SUCCESSFUL CAREER TRANSITION FROM YOUNG RIDER TO SENIOR IN EQUESTRIAN SPORT

Abstract: This study was made to examine how successful elite Swedish equestrian athletes perceived their transition from junior to senior level. The objectives were a) to examine Young Riders perceived demands, resources and barriers in the transition to elite seniors, and b) to examine the riders’ coping strategies, perceived quality and lessons learned from the transition. The study involved six informants (n = 6), including three females and three males (1 event rider, 2 show jumpers and 3 dressage riders). Participants were between 25-31 years of age (m = 27). A semi-structured interview guide was developed for equestrian sport and based on the Athletic Career Transition Model (Stambulova, 1997, 2003) and the Develomental Model (Wylleman & Lavallee, 2004). The results show that participants perceived emotional support as an important resource and had the ability to set long term goals. They used problem focused- and approach-cognitive coping strategies in a successful way in order to manage their perceived demands and barriers during their transition to the senior level.