British riders up for election to FEI committee

Three British riders have applied to represent their disciplines on the FEI technical committee.

For the first time only athletes are allowed to vote.

Laura Tomlinson (dressage), Daisy Berkeley (eventing) and Joanna Attenborough (driving) are among the 26 athletes from 10 nations in the running for the online elections.

All candidates must have competed in 1 of the past 2 senior FEI World Championships or Olympic Games and have a clean record.

Representatives are expected to be “key ambassadors” for their respective discipline. There is 1 representative per each of the 8 disciplines, and they change every 4 years.

“They play a vital role in the governance of equestrian sport,”said FEI secretary general Ingmar De Vos.

They will also form the FEI athletes’ committee when the technical committees require feedback and input on areas relevant to all FEI athletes. 

Laura Tomlinson said she was motivated to apply, having witnessed the sport progress over the past 2 Olympics.

“I would like to make sure the riders are well represented in the run-up to the next Olympics and that the progression remains in the interest of the riders and horses,” she said.

Joanna Attenborough was approached by the FEI to stand as a driving representative.

“I’ve been involved in the sport for more than 20 years, have lived in 4 European countries,”she told H&H.“I feel I have the skills to represent all the nations of athletes in my sport, both professional and amateur.”

Voting is now live until 1 June. The elected athletes will be announced on 17 July. 

Martha Terry

H&H features editor

Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on dogs of all shapes and sizes. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs, one a street dog from Gambia who was abandoned at three weeks old. Now, her constant companion, whether by her feet at her desk or walking cross-country courses, is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.