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Major rule changes for 2008
last updated on December 03, 2007 11:15
The 2008 British Dressage rulebook, which came into effect on 1 December 2007, will be landing on your doormat shortly.
Here is a summary of the main changes:
- A new show dispensation ruling comes into effect from 1 January 2008. There will be no more dispensation for a show to use a lower listed judge than the level required unless there are extreme circumstances ie a judge is ill or stuck in traffic. In this case the show will be granted dispensation, but if the class is a qualifier it will be changed to a non-qualifier.
- The grading of riders has been amended to take into account the new 14-point “buffer zone”. This allows riders more time to compete in the restricted section of a class before having to enter open sections.
Please contact the BD office if you believe you are eligible for a lower rider group, as riders will not be moved automatically.
Any rider who qualifies for the open section of a 2008 winter regional final between June and November 2007 and is eligible to revert to a lower group and ride in the restricted section after 1 December, will still have to ride in the open section at the winter regional.
- A new rider group has been introduced. Group 2a is for those who have gained points at grand prix level or have competed in British-based CDIs. These riders will not be eligible to compete in novice qualifiers.
- Qualification for the summer/winter regional championships has changed at prelim to medium levels. Prelim competitors will need to win one qualifier and gain either another first or second place. At novice to medium level, riders will need to win two qualifiers.
- If a horse’s registration has lapsed for more than one month, any points or qualifications gained up to and including that period will become invalid.
- Horses competing at prix st georges level or above must be at least seven years old.
- Riders in group 7 and 8 riding horses with no points will be eligible for “introductory tests” in walk and trot.
- If an unaffiliated class is run at an affiliated show, the class must be run and judged separately from any equivalent affiliated class.
- The BD Welfare Procedure is summarised.
- The Area Festival qualification percentages from prelim to elementary have increased to 62% while medium to prix st georges stays at 60%.
- Any rider entitled to wear a Union Jack flag for British Dressage or British Eventing must ride in open sections with the exception of Para dressage riders but including riders who have competed in the World Breeding Championships.
