UK Riders Challenge 2011

All our Unaffiliated Dressage comps up to June 2011 will now be qualifiers for the above Challenge. Levels covered Prelim, Novice and Elementary. All dressage competitions are held under British Dressage first round rules. All dressage qualifiers MUST receive 58% or over in their test to qualify. Competition structure and qualifying criteria is below

• Qualifiers are held until 31st May 2011.
• Regional Finals are held from 1st June to 14th July 2011.
• The National Finals will be held at Arena UK on 13th August 2011.
• Both members and non-members of UK Chasers and Riders are eligible to compete in qualifying rounds, but non-members must join within 14 days of qualifying to progress to Regional Finals.
• Affiliated riders and/or horses may enter the qualifiers, however no combination of horse and rider may qualify for Regionals if they are affiliated to the British Show Jumping Association (BSJA) or British Eventing (BE) for Showjumping classes, or British Dressage (BD) or British Eventing (BE) for dressage classes. Novice unaffiliated riders competing on an affiliated horse are eligible, as are affiliated riders competing on young or inexperienced horses. The only competitors excluded are fully paid up affiliated combinations of horse and rider as this is a competition designed specifically to encourage unaffiliated combinations.
• If a horse and rider combination qualify for a Regional Final and then subsequently affiliate they are still eligible to continue to the Regional and National Finals of the current year's competition at the level(s) they gained qualification in before affiliating.
• Juniors are those under 16 on 13/8/11 for the 2011 Challenge.
• Combinations of horse and rider competing at Novice/Elementary dressage level will not be eligible to compete in the Prelim Scales of Training Regional Finals.
• Combinations of horse and rider qualifying for Intermediate or Open show jumping classes of the UK Riders Challenge are not eligible to go forward to Regional Finals in the Restricted Novice class. If a combination qualifies for the Restricted Novice and either the Intermediate or Open Class, the restricted novice qualification will become invalid.
• Wherever possible qualifications should be passed down the line if the qualifying competitor is affiliated or has already qualified at that level. This is dependant on achieving the normal qualifying criteria- eg. Over 58% in dressage classes or a clear in the first round show jumping.
• All dressage classes will be run in accordance with British Dressage first round rules. Please refer to the BD rulebook for further information.
• All show jumping classes will be run in accordance with BSJA first round rules. Please refer to the BSJA yearbook for further information.
• A riding hat which conforms to PAS015 or BSEN1385 with a three point linkage harness properly adjusted and fastened must be worn at all times whilst mounted.
• No horse/pony under 4 yrs of age is eligible
• The decision of the centre holding individual competitions is final.

You will notice a new section replacing Clear Round for some events - namely Competition Training at a height of 1' - 1'9" max for Absolute Beginners - or Bottom Hole Jumping - It will run for 1 hour only and Riders will be allowed a max of 2 Refusals at a jump with a total maximum of 6 Refusals per round, which will then result in elimination. Riders may be accompanied. Riders will then only be able to enter the Absolute Novice Class at 2'3". New Rules on Back Page of schedule. Let Ann know what you think.

Please note: British Dressage Class Tickets can now be obtained from Sissons Farm - just speak to Ann - £7 each. No more waiting for BD to send them through the post.

We have introduced some new rules to make it fairer for all riders. We have taken this action to avoid unnecessary delays – but on some Sundays the Clear Round will be run separately in part of the Warm Up Arena – so more time will be allowed.

If you would like to have a schooling session - see Ann to book the Arena – its only £15 for the first horse for one hour (which equates to 20 Clear Rounds!)