News

British Native Championships - all you need to know

  • Written By: British Dressage
  • Published: Wed, 31 Jan 2018 13:26 GMT

Open to 11 breeds native to Great Britain and part breds, this championship is a popular series for riders of these attractive ponies.

Britain is lucky to have a heritage of breeds native to these isles. Throughout history, these breeds have supported our way of life and adapted to survive in the exposed and rugged regions of the UK, but selective breeding has made them into versatile all-round ponies for modern life. They possess many sought after qualities for competition which is reflected by the influence of Welsh and New Forest genes in the breeding of Europe’s top dressage ponies. 

Which Breeds are included? 

• Connemara – British Connemara Pony Society - http://www.britishconnemaras.co.uk/ 
• Dales- Dales Pony Society - http://www.dalespony.org/
• Dartmoor- Dartmoor Pony Society - http://www.dartmoorponysociety.com/
• Exmoor – Exmoor Pony Society - http://www.exmoorponysociety.org.uk/
• Fell – Fell Pony Society - http://www.fellponysociety.org.uk/
• Highland – Highland Pony Society - http://www.highlandponysociety.com/ 
• New Forest – New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society - http://www.newforestpony.com/ 
• Shetland – Shetland Pony Stud Book Society - http://www.shetlandponystudbooksociety.co.uk/ 
• Welsh (A, B, C & D) – Welsh Pony and Cob Society - http://wpcs.uk.com/

What levels do they run at?

o Intro
o Prelim
o Novice
o Elementary
o Medium
o Advanced Medium
o Prix St Georges

Who can compete?

o Open to any horse or pony registered with one of the British Native Pony Breed societies on either the pure or part bred list.
o At the Championship there will be one section for purebreds and one section for partbred Natives at each level
o This is open to current Full and Club members. Those who have never competed BD before are welcome. 
o They’re run under BD/Quest rules and combinations must be eligible for the level at which they wish to compete.

Which organisations do I need to be a member of to be able to qualify?
BD membership/ registration to qualify:  

Level Horse Rider
Intro - Prelim Bronze Club/Full/Ticket/Trial Club/Full/Ticket/Trial
Prelim Silver, Novice and above Full/Ticket/Trial Full/Ticket/Trial

For the Final:

- All horses and riders must be full BD members. 

How do I qualify?

o Qualification period is between the 1st December 2017 and 31st August 2018.
o To qualify directly for the final for the championship, horse and rider combinations must achieve three scores of 60% or above, gained between 1st December 2017 and the 31st August 2018. 
o Horse and rider combinations must be eligible for Bronze or Silver sections for the level they wish to qualify in accordance with BD Rules. 

Please note: The winning combination at each level at the final will not be eligible for the same level or below in future years and must compete at a higher level.

What shows can I get my scores at?

o Scores can be gained in any regular BD affiliated competition or BD Team/My Quest competition. To see a list of competitions please visit 
o Score sheets from Area Festivals, Regionals, Winter or National Championships and Quest Regional or Quest National Championships, may not be used towards qualification. 

Can I compete at different levels?

o Combinations may compete and qualify at different levels but can only compete in two levels/classes at the final. 

How do I know when I have qualified? 

o Once you have achieved your three qualifying scores, you need to register your qualification with BD. 
o Please fill in the qualification form and then send an e-mail to fixtures@britishdressage.co.uk or post to: British Dressage, Meriden Business Park, Copse Drive, Meriden, West Midlands CV5 9RG, stating where and when you achieved your three qualifying scores.

o You’ll then receive an invitation to the final with all the championships details. 

Where and when is the Final?

o The final will take place on Wednesday 14th November – 18th November 2018 at Vale View, Leicestershire.

I still have questions, who should I contact?

o Christina Stuart at British Dressage: Christina.Stuart@britishdressage.co.uk 02476 698909