British born Grand Prix rider Dane Rawlins has switched nationality and declared to ride for Ireland. The Hickstead based dressage rider, who has devoted much of time and energy to promoting dressage in Great Britain, sees more opportunities for his personal career riding for Ireland.
"I have spent many years training riders and horses, running shows, setting up BYRDS and serving on the national committee and so on, to help improve the sport in the UK, as well as being part of the International Dressage Trainers Club," Rawlins told Eurodressage. "Continuing to promote dressage as a sport and to have an international platform from which to do it through Dressage at Hickstead is still really important to me and I devote a significant amount of my time and energy throughout the year to ‘the cause’."
The idea to switch passports was suggested three years ago by Irish colleagues. Rawlins has connections in Ireland with family living there as well as his long standing association with Irish Horse sport. Dane declared for Ireland definitively in 2011.
"It seemed the logical thing to do, creating new opportunities and challenges," Rawlins explained. "I am really delighted and honoured to be given the chance to represent Ireland," Dane said. "It is a new and exciting phase for me and one that I look forward to with great anticipation and excitement."
Rawlins' current Grand Prix horse is Lady Harris's Holsteiner mare Sydney (by Linaro x Calypso), which Harris acquired as a 6-year old and competed herself from novice through to medium for a couple of years. "She very generously gave the ride to me as she felt the horse had tremendous talent and wanted to see her train through to Grand Prix," Rawlins explained. "Sydney is only twelve years old and is really just starting properly at this level so I have much work to do, but I love competing and believe Sydney has all the talent required for top international competition."
Rawlins made his first international appearance for Ireland at the 2011 CDI Vidauban last month, finishing third in the Grand Prix with 65.745%.
Photos © Pascal Lahure (courtesy DEGP) - Rui Pedro Godinho
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