KBIS to support the young equine stars of British Dressage

British Dressage proudly announced KBIS as its new insurance partner last summer and can now reveal that the brand will take on title sponsorship of one of the sport’s showcase series, the British Dressage Young Horse and Pony Championships. Having run for over 20 years, the ever-popular championship is the leading competition for breeders and young horse producers and has started the careers of a number of horses who’ve gone on to Grand Prix and to win medals for Great Britain.

The 2022 championships include classes for horses across four age groups, those foaled in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 and ponies aged four, five and six. The seven-year-old championship comes under the KBIS banner for the first time, as do the young pony championships making the 2022 series celebrating Britain’s youngsters our largest ever.

Guy Prest, KBIS Managing Director said; “We are very excited to sponsor the Young Dressage Horse Championships along with the Young Pony Championships. As a highlight in the calendar for so many, we are delighted to be involved and would like to wish all competitors the very best of luck. At KBIS, we endeavour to provide sponsorship at all levels of the sport we love and believe these championships encompass this perfectly for riders, owners, breeders and producers alike. Focussing on the health, happiness and longevity of each equine athlete, the values at the core of these Championships are synonymous with our own at KBIS. We look forward to watching these talented riders, horses and ponies make their mark on the dressage world.”

Qualifiers get underway in a matter of weeks around the country and each venue hosts qualifying classes for all seven of the championships. The young horses go through to semi-finals while the young ponies qualify direct to their championship final as part of the Hartpury Festival of Dressage in July. The young horses have a north and south semi-final which qualifies for the grand finale at the LeMieux National Championship in September.

KBIS British Young Horse and Pony Championship 2022 calendar

Key points:

• Qualifiers feature classes for horses foaled in 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and ponies foaled in 2018, 2017 and 2016.
• Tests ridden in the qualifiers and semi-finals (for horses): Four – six year olds - first round – commanded route plan in pairs for age group, semi-finals – BD national test for age group. Seven year old horses – AM 96 2011.
• Qualification to the semi-finals is gained by finishing in the top two in the four – six year old classes with a score of at least 7.0 or over. The top three in the seven year olds will qualify providing 65% or above has been scored.
• Qualified combinations may ride in both semi-finals unless they qualify at the first.
• Riders and horses must hold a minimum of Club membership to contest the qualifiers but Full membership status is required for the semi-finals and championships.
• At the championships, combinations ride the BD national test for their age group on day one which qualifies the top placed combinations go through to the finale where they ride the commanded route plan before being ridden by an rider judge. Seven year olds ride the AM 96 2011 test.

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British Dressage’s Training Director Harry Payne commented; “We’re delighted to have the support of KBIS for this iconic series which so many youngsters have benefitted from and given the basis for the careers of leading horses like Valegro, Uthopia and Woodlander Farouche. Bringing the ponies and seven year olds into the mix just strengthens the offering and we hope breeders, producers, owners and riders target the 2022 KBIS programme on offer. It’s a great education for young horses and ponies as well as winning a coveted title as the ultimate goal.”

Those targeting the KBIS young horse and pony qualifiers this spring might be interested in the Young Horse Forum on 6 April for unrivalled insight provided by FEI 5* judge Isobel Wessels and producer Matt Hicks. Held at Hurstbourne Equestrian in Hampshire, the day will be packed full of advice on how to produce, train and compete youngsters, not only for early success but for a long-term future as a happy, healthy equine athlete. Tickets start at £35 for BD members or if you’re unable to join in person, an on demand digital viewing ticket will be available after the event. Head to the events tab for further information and to book tickets.