What's on in South and West
Here you can find out all of the details for upcomming training, competition and team opportunities in the South & West region.
Senior Team Opportunities
What: Senior Home Nations Competition 2026
Open to Gold, Silver and Bronze riders in teams of four from Preliminary to PSG, scores also count towards individual placings at each level. The competition has a high standard in the format of an International event including an opening and closing ceremony with two days of competition attracting many talented combinations.
Where: Pickering Grange, Leicestershire
When: 28 - 30 August 2026
Applications to be submitted by 1 July 2026
How to qualify: There is a regional selection policy published every year which is available on our webpage. The rules and selection criteria should be read thoroughly and is slightly different for both events, but riders will be asked to submit their four best scores that meet the criteria for each competition at the level they are eligible. Riders must have attended three regional training events, two mounted in the 12 months prior to the submission date. A panel comprising the Regional Chair, a high listed judge and a third experienced person with no conflict of interest will consider applications. The South & West Development Officer (DO) will verify all information submitted.
Para Team Opportunities
Take part in an exciting team competition that replicates the format and style of an international event. Present your horse at the horse inspection and enjoy the opening ceremony ahead of two days of thrilling competition.
What: Para Home Nations
Teams are made up of three or four riders, with each team presenting no more than two riders from any one grade. The competition is open to all riders grade I to V. To qualify, simply take part in two regional training activities and earn three BD Para Qualifier scores within a 12 month period. Speak to your Regional Para Rep to find out more about training opportunities local to you.
Where: Pickering Grange, Leicestershire
When: 27 - 29 August 2026
Applications to be submitted by 21 June 2026
Any RDA or Para Riders wishing to attend the ICC should in the first instance please email Amanda to declare an interest.
Para Intro Shows
Para Intro Shows are for new Para riders that have a National Classification. If you attend an Intro Show your scores can be submitted for the Bronze Championship. These intro days also have Open RDA classes for those riders without classification.
Senior, Para and BD Youth Training Camps
We run a series of Summer Camps across the region with many excellent trainers and workshops available. Many camps combine Seniors, Para and BD Youth riders.
Camp is designed to be a holistic experience with daily lessons, test riding with feedback, sports psychology, rider core strength workshops, equine nutrition and rules 2026 update. Having the opportunity to put all of those resources together over the one or two days makes it a great learning experience.
A series of day camps are being planned and will be released as soon as each one is available.
BD Youth Two Day Training Camp
This gives us the opportunity to offer members one/two days of super training including one to one lessons, test riding, poles for the dressage horse, sports psychology, equine nutrition, equine Pilates, rider fitness and some theory content of now to improve your dressage marks.
We offer regular one and two day camps for our riders utilising our own accredited and recognised coaches and Listed BD Judges.
Where: Unicorn Trust, Gloucestershire
When: 26 & 27 October 2026
Coaches: Hannah Biggs & Alice Peternell
What: Senior & Para Two Day Training Camp
This gives us the opportunity to offer members one/two days of super training including one to one lessons, test riding, poles for the dressage horse, sports psychology, equine nutrition, equine Pilates, rider fitness and some theory content of now to improve your dressage marks.
We offer regular one and two day camps for our riders utilising our own accredited and recognised coaches and Listed BD Judges.
Where: Unicorn Trust, Gloucestershire
When: 31 & 1 November 2026
Coaches: TBA
County Shows – Have a Go Shows
These shows are ideal for having a go at a new level or having a go under a BD listed judge for the first time. They will be organised with your CCO and DO at local venues.
This is a series of shows from mid summer onwards open to members and non members, we will offer classes from Prelim to PSG, including FEI Pony, Junior, COH and YR tests. There will be two sections to each class.
- Show and Go – ride a test get feedback from the judge and leave with your sheet
- Train and Gain – we will have coaches to help you warm up and prepare and then ride your test in from of the judge, get feedback and then if you wish discuss future plans with the coaches
What: An opportunity for existing members and unaffiliated riders to have the experience of Competition with a friendly and helpful atmosphere.
When: Please keep an eye on Facebook and newsletters for dates and venues.
Autumn Fling and Awards Evening
What: An opportunity to relax and let your hair down with friend and riding colleagues and enjoy some fun!
When: 5 December 2026
Where: Aztec Hotel, Aztec West, Bristol
Yard Visits
What: Throughout the year we run regular yard visits to observe training and trainers working with their horses at a variety of levels.
We are lucky enough to have had visits to Carl Hester’s yard and Laura Tomlinson has been kind enough to do regular training session open to all of our members.
More yard visits will be published throughout the year.
ICC Qualifiers and Test Riding
ICC qualifiers are now open, they are 20 minutes test riding slots with feedback. You warm yourself up and then ride the pre-chosen test. All dates can be found and booked on Horse Monkey.
Youth Annual Squadding Assessments
A full series of face to face and virtual Rider Skill Assessment Test Days will be found on the BD Website. You must attend one of these if you wish to ride at the Inter Regionals or Home Internationals.
Coaches Club
Our coaches club has now been launched which will offer support to coaches as well as many online and hopefully face to face coaching focussed events. The first two workshops focussing on Coaching Sports Psychology will be released in the next week and we are looking very forward to supporting and working with all of our Coaches across the region.
We are offering flexi training to all of our coaches, if you are not currently listed and would like to be included please email Amanda.
Flexi Training
Flexi training will all of our BD Accredited and Recognised coaches is on offer.
You simply book a clinic through our Flexi Trainers Page. You don’t pay when you book. You then contact the coach of your choice, book a mutually convenient time and place for a coaching session and pay the coach for the training and arena directly. These sessions count for Team Selection for Senior and Youth.
