Following the cancellation of its popular international dressage show at the end of July, Hickstead’s British Dressage regional championships have now been moved.
Originally set to run from 15-17 July, the regional championships will now take place from 28-31 July.
British Dressage stated that the move would “give riders a bigger sense of occasion as it will be alongside the Longines Royal International Horse Show”.
The regionals show will incorporate small tour and big tour classes as well as the qualifiers for the national championships at Stoneleigh in September.
A number of international judges who had been booked to officiate at the CDI have agreed to remain involved in the show so riders will have the chance to compete under top officials.
These classes will be open to all, with priority given to those previously nominated for the CDIO3*/CDI2*.
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This change, and further consolidation of fixtures at Hickstead, is designed to help them ensure that the international show makes a welcome return in 2017.
However, many riders and connections on the British Dressage forum expressed their displeasure at the change of date, having made long-standing plans around the original scheduling of the show.
BD sport operations manager Paul Graham said: “We appreciate that there will be some members who are affected by the date move. We have worked with Dane [Rawlins] as swiftly as possible to enable members to change their plans if necessary.
“We weighed up the options but to have a chance to run alongside the Royal International Horse Show was too good an opportunity to miss so members competing will have a truly special experience at their Regional Championships.”
The new schedule for Hickstead’s regional championships is below.
Thursday 28 July
Back In Action Summer Regional Championship preliminary silver
Dodson & Horrell Summer Regional Championship novice silver
Dodson & Horrell Summer Regional Championship novice gold
Fairfax Saddles Summer Regional Championship FEI prix st georges gold
Friday 29 July
Childeric Saddles Summer Regional Championship elementary silver
Childeric Saddles Summer Regional Championship elementary gold
TopSpec Summer Regional Championship medium silver
Saracen Horse Feeds Summer Regional Championship FEI intermediate I gold
Saturday 30 July
TopSpec Summer Regional Championship medium gold
Hickstead Championship Final 5yo national British young dressage horse
Hickstead Championship Final 6yo national British young dressage horse
FEI grand prix
FEI prix st georges
Sunday 31 July
Equine Construction Summer Regional Championship advanced medium gold
Equine Construction Summer Regional Championship advanced medium silver
Hickstead Championship Final FEI young horse finale
Hickstead Championship Final FEI young horse finale
Grand prix freestyle
Prix st georges freestyle
Full list of all summer regional dates:
Somerford Cheshire 16 – 18 Jul
Kingston Mauward Dorset 18 – 20 Jul
Port Royal E Yorks 21 – 24 Jul
Mount Ballan Wales 22- 24 Jul
Hickstead Surrey 28 – 31 Jul
Cabin Scotland 5 – 7 Aug
Bury Farm Bucks 8 – 11 Aug
Keysoe Beds 12 – 14 Aug
