New championship for those who protect and serve

Dressage and service personnel are steeped in history and tradition. After all, dressage was developed by the military to make horses more obedient and responsive in battle and on parade, so it’s very fitting for British Dressage (BD) to announce a new championship in partnership with Forces Equine.

Forces Equine is for equestrians in HM Forces, Government Services or Public Services and their dependants and proactively helps forces riders and their families meet, interact and compete within their equine communities. They have a long standing association with British Showjumping and now are working closely with British Dressage to bring a new championship for intro to elementary horses and riders.

Forces Equine founder Debi Heath French commented; “We are honoured to be in partnership with British Dressage and having a series together to run with our new Forces Equine Dressage League. Our members have wanted this for some time and have already been involved with Team Quest so this gives a new goal to aim for. With a salute to the future, we ride to serve and look forward to a successful partnership with BD.”

Open to existing BD members or anyone who’s new to the sport, riders must be members of Forces Equine Riding Club and a minimum of BD Team Quest members to qualify. Horses must be minimum Associate registered which enables them to compete at intro and prelim levels. Combinations who wish to qualify for novice or elementary must be fully BD registered or purchase class tickets. As a welcome, BD is offering each rider two free class tickets to help them qualify.

To qualify, combinations must secure two 60% or higher scores in any regular BD or Team Quest affiliated competition between 1 January 2015 and 31 September 2015. Once the scores are attained, riders must notify BD and once validated, they will be given an invite to the final. The finishing plans are being worked on for a fitting finale which will be announced in the coming weeks.

Paul Graham, BD Sport Operation Manager added; “We’re delighted to be working with Forces Equine on their new Championship. It will be great for the sport to welcome a new group of riders and the concept has worked well in show jumping so we’re looking forward to a mutually beneficial new venture with Forces Equine.