With British Dressage’s chairman of nearly 10 years, Desi Dillingham, stepping down, there was much reflection at the 2007 AGM, held at Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa, on 6 June, of what had been achieved during this time. BD now has a solid foundation, with sound finance and a structure that is effective and transparent.

 

New initiatives in the past decade include starter levies, national, regional and winter championships, area festivals, class tickets, the British Young rider Dressage Scheme, a Para-equestrian dressage director, regional structure, regional development officers, and open and restricted sections in competitions.

 

Membership is up to more than 12,000, horse registrations is also up to nearly 10,000, days of competition are nearing 2,200, starter levies are up to more than 83,000. Compared to other Olympic equestrian disciplines, dressage has also managed to provide value for money with an annual membership fee of only £60 compared to the £113 charged by the British Show Jumping Association (BSJA) and £130 for British Eventing. Marketing director Lindsey Roberts explained how this was partly due to commercial activities, which saves each member about £25 per year.

 

The importance of the many volunteers involved in the sport was highlighted. All the board directors, committee members and many of those that help run competitions give their expertise and time without any remuneration.

 

Another two new voluntary posts, that of president and vice president, were announced to bring BD in line with the BSJA and BE. This gives BD valuable figureheads and allows their experience and knowledge to be used. The Duchess of Richmond, who helped the sport to prominence in Britain in the 1980s by hosting dressage at Goodwood, is the first president while Desi Dillingham is vice-president.

 

BD chief executive David Holmes explained how the decision-making process functions within the organisation. The members reps and regional development officers are proving an effective tool for feedback from the grass-roots members and comments are fed up to the relevant committees, who look into the issues raised. The committees then suggest ideas to the board, who ratify them and any changes implemented are then fed back down through the structure into the regions.

 

The marketing committee has been particularly busy with the development of a new, much-improved website, expanding membership, an improved communication and consultation process, sponsorship and future television coverage through Horse & Country TV, which launches on Sky on 2 July.

 

The introduction of advertising on the website is estimated to raise £100,000 per year over three years, which will fund the site’s maintenance and further improvements.

 

A new clothing line with Kyra K and Isabell Werth clothing will be launched at the national championships this year. This will be a joint venture with Classic Dressage and a target of £20,000 profit over two to three years is the aim.

 

The objective is to double membership over the next three to five years and this is to be realised through initiatives such as working together with British Riding Clubs and British Eventing.

 

For the first time, British dressage’s major events will have exposure on the first equestrian- and country-dedicated channel. Horse & Country TV is planning to cover the national championships, World Para Championships and the national convention.

 

There is much in the pipeline for the future and this includes ways to improve communication further with plans to have chat rooms/forums on the website.

 

These award winners are based on nominations made by readers of British Dressage magazine. It is made on the basis of the important contribution they make to the dressage scene through their hard work and often unsung efforts.

 

These were awarded to: Chris Hurst, Sally Merrison, Barbara Angel, Jeanne Hooper, Mike West, Phyllis Beattie, Shona MacKenzie, Lorraine Grant, David Ferguson, Tristan Lock-Williams, Geoff & Carrol Simpson, Malcolm Brown, Eleanor Collins, Gloria Harrison, Diane Miller, Ros Smith, Gill Gallagher, Cathy Wright, Andrew Tait, Patricia Kinsey, Carol Green and Jane Hoskins.

 

These went to Rebecca Thomas and Mary Liversidge.

 

This award is in recognition of an outstanding contribution made to BD throughout the previous year and the recipients were Jane Goldsmith and Penny Smith.

 

This trophy is to recognise the highest-placed under-21 rider last year on the small tour rankings and was awarded to Anne-Marie Perry.

 

Myerscough College, Lancs

Kingston Maurward – Julie Rickman

The Grange EC, Okehampton – Dave Reddan