eEuropean Connection A Marriage of Dressage and Polo By Maria Wynne Sidelines Writer Across the Pond
Laura Tomlinson has been an intrinsic part of the recent success enjoyed by the Team GBR Dressage Team. She and her team members have introduced the general public to the joy of “The Dancing Horses” and helped raise awareness of equestrianism in the UK. Laura is the daughter of the legendary Dr. Becholsteimer with whom Carl Hester trained some 20 years ago. Carl Hester is now the most respected and recognised rider and trainer in the UK, and is of course responsible for the meteoric rise of Charlotte Dujardin who rode to individual gold medal success at Greenwich last year aboard Valegro, as well as team gold alongside Carl, Laura and Richard Davison. After the excitement of Greenwich life could have been something of an anti-climax, however for Laura this was not the case. Her boyfriend Mark Tomlinson, a professional polo player, proposed in August of 2012 whilst out walking Laura’s beloved dog and constant companion Sherlock. (Laura was wearing her breeches!) Mark and Laura went to the same preparatory school as children, with Mark a year above Laura. However, they did not properly meet until four-and-a-half years before the wedding. Mark is from the renowned polo playing Tomlinson family, and his older brother Luke and his sister Emma are also international players. Recently Luke and Mark travelled to the USA to play in the England team. Laura on Polar Bear winning at the Winter Dressage Championships. Photo by Kevin Sparrow After a relatively short engagement, Mark and Laura got married in the Swiss Alps where her grandparents live, and the wedding was attended by many of the “Now she has all the gear and no idea.” Laura has not yet exacted leading figures of society, but was kept relatively low key. The any revenge, and is still happy for him to sometimes hack out on beloved Sherlock acted as ring bearer and performed his duties her dressage horses! Although their commitments to their own with just the right measure of solemnity. He has fully accepted yards keep them extremely busy so opportunities do not often Mark into the life of his mistress and the two are firm friends. No present themselves. bribes have been required. Laura is pleased to report that her father is very supportive Laura and Mark fully support each other in their diverse and she says, “We totally love working together – it’s a great disciplines and Laura has schooled Mark’s polo ponies a bit. Mark relationship.” This training has resulted in Laura and Mistral even bought Laura her own personalised polo stick with the words Hojris being selected for the European Championships again this year. This is likely to be “Alf’s” swansong as he has now reached the age of 18. Laura has three promising young superstars – Polar Bear, Unique and Pamina who are all being carefully produced to PSG level, although no single horse has been named as a possibility for Rio in 2016. When not riding and competing, Laura and Mark love to sit down and watch a film. Laura’s favourite is The Lion King and Mark’s is Home Alone. In such a competition driven household we wonder who has control of the remote? At the time of writing, the sad news was announced, that despite selection, Laura and Alf will not be contesting the European Championships.
About the writer: Maria Wynne has spent her entire life with horses and her family background is steeped in them. She is a proud (single) Mum of the an adorable 5 year old son named Theodore Denman, who is named after the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner. 42 SIDELINES OCTOBER 2013 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE