DV Committee Announcements

On Thursday, 2 December, Dressage Victoria held their general meeting online via Zoom. 

OUTGOING COMMITTEE

Firstly, I wish to thank the outgoing Committee for their work and commitment. I especially thank the following retiring committee members. All have made an enormous contribution to the success of Dressage within Victoria.

Veronica Steward is an experienced A level judge and Judge Educator. She has judged up to Grand Prix at State and National Championships and judges regularly at all levels. Veronica is also an FEI Steward, National Steward and State TD. Veronica has held positions on the EV Board, Dressage Victoria, and has also been a State Selector for several terms and has represented Para-Dressage on the DV Committee. With her background in Taxation Law, Veronica has also been a great help with finances. Veronica has brought to her roles a great wealth of knowledge and experience. Thank you, Veronica, for your tireless work over many years.  

Aengus Wright is a current F level Judge and has over 12 years of experience in riding, EV Events, and providing technical support for competitions, including several CDIs. Aengus has been involved in Dressage and Jumping with the Stars and the Dressage Festival for several years and has been on the Dressage Victoria Committee for 3 years. I certainly look forward to Aengus’ continued work with Black Horse One scoring. I am sure his outstanding ability with software and Data Analysis will continue to be utilised at state and national levels. Thank you, Aengus, for your valued and ongoing contribution to Dressage.

Justine Greer has been an outstanding Riders Representative. A respected and talented rider, Justine has produced many successful horses and achieved exceptional results up to FEI level. She has a friendly manner and has a great rapport with her fellow competitors. Justine’s ability to maintain communication with the riders has undoubtedly been a strength. Justine is a popular and successful coach, and I have enjoyed working with her as a selector for the Youth Ambassador Awards for the past two years. Thank you, Justine, for your contribution as a Riders Rep on the DV Committee. 

Rae Ansell has been involved as a State Selector for many years. She has a degree in Commerce and was a successful business owner for over 40 years. Rae has held positions on the Dressage Victoria Committee, Yarra Valley Dressage Club and is a valued member of the High-performance Squad Committee. Rae was also an FEI competitor. She has an impressive record of supporting competitions as a penciller, gear steward, Chef D’Equip and event Director. I know that she is a highly valued member of the High-Performance Dressage Squad Committee, and the Committee will continue to benefit from Rae’s outstanding administrative expertise. Thank you, Rae, for your ongoing commitment. 

Lizzy Schirmer is stepping down from her Board Appointed position. However, she will still be with us, representing Major Events. Lizzy is an extraordinarily talented Event Director, and I am sure you will all agree that the Dressage Festival and Dressage and Jumping with the Stars are a testimony to her amazing organisation skills. Lizzy has also been the driving force with the AOR committee, raising the profile of this branch of our sport to create the benchmark for the rest of Australia. Hopefully Lizzy will now have more time to ride her horse and enjoy competing as an AOR. Thank you, Lizzy.   

NEW DRESSAGE VICTORIA COMMITTEE AND SELECTORS

Board Appointments – Kate Parsisson and Emma Thomerson

Kate has been riding for over 35 years. She came through the ranks of Pony Club, competing at 3 State Championships and was a member of our inaugural Young Rider quad. She is now on the AOR Squad. Kate is currently working on her Level 2 Dressage Coaching qualification and is competing on several horses up to Prix St Georges. Kate brings to the Committee her experience and expertise in Business Marketing, Communications and customer engagement, both federal and state, as well as Governance and Risk in the government and corporate, private enterprise.

Emma is a keen dressage rider and competitor. She is an active AOR squad member and is a current member of the AOR committee. Emma has volunteered at major events and is keen to help build a supportive EV Community through our squad structure. Emma is a mixed animal veterinarian and has a great depth of knowledge regarding the welfare of our Equestrian Athletes, which underpins our Code of Conduct. She will be a great addition to the Committee. 

Riders’ Representative – Karen Blythe

Karen has competed in Dressage for 14 years, and has ridden to FEI Medium Tour as well as competing in Young Horse classes at State and National Championships. Karen is also a respected level 1 EA Coach. She has been a Western Victorian Dressage Club Committee member for 5 years and is the club representative at Dressage Victoria Calendar meetings. Karen has also been a member of the Victorian Dressage Club for 4 years. With her experience as a professional researcher and writer, Karen brings a range of skills to the role of riders’ representative.

Para-Dressage Representative – Sally Francis

Sally will be taking up a co-opted position representing Para-Dressage. Sally has been involved in horses her entire life and has an impressive history of involvement in the Pony Club movement. Sally was Chef D’Equip for the WEG Para-Dressage teams in Kentucky Normanby and the Paralympics in London and Rio. She was also the assistant team coach in Hartbury and Beijing. In 2019, Sally was awarded the AOM for her services to equestrian sport and people with disabilities.  

Coach and Selectors

Lone Joergensen has been re-appointed as the State Coach and selector. Lone needs no introduction, however, she continues to bring to this role her vast experience as an international rider and coach, and we are indeed lucky to have someone of her calibre in this position. 

Moya Jess and Natalie Frew have been appointed as the other two selectors.

Moya is an experienced and respected A level Judge, Young Horse Judge, Judge Mentor and EA Steward. As well as her judging, Moya is a past member of the EA Victoria Branch and the Western Victoria Dressage Club. She is a life member and current Vice President of the Victorian Dressage Club and a life member of the RASV. Moya has a sound knowledge of the Dressage Rules and DV Bylaws, and we look forward to her contribution as a selector.

Natalie is a B level Judge and has judged regularly throughout Victoria as well as interstate at State and National Championships. She has also judged eventing dressage at Wandin and Tooradin. Natalie was State Pony Club secretary in South Australia and was a successful FEI rider. Natalie brings excellent communication skills, no doubt learned as an Air Hostess in a previous life!  

VIRGINIA CREED
Dressage Victoria Chair