The Petplan Equine Area Festivals are to include Intermediare I classes in the 2014 season.
Higher standards
All 19 of the British Dressage (BD) shows will now host Inter I competitions. Riders who score 60% or higher in any two will qualify for the Area Festival Championships in April 2015, which are held alongside the BD Winter Championships.
With the standard of dressage in the UK improving, it was decided to add an Inter I class to the Petplan schedule. A place then became available as the British Para Squad will no longer be competing at the Winter Championships, dueto a change in the selection requirements.
Hotley contested
“Over the past few years it has become evident that there are a number of riders who reach a fairly high level in the sport but narrowly miss out on qualifying for a hotly contested place at the National Championships and, until now, have not had an alternative goal for the season,” said BD sports operations manager Paul Graham.
“In addition to providing a new upper level for our amateur competitors to aspire to, hopefully the Inter I will also provide a stepping stone to those new to this level trying to qualify for the National Championships.”
Over the moon
One rider which is very happy about this new class is Natalie Widdowson from North Yorkshire.She’s taken her chestnut gelding Gorgeous George IV from a novice with no points to winning their Petplan Equine Area Festival at Prix St Georges levellast October.
“I’m over the moon about this decision as I’m ready to compete at Inter I,” she said. “Just getting there is an achievement but to know that I have something to aim for really helps.There are more and more amateurs at this level and it’s hard to match the professionals.”