Our experienced and knowledgeable staff are dedicated to helping students reach their full potential academically and athletically. You’ll have opportunities to work with some of the world's leading equine professionals, gaining valuable experience in the industry.
We provide access to world-class equine facilities, including international competition areas, a state-of-the-art rider performance centre with riding simulators, and our own Equine Therapy Centre. Our facilities are used by world-class riders and horses from around the globe.
In select instances, we endeavour to provide competition support at prestigious events, arrange visits to the stables of top-tier riders and trainers, and grant access to a range of professional support services. Read on to discover more about our academy and squads.
If you meet the required standard of the first application stage of our Equine Academy application process, you will be invited to a ridden trial that will take place early in the academic year. Applicants for squads are also eligible to apply for Hartpury Equine Scholarships, which provide financial support alongside the equestrian coaching programme available. Please refer to the application criteria specifically for scholarships.
There are a maximum of 10 places available in the Elite Squad.
What is available?
- Weekly 1.1 training sessions with Equine Academy Director, Lizzel Winter dressage 1.1; shared jumping of flat work for jumping
- Access to show jump coaching with Academy Show Jumping Coach Corinne Bracken and invitational dressage coaching sessions with Nick Burton and Carl Hester (depending on discipline and diary availability)
- Assistance with planning competition schedule
- Support from the Hartpury Sports Academy Team with includes Rider Analysis, individual tailored S&C programs, physiotherapy, and life style advice
- Group and 1:1 sports psychology sessions
Applications to join the Elite Squad are invited from event riders who have competed successfully and won points CCI3*L/4*S (or equivalent national class) and above, dressage riders who have won points at Advanced level, Show jump riders who have 2 double clears at 1.30 level above and Para dressage riders who have scored 60% at any CPEDI3* show in any Grade.
All combinations in the Elite Squad will show the potential to perform successfully on an international stage.
There are a limited number of places available for the Elite Development Squad. Selection for this squad is for riders currently competing at Development level (or above) and showing the potential to be at Elite level in the future. Consideration for this Squad is at the discretion of the Equine Academy Director in consultation with the panel at the ridden trial.
What is available?
- Weekly group or occasional individual training sessions in all disciplines with Equine Academy Director, Lizzel Winter, or occasional guest coaches
- Show jump coaching with Academy Show Jumping Coach Corinne Bracken (depending up on diary availability)
- Assistance with planning a competition schedule
- Group sessions covering psychology, nutrition, lifestyle advice and weekly S&C group session
- Access to Hartpury sport specific Microsoft Teams Academy information page
Applications to join the Development Squad are invited from Event riders who have competed at BE novice level or the equivalent national class at 1.10 or above equating to 6 points or FEI CCI2*Short with a top 5 placing. Dressage riders who have won a minimum of 15 points at Elementary level and above (or their National equivalent), Show Jumpers with 4 double clears or first place with money won at 1.10 level in any BS class or FEI class with results to verify the criteria met and Para Dressage riders who have scored 60% in any Para CPEDI 2* or below or any BD National Para class.
Equestrian athletes who have previously been a part of ALL the Squads have gone on to achieve in a range of both competitive and business environments.
The final squad selections are announced the after all of the selection trials have taken place with the exception of any trial that is held at a later date due to veterinary issues and a written feedback form will be provided for each rider. Selection for the Elite Development Squad will be at the discretion of the Equine Academy Director.
If you don’t make it into our equine academy initially, there are still lots of opportunities to develop your riding whilst at Hartpury, including with Hartpury Equestrian Club and with formal riding and coaching sessions from our on-site specialists in your discipline or through visiting freelance coaches (self-funded).
Livery applications must be made separately to Academy applications and an academy place does not guarantee onsite livery. Please note, the demand for stabling is high and continuously exceeds our capacity, we therefore operate a waitlist for livery stables.
Applications for Student DIY livery open inline with accommodation (29 March for university students).
Elite squad
There are a maximum of 10 places available in the Elite Squad.
What is available?
- Weekly 1.1 training sessions with Equine Academy Director, Lizzel Winter dressage 1.1; shared jumping of flat work for jumping
- Access to show jump coaching with Academy Show Jumping Coach Corinne Bracken and invitational dressage coaching sessions with Nick Burton and Carl Hester (depending on discipline and diary availability)
- Assistance with planning competition schedule
- Support from the Hartpury Sports Academy Team with includes Rider Analysis, individual tailored S&C programs, physiotherapy, and life style advice
- Group and 1:1 sports psychology sessions
Applications to join the Elite Squad are invited from event riders who have competed successfully and won points CCI3*L/4*S (or equivalent national class) and above, dressage riders who have won points at Advanced level, Show jump riders who have 2 double clears at 1.30 level above and Para dressage riders who have scored 60% at any CPEDI3* show in any Grade.
All combinations in the Elite Squad will show the potential to perform successfully on an international stage.
Elite development squad
There are a limited number of places available for the Elite Development Squad. Selection for this squad is for riders currently competing at Development level (or above) and showing the potential to be at Elite level in the future. Consideration for this Squad is at the discretion of the Equine Academy Director in consultation with the panel at the ridden trial.
Development squad
What is available?
- Weekly group or occasional individual training sessions in all disciplines with Equine Academy Director, Lizzel Winter, or occasional guest coaches
- Show jump coaching with Academy Show Jumping Coach Corinne Bracken (depending up on diary availability)
- Assistance with planning a competition schedule
- Group sessions covering psychology, nutrition, lifestyle advice and weekly S&C group session
- Access to Hartpury sport specific Microsoft Teams Academy information page
Applications to join the Development Squad are invited from Event riders who have competed at BE novice level or the equivalent national class at 1.10 or above equating to 6 points or FEI CCI2*Short with a top 5 placing. Dressage riders who have won a minimum of 15 points at Elementary level and above (or their National equivalent), Show Jumpers with 4 double clears or first place with money won at 1.10 level in any BS class or FEI class with results to verify the criteria met and Para Dressage riders who have scored 60% in any Para CPEDI 2* or below or any BD National Para class.
Equestrian athletes who have previously been a part of ALL the Squads have gone on to achieve in a range of both competitive and business environments.
Squad selections
The final squad selections are announced the after all of the selection trials have taken place with the exception of any trial that is held at a later date due to veterinary issues and a written feedback form will be provided for each rider. Selection for the Elite Development Squad will be at the discretion of the Equine Academy Director.
If you don’t make it into our equine academy initially, there are still lots of opportunities to develop your riding whilst at Hartpury, including with Hartpury Equestrian Club and with formal riding and coaching sessions from our on-site specialists in your discipline or through visiting freelance coaches (self-funded).
Livery applications must be made separately to Academy applications and an academy place does not guarantee onsite livery. Please note, the demand for stabling is high and continuously exceeds our capacity, we therefore operate a waitlist for livery stables.
Applications for Student DIY livery open inline with accommodation (29 March for university students).
Applications
Elite Squad and Elite Development Squad applications* will be considered from horse and rider combinations that have competed successfully within the previous 18 months at the following levels:
- Eventing: CCI*** Long / 4 * S (or equivalent national class) and above with points achieved at 3* level or above.
- Dressage: BD Advanced Medium level with points won (or equivalent national class with scores of over 64% being considered)
- Show Jumping: 2 double clears at 1.30 level in any BS class or FEI class with results to verify the criteria met.
- Para Dressage: To have scored 60% at any CPEDI3* show in any Grade.
Development Squad applications* will be considered from horse and rider combinations that have competed successfully within the previous 18 months at the following levels:
- Eventing: BE Novice with at least 6 BE points won (not foundation points) or equivalent national class at 1.10 or above equating to 6 points or FEI CCI2*S with top 5 placing
- Dressage: BD Elementary with a minimum of 15 points won (or equivalent national class with scores of over 62% equating to 15 points)
- Show Jumping: 4 double clears or first place with money won at 1.10 level or above in any BS class or FEI class with results verifying that the criteria has been met.
- Para Dressage: To have scored 60% in any Para CPEDI 2* or below or any BD National Para class.
*Applications for 2025 entry not open.
Scholarships
To support top level young riders in the Hartpury Equine Academy, we offer three scholarships annually from September of each year.
To be eligible to make an application for the Eventing Scholarship the rider will have been on either a British Eventing (or the equivalent overseas National Federation) Pony, Junior or Young Rider team or have been selected onto one of the British Equestrian Federation’s Talent Programmes. The rider will ideally be competing successfully at CCI3L or 4* level.
To be eligible to make an application for the Dressage Scholarship the rider will have 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 Talent Programmes. The rider will ideally be competing at small tour level.
To be eligible to make an application for the Showjumping Scholarship the rider will have been on a BS (or the equivalent overseas National Federation) Junior, Young Rider or Senior team, or selected onto the British Equestrian Federation’s Talent Programmes. The rider will ideally have jumped successfully in classes at 1.40 metres and above.
To be eligible to make an application for the Para Dressage Scholarship the rider will have been on either a British Para Dressage (or the equivalent overseas National Federation) team or have been selected onto the British Equestrian Federation’s Talent Programmes. The rider will have ideally scored 70%+ in any Para CPEDI 3*in any grade.
Please apply for scholarship in writing upon completion of your academy application. The letter needs to state why you would like to be considered for a scholarship, this must be supported with an evidence-based competition record relating to the horse that you propose to bring to the academy. Please send your application and supporting letter to THE ACADEMY ADMINISTRATOR, HARTPURY UNIVERSITY AND HARTPURY COLLEGE, HARTPURY, GLOS, GL19 3BE.
Eventing scholarship
To be eligible to make an application for the Eventing Scholarship the rider will have been on either a British Eventing (or the equivalent overseas National Federation) Pony, Junior or Young Rider team or have been selected onto one of the British Equestrian Federation’s Talent Programmes. The rider will ideally be competing successfully at CCI3L or 4* level.
Dressage scholarship
To be eligible to make an application for the Dressage Scholarship the rider will have 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 Talent Programmes. The rider will ideally be competing at small tour level.
Showjumping scholarship
To be eligible to make an application for the Showjumping Scholarship the rider will have been on a BS (or the equivalent overseas National Federation) Junior, Young Rider or Senior team, or selected onto the British Equestrian Federation’s Talent Programmes. The rider will ideally have jumped successfully in classes at 1.40 metres and above.
Para dressage scholarship
To be eligible to make an application for the Para Dressage Scholarship the rider will have been on either a British Para Dressage (or the equivalent overseas National Federation) team or have been selected onto the British Equestrian Federation’s Talent Programmes. The rider will have ideally scored 70%+ in any Para CPEDI 3*in any grade.
How to apply
Please apply for scholarship in writing upon completion of your academy application. The letter needs to state why you would like to be considered for a scholarship, this must be supported with an evidence-based competition record relating to the horse that you propose to bring to the academy. Please send your application and supporting letter to THE ACADEMY ADMINISTRATOR, HARTPURY UNIVERSITY AND HARTPURY COLLEGE, HARTPURY, GLOS, GL19 3BE.
Meet the Academy Director
Lizzel Winter
Lizzel’s successful competition career spans three decades and covers eventing to 5*star level, producing and competing successfully in dressage up to and including Grand Prix and showjumping on the national county circuit to 1.50 level.
Lizzel is a National Dressage Judge and an International Eventing Ground Jury member. Lizzel works with many private clients at advanced level, coaching at home and abroad, and is a qualified NLP practitioner and Coach Educator with 1st For Sport qualified assessor and internal verifier working across several disciplines.
Meet the Academy Director
Lizzel Winter
Lizzel’s successful competition career spans three decades and covers eventing to 5*star level, producing and competing successfully in dressage up to and including Grand Prix and showjumping on the national county circuit to 1.50 level.
Lizzel is a National Dressage Judge and an International Eventing Ground Jury member. Lizzel works with many private clients at advanced level, coaching at home and abroad, and is a qualified NLP practitioner and Coach Educator with 1st For Sport qualified assessor and internal verifier working across several disciplines.
Register your interest
Level 3 Extended Diploma Equine Management (Science)
If you're passionate about equine science and want to learn about the structure, diet, behaviour and rehabilitation of horses, then this course is ideal for you. You'll develop a strong scientific knowledge base as you study three core science modules on this course. You'll gain an academic understanding of equine science and hone your applied skills during a four-week block of external work experience during each year of your course.
Level 3 Extended Diploma Equine Management (Equitation)
This course is for students who want to develop the theoretical and practical skills to work with horses in the equine industry. Our students have regular yard duties, including weekends. It’s therefore compulsory to live in Hartpury accommodation during your studies. You’ll complete internal work experience to develop your skills in a workplace setting.
Level 3 Foundation Diploma Equine Management (Equitation)
This course is for students who want to develop the theoretical and practical skills to work with horses in the equine industry. Our students have regular yard duties, including weekends. It’s therefore compulsory to live in Hartpury accommodation during your studies. You’ll complete internal work experience to develop your skills in a workplace setting.
Level 3 Diploma Equine Management (Equitation)
This is a progression course for students who have successfully completed the Level 3 Extended Certificate course at Hartpury College. Develop the theoretical and practical skills to work in the equine industry. You'll have regular yard duties, including weekends. It’s therefore compulsory to live in Hartpury accommodation during your studies. You’ll complete internal work experience as well as an external block during your course.
For over 15 years, Hartpury College has been the nurturing ground for more than 250 aspiring athletes who have gone on to achieve international acclaim. From equestrian champions at the Olympics to our triumphant men's and women's rugby and men's football teams in the BUCS leagues, we are dedicated to cultivating the finest sporting talent.
With representation in the top echelons of women's rugby - the Premier 15s and BUCS National League - coupled with previous BUCS championship victories, our university women's rugby team is truly exceptional. Guided by England star Natasha Hunt, we've proudly produced talents like Zoe Aldcroft, crowned World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year 2021.
Our student-led rugby team, Hartpury University RFC, takes center stage on our campus. It's no surprise that graduates like Jonny May, Alex Cuthbert, Seb Negri, Harry Randall, Jonny Hill, and Ben Vellacott have gone on to make their mark in the professional rugby world.
In both football and futsal, our teams are active participants in the BUCS league. Our students are not only regulars in the Women's Futsal Super Series, aired live on BT Sport, but also frequently feature in club sides competing in the National League.
Our senior football program stands among the finest in the UK. With 11 BUCS Premier League titles and five BUCS national championships under our belt, we have consistently produced remarkable talents. Graduates like Abdul Majeed Waris, David Accam, and Mustapha Bundu, who represented Sierra Leone in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, speak to our program's excellence.
Five former students and staff members earned coveted spots in Team GB's rowing squad for the Tokyo Olympics. Our achievements extend to numerous Home International appearances, victories at prestigious events like Henley Regatta, National Schools, and BUCS Regatta, all while maintaining a strong partnership with British Rowing.
Our presence in top-level BUCS leagues, the BUCS Golf Tour, and competitions sanctioned by The R & A attests to the quality of our Golf Academy. Notable successes include former student George Bryant's victories at the English and Welsh BUCS Golf Championships and Joe Buenfeld's triumph at the Junior European Open.
Led by netball luminary Jess Shaw, our Netball Academy has earned its reputation as a Team Bath Netball Academy Development Centre and BUCS league champion. Our students are also integral members of Netball Superleague teams.
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