Petplan Area Festivals
The Petplan Area Festivals are the perfect target for BD riders looking to have a taste of the big time at a championship-feel event!
The series, which was launched in 2000 and is aimed at grassroots riders, has grown from 15 Area Festivals around the country with 555 tests completed in its first year to over 6,563 starters during the 2024 season – the biggest British Dressage affiliated series in the UK. Petplan have been supporting the Area Festival series for an incredible 25 years and play an instrumental part in the growth and success over the years.
Split into two seasons, summer and winter, the Petplan Area Festivals offer a year round competition pathway with riders qualifying and competing in the Area Festivals, before going on to the Area Festival Championships taking place in April and October each year.
Petplan Area Festival Hub
Whether you're a seasoned Petplan Area Festivals competitor, or you're considering trying the Area Festivals for the first time, our Petplan Area Festivals Hub has everything you need to help you along your journey.
Key facts
| Winter 2026 | Summer 2026 | |
| Qualification period | 1 July - 31 Decemer 2025 | 1 January - 30 June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Levels | Prelim to Inter I | Prelim to Inter I (including Freestyle to Music) |
| Sections |
Bronze and Silver |
Bronze and Silver |
| Area Festivals | Mid January - Early March 2026 | July - August |
| Championships | Addington Equestrian, 15 - 19 April 2026 | Arena UK, 30 - 04 October 2026 |
| Championship Dressage tests |
Prelim test 5, Novice test 5, Elementary test 5, Medium test 5, Advanced Medium test 5, FEI PSG 2022 & FEI Inter I 2022. |
Prelim test 5, Novice test 5, Elementary test 5, Medium test 5, Advanced Medium test 5, FEI PSG 2022 & FEI Inter I 2022. |
Winter Area Festival qualification
The qualifying period for the Petplan Summer Area Festivals runs between 1 July and 31 December. Information on the scores you need to qualify can be found below. If you are looking to plan ahead, you can find the dates and venues of our Winter Area Festivals on the Major Dates document.
If you would like to follow along with the latest news, hear from our competitors and keep up to date with all things Area Festivals, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Area Festival qualification follows a percentage based method, to achieve your required number of scores within the designated qualification periods detailed above. Scores can be gained at regular BD shows at your local venues. Take a look at the table below to choose your level and find out how many scores you need to take part. For multiple Area Festival qualifications a combination requires a further set of three or two scores depending on the level.
Winter Area Festival scores
| Level | Qualification |
| Prelim to Advanced Medium | Three scores at 63% or above (scores to be from one section) |
| Prix St Georges and Inter I |
Two scores at 60% or above (scores to be from one section) |
- Combinations may only compete at a maximum of two Area Festivals per season for each level and section unless they achieve qualification for the Championships.
- A combination may not compete at the same level (including music) in both an Area Festival and Regional in the same season. The Area Festival level must be higher than the Regional if competing in both in the same season.
- Combinations who score 68% (70% Music) at Regionals, may not compete in an Area Festival at the same level or below in the current and future years e.g. a combination scoring 68% at Novice Silver may not ride in an Area Festival at Novice level or below again.
- Combinations who score 68% or higher (70% Music) at the Area Festival Championships, may not compete in an Area Festival at the same level and section or below in the current and future years.
Take a look at all of the rules for the Area Festivals in our 2025 Members' Handbook.
Winter Area Festivals 2026
| Venue | County | Date |
| Addington Equestrian | Buckinghamshire | 16 - 18 January |
| Bishop Burton College | East Riding of Yorkshire | 23 - 25 January |
| Aintree International Equestrian Centre | Merseyside | 29 - 01 February |
| Parwood Equestrian Centre | Surrey | 29 - 01 February |
| Solihull Equestrian Centre | West Midlands | 04 - 08 February |
| Forest Edge Arena | Norfolk | 13 - 15 February |
| Alniwck Ford Equestrian | Northumberland | 14 - 16 February |
| Prestige Equestrian LLP | Gloucestershire | 20 - 22 February |
| Highfield @ Howe Equestrian | Fife | 20 - 22 February |
| Moreton Equestrian Centre | Dorset | 27 - 28 February |
Remember to fill in the rider biography form here and send it directly to the venue.
Qualifying for the Winter Area Festival Championships 2026
Combinations who place in the top two (unless a class is split and then the winners only qualify) will earn a coveted spot (providing the minimum score of 63% is achieved) at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships held at Addington Equestrian, 15 - 19 April.
Summer Area Festival Championship Hub
If you are heading to Arena UK for our Summer Area Festival Championships 2025, all the information you need from arrival, schedule and music can be found on our Championship Hub.
Summer Area Festival freestyle
Want to take part in dressage to music in the summer? From Prelim to Inter I, you can qualify for the Petplan Summer Area Festival Championships by taking part in regular day to day BD competitions at your local venues. Find out more on how to get your dancing shoes on below.
Membership
You can ride in Prelim Bronze sections to get your scores for an Area Festival as a Club member on a Club horse. If you do qualify for a Petplan Area Festival, you and your horse must upgrade to become a Full member to take part. Don't forget, if you own a horse taking part in the Petplan Area Festivals, you'll need to be a Full (competing) or Full (non-competing) member too.
For Prelim Silver and Novice level and above both you and your horse need to be a Full (competing) member and have a Full horse registration to gain your scores.
