Britain’s best take up national dressage challenge
Dressage enthusiasts from around the UK will flock to Stoneleigh to see Britain’s best horses and riders at this week’s Mercedes-Benz National Dressage Championships (26-29 September).
Highlights of the weekend will include top riders battling it out to drive away a Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 Kompressor Roadster.
This beautiful convertible will be awarded for one year to the Mercedes-Benz National Champion. The lucky rider will have the highest combined score across Sunday’s Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Freestyle, which has a prize fund of £1,500, and Saturday’s Butchers Pet Care Grand Prix.
Competition is expected to be equally fierce on Saturday when small tour riders will go head-to-head in the Blue Waters Hotel Intermediaire I Freestyle Championship.
The rider with the highest combined score across the intermediaire I and the intermediaire I freestyle will win a fabulous holiday for two at the Blue Waters Hotel in Antigua, plus a set of luxury luggage from Cliff Barnsby.
Spectators and competitors at the championships have the chance to win a hand-crafted Cliff Barnsby dressage saddle worth £1,295.
There’s also a chance to watch dressage demonstrations by Kyra Kyrklund and Jane Bredin.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
On a more light-hearted note, the weekend’s entertainment will also include a demonstration by the British Vaulting team, recently returned from WEG; a “Morris dancing” themed riding club quadrille featuring ex-racehorses; and pairs of ponies displaying amazing speed and agility in the scurry driving.
Click here to view the timetable
Tickets are available on the gate, priced £10 for adults. Grandstand seating is free on Thursday and Friday and costs £8.00 for Saturday and Sunday.
Visit www.bdchampionships.co.uk for more information on the event.
Are you one of our lucky winners?
The overall winner of our “Win a lesson with Carl Hester” competition is Michelle Atkinson from Harpenden, Herts.
As well as a lesson with Carl, Michelle, together with a friend will enjoy free entrance to the championship on all four days, plus VIP admission to the Mercedes-Benz guest enclosure.
The runners up, who eachreceive a pair of day tickets to the championships, are:
- Sharon Matthews, Thacham, Berks
- Melanie Morton, Wickford, Essex
- Tara Phillis, Nailsea, Bristol
- Nikki Bentley, Chelmsford, Essex
- Jane Broomfield, Aldershot, Hampshire
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.