Next month, we will be wishing Cecilia Gladwyn, Regional Development Officer for Scotland, a happy retirement as she steps out of the hot-seat and BD Training and Development Manager Jo Brown has announced Emma Stewart as our new Scottish RDO.
Emma will start her duties mid-December after having a few weeks shadowing Cecilia to get a feel for the diverse role. Based in Strathblane just north of Glasgow, Emma comes to BD from an events management background and away from work, she has a broad equestrian knowledge having competed in eventing, showjumping and dressage as well as hunting in the winter months. She learnt to ride aged just five and after a sound Pony Club grounding, went on to affiliated competition. She has ridden at Blair Castle and Burgie three day events and is still a regular competitor today.
Emma commented; “I am delighted that British Dressage has given me the opportunity to combine my experience gained working in event management with my passion for equestrian sports. I’m really looking forward to getting out and meeting all the members, trainers, organisers and volunteers and listening to their ideas for the future in order to develop dressage at all levels throughout the whole of Scotland.”
Cecilia retires just weeks short of her 12th anniversary with BD and during that time has shaped dressage in Scotland a great deal. Jo Brown said; “While Scotland may be one of the smaller regions members wise, it is one of the most challenging geographically and Cecilia has done a great job managing every corner. Her vast knowledge, affable nature and never ending enthusiasm will be very much missed. We wish her a happy retirement – we know she’s looking forward to a quieter time – but hope that she’ll still continue to be a part, no matter how small or big, of dressage in Scotland.”