News
Area Festival and Regional Qualification Changes 2026
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Wed, 10 Sep 2025 10:30
British Dressage is pleased to announce changes to the qualification criteria for the Area Festival and Regional Championships for 2026, effective from 1 January 2026.
Competing is at the core of being a member of British Dressage. We are always striving to ensure we offer the best competitive opportunities to our membership, for riders at all levels of the sport, whatever their aspiration and ability.
In accordance with this primary objective, we have conducted a full review of our qualification pathways, including conducting a competitor survey earlier this year. As a result, we can now confirm amendments to the qualification pathways for Area Festivals and Regional Championships, with effect from 1 January 2026.
Your feedback is an important part of any changes to the sport; these rule updates are informed by responses to the recent survey, where Club and Full competing BD members provided valuable opinions on competition goals and preferences.
These rule revisions have also been through extensive review at Technical Committee and Board level and are based on a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of affiliated competition data and trends. The team at BD, from Board level to the office staff, are committed to developing the championship pathways, ensuring that they continue to meet the needs of our membership.
The main changes can be summarised as follows:
- The percentages needed to qualify for the Area Festivals (and Regional Championships in some cases) have been adjusted to better reflect current competitive trends and the scores being attained under the new test structure.
- The qualification formats for the Area Festivals and Regional Championships have been aligned to simplify and streamline qualification, ensuring these competitions are more accessible and encourage progression between the two pathways.
- The number of scores required to qualify has been reviewed and modified to better reward consistency and ensure standards are maintained at championship level.
This will offer a greater number of competitors the opportunity to qualify for our Area Festivals and Regionals, while also supporting our organisers by encouraging higher levels of participation. It is vitally important that we ensure that affiliated classes continue to be well supported and competitive to ensure the future viability of our venues.
Lou Jones, Head of Sport, commented: “At the heart of these changes is our commitment to riders – giving every member the chance to challenge themselves, progress, and feel proud of their achievements. By refining these championship pathways, we’re opening doors for more riders to experience the thrill of championship qualification, while still celebrating the consistency and quality that dressage demands. It’s about making the journey more clear, fair and inspiring for everyone who enjoys this sport as much as we do.”
Area Festivals
Our primary aim was to ensure that the Area Festivals remain a realistic and achievable target for members, incentivising more competitors to qualify for this popular amateur series. Most importantly, the qualification percentage has been lowered to 62% and above for Preliminary to Advanced Medium, allowing more riders to achieve this mark.
Please note that for members who enter two Area Festivals the number of qualifying scores has not changed.
Qualification for the Area Festivals will now be as follows:
| Level | Qualification | Offshore |
| Preliminary to Elementary | Four scores at 62% and above (scores to be from one section, Bronze or Silver) | Three scores at 62% and above |
| For multiple Area Festival qualifications at Preliminary to Elementary, combinations require a further two scores at 62% or above. | ||
| Medium and Advanced Medium | Three scores at 62% and above (scores to be from one section, Bronze or Silver) | Two scores at 62% and above |
| For multiple Area Festival qualifications at Medium to Advanced Medium, combinations require a further two scores at 62% or above. | ||
| Prix St Georges and Intermediate I | Two scores at 60% and above (scores to be from one section, Bronze or Silver) | One score at 60% and above |
| For multiple Area Festival qualifications at Prix St Georges and Intermediate I, combinations require a further two scores at 60% or above. | ||
Regional Championships
For the Regional Championships, qualification is now based on achieving percentage scores, rather than points. This will bring the Regionals in line with the Area Festivals, creating a much simpler qualification system that is consistent across the two pathways.
Combinations can also now compete at two Regional Championships in a single season, which is a development that members have been requesting for some time.
Percentages have been made more consistent from Preliminary to Elementary across Silver and Gold sections, with minor reductions in some areas (please refer to the full table for individual level requirements).
For those seeking direct qualification for the National Championships via Premier Leagues and CDIs, the current system will remain unchanged.
Qualification for the Regional Championships will now be as follows:
| Level and section | Total scores needed | Minimum % needed |
| Preliminary Silver | 4 | 65% |
| Preliminary Gold | 4 | 67% |
| Novice Silver | 4 | 65% |
| Novice Gold | 4 | 67% |
| Elementary Silver | 4 | 65% |
| Elementary Gold | 4 | 67% |
| For a second Regional qualification (Preliminary to Elementary), combinations require a further two scores. | ||
| Medium Silver | 3 | 64% |
| Medium Gold | 4 | 65% |
| Advanced Medium Silver | 3 | 64% |
| Advanced Medium Gold | 3 | 65% |
| For a second Regional qualification (Medium to Advanced Medium), combinations require a further two scores. | ||
| PSG & Inter I Silver | 2 | 64% |
| PSG & Inter I Gold | 2 | 64% |
| For a second Regional qualification (PSG and Inter I), combinations require a further two scores. | ||
Offshore Qualifcation Requirements
| Level and section | Total scores needed | Minimum % needed |
| Preliminary Silver | 2 | 65% |
| Preliminary Gold | 2 | 67% |
| Novice Silver | 2 | 65% |
| Novice Gold | 2 | 67% |
| Elementary Silver | 2 | 65% |
| Elementary Gold | 2 | 67% |
| For a second Regional qualification (Preliminary to Elementary), combinations require one further score. | ||
| Medium Silver | 2 | 64% |
| Medium Gold | 2 | 65% |
| Advanced Medium Silver | 2 | 64% |
| Advanced Medium Gold | 2 | 65% |
| For a second Regional qualification (Medium and Advanced Medium), combinations require one further score. | ||
| PSG & Inter I Silver | 1 | 64% |
| PSG & Inter I Gold | 1 | 64% |
| For a second Regional qualification (PSG and Inter I), combinations require one further score. | ||
Speak to the team
The British Dressage team will be at the LeMieux National Championships at Somerford Park this week, from 11 to 14 September. If you have any questions about our championship formats, qualification or eligibility, please do come and visit us on our trade stand.
Chief Executive Jason Brautigam and Lou Jones, Head of Sport, will also be available to present and discuss these changes at the British Dressage Annual General Meeting, to be held at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham on Thursday 9 October 2025.
Please visit the FAQ document below to view some key questions in relation to the rule changes, the competition season and other championship pathways.
