Celebrating 25 years of Petplan Area Festivals
For over 25 years, Petplan has joined forces with British Dressage to provide riders of all levels the opportunity to experience the thrill of taking part in a prestigious dressage series, providing a taste of the big time at the qualifying and championship events! High profile, yet relaxed and friendly, the Petplan Area Festivals are the perfect introduction to the excitement of competing for you and your horse.
With a year-round competition structure, consisting of a summer and winter series, the Petplan Area Festivals are the perfect target for all BD riders. Horse and rider combinations can compete at regular British Dressage shows to achieve their qualification for the Area Festivals, which take place at show venues across the UK. Each series then concludes with an exciting Championship to crown the top spot, in classes from Preliminary to Intermediate I, for Bronze and Silver horse and rider combinations.
Whether you're a regular competitor, or you're considering giving it a go for the first time, take a look below to find out all you need to know about this exciting competition journey!
Membership and Registration
At Preliminary Bronze level, riders can qualify for an Area Festival with a Club membership and a Club horse registration. You can use sheets from any Preliminary Bronze class towards qualification.
If you qualify for a championship within the Summer or Winter Area Festivals, you and your horse will need to upgrade to a Full membership with British Dressage in order to take part. Click here to find out more about British Dressage membership types.
For Prelim Silver and Novice level and above both you and your horse need to be fully registered to gain your scores to qualify.
How To Qualify
Qualification for the Area Festivals is achieved through a percentage based method. To qualify, you must achieve the required number of scores within the qualification period. Scores can be gained at regular British Dressage shows at your local venues.
From July 1 2023, combinations may only compete in a maximum of two Area Festivals per season for each level and section. For example, if qualification is achieved for Novice Silver and Novice Music, competitors may compete at two Area Festivals for each. However, this does require multiple sets of qualifying scores.
Take a look at the table below to find out what you need to qualify:
Area Festival Qualification
| Level | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Prelim to Advanced Medium | Three scores at 63% or above (scores to be from one section) |
| Prix St Georges and Inter I | Two scores at 60% or above (scores to be from one section) |
Freestyle Qualification
| Level | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Prelim to Advanced Medium | Two scores at 63% or above (scores to be from one section) |
| Prix St George and Inter I | Two scores at 60% or above (scores to be from one section) |
Championship Qualification
| Level | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Prelim to Inter I | Top two placing at an Area Festival (providing the minimum score of 63% is achieved) |
Wildcard qualifications may be released to the next highest qualified percentages across all Area Festivals for any Championship classes which has not been filled.
Freestyle To Music
Freestyle, or Dressage To Music, classes are such an exciting way to compete, opening up endless opportunity for you and your horse to show off to the best of your abilities! Many British Dressage venues hold Dressage To Music competitions throughout the year, and we’re delighted that the Summer Area Festivals will continue to host Freestyle classes from Preliminary to Intermediate I, giving riders a taste of competing in these classes at a high-profile show.
Why not give it a go? Find a venue local to you here.
For more information on Freestyle dressage and how to get started click here.
Keep up to date with the festival fever on the Petplan Area Festivals Facebook page.
