last updated on December 22, 2009 12:56

“Anyone can take part in dressage and it’s about much more than just competing”. That’s the message British Dressage are sending out with the help of a new TV advert to be broadcast in the New Year.

With the popularity of the sport rising all the time BD will be spreading the word over the next few months, encouraging people to join and discover the benefits for themselves. The advert will run on Horse and Country TV from February and is also available to view online now through the BD You Tube and Facebook pages.

British Dressage chief executive Amanda Bond commented: “We’re very grateful to long time dressage supporters Jeremy Lawton from Shearwater Insurance Ltd and David Manning from Capricorn Chemicals Ltd who encouraged us to make this happen. It was on their advice and with their funding that we embarked on this project and we’re absolutely delighted with the finished product. A TV advert is a first for British Dressage and a very exciting step for us into the realms of film media and viral marketing.”

The 50 second clip was shot on location at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage and features many of the leading lights of dressage including voice over by Carl Hester and Lee Pearson. Watch out for appearances of top riders including Adam Kemp, Matt Frost, Nicola McGivern and Peter Storr as well as popular judge and trainer, Chris Porterfield. Robert Esberger makes a cameo appearance with granddaughter Molly Esberger-Shepherd and Ann Morton and Angela Green also lend a hand from the BD office.

The making of the advert has been made possible through generous sponsorship from Shearwater Insurance Ltd and Capricorn Chemicals Ltd.

>> View the BD advert on You Tube here
>> Find out more about BD membership here