In memoriam: Domini Lawrence

It is with great sadness that British Dressage bids farewell to British Olympic dressage rider Domini Morgan (née Lawrence), a hugely influential and well-respected pioneer of the sport who passed away on 4 January at the age of 99.

Born on 8 May 1925 in Marylebone, London, to Lydia  and Alfred Clive Lawrence, a distinguished barrister and Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Domini's life was steeped in accomplishment and driven by her love of horses.

Domini’s long and successful career was heavily influenced by her stepfather, the Secretary of State for War and Lord Chancellor, who introduced her to the sport at the start of her journey.

Her competitive career was defined by her partnership with her beloved bay gelding San Fernando (by Rocarno). Together, they represented Great Britain at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, where the British Dressage team comprising Domini, Hilda Lorna Johnstone and Johanna Hall secured fifth place; whilst individually Domini achieved an impressive 11th place, making her the highest-placed British individual. This was a historic moment as not only were women unable to compete in equestrian events at the Olympics until 1952, but the performance of the all-female team in 1968 marked a significant step forward for Britain’s Olympic dressage performance.

Domini continued to represent her country at the 1970  World Championships in Aachen, where she placed 15th in the Grand Prix. She then returned to the 1972 Munich Olympics, finishing 10th with the team and 33rd individually. In addition, she won the Horse of the Year dressage title for five consecutive years and amassed numerous national and international accolades.

Following her competitive career, Domini found happiness in her marriage to Arnold Morgan and transitioned to judging, becoming a renowned international FEI dressage judge. Her commitment to the sport saw her fulfil the role as a judge worldwide, alongside coaching at all levels from Preliminary to Advanced. She retired from top-level judging in 1998 but remained a valued adviser and supporter of the sport.

On 8 May 2024, as she marked her 99th birthday, Domini was honoured as the oldest living British Olympian, a testament to her enduring impact on the sport and the legacy she left behind.

British Dressage Chairman Jill Day commented: “I can remember watching Domini ride and being in awe of her achievements. As I moved up the levels as a rider, it was always an honour to be judged by Domini; you could rely on an honest view of how your horse was going along with some really useful tips on what needed to improve. I was lucky enough to have a couple of lessons with Domini through a training scheme introduced by BD when we were still called The Dressage Group and part of the BHS. Her advice was invaluable and gave real insight into what was required for successful training.”

References: Eurodressage and Horse & Hound