Eligibility - This unaffiliated competition is open to 4 & 5 year old potential dressage horses

4 year old horses      born in the year beginning 1^st January 2004

5 year old horses      born in the year beginning 1^st January 2003

Each horse will be allocated a time to perform a freestyle dressage test (20 x 60m).  Test to include Walk on a long rein, Trot and Canter on both reins, lengthened stride in trot. Salute at finish of test only. Test must be under 4 minutes. Whips may be carried.

What the judge is looking for:

The judge is looking for an athletic, loose moving horse with a promising technique, which, with the correct training, will develop into a future dressage horse.  The horse’s conformation and movement should enable it to withstand the demands of the sport in terms of soundness and stamina.  Lack of quality and other defects that may prevent the horse moving well enough, will be penalised, a lack of size however will not be held against it.

The judge is not assessing the level of training and no marks are given for individual movements.  The judge may stand anywhere in the arena to get the best view.

Three correct elastic and regular gaits through a swinging back are what the judge wants to see.  The judge will be looking for the horse’s real potential and not the rider’s.

Awards:    Prize Money £12, £10 & £8, rosettes to sixth place - Competitors are requested to be present or to be represented to receive their awards.

Qualifying - The top three horses will qualify for the Championship, plus the top 4 year old if not placed in the top three.  The Championship will be held at Badminton on  Wednesday 16^th July 2008 when finalists will compete for a 1^st prize of £3000. Those qualified and wishing to enter should send a SAE for a schedule to Ian Adsetts, Elmleaze Stud, Didmarton, S. Glos GL9 1DT. Entries close on 5^th July and any late entries will be returned.

Trailblazers Dressage – Preliminary, Novice & Elementary Classes – Senior & Junior

JUNIORS riding ponies/horses up to 16 years of age and not to have attained their 17th birthday on the day of the Championship. (In the case of dispute, birth certificates may be called for).

All tests at 58% and over gaining qualification at that level in first rounds. In the event of a partnership ceasing the qualification ceases. Only qualified partnerships from the second round to compete at the Championships.

Horses that are currently registered with BD or horses that have been registered within the preceding 12 months will not be allowed to qualify at Preliminary level with any BD points, Novice level with more than 60 points or Elementary level with more than 100 points. Should a horse be downgraded by BD, the points awarded will be accepted by Trailblazers