British Dressage Launches New Championships for Young Horses

Source :  British Dressage

The British Dressage Young Horse and Breeding Championships will be held over two days, 19th - 20th July 2003, at Addington Equestrian Centre and is open to all competitors, whether or not they are BD members.

The innovative Championships will feature ridden classes for 4, 5,and 6 year olds, ridden classes for young ponies, in hand classes and an open freestyle to music class for stallions. The Championships have been developed along the lines of the German Bundeschampionat and will emphasise the importance of breeding by generating awareness and interest in British bred horses.

Commenting on the idea behind the event BD Chairman, Desi Dillingham said: " History has proved that the countries which excel in dressage have their own successful breeding programmes, and that is what we are encouraging. In the UK we have stallions, mares and youngstock easily good enough to hold their own in a worldwide market and we are keen to build on this."

Shearwater Sponsorship

The first company to sign up to support this initiative is Shearwater Insurance Services. A long time sponsor of young horse classes, and of Leslie Law's top international event horse, ShearH2O, Shearwater Insurance are delighted to sponsor five of the ridden young horse classes. The Shearwater International classes for 5 and 6 year olds will use the relevant FEI tests. The Shearwater National classes will include 4 year olds riding preliminary dressage tests, and 5 and 6 year olds riding novice and elementary tests respectively.

Talking about their involvement in the Championships Shearwater Managing Director, Jeremy Lawton said: " We at Shearwater are delighted to be part of this exciting new venture thereby continuing our support of the Young Horse Classes which we have long believed to be the best way to encourage and develop potential stars."

The full schedule for the Championships will be available from 1st March 2003 by contacting British Dressage, telephone 02476 698830. British Dressage and Supporters of British Breeding (SBB) members will entitled to reduced entry fees.

List of Classes
British Dressage Young Horse and Breeding Championships

Ridden

Shearwater International 5 year old Championship
Shearwater International 6 year old Championship
Shearwater National 4 year old Championship
Shearwater National 5 year old Championship
Shearwater National 6 year old Championship
Ridden 4 year old Pony Championship
Ridden 5 year old Pony Championship
Ridden 6 year old Pony Championship
Stallion Open Freestyle Championship
Materiale Championship - open to 4 year old mares, geldings and stallions

Inhand

Best Mare Championship
Best Foal Championship
Best Yearling Championship
Best Two year old Championship
Best Three year old Championship