.com/team-spirit-and-new-policy-for-selections-the-right-way-for-the-bronze-medal/
