New online championship for dressage riders

British Dressage (BD) has teamed up with online dressage provider Dressage Anywhere to create a new championship — without riders having to leave their own yard.

Qualification for the BD Online Associate Championships will run along the Dressage Anywhere format, where riders film their tests at home, which are then marked externally by BD judges.

Monthly qualifying classes run from now until the end of August, from introductory to elementary level. Riders must produce two scores of at least 62% in two classes of the same level to qualify. All riders must be BD associate members (paid members are not eligible) and registered with Dressage Anywhere, both of which are free.

BD chief executive Amanda Bond said: “This is a great opportunity. We have over 28,000 associate members and this is the perfect way to compete with us without the cost of registrations. Riders might be inspired to take the affiliated plunge after trying the sport with Dressage Anywhere. It’s a great concept and growing in popularity — who wouldn’t want to be judged by some of the top names in the comfort of your own arena. We’d love to see as many of you as possible taking part from all over the world.”

To take part, choose your test from Dressage Anywhere’s monthly schedule, and ask someone to film you performing it. Then upload the video to www.dressageanywhere.com or www.youtube.com. Competitors can then download their scoresheet and watch their position on the scoreboard. Entries cost from £10-£17.50. Rosettes and prizes are awarded each month.

Dressage Anywhere has been running online competitions for three years.

Co-owner Ruth Chappell said: “It is an exciting time. We are now receiving great interest from various specialist groups who would like to make it easier for their riders to ride dressage. Competing and practising online seems to be the way forward for some riders who would otherwise find it difficult or even impossible.”

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