Associated Championships FAQs
Not sure what to expect from the Associated Championships? Find out more here!
Do I need to register for the Associated Championships?
Please register your intention to qualify for the Associated Championships in 2026, please follow the link below to register.
Do I need to be a BD member?
Yes! To qualify for all championships, riders and horses may hold Club, Full (competing) or Trial memberships.
To compete at the Championship, riders and horses at Intro level must hold Club membership and all riders and horses at Prelim and above must hold Full (competing) membership and registration.
Do I need to be a member of my partner association?
Joining is no longer compulsory. However, they offer some great benefits - please visit their website to see what else they can offer you!
| Associated Championship | Levels | Partner Association |
| Arab Horse | Intro to Medium | Arab Horse Society |
| Baroque Horse | Prelim to Prix St Georges | Various |
| British Native Pony | Intro to Prix St Georges | Various |
| Coloured Horse and Pony | Intro to Medium | CHAPS |
| Draught Horse | Intro to Medium | Various |
| Forces | Into to Medium | Forces Equine |
| RoR | Intro to Advanced Medium | RoR |
| Side Saddle | Intro to Medium | The Side Saddle Association |
| Traditional Gypsy Cob | Intro to Medium | TGCA |
| Thoroughbred | Intro to Advanced Medium | Weatherbys or other |
| Veteran Horse | Intro to Prix St Georges | Veteran Horse Society |
| Veteran Rider | Intro to Prix St Georges | Riders aged 55 or over |
What do I need to do to qualify?
To qualify for the Associated Championships, all you need to achieve is four scores of 60% or above (Prix St Georges - only two scores of 60% or above are required) at the level and section you wish to qualify for in accordance with the BD rules.
Scores can come from regular BD competition or Quest competitions from 1 January 2026 to 31 August 2026. Please note, you cannot use Area Festivals, Combined Training, Freestyle to Music, Regionals, Under 25 Championship, Winter or National Championship scores or scores gained on a class ticket.
Can I compete at different levels?
Yes! You can compete at a maximum of two consecutive levels at the Associated Championships.
What am I eligible for?
Take a look at the eligibility tables in the current BD Members’ Handbook!
Once qualification is achieved, a combination may subsequently upgrade and maintain the qualification unless otherwise stated in the rules.
The overall winning combination, scoring 68% or higher, will not be eligible to contest their title in future years except for the championships detailed below:
Side Saddle (all levels), Veteran Horses (all levels), and all championships at Medium and above.
