The beginning of August was cause for celebration at British Dressage headquarters in Meriden, West Midlands as the monthly statistics revealed three historic milestones for dressage’s governing body. Membership reached 14,000 and horse registrations now stand at 11,000; figures which haven’t been seen in the sport since 2008/09, before the recession hit. The free online Associate Membership made it to 38,000 too; giving a total membership base of 52,000, proof that support for dressage continues to grow in the UK.
An improvement in the Nation’s economy, Olympic success, new competition in the form of Team Quest, regional initiatives like ‘Have a Go Days’ and improved opportunity have all contributed to the increase in numbers but the overriding factor is simply the appeal of the sport as an accessible equestrian discipline.
Participation in the first half of 2014 is also following the increase in members with figures some 17% up on a like for like period last year.
“It is fantastic news that we have reached this significant milestone,” says Jason Brautigam, BD Chief Executive. “Dressage continues to go from strength to strength, with our membership growing rapidly this year as a result of exciting new initiatives such as Team Quest. This is undoubtedly part of the legacy of London 2012, which has brought the sport to a wider audience, but is also testament to the hard work of all of the team at British Dressage.”
Member number 14,000 is 17 year old Charlotte Louette from Kent who joined on the BD tradestand at the recent Hickstead CDIO3* fixture. Charlotte took full advantage of an offer of ‘join and your horse goes free’, to make the break into affiliated dressage. She’s joined as her horse, Theodore, an eight year old part-bred Welsh Cob, is ready for affiliated. She’s had him since a four year old and has brought him on to elementary level. Charlotte explains; “We’ve been doing some BE eventing and his dressage is always brilliant but the cross country isn’t! So I thought the best thing was to have a change of discipline. He’s been great to train and has the talent so we’ll see how it goes.”
The honour of the 11,000th horse goes to 16 year old Fultons Fernet who’ll be ridden by 20 year old Sarah Houldridge from Cambridge. They came to BD via a Have a Go Day in the Eastern region where participants ride a test, get feedback from a trainer and learn more about what competing and training with BD is all about. 16 year old ‘Fern’ is owned and bred by Sarah’s boss, Sharon Newbound who has asked Sarah to get her back into competition life. “We’re aiming to start at Novice and will see how it goes. I’d love to qualify for a Championship but the aim is to get her out and about and give me the competition experience,” explained Sarah.
Ticket sales are buoyant for the LeMieux National Dressage Championships (18 – 21 September) and there’s huge interest in the recently announced British Dressage National Convention, supported by Harrison Clark Rickerbys, with Helen Langehanenberg (7 – 8 November) which shows interest in dressage is strong both in and out of the saddle.
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Major milestones achieved by British Dressage
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