Guidance after the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Following the official guidance issued by the government on Friday 9 September, British Dressage can confirm that there will be respectful continuation of equestrian sport at all levels this weekend and during the period of national mourning. 

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), UK Sport and the Sport and Recreation Alliance published their National Mourning Guidance yesterday, after the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on Thursday 8 September 2022. 

We can confirm that there is no formal obligation for organisations or venues to cancel or postpone sporting fixtures and events, at either elite or grassroots level, between now and the state funeral.  Decisions will remain at the discretion of the individual organisers and venues to consider how they should proceed during the national mourning period.  

As a mark of respect, if events are held, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of their fixture, and competitors may wish to wear black armbands during this time. 

British Dressage will support the decision of individual organisers regarding their fixtures, but our recommendation is that they should continue as planned, with a two-minute silence scheduled at an appropriate point before or during the competition.

Flags should be flown at half-mast for the duration of the mourning period, and where activity continues it should do so in a respectful manner, in keeping with the mood of the nation at this time, while celebrating The Queen’s immense contribution to equestrian sport over the 70 years of her reign.

We can confirm that all British Dressage competition and training activity will be cancelled on the date of the state funeral.  We are awaiting an official announcement from the government but understand that this is likely to be on Monday 19 September.

A decision on the British Dressage National Championships, scheduled for 15-18 September at Somerford Park, will be taken once the date of the funeral has been announced.  At this stage, it is anticipated that the championships will go ahead as planned, with additional measures introduced as a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

We request that the dressage community respects the wishes of any organisers or venues who wish to cancel their fixtures or training during the national mourning period.  We also fully respect the decision of any rider, owner, or coach that chooses not to participate in any competition or training activity at this time. 
 
We will update this guidance on Monday 12 September 2022