THE chance to train with the man who guided Germany’s eventing team to an Olympic gold medal last week is on offer as a new equine academy is launched near York.

The academy at Askham Bryan College will feature an advanced squad for three riders and a development squad for a further two, and will have Chris Bartle, of the college’s Yorkshire Riding Centre, as the advanced squad’s coach.

The academy is open to both further and higher education students who are enrolled on an equine course at the college, and applicants need to be competing at affiliated level in any equestrian discipline.

Mr Bartle also trains Northallerton Olympic silver medallist Nicola Wilson and Sweden’s Ludwig Svennerstal.

As well as tuition from Mr Bartle, the advance squad will receive weekly training sessions with academy coach Kay Lamb and academy director Fiona Harrison. They will be helped to plan their competition schedules and will be able to keep their horses on site.

The development squad will also receive weekly training sessions and stabling.

Ms Harrison said: “The academy aims to help talented riders to develop further. We are looking for riders with the aptitude to compete at top level in the future and the Academy will nurture their talent to give them the best possible chance.”

Askham Bryan College is also launching a grooming academy, aimed at those wishing to work with competition horses at the highest levels.

Ms Harrison said: “Our aim is to provide the industry with qualified grooms who are capable of preparing competition horses to the very highest levels – even for the Olympics.”