News
From Tokyo to Paris: a new strategy to inspire and achieve
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:32
The success achieved at London 2012 and Rio 2016 put our sport in the public spotlight and provided British Dressage with a unique opportunity to achieve unprecedented growth. In the years that have followed, BD’s membership and participation levels have increased by over 20%, supported by a rise in standards across all areas of activity and a drive towards a more modern, professionally run organisation and sport.
With the final countdown to the delayed 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games now well underway, BD is exceptionally proud to publish our new road map to take us through the next cycle from Tokyo to Paris, our 2021 – 2024 Strategy.
Originally scheduled for launch in Spring 2020, the unveiling of our new strategy had to be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the time is now right to look to the future. The strategy outlines how we aim to capitalise on the opportunities ahead and develop our sport into the accessible, inclusive and successful organisation we all strive for.
Working collaboratively, the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers will set about delivering a strategy that is ambitious, but still retains the essence of what dressage encompasses at its heart. The strategic objectives will not only drive our business goals, operational plans and targets, but also create a positive culture and values that are shared by everyone involved in the sport, with the welfare of all participants, both equine and human, as the foundation for everything we do.
The launch of our new brand identity at the end of March, to coincide with the resumption of competition and training activity, was the start of this new chapter – and, with the sport already well on the road to recovery, the launch of this strategy is our next major initiative. The BD team certainly haven’t been standing still over the past fifteen months and many of the areas highlighted as a priority are already well on their way to being implemented.
The full strategic plan is included below as a document for all members to download and read at their leisure. The strategy has also been brought to life by British Dressage Chief Executive Jason Brautigam and Business Development Director Suzanne Homewood, with their audio commentary over an animated version of the document providing an overview of the key areas BD will be focusing on over the next four years.
Jason Brautigam explains; “We were originally all set to launch this strategy at the Winter Championships in April last year, before the pandemic put everything on hold. Fifteen months later, it’s great to finally be able share our new vision and mission with members. Our main strategic objectives are all still as relevant as they were pre-COVID, if not more so. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to have a fresh start, with a brand new identity too – and ‘build back better’ to ensure that the sport doesn’t just recover, but emerges stronger than ever.
“The upcoming Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo provide us with another chance to shine, with dressage once again set to enjoy its moment in the spotlight. We want to use this platform to promote our sport to as wide an audience as possible, so everyone can see that British Dressage is accessible, inclusive and welcoming to all. With membership already back up to pre-pandemic levels we are in a good position to further grow and develop dressage for the benefit of all participants.
“I will be available on the BD stand at lunchtime on all five days of the Winter Championships at Hartpury next week, if competitors would like to discuss anything with me in person – and we’ll also be holding a virtual members’ meeting in the first half of July to give members the opportunity to ask any questions they may have. We look forward to hearing your feedback.”
