Associated Championships: 2022 changes announced

With everything from Connemaras to Cleveland Bays, cobs to racers and key workers to veterans, there’s something for everyone at British Dressage’s Associated Championships. With 13 championships on offer, the series shows that dressage really is for anyone, any equine and the very best come in all ages, shapes and sizes. Since their launch in 2017, the championships have gone from strength to strength and we’re excited to add a new category for 2022, side saddle!

Taking on board member feedback, we’ve also made a few changes to how the classes work;

• We’ve removed the compulsory requirement to join another relevant society. However, we recommend that if you, or your horse, is eligible you keep up your membership for the benefits and news.
• At the two championships, classes will run as one section with separate awards. Overall rosettes for first to tenth with a sash to the overall champion. The highest placed Bronze, Silver and Gold combination will then receive a rosette and sash for each class.
• The Forces Equine championship classes have run as part of the wider championship they’ll now join the party at the Vale View hosted fixture, 9 – 13 November.

Championships on offer include:

Championship	Levels	Info
Arab horses	Intro to Medium	Championship classes for full, Anglo, and part-breds.
British Native Pony	Intro to Prix St Georges	All pony breeds native to Britain are eligible, full and part-bred championship classes.
Draught Horse	Intro to Medium	Any draught breeds eligible, full and part-bred championship classes.
GB Pura Raza Española (GB PRE)	Intro to Prix St Georges	Spanish breeds, full and part-bred championship classes.
Lusitano	Intro to Prix St Georges	Championship classes for full and part-breds.
Traditional Gypsy Cob Association	Intro to Medium	Championship classes for full and part-breds.
Coloured Horse and Pony	Intro to Medium
Retraining of Racehorses (RoR)	Intro to Advanced Medium	For thoroughbred horses who have raced or been in training.
Thoroughbred	Intro to Advanced Medium	For thoroughbred horses with a recognise breed passport (i.e. Weatherbys), no requirement to have raced.
Veteran horse	Intro to Prix St Georges	Classes for horses 15 – 19 years and 20+ years.
Veteran rider	Intro to Prix St Georges	For riders 55 and over.
Forces Equine	Intro to Medium	For riders serving, ex-serving or dependants of personnel within the Emergency Services, MoD including the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, Police, Fire Service, Prison Service (HMPPS) or Blue Lights Services.
Side saddle	Intro to Medium	Qualifying tests must be ridden side saddle.

The qualification period runs 1 January to 31 August and combinations need three scores over 60% at the level you wish to ride at. Scores can come from regular BD competition including Team or My Quest competitions, but not Area Festivals, Combined Training, Freestyle to Music, Regionals, Under 25 Championship, Winter, National or Area Festival Championship scores.

To qualify for all championships, riders and horses may hold Club (for Quest and Prelim Bronze classes only), Full or Trial memberships, or compete as BD Community Members with a class ticket. To compete at the Championship, all riders and horses Prelim and above must hold Full (competing) membership and registration. Combinations at Intro can compete on a Club membership. 

Riders are asked to register their intent to qualify with us – it’s quick, easy and free to do via our website. It just helps us to plan and keep you updated with championship news and info. When you’ve achieved your three scores at the level you’re qualifying for, you can submit your scores online and we’ll verify your qualification for the championships.

The 13 championships are split over two fabulous finals in the autumn:

Venue and date	Championship categories
Bury Farm, Buckinghamshire 13 – 16 October	Arabs, Natives, Draughts, GB PRE, Lusitano, TGCA and Side Saddle
Vale View, Leicestershire 9 – 13 November	CHAPS, Retraining of Racehorses, Thoroughbred, Veteran Horse, Veteran Rider and Forces Equine

Full details of 2022’s exciting instalment of the BD Associated Championships are available on our website, including an FAQs section to help you with any queries. There’s also a section in the Members’ Handbook covering the championships on page 167 – 169. Good luck to everyone in their qualification mission and we look forward to seeing you at the championships to celebrate the diversity of dressage!

BD’s Sport Operations Manager Lou Jones commented; “This series of championships is certainly a favourite with the team at BDHQ – we love the variety of competitors and hearing their stories about their dressage journey. We’ve listened to feedback from competitors and organisers and I hope the changes address some of the comments to give an accessible and affordable championship goal for as many members as possible. Welcoming side saddle competitors is a fabulous addition for this year too! The best of luck to all who are aiming for a championship place in 2022!”