New Faces on Selection Panels for British Dressage Teams

Thu, 10/16/2008 - 00:00
British Dressage News

Several new faces have joined British international teams director Nick Burton on British Dressage's selection panels. Burton heads the senior and under-21 panels. The latter consists of two sections: juniors and young riders combined and ponies.

Judy Firmston-Williams has stepped up to become chief junior and young rider selector and is joined by two new panel members, Islay Auty and Jill Day. They take over from chief selector Sally Merrison and Helen Webber, who have stepped down after serving eight and nine years respectively.

Paul Hayler (pictured) rejoins chief selector Jenny Ward and Rachel Hillier on the pony selection panel now that his daughter Bobby has progressed to junior level. Maureen Newall is policy advisor to all the under-21 selectors.

On the senior selection panel, list one judge and trainer Jo Graham has taken over from Judy Harvey, who has stood down to concentrate on her international competition career. Harvey and recently retired international teams director David Trott will stay on as policy advisors.

Burton said: “I am delighted to announce these new selectors. Between them, they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge and I look forward to working with them all in the future.”

He paid tribute to the outgoing committee members: “The enthusiasm and dedication that my predecessor David, Judy, Sally and Helen have given to the teams over the years has been phenomenal. We are all enormously grateful for their efforts.”

Related Links
British 2008 Under-21 Short Listed Riders Announced
Sandy Phillips Steps Down as British Dressage Selector