News
Exciting Action Ahead: The Red Gorilla Combined Training Series Kicks Off
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Fri, 24 Jan 2025 16:00
Sharpen your dressage and showjumping skills with the unique opportunity to compete in the Red Gorilla Combined Training Series, as the 2025 qualifiers kick off this weekend at Solihull Equestrian Centre (25 January).
The Red Gorilla Combined Training series is back for 2025, with the qualifiers running from January until April at 18 venues across the country. You only need a British Dressage Community membership and horse registration to compete, making it the perfect opportunity to aim for a Championship during the winter season.
Rule reminder
- The same horse and rider must compete in both phases, a horse/pony may not compete in more than two classes on the same day.
- The dressage phase is run under British Dressage rules, as well as competitor dress and tack and equipment. No whips are allowed in the dressage phase at the championships.
- The show jumping phase is run under British Showjumping Club rules, is timed accordingly as well as competitor dress and tack and equipment. Whips are permitted in this phase at the championships.
- The course will consist of eight to twelve fences.
- Any faults that occur will be deducted from the marks awarded in the dressage phase. The winner is the combination with the highest score.
Want to find out more? Check out our member's handbook for all of the rules.
Tests and showjumping height
Intro 1 (2024) and 60cm
Prelim 1 (2024) and 70cm
Prelim 2 (2024) and 80cm
Novice 1 (2024) and 80cm
Novice 2 (2024) and 90cm
Elementary 1 (2024) and 80cm
Elementary 2 (2024) and 90cm
How to qualify
There are seven classes to choose from, which start at Introductory and go through to Elementary, with the relevant show jumping height attached to each class. To qualify for the Red Gorilla Combined Training Championship, you will need to place in the top two in any class, at any qualifier. If the top two have already qualified, it will be passed down to the next eligible competitor.
2025 Qualifiers
Get the dates in your diary! The Red Gorilla Combined Training qualifiers run from January to April, with 18 venues hosting these exciting fixtures across the country. Use the button below to find your local venue, upcoming dates and links to the schedules to enter.
Training at home
Title sponsors Red Gorilla have teamed up with Olympic event rider Sharon Hunt to create a series of training videos to help those who are preparing for the Combined Training series. These videos include pole work exercises that are great for both dressage and showjump training at home as well as a behind the scenes peak at an incredible lesson opporunity for our Elementary and 90cm 2024 Champion, Francesca Leaning ahead of the upcoming season.
Membership
Combinations may hold a minimum of an BD Community 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.
We can't wait to see you all out competing! Don't forget to share your experience and show updates with us, tag British Dressage and Red Gorilla as well as using the #BritishDressage
