Italian Grand Prix rider Anna Paprocka-Campanella is in the running for a seat on the FEI Dressage Committee as Rider Representive. She cites experience as key factor to distinguish herself from rider’s rep rival Laura Tomlinson-Bechtolsheimer.
What is the key attribute that separates the two candidates in the race to win the Riders’ Representative seat on the Dressage Committee?
Both Laura and I agree on the objectives and issues facing dressage, increasing popular and commercial appeal, strengthening the confidence in the judging system etc. We are both members of the International Dressage Riders Club and thus we both have the resource of the IDRC Board and its membership.
How then can one decide who would be most effective in facing these challenges?
Laura has tons of experience at the elite level of competition having participated in Championships since her junior/young rider days. She also is well versed about competing in strong ‘dressage heartland’ countries.
I too have experience at Championships having competed at WEG in Aachen, the EC in Turin and Windsor and as a young rider in Helsinki. However in addition to competing at the big shows such as Aachen, Stuttgard and Amsterdam I am a regular at the smaller shows such as Lisbon, Kaposvar, Warsaw, Lipica, Brno and Vierzon. I have personal experience about struggling to make yourself known competitively and to qualify for the big competitions. This is the route most of us riders have to follow. I also understand the pressures of riders who must do this and at the same time work, either with horses or otherwise, to support their equestrian ambitions.
My business experience in marketing, strategy and law has taught me well how to function effectively in groups. It is not only necessary to identify the right solution but also other committee members must be convinced that their objectives are not being forsaken i.e. find a win-win solution. This is a skill I developed over a 20+ year career. Another important advantage that comes with experience is the ability to foresee consequences of decisions several steps down the line. Not falling prey to ‘the law of unintended consequences’ requires analysis and foresight….the obvious solution is not always the best. This lesson is learned in the ‘school of hard knocks’.
I think it is wonderful that younger riders show an interest in participating in the development of our sport. However, the issues which face the Dressage Committee are complex and need innovative solutions. Experience must play an important role in finding these solutions.
Related Links
Laura Tomlinson-Bechtolsheimer Aiming to Be a Voice as FEI Rider Representative
Campanella and Bechtolsheimer Running for Seat on FEI Dressage Committee as Riders' Representative
