Olympic medallist and profitable British grand prix dressage rider Laura Tomlinson shares her ideas on rebuilding her sport for a brand new era of followers
It’s loopy to assume we’re about to shut out one other 12 months, and that in a few months we shall be entering into 2026 with contemporary resolutions, hopes and objectives. Now that I’m in my 40s and that bit wiser, I discover myself reflecting extra on what this previous 12 months has taught me and what I wish to carry ahead.
This 12 months, I discovered to be extra affected person and to note the smaller wins as an alternative of solely judging myself towards the space to the larger aim. I additionally discovered that my physique wants extra repairs than it used to. Lacking a fitness center or Pilates session hits tougher now, each bodily and mentally.
Dressage has had a troublesome 12 months, with ups but additionally downs, preventing social media critics with ever louder voices and a decline of sponsorship inside the sport, which has made competitions dearer to run and to participate in.
It seems like we now have been compelled right into a nook, and the one hope of rising with a constructive future is to discover a new viewers of lovers who wish to be a part of what ought to be a beautiful sport.
Whether or not we’re rivals, house owners, breeders or followers, we have to make folks curious concerning the sport once more by displaying its magnificence when it’s executed properly. Concord, coaching and real partnership must be seen to anybody watching, even these with no background in dressage.
Grand prix adjustments
The proposal of adjustments to the grand prix to mirror such values and make it simpler to evaluate appropriate and harmonious coaching should completely be the best way ahead. The inclusion of a give and retake of the reins, as talked about by Carl Hester in his most up-to-date column, is a good begin.
In common British Dressage checks, we shall be allowed to make use of voice aids, once more one thing I’m all for. Something that helps with protecting bodily aids extra delicate and helps the horse higher perceive what we’re asking of them is a constructive.
I’d like to see a stretch on the circle in rising trot or canter, as in a number of the five-star eventing checks. A give and retake of the reins is nice, however in only a few strides, a intelligent rider can disguise a good quantity. With stretching on half a 20-metre circle, nonetheless, we’re extra uncovered and true leisure is examined.
Whether or not or not a horse stretches genuinely ahead, following the rider’s palms and never curling up or grabbing the bit, however slightly staying in self-carriage and in rhythm are issues that might additional assist the judges reward appropriate coaching in response to the fundamental scales.
A give and retake in a single tempo, and a half 20-metre circle stretch in one other, might be nice for swaying the path the game has been headed in. It might not appear entertaining sufficient, however that’s what the freestyle is for. The grand prix and particular ought to actually check horse and rider, however they need to concentrate on concord and the scales of coaching, not simply expression and tips.
Additionally, if riders took it in turns to commentate at occasions which are coated reside, we might have an opportunity to teach spectators on the nuances of excellent coaching.
Time for a brand new competitors?
I ponder too if we may create a brand new competitors at a number of the large equestrian occasions, for instance, the place a showjumper, an eventer and a dressage rider group up and compete of their respective disciplines; a dressage check at high stage and to music, a cross-country spherical, then a top-level showjumping spherical.
As a substitute of preventing over the eye, we may encourage the present followers and lovers to understand all of the disciplines and what they’ve to supply, and create extra alternatives for sponsors and followers to get their cash’s price.
● How can dressage appeal to a brand new era of lovers whereas staying true to concord and proper coaching? Tell us your concepts at hhletters@futurenet.com, together with your identify, nearest city and county, for the possibility in your letter to look in a forthcoming concern of the journal
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