Long Term Equestrian Development

Science, research and decades of experience all point to the same thing, kids and adults will get active, stay active, and even reach the greatest heights of sport achievement if they do the right things at the right times. 

Equestrian Canada's Long Term Equestrian Development program (LTED) aims to define an optimal training, competition and recovery program based on biological age rather than chronological age. It is athlete-centered, coach-driven, administration and sport science supported. It is designed to promote sequential equestrian development that targets specific stages for improved growth in our athletes.

This program's target goals are to improve the overall health, well-being, and athlete potential while encouraging life-long participation in equestrian sport.

The LTED tailors an athlete's development program to suit basic principles of growth and maturation, especially during the 'critical' early years.  It sets out recommended training sequences and skill developments for athletes from the Active Start stage (6 and under) to the Active for Live Stage (adult participatory). It addresses the physical, mental, emotional and technical needs of athletes as they pass through each stage of development:

• Active Start

• Fundamentals 

• Learn to Train

• Train the Athlete

• Learn to Compete

• Train the Competitor

• Learn to Win

• Live to Win

• Active for Life

• Competitive for Life 

The initial stages develop physical literacy before puberty so children have the basic skills to be active for life. Physical literacy also provides the foundation for those who choose to pursue elite training in one sport or activity after age 12.

The competitive stages provide elite training for those who want to specialize in one sport and compete at the highest level, maximizing the physical, mental and emotional development of each athlete.

Active for Life stage refers to staying active through lifelong participation in competitive or recreational sport or physical activity.   

 The Para-Athlete's long term athlete development model has two additional LTED stages—Awareness  and First Involvement.

 These additional stages are particularly important for individuals with an acquired disability who may not  have been aware of sport and physical activity for persons with a disability.

 Athletes who retire from Para-equestrian competition are encouraged to remain involved in equestrian  sport at the Active For Life Stage as a coach, instructor, official, mentor, volunteer, and participant. 

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