SINCE slipping into eventing’s hot seat less than three months ago, Ireland’s new High Performance Director Sally Corscadden has hit the ground running. In the past few weeks, she has traversed the globe from Kentucky, to the World Equestrian Games venue at Tryon International, USA, and on to Badminton, and her manifesto for success is clear. Her enthusiasm and determination for the task ahead is infectious, while as the first Irish-based resident to hold the job since the inception of Horse Sport Ireland, she will be at the hub of the sport at every level.

Leicestershire-born Corscadden hailed from an avid hunting family, and first arrived in Ireland to compete at Punchestown back in 1988. It was there that she met her future husband Brendan, and within 12 months moved over permanently to reside in Co Meath.

By this time her appetite for further international honours gathered pace. Now representing Ireland, she teamed with the smart Cageador to earn a team bronze medal at the European championships in Achelschwang, together with a 12th individual placing. Further international call-ups ensued, and Corscadden went on to compete in a second European championship as well as at the World Games in The Hague.

In the following years, Sally juggled her competition career both with injury and with her role as mother to children Katie and Alex. Never hanging up her boots or her ambitions, she went on to represent her country one more time at the European championships in Pratoni in 2007.

In the past decade however, training has become her passion. Having served as a coach to the junior and young rider squads, she took over the mantel of manager and chef d’equipe of young rider squad in 2013. During that period, she has steered teams to win one gold, two silver and two bronze medals, and timewise, the progression was a natural one. “I really wanted the job – and I think the time is right,” she revealed. “It was always my aim and always a target.”

So armed with the best of credentials and a burning desire for the job, Corscadden won over not only the committee at HSI, but also a group of senior riders. “The riders wanted to be part of the planning process, but the first thing I had to do was to get the right people in place for the programme,” she explained. “I also wanted the riders to realise where I was coming from and what I’m looking for, but I needed to get their point of view and how we’re going to move forward.”

OUTLINING PLANS

One of Corscadden’s first moves was to secure the services of a team of coaches and advisors. She swiftly firmed up the appointments of the highly rated ‘two Ians’, namely Ian Woodhead for the dressage and Ian Fearon for the show jumping, and while not under any contract, Yogi Breisner has been working with several of the riders regarding their riding across country, and will continue to do so.

Always looking at the broader picture, Corscadden also had input in inviting on board former international rider and event organiser Vina Buller as well as former British Olympic event rider Rodney Powell. Buller’s overdue PR role is importantly to look after owners and supporters, while the hugely experienced and personable Powell will be on hand to offer technical advice and be the eyes and the ears in England.

Under the guidance of Don Hannigan, the High Performance committee also has a new look. Jane O’Flynn is the riders’ representative, and having made the decision to stand down, former team veterinary surgeon Hugh Suffern recommended that Marcus Swail step back into the plate. “We also aim to work more with sports psychologist Niamh Fitzpatrick, who helped the riders on the run up to Rio,” she added.

Three weeks after taking the role, Corscadden invited 20 riders to a meeting at the Institute of Sport in Dublin. Eighteen of them attended and between them, they came up with their own mission statement and a vision. It was imperative to Corscadden at this stage that the riders should share her goals and dedication. At one of these early meetings, she outlined the agreed five main squad values, and citing commitment, honesty, discipline, respect and openness to change, and asked each individual what these values meant to them. Laying out her clear intentions, she stated: “We want to be a Power Nation. Our intention is to be world class – and we’re not going to be ashamed of saying that. We’re going to be proud about it and to gain podium success for Ireland.”

Corscadden is a modern coach with enlightening and far-reaching ideas. During her tenureship of the underage squads and spanning some three-and a half years, she attended the Pursuit of Excellence programme at the Institute of Sport. Focussing on professional development for high performance coaches of Olympic disciplines, and covering every aspect, Corscadden is an avid devotee. “Nowhere before could you go and learn these skills,” she said. “We had sessions from the leaders in business, both in Ireland and Europe.”

TRAINING & CHAMPIONSHIPS

By the time of Corsdadden’s appointment at the beginning of March, the season had already begun, and riders had their own training regimes in place. “With that in mind, I made the decision not to name any squads until June,” she explained. “I want to observe and monitor the management teams at Badminton and at Tattersalls, and I really wanted to get to know the riders and their horses. The idea was to target 20 riders who are competing at three and four-star level, who have been on the programme before. We are trying to be inclusive – but obviously we are limited by budget, so we have to target it to be effective. The aim is to initially name a squad of no more than eight riders for the Europeans and then a squad of between 10 and 12 for next year’s World Games.”

The often complex subject of selection criteria was also discussed at an early meeting. As a result, it was agreed that riders and horses in contention, must compete in a CCI3* or CCI4* between April and June this year, unless expressly excluded. The squad of six for the Europeans will then be named after team training, at the beginning of July. Training for both the European and WEG squads will take place in England and Ireland in June, and will be very much focussed on team building.

“It’s important to get together and train together as a squad. We then hope to take five of the named squad to Aachen for the Nations Cup. We’re largely experimenting this year, which will be almost a dress rehearsal for both the riders and the management team. This is the year to try something new.”

Another area that Corscadden aims to improve is that of athlete fitness. As a result it has been agreed with the riders that they will take part in a bi-annual two-day workshop at the Institute of Sport. The results of their performance will be retained and, of course, be on record for comparison. This course will also cover every aspect of personal training, nutrition and lifestyle etc.

Unsurprisingly, Corscadden has been hugely boosted by the Irish performances this season, which so far this year have been encouraging. Good outings at Belton preceded Badminton, where an unprecedented contingent of 11 riders competed. “There was great confidence going into Badminton, and real unity. Clare and Jonty took on board what had happened in Rio, and worked hard on their weaknesses. They had built on it and it showed. Jonty deserved every mark he was awarded – it was true harmony. Overall Ian Woodhead has been working with most of the riders all winter. They are getting competitive marks and they certainly don’t look out of place – you can’t spot the Irish rider now!”

Esib Power and Sarah Ennis have since enjoyed classy runs at Chatsworth, and the next big challenge for Team Ireland and Corscadden will be the Nations Cup competition on home ground at Tattersalls next Sunday. Team plans have altered slightly due to the loss of Mark Kyle, who was so unlucky to break his ankle at Chatsworth recently, and also Padraig McCarthy whose top horse Bernadette Utopia has been sold, but despite that Corscadden has chosen a team that she hopes will be competitive. “It’s important to win things and to be competitive and to want to win,” she emphasised. Delivering a mix of rider and horse experience, she has since named Cathal Daniels (OLS Back Chat), Sarah Ennis (Stellor Rebound or BLM Diamond Delux), Austin O’Connor (Balham Houdini), and Sam Watson aboard Imperial Sky.

Tattersalls will also be a busy time for Vina Buller, who, in her new role, will be focussing on the sometimes largely forgotten owners. A brilliant PR person, Buller will be making them feel welcome and valued, and will help host a Team Ireland ‘meet and greet’ unit, as well as a reception for the three-star owners on Friday.

These are exciting times for Irish eventing, especially in this year when Millstreet hosts the European junior and Young Rider Championships. With the help of Julia Watson, Corscadden will remain at the helm of the young rider squad, before interviews for her replacement take place in the autumn.

In comparison to show jumping circles, Corscadden’s appointment may have been slightly low profile – but her aims and ambitions are anything but.