Throwing herself into the running for the position of rider representative on the FEI Dressage Committee, Olympic silver medalist for Great Britain, Laura Tomlinson-Bechtolsheimer, feels that progress is being made given that the rider representative is being elected for the first time rather than appointed.
However she says there is still not much accountability there.
“Having gained so much from our sport personally, I thought this was an opportunity to give something back,” Laura told Eurodressage. “I wanted to run for the position and give the athletes good and sincere representation.”
Laura feels that between now and the next Olympics we need to continue to modernise the sport, make it more commercial and continue to attract more publicity, yet she feels very strongly about safe-guarding the essence of our classical sport and the foundations that it is based on.
“I have competed from ponies all the way through Under 21’s to senior championship level and have competed in many different countries as well as studying Politics and Philosophy, and hence feel that I am well equipped to represent the riders on the issues that we will be faced with and do it with the sport at heart.”
Her motivation in taking up the role is to be the voice of the athletes and hopes that she can work closely with the IDRC and strive always to be approachable for any international rider to come forward with an issue or opinion.
“I want to fairly represent what the majority feel is right, very much including riders from countries where dressage may be less developed rather than just the "stronger" dressage nations.”
According to Laura the world of dressage has already massively changed between 2008-2012, from stewarding to judging, to the level of the sport altogether and she would like to see this progress continue but without compromising the riders and their horses.
“We need to find ways to make the sport more appealing to sponsors, more commercial/TV friendly and more transparent and understandable from a judging point of view," she explained. "There will also be a number of technical things that come up in the run up to the Rio Olympics which the FEI will decide on. I would like to use my knowledge and experience in the sport as well as my debating/diplomatic skills to help see this progression benefit our sport! I am a very straight-forward and honest person and hope that I would inspire trust and confidence from my peers to do a good job within the role that I am given.”
If elected Laura hopes to encourage riders to voice their opinions either through the IDRC or directly to her so that she can do her job and represent them on the issues that the FEI put on their agenda.
“I aim to help influence the outcomes of the FEI meetings in a positive way for the riders and for our sport and hope to encourage the role to become more accountable in the future so that the role is really a useful one for the athletes rather than just a formality within the FEI," she said.
Vote for your FEI Rider Representative here
Text by Sarah Warne for Eurodressage - Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
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New Rider Representative To be Selected for 2012 FEI Dressage Committee