Hans-Christian Matthiesen, a Danish veterinarian, I-judge and member of the board of directors of the Danish Equestrian Federation (DRF), will be appointed on the FEI Dressage Committee, replacing Swedish Elisabeth Lundholm.
Lundholm's mandate finished by the end of year and the position of this chef d'equipe representative on the Dressage Committee needed to be filled as of 2013.
"I am very proud and very humble and full of respect towards this task and the work already done here," Matthiesen told Eurodressage about his new job. "I am happy that I can join the committee in a time, where the exposition of dressage is progressing in so many fantastic ways. I am sure that we have a great, not fully developed potential within the sport, and I hope that I can use my experience as veterinarian, chef d’equipe, dressage committee member (national) and judge in generating more knowledge and explaining dressage as a sport to all interested parts."
This new appointment made Matthiesen decide to resign from the DRF board as the job would be too time consuming with his other positions. He will be replaced on the DRF board by Margrete Broch.
Ulf Helgstrand, president of the DRF, is very happy about the apppoinment of a Dane on the FEI Dressage Committee. "It is gratifying that Denmark will be represented on the committee, and that we again have the opportunity to be involved in the international sport."
Matthiesen takes his new task on the FEI Dressage Committee seriously and hopes to move forward while respecting the horse's welfare at the same time. His priorities on the Committee will be horse welfare, the development of the dressage sport, the judging system, and the conditions for officials.
"I think it is important that we see our sport in a wide perspective – global terms – but also in the way, that we have to be open towards changes, within new initiatives but also changes in more conservative ways of thinking and/or practice," Matthiesen told Eurodressage. "We must at all times seek to develop our sport on all levels within the given frame of horse welfare, good sportsmanship and the aim for great results in good cooperation with stakeholder groups."
Hans-Christian Matthiesen has been in the DRF Board since 2011. He will officially join the FEI dressage committee following his appointment at the FEI General Assembly in Istanbul in three weeks.
Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
FEI Dressage Committee Minutes of 13-14 August 2012
Agreement Reached Between IDRC and FEI, Kyrklund Appointed Dressage Committee Athletes' Rep
Hans-Christian Matthiesen, Chair of Danish Dressage Selection Committee