News

After time away from competition, it’s exciting to have a number of finals to look forward to in the second half of the year as announced in the March Operational Plan. Three such events are the trio of Equissage Pulse Para Championships, which offer para riders great opportunity to finally get out and put their training to the test in a championship environment.

As announced in our March Operational Plan, we’ve been working on some changes to one of the sport’s greatest innovations in recent years, Quest, powered by Saracen Horse Feeds. We can now reveal our 2021 plans for the popular grassroots series which incorporates My Quest for solo competitors and Team Quest, featuring teams of three or four riders.

With coronavirus infection rates continuing to improve across the country, the Welsh government has today released a statement which paves the way for an earlier return to play for sport activity.

Producers of young horses and ponies have much to look forward to in the coming months with a comprehensive schedule of young horse competitions scheduled for 2021. The young horse calendar, comprising the Shearwater Young Horse Championships for four, five and six-year-olds, the BD Seven-Year-Old Championship and BD Young Pony Championships, offers riders plenty of opportunity to present their promising youngsters.

Following the successful implementation of protocols for horses returning to the UK who might potentially have been impacted by the EHV-1 outbreak in Europe, British Equestrian is pleased to report that the disease risk in the UK is nearing normal levels. However, the recommendation on the use of health self-certification forms for UK equine gatherings remains in place for the foreseeable future to help manage the risk.

Dressage Anywhere, the online competition and training website is running a special competition for BD Members to celebrate live shows restarting. Entries are open now with videos of tests accepted during April.

Following the latest announcements from the devolved governments this week we can provide members with an update on the key dates for the resumption of organised sport activity in England, Scotland and Wales.

With the resumption of BD competition, riders can now look forward to qualifying for the Elite Equine Associated Championships in the inaugural year of Elite Equine’s sponsorship of British Dressage competition.

Following consultation with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, British Equestrian has released a further update on activity using indoor schools in England.  As a result, British Dressage has no option but to cancel all scheduled competitions for able bodied adult riders until 11 April 2021, although certain exemptions apply for under 18, Para and elite riders.

On the day activity resumed in England and Scotland and BD launched its new brand identity, Chief Executive Jason Brautigam released his quarter one update to reflect on the first three months of 2021 and a look forward to what the summer has instore.