Olympic medallist Laura Tomlinson reflects on the challenges facing dressage, including social media criticism and declining sponsorship, which have made the sport more expensive and less accessible. She emphasizes the need to attract a new generation of fans by showcasing the beauty of dressage through harmony, training, and genuine partnership, making these qualities visible even to those unfamiliar with the sport. Tomlinson supports proposed changes to grand prix tests, such as incorporating a give and retake of the reins and allowing voice aids, to better highlight correct and harmonious training rather than just flashy expression.

Tomlinson also suggests innovative ideas to rejuvenate interest, including introducing new competition formats that combine dressage, showjumping, and eventing to engage fans across disciplines and create more sponsorship opportunities. She advocates for riders to provide live commentary during events to educate spectators on the nuances of good training. Overall, her vision for dressage focuses on preserving the sport’s core values while evolving to appeal to broader audiences and ensuring its positive future.