There is obviously a great deal of excitement about the London Olympics later this year and there is a lot of anticipation in the dressage community about the Dressage competition because of the fantastic recent performances of our senior riders in international competitions and winning team gold at the European Dressage Championship. However, I have lost count of the number of conversations I have had discussing when the team will be announced. Team GB has qualified a team of 3 and one individual but when will the horses and riders be announced?
I have finally discovered the details of team selection:
- By 2nd July 2012 the selectors will recommend the horse/rider to the British Olympic Association
- British Olympic Association are responsible for the public announcement but I cannot find any details about when the BOA will make this announcement.
- The selection panel is: Nick Burton (chair), Jane Kidd, Sandy Phillips, David Trott, Simon Hardwick and Linda Whetstone
It has been quite hard to find this information. I have got this information from a policy document. Anybody involved with horses will understand the risk of injury that may prevent training or even worse participation in the London Olympics which means that the team should be announced as late as possible. But I think a bit more publicity about the time scales for the announcement of the team would be gratefully received by everybody involved with dressage.
