British Olympic dressage rider Laura Tomlinson recently navigated travel chaos while competing in Europe, facing significant delays due to strikes in Calais. Despite the challenges, she successfully debuted her home-bred horse, Full Moon, in international competition alongside her cousin’s horse, Issey. After a tumultuous journey involving a return to Dover and a lengthy ferry ride, both horses arrived in Belgium for the Nations Cup, where they performed admirably, contributing to a fourth-place finish for the team.
Issey’s calm performance in his first-ever special was a highlight, while Full Moon also showcased his potential in a grand prix at Aachen. Tomlinson noted differences in competition rules regarding noseband checks between venues, which could impact riders’ experiences. Fortunately, no British riders faced issues with the new regulations, and Tomlinson expressed optimism for upcoming competitions, including Wellington CDI3* and the Nations Cup in Rotterdam.
With the European dressage Championships on the horizon, Tomlinson feels excited about the competitive landscape and the opportunities ahead, especially with her horses adapting well to the challenges of travel and competition.
