News

Bicton was beset by heavy rain and gale force winds but this didn’t put off competitors determined to secure their golden tickets for the LeMieux National Championships at the final Regional of the season.

As you’ll already be aware, the Sport Operations Committee has been focusing on developing the Championship pathways available within British Dressage. Earlier this year, a Working Group was set up to review, evaluate and analyse our existing Championships in order to make a series of recommendations and proposals for changes to the current system, with effect from 2020 onwards.

It’s with great sadness and apologies that, in conjunction with BD South West Regional Development Officer Amanda Heath, Duchy College has made the decision to relocate their Petplan Equine Area Festival, scheduled to run on 16-18 August 2019 to near by Bicton Arena.

A high quality entry came forward for the Eastern region’s leg of the 2019 Regional Championship series. Over three days this week (6 – 8 August 2019), Keysoe Equestrian in Bedfordshire played host to the penultimate opportunity to seize a qualification spot for the LeMieux National Championships in September.

With the hosts in place for this year’s National Convention in partnership with Harrison Clark Rickerbys, British Dressage is excited to launch our search for a very special combination to join us as a demo rider at Addington Equestrian on 23 – 24 November!

The most northerly summer regional saw some fierce competition with Jo Barry on fighting form, taking home three titles while Robyn Smith dominated the Small Tour classes.

As always the Summer Regionals at Mount Ballan didn’t disappoint, with three days of riveting competition. Although there were withdrawals from some top names like Charlotte Dujardin, Henriette Andersen and Paul Friday, there were plenty of exciting combinations making their mark.

Following a recent meeting with the Equine Department and Curriculum Head at Pencoed College, it has been agreed that the British Dressage competitions will be reinstated at the venue and outsourced to a new organiser, Zoe Mann.

The second British Dressage Bronze Championships proved a massive hit with the competitors who all judged new venue Sheepgate Equestrian ‘well worth the journey’ after two days of battle across Prelim to Advanced Medium.

A highlight in the calendar of any dressage enthusiast, this year’s FEI World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses didn’t disappoint with spectators treated to four days of world class competition as the stars of tomorrow did battle for the prestigious accolades.