KEVIN SPARROW
DRESSAGE DAYS.
DRESSAGE DAYS Q&A ABOUT LINDA WHETSTONE
TELL US ABOUT YOUR EARLY EQUESTRIAN LIFE AND WHAT LED TO YOUR LOVE OF DRESSAGE. I was always obsessed by horses and dreamed of being the child with the red bows collecting the red rosette, while in reality I could barely get my pony into trot. It was not until my early 30s that I was able to start riding more seriously and after eventing briefly had to admit my nerves and lifestyle were better suited to dressage. Forty very enjoyable years followed when I threw myself into improving my riding, with a number of varied equine partners, and my judging.
WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE SPORT IN AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY? I started in the Riding Club and when I progressed to running affiliated dressage at Ardingly, began to have ideas as to how the systems could be improved. Once you start making constructive suggestions you soon get roped in and put to work.
OF ALL YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS WITH BD, WHICH HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON THE SPORT? I suppose the early years as Rules and Fixtures Director which I hope contributed to the foundations for future growth. We had to set up the Nationals at Stoneleigh in our first year of existence with literally no funding, and shortly after started the Area Festival series as well as introducing the intensely controversial 114 // Issue 3 2019 // BRITISH DRESSAGE
BD Chairman and List 1 judge Linda Whetstone has been a cornerstone of British Dressage since its formation in 1998. Already a keen competitor up to Small Tour and major organiser, she became a founder member of BD and its first ever Rules and Fixtures Director. Later, she was Director of judges for three years and a member of the Senior Selection team for eight. Professionally, Linda has a background in economics and now chairs a support group for local organisations in over 90 countries whose missions are to identify and resolve barriers to opportunity and prosperity. Linda has a keen intellect and is an intensely hard worker, yet is approachable, easy to talk to and generous of her time. A mother of three with nine grandchildren, she and her husband Francis live near Hartfield, East Sussex, where they run a small business.
at the time division between Restricted and Open. We created the current regions, brought in the RDOs, allowed people to choose which regional they attended and set up the wild card system. We permitted the downgrading of horses, brought in scoring in percentages rather than the number of marks so people could easily compare their performances, and changed the rules to allow para riders to take part in able bodied classes. A huge amount in a very short time and I shudder now to remember the emotions and dramas involved.
HOW DO YOUR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS TRANSLATE TO YOUR ROLE AS CHAIRMAN? Economics may not be of interest to everyone but some understanding of how to make best use of the available resources is crucial when running a business and leading a team. That, combined with my mission that others may have the opportunity to enjoy their horses as much as I’ve enjoyed mine in a dressage setting, is probably a reasonable mix for the role.
ASIDE FROM MEDAL SUCCESSES, HOW ELSE HAS BRITISH DRESSAGE EVOLVED IN RECENT TIMES? The numbers of members, horses and tests has increased greatly as has the standard of training and riding, and the quality of horses and venues.
WHAT ASPIRATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE SPORT? That our top riders can continue to inspire everyone while us less experienced riders can enjoy training and competing within our own capabilities while respecting our horses so that they enjoy the partnership too.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT IN THE SPORT? I could write a book about the things that were memorable because they didn’t go according to plan but, personally, riding a horse that you’ve backed and brought on yourself into an arena at the Nationals is hard to beat, even when that doesn’t necessarily go to plan either.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS. Energetic, enthusiastic and focused.