Exciting new BD competition series for grassroots riders
Grassroots riders can take part in a new competition series with British Dressage (BD) next year, following the success of Team Quest.
Team Quest was launched two years ago and is currently open to teams of three or four riders who tackle tests from intro to novice level. There are regional and national finals.
My Quest will feature the same format as Team Quest, but is for individual competitors rather than teams.
Quest competitions offer relaxed rules on dress, sections for open and British Young Riders Dressage Scheme (BYRDS) riders, and competition against combinations of a similar ability.
“Team Quest has been the ideal vehicle to encourage more people than ever to take part, often trying a dressage test for the first time, so My Quest will be the perfect extension of this,” said BD’s Jason Brautigam.
BD has added elementary to the levels for 2016, so riders in Quest competitions can take part in intro, prelim, novice and elementary classes.
Bolton-based rider Erin Rowan competed in Team Quest championships this year with her Connemara mare Landslow Mystical.
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“I was going to aim for an Area Festival qualification at prelim next year, but now My Quest has been introduced I may channel more of my efforts there instead,” she told H&H.
“It will be good to have something to focus on without the pressure of trying to compete for the normal BD championships.”
To take part in the Quest competitions, riders need to register for Quest Club membership. This costs £25 for a year and also covers riders for bronze and gold prelim levels under the new BD competition structure (news, 9 July).
Horses taking part need to be associate registered, which is free of charge.
BYRDS Club membership also covers Quest competitions, and BD members are welcome to take part as long as they are eligible for the bronze section at intro to elementary.
Visit: www.facebook.com/TeamQuestBD
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.