Mrs Rolton brings the experience from a lifetime involvement in Equestrian Sport, on many levels, to the board.
A successful competitor at National Level in Showing with Hacks Galloways and Ponies, Showjumping to B Grade and Dressage to Prix St George Level, Gillian gained a multi discipline insight into the sport of Equestrian from Grass roots to Elite level.
After completing a Diploma in teaching majoring in Physical Education and Science in 1978, Gillian focussed on Eventing culminating in multiple Australian Team representation including two Olympic Team Gold Medals in 1992 and 1996 and WEG team 4th in 1994.
In tandem with competition, Gillian also worked her way through the EA National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) to become a level 3 Coach, Coach Educator/Assessor. She also was asked to become a judge in both Showhorse and Dressage, working her way through the EA National officiating system and then onto the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) officiating pathway for Eventing.
Gillian has gone on to hold key administrating positions in the sport she is passionate about including EA Australian Eventing Team selector, Chair of Equestrian SA and Chair of the National Eventing Committee as well as a 4 year appointment to the Federation Equestre International (FEI) Eventing Committee which has just been completed.
From 2001 to 2007 Gillian initiated, coordinated and coached the Mitsubishi National Young Rider Squad to support talented young Eventing riders in their transition to senior level. This was a successful period for Young Eventing Riders in Australia with a number of the squad members winning major events and making a successful transition to senior ranks in the sport. It was a time when the Australian Young Rider Eventing team was undefeated in Trans-Tasman Events. At this time Gillian also instigated the formation of the now very successful National Interschools program, also then supported by Mitsubishi Nationally.
Gillian stood down as a National selector in 2007 to continue judging at FEI 4* Level. She was honoured to be one of the Eventing Ground Jury members at the London Olympic Games in 2012, followed by President of the Ground Jury at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy in 2014. After 10 years as the Riders Rep on the Adelaide Horse Trials Management Board, Mrs Rolton was appointed Event Director of the Australian International 3 Day Event in 2007.
Gillian is the Patron of Pony Club Australia and a Patron of RDA South Australia. She was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2002 and received an OAM for services to sport in 1992.
