South & West Region Updates
Here you can find out all of the latest news and updates from the South & West region.
In addition to checking in on this page, you can follow our regional activities on Facebook and Instagram. Periodic newsletters are emailed to all members, typically 4-6 per annum, and WhatsApp Groups for Youth, Senior, Coaches and Judges providing information and links direct to your phone – Please contact Mandy Rodgers to be added to the WhatsApp group relevant to you.
Over the coming months we are able to offer a variety of opportunities:
Online training evenings
Improve your understanding and riding of the more technical movements … series of online training evenings with Jane Peberdy covering leg yield, shoulder in, pirouettes, half pass and flying changes. Find the link on the regional training page - relevant for riders, coaches and judges.
Isobels Wessels present Rob Barker & his horses
Wainlode Court, Gloucester
- 15 January 2026 Walk & Canter Pirouettes
- 5 February 2026 ‘Changes’
Inter County
Inter County qualification has started! Lots of qualifying events are organised throughout the region, so it is time to get organised and get your qualification sorted. All qualifiers can be found on the regional training page here.
Read more about the qualification criteria below.
Members evenings
Keep a look out for members evenings which are being planned throughout the region over the next few weeks. Book via the regional training page here. Or alternatively contact the South & West Development Officer, Amanda Rodgers or your county ambassador.
Autumn fling and Awards evening
An opportunity to relax and let your hair down with friend and riding colleagues and enjoy some fun!
When: 5 December 2026
Where: Aztec Hotel, Aztec West, Bristol.
Yard visits
Throughout the year we run regular yard visits to observe training and trainers working with their horses at a variety of levels.
We are lucky enough to have had visits to Carl Hester’s yard and Laura Tomlinson has been kind enough to do regular training session open to all of our members.
More Yard visits will be published throughout the year.
Coaches club
Our coaches club has now been launched which will offer support to coaches as well as many online and hopefully face to face coaching focussed events. The first two workshops focussing on Coaching Sports Psychology will be released in the next week and we are looking very forward to supporting and working with all of our Coaches across the region.
We are offering flexi training to all of our coaches, if you are not currently listed and would like to be included please email Amanda.
Regional awards
Congratulations to the South & West award winners who won at the regional awards at the Annual General Meeting on 9 October.
Helen James took home the Senior Rider Award. Helen has been described as the heartbeat of her region — a rider, volunteer, and supporter whose energy and kindness lift everyone around her. A familiar face at events, she contributes in every possible way, from stewarding to cheering others on, always embodying the community spirit of British Dressage.
2026 camps
Plan your intensive training camps now for 2026.
Save the dates! All available to reserve your place now.
| Date | Location | Coaches |
| 28 & 29 January - Senior Camp | Unicorn Trust, Stow, Gloucestershire | Kate Cowell & Damian Hallam |
| 16 & 17 February - Senior, Para, Youth and Virtus Camp | Sparsholt College, Winchester, Hampshire | Erin Orford, Nicky du Plessis & Damian Hallam |
| 11 & 12 April - Senior, Para and Youth | Duchy College, Callington, Cornwall | Douglas HIbbert, Damian Hallam & Nicky du Plessis |
| 10 & 11 June - Senior, Para and Youth | Chard Equestrian, Chard, Somerset | Alice Oppenehemer & Damian Hallam |
| 26 & 27 October - Youth | Unicorn Trust, Stow, Gloucestershire | Coming soon |
| 31 October & 1 November - Senior, Para and Youth | Unicorn Trust, Stow, Gloucestershire | Coming soon |
