Competition update: Met Office red weather alert

Due to the extreme temperatures forecast for the coming days, competitions and BD events that are due to take place in the affected areas have had to be cancelled.

This is to protect the health and safety of all participants, both equine and human, as per Rule 67 on page 111 of the British Dressage Members’ Handbook.

A Red warning has now been issued covering parts of the East & West Midlands, East of England, London & the South-East, South-West of England, and South-East Wales, from 09:00 on Wednesday 24 June to 21:00 on Thursday 25 June. An Amber warning is also in place for most of the rest of England and Wales from the North-West and North-East downwards.

Any venues located within this Red warning area will be cancelling their BD competition or training activity with immediate effect. You will be entitled to a refund of your entry fee, as per Rule 66f, see page 111 of the BD Members’ Handbook. Venues will have the option to reschedule their competition if they wish and will be communicating with you directly in due course with regards to their decision.

For venues running in Amber warning areas, a decision will be made on a case-by-case basis as to whether the scheduled competition or training activity can still safely go ahead.  If a decision is made to cancel, and a rescheduled date can be arranged, you will be contacted directly in due course.

Please note that these warnings are subject to change and the Met Office can often update their guidance and advice at short notice to extend the areas covered by Red and Amber warnings, so we would recommend checking their website regularly, which can be found here. 

As this is the last week of summer qualification and entries are now closed, if the venue chooses to reschedule their dates, please note that only a transfer of existing entries will be offered and no late entries will be accepted.

We understand that this might be a disappointing and frustrating decision, however, the welfare of our competitors, horses and venue staff are always our paramount consideration. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Photo- Jasmine Punter Photography