toilet assistant at the Nationals and asked for loo roll (and she was quite 'terse' with me about standards, etc). I kep
Julie Frizzell Role: Interim Board Director for Para and fomer Marketing Director Our sport is run by a Board of nine volunteer Directors with a Chairman taking the lead. Porfolios currently cover the areas of Sport Development, Judges, Finance, Para, International Teams, Business Development, Training and BD Youth. Each Director in turn heads up a technical committee, again manned by volunteers with support from the office team. Directors undergo an election process by the membership and can serve for up to two terms of four years.
What’s your ‘day’ job?
I retired from the RAF as a wing commander and took up a consultancy appointment for leadership, executive coaching and business development. I share my time between this, running Dressage Coaching UK and volunteer work with BD.
What’s your background? Horsey?
Riding school as a child weekly as a child until I joined the RAF at 17. Able to afford my own horse at 24 and evented, rode for the RAF, combined services and was long listed for the British Military Team (eventing), showjumped in front of the Queen at Windsor. Then fell off – really well! Rotational fall eventing, crushed my wrist and was, eventually, the reason I was medically retired from the RAF. It’s the reason behind my journey into dressage (I lost my bottle jumping) and also, after surgery and cutting a long story short, in be being classified as a Grade V para rider (I have very limited use of my right hand, have no ulna, and as its permanently partially dislocated, I have to ride with an external cast holding it in place and use one finger on looped reins). Since competing as a para rider, I’ve won three titles and since Crazy Diamond retired, have been training a former Godolphin Stables Ascot winner, Namibian, who I was lucky to find through Godolphin Rehoming.
What does your volunteer role involve?
Working with the BDHQ staff, regional reps, technical committee and the whole para family. Our current focus is to increase opportunities for every grade and rider group and to support and encourage venues to dip their toe in running para. For me, it’s about demystifying ‘para’.....its parallel, not disabled people doing dressage. It’s about anyone with a medical condition or limitation doing dressage to the best of their physical ability. The judging is about the movement, the horse, the whole picture, not about what ‘makes’ the rider ‘para’. Importantly, one of the most rewarding elements is seeing how our work with partners such as the RDA can really make a difference.
Prior to this role though, I was so lucky to be director for Business Development – marketing, communications, membership, commercial sections within BD. We have so many incredibly dedicated staff, as a volunteer its inspiring to be around so many young, intellectually dynamic people.
How long have you been a volunteer?
Para – one year Marketing and Comms (Business Development) – 4 years Tech committee since 2003
What do you find most rewarding about being a volunteer?
Treat others as you’d like to be treated and for that, knowing that you can create a good relationship with everyone, no matter which corner of the sport they come from, is the most rewarding. To be able to lead the sport forward is an honour, and I feel a strong sense of duty to everyone around us. The most rewarding part by far is being part of the wider team, the people; BDHQ, RDOs, reg reps, tech committee, riders, judges, coaches....organisers of course as well as our partners. Seeing a diverse team come together, tackle some meaty subjects, consult with our para community and create great solutions sounds like something out of a management book – but it’s true, it happens and to be the glue that holds it together is humbling.
Funniest story from volunteering? That we can print!
Not being a ‘name’ in the dressage world (which trust me, I’m very happy about) – probably one of the strangest requests was when someone thought I was the toilet assistant at the Nationals and asked for loo roll (and she was quite ‘terse’ with me about standards, etc). I kept quiet, went and got the loo roll, didn’t even get a thank you. Of course, I smiled and was as friendly as I could be. Karma; she was on the table I was hosting at the VIP lunch!
Sum up your volunteering experience in three words…
Now, there’s a challenge... Honour – it really is. Challenging – times have been hard through unfair and untrue public statements and it’s hard to keep your chin up when it feels the world is against every breath you take but when the true BD family rises to the top, every single moment is worthwhile. Life-changing – once you meet, and work with, the amazing people behind the scenes, it’s addictive.
