Your guideto championships and more

Your championship guideCompete!

WelcomeCompeting with British Dressage offers so much more than aiming for the heady heights of Grand Prix and the National Championships. Affiliated competition starts at walk and trot, Introductory level, and progresses through with many other opportunities through Preliminary, Novice and beyond.

Competing is a great way to measure your progress in training. Aim to experience one of our amazing championships as your goal and have great fun along the way. This guide is an overview designed to help you find your championship pathway and go for gold. Please use the current British Dressage Members’ Handbook for the full rules and regulations.

BD Membership team Membership, upgrades, registrations and results: membership@britishdressage.co.uk BD Sports Operations team Quest, Associated Championships, Para Dressage and all other British Dressage championships: operations@britishdressage.co.uk To contact your Development Officer, visit your region online: www.britishdressage.co.uk

Key contacts

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Competitionhow it works...

The British Dressage competition structure has been designed to give riders more choice than ever before! Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re an experienced dressage rider, we have something for everyone.

Horse welfare comes above all else in BD activity, please adhere to our Horse Welfare policy and always put your horse first.

Levels Levels are progressive and tailored to the horse’s level of training, starting with Introductory, which is walk trot level, up to Grand Prix, which has the highest degree of difficulty. Each level has a number of tests within it, which increase in difficulty the higher the test number.

Sections Each level of competition is divided into three sections; Bronze, Silver and Gold. The section you’ll enter is determined by the experience and points won at each level of competition by the rider, the horse, and the combination. Bronze is for less experienced horses and riders who have just started competing at a given level so that they can compete against those with a similar ability.

Silver is for those combinations that show more ability at a level and have demonstrated that they’re no longer a beginner at that level. Gold is open to all, but primarily designed for riders who have gained experience at higher levels and are riding a horse with more experience – or for combinations who have demonstrated that they have progressed to this level.

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To help you get the most out of competing, we’ve compiled the most important points to remember before you make your championship choices and start qualifying.

Championshipsby section

gold

all sections

Vaccinations All horses need to have a flu vaccination within six months and 21 days of the show they’re attending. Check with your vet if you think your horse may be due soon!

Passports Don’t forget to always travel with your horse’s passport, often you’ll need to present this to the show secretary on arrival.

Handbook The current Members’ Handbook is online, visit ‘Rules’ on the BD website to read up on on the full rules, eligibility, qualification, tack and more.

Your safety We require up to standard helmet certificates, make sure you’ve got a correctly fitting and up to standard helmet. Always check your boots and equine leather wear too and remember to always ride responsibly.

Membership Remember that you and your horse (and the registered owner) need to have an active, current membership and registration to compete and qualify for championships. Visit your BD Online profile to check this before you head out.

Tack & wear Check our approved tack guide for up to date permitted gear.

Quest (My Quest and Team Quest) Petplan Equine Area Festivals Senior/Youth Inter Regional Petplan Equine Area Festivals Summer Regionals National Championships Winter Regionals (inc. Music) Winter Championships Senior Inter Regional Middle Tour Championships

Summer Regionals National Championships Winter Regionals Winter Championships Young Horse Championships Young Pony Championships Middle Tour Championships Para Gold Championships

Associated ChampionshipsCombined Training Senior Home International Para Home International Para Winter Championships Festival of Para Dressage BD Youth Home International

You can use the eligibility guides in the Members’ Handbook to determine your partnership’s section.

Championshipschecklist

Team QuestSaracen Horse Feeds Quest is the perfect starting point for riders new to British Dressage, with two exciting Championships to aim for.

Get together with a group of three or four friends or fellow riders and have a go at Team Quest. The key points to know about Team Quest are:

• Three levels (Intro, Prelim and Novice) and two team age categories: Under 21 (for riders up to the end of the year of their 21st birthday) and Open (all ages).

• In Team Quest competitions team members ride their test as an individual, with the best three scores making up an overall team total.

• Teams may have either three or four combinations.

• Register a maximum of seven riders to your team, with an unlimited number of horses.

• The highest team total wins the competition, which adds valuable points to team rankings on the Team Quest Regional leader boards.

• The top 25 teams in each region do battle at a Regional Final to qualify for the Saracen Team Quest National Championships!

QuestSeries & Championships

informationNeed to know QualificationJanuary to August

LevelsIntro, Prelim and Novice

Regional FinalsSeptember/October

ChampionshipsOctober/November

Qualify by scoring points to work your way up regional leader boards, then progress from the Quest Regional Championships to the Quest National Championships. Points are earned in line with the percentage achieved at each standard Quest show. Find fixtures near you online via the BD schedules page.

My QuestGo solo in My Quest to have a shot at the prestigious My Quest Championship titles. Qualify at the same BD Quest shows as Team Quest, choose the Open or Under 21 section and compete at Intro, Prelim or Novice level!

• Your five best My Quest scores achieved at each Quest show count towards a place on the regional leader boards, with the top 30 going on to the Regional Finals.

• The top four from each Regional Final progress to the Saracen My Quest National Championships.

• If you’ve competed in more than five qualifier shows, your five best scores will count and your lowest results will be dropped.

• You can compete at two consecutive levels and aim for two championship classes each year.

Area FestivalsTwo seasons, two championships You can ride in Prelim Bronze

sections to get your scores for an Area Festival as a Club member on a Club horse. If you do qualify for a Petplan Equine Area Festival, you and your horse will need to hold a Full membership and registration to take part. For Prelim Silver and Novice level and above, both you and your horse need to be fully registered to gain your scores. Don’t forget, if you own a horse taking part in the Petplan Equine Area Festivals, you’ll need to be a Full or Premier Club member too.

focus on festivals

trot in tuneFreestyle to Music classes are one of the most exciting and fun options in British Dressage competition and with the Petplan Equine Area Festivals you have the chance to quality for Freestyle titles at the Summer Area Festival Championships.

All you need to qualify is just two scores over our set mark at your chosen level. This is 63% for Advanced Medium and below, and 60% for Prix St Georges and Inter I. Get your dancing hooves ready!

Petplan points! Find out how many points you need online:

www.britishdressage.co.uk

season season

The Petplan Equine Area Festivals are the perfect target for BD riders looking to have a taste of the big time at a championship-feel event!

Split into two seasons, summer and winter, the Petplan Equine Area Festivals offer a year round competition pathway, with riders qualifying and competing at one of the Area Festivals before going on to the Area Festival Championships in April and September each year. Qualification is points based, earned with scores at your local shows!

Summer WinterQualificationJanuary to June

LevelsPrelim to Inter I (& Freestyle)

SectionsBronze and Silver

Area FestivalsJuly to August

ChampionshipsSeptember/October

QualificationJuly to December

LevelsPrelim to Inter I

SectionsBronze and Silver

Area FestivalsJanuary to February

ChampionshipsApril

Tests Prelim 19 2008, Novice 23 2012, Elementary 53 2007, Medium 73 2007, Advanced Medium 91 2016, FEI Prix St Georges 2009, FEI Intermediate I 2009.

membershipand more

Use the BD Members’ Handbook eligibilty tables to check which level you and your horse are able to compete at. Championship placings may affect future competition eligibilty.

RegionalChampionships & beyond

membershipand more

Competing at the Summer and Winter Regionals is a great goal and achievement for all levels of competitors.

The Regional Championships are a gateway to two major BD calendar events, the LeMieux National Championships and the NAF Five Star Winter Championships. Regionals are open to riders from any BD Region, you don’t have to stick to your geographical area. Both seasons offer Silver and Gold qualification classes from Prelim to Inter I, with the National Championships also continuing through to Grand Prix.

Proudly presented by:

To qualify and compete at a winter or summer Regional Championship, both rider and horse need to hold Full membership and registrations. Plus owners will need to be Full or Premier Club members.

Qualify for a Regional Championship by taking part in regular day to day BD competitions at your local venues. Earn points from qualifier and non-qualifier tests to achieve the total points needed.

Find out more about the Regional and National Championships online. You’ll find a list of dates and venues and plenty of clues on how to give it a go.

Keeping track of your regional qualifications couldn’t be easier! We’ll send you an email when you achieve a new qualification!

season seasonSummer WinterQualificationJanuary to June

LevelsPrelim to Grand Prix

SectionsSilver and Gold

RegionalsJuly to August

National ChampionshipsSeptember

QualificationJuly to December

Levels Prelim to Inter I

SectionsSilver and Gold

RegionalsJanuary to February

Winter ChampionshipsApril

Freestyle titlesNovice to Advanced Medium

TestsPrelim 17A 2017Novice 37A 2017 Elementary 59 2010 Medium 75 2002 Advanced Medium 98 2002 FEI PSG 2009 FEI Inter I 2009FEI Inter II FEI Grand Prix

Getting started

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Para Intro shows are the perfect starting point to have a taste of BD competitions. You can compete at one of these as a Club member. By taking part in Para Intro shows you can also earn points towards qualification for the Bronze Championships at the Equissage Pulse Summer Festival of Para Dressage. Para dressage classes mirror the able-bodied structure and are split into three sections – Bronze, Silver and Gold. Earn points from affiliated para classes all year round to qualify for numerous championships! Aim for BD regionals and National or Winter Championships, Area Festivals and our complete range of wider opportunities. As a para rider you can also apply for dispensation to use your compensating aids in able-bodied dressage. For advice on compensating aids and classification speak to our Para Dressage Officer.

British Dressage has one of the most extensive competition calendars for equestrian disability sport in the world, offering competition at Bronze, Silver and Gold, supported by title sponsors Niagara Equissage Pulse.

QualificationSelection through regions

LevelsAll grades

SectionsBronze, Silver and Gold

Home InternationalMay

QualificationJuly to December LevelsAll grades

SectionsBronze, Silver and Gold

ChampionshipFebruary

Para Home International Winter Championships

QualificationJanuary to June

LevelsAll grades

SectionsBronze and Silver

ChampionshipAugust

QualificationDecember to May

LevelsAll grades

SectionsGold

Semi-finals/ChampionshipJune/September

Festival of Para Dressage Gold Championships

British Dressage also partners the BD RDA Intellectual Disability Championships, see www.britishdressage.co.uk.

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BD ParaChampionship choices

Check out our Para Dressage booklet for advice on aids, classification and more.

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AssociatedChampionships

The Elite Equine Associated Championships are a showcase of the vast variety of horses training and competing with BD, with title opportunities for all breeds, sizes and types, from Connemaras to Clydesdales. Riders may qualify for the Championship on a Club, Full or Trial membership, or Associate registration with a class ticket – all you need is three scores over 60% at your chosen level and section!

Compete for titles associated with the following studbooks, societies and boards. British Native ponies and Draught horses compete as entire categories, celebrating wide reaching talent.

Remember, the full rules are in the British Dressage Members’ Handbook, download online!

informationNeed to know QualificationJanuary to August

SectionsBronze, Silver and Gold

Associated ChampionshipsOctober/November

LevelsIntro to Prix St Georges.Please check each title opportunity to see levels are offered.

Where to qualifyStandard BD and Quest shows

• GB PRE• Lusitano Breed society of GBR• RoR/Weatherbys• Veteran rider• Forces Equine• Arab Horse Society

• CHAPS • TGCA• Veteran horse society• All British Native pony studbooks• All draught horse studbookses

Dressage for all

Visit the BD website for the complete major dates list, detailing the qualification fixtures for all championships and series, including Combined Training and Young Horse/Pony.

Combined TrainingChampionships The Ideal Saddles Combined Training series offers a unique opportunity to fine-tune your dressage and showjumping skills.

Qualifiers are made up of six classes, with Prelim and Novice options open to combinations who’ve not competed at Medium and above, and Elementary open to any combination at any level, regardless of their previous competition record. To qualify for the championships, simply place in the top two in any class at any qualifier.

Young Dressage Horse ChampionshipsSupported by Shearwater Insurance, these prestigious Championships are the perfect annual aim for many young horse and pony producers, breeders, owners and riders. Qualifiers take place from early spring through to mid-summer, before the top placed horses from these events head to two semi-final competitions to decide the entries for the Championship final, taking place at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

Under 21s Championships

Tests The tests are designed to give horses maximum confidence and security in the arena. In the first round, combinations ride the commanded route plan in pairs.

Wildcards Issued following the two semi-final competitions to complete the line up.

Age groups Qualifiers are open to four, five and six year old horses.

Semi-finals BD National tests for each age group are used to determine the National Final places, with the top three horses given direct qualification. Scores over 7.0 are needed to compete at the semi-finals.

Seven year olds Qualify from a dedicated Advanced Medium Seven Year Old class where Advanced Medium 96 will be ridden and judged as a normal BD competition. The top two horses with scores of 63% or over will qualify for the semi finals. Semi finalists ride Advanced Medium 96, with the top three gaining qualification.

overviewSeason QualificationJanuary to August

LevelsChildren on Horses, Pony, Junior and Young Rider

Qualify fromInternational season results, championship teams and Premier League

National ChampionshipsAutumn/winter

A new addition to the National Championship calendar gives opportunity for British under 21 team riders, both current and aspiring, to compete for the national title within their age group.

Categories and tests used are in line with the FEI championships and CDIs.

summaryLevels Tests usedPrelim 2 (2016) Prelim 18 (2002) Novice 24 (2010) Novice 34 (2009) Elementary 42 (2008) Elementary 50 (2007)

Jump heights70cm80cm90cm100cm90cm100cm

Combinations may hold a minimum of an Associate membership and horse registration and compete on a class ticket. Please note that for the Championships, all horses and riders must upgrade to a minimum of a Club membership and Club horse registration.

Membership

TeamsRepresent your region

Selection policies for senior, youth and para riders are available on the BD website. Visit your region’s page to find out more and aim for regional team representation! For the full rules please refer to the BD Members’ Handbook.

There’s plenty of activity in our busy regions throughout the year, with training camps and clinics helping you prepare for the five regional team competitions for Senior, Para and BD Youth riders.

At Inter Regionals, teams from the six regions compete against one another. These teams are made up of riders competing at Prelim, Novice, Elementary and Medium level.

Home Internationals see England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales go head to head with teams selected by each region. The levels included are Novice to Prix St Georges, with all sections of rider eligible to compete. The Equissage Pulse Para Home International use the standard tests covering the five grades. Regional competitions and training are closely linked; your region offers the opportunity to get support andguidance, and good quality training from BD accredited coaches and BD listed judges to help improve your performance and meet competition goals. Engaging with regional training will help build team spirit, new friendships and work towards team selection. Selection criteria offers a clear framework for your season, based around:

• Training attendance (including camps and online)• Affiliated scores• Scores from standard BD qualifier tests• Scores from different judges and venues• Consistency and previous form.

series partners

Saracen Horse Feeds Quest Nutrition helpline 01622 718487

KBIS British Equestrian Insurance 0345 230 2323 Harrison Clark Rickerbys Members legal helpline 0845 0178601

Our series partners, title sponsors and class sponsors proudly support the wide range of championships available to British Dressage competitors.

To find out more about the brands behind the sport visit www.britishdressage.co.uk.

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Inter Regionals

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Tel: +44 (0) 2476 698830 office@britishdressage.co.ukwww.britishdressage.co.uk