Summary of BD Rule changes for 2015

As reported earlier this summer, the decision was made to defer implementing any changes to the competition structure until 1 December 2015 for the 2016 competition year. This is to ensure that we have taken sufficient time to carefully analyse and carefully consider the feedback, finalise proposals, and give time to develop our IT systems to handle all the new data.

For 2015, the first thing you will notice is that the we have merged the rule book and Judges panel to create what is now known as the Members Hand Book. The aim is to provide a much more informative book that will assist members in getting to know the sport.

The eight rule sections have been broken down in to twelve to aid making the information more digestible to readers. You will mainly notice this in the qualifications sections.

In the interim there have been some minor tweaks to the rules for 2015. Please note that the rule references listed below are in relation to the 2015 Members Hands book and may differ from the current rule number. Please make sure that you take time to read through the rule book as the below list is just an overview of the main changes.

·         The member’s code of conduct has been moved to the beginning of the member’s handbook to emphasise its importance.

·         Rule 16– Imported Horses. This has changed to; when an imported horse is registered with BD, it is the owner’s responsibility to submit a full competition record for the horse so that BD points can be allocated and the horse graded accordingly. Imported horses without competition records will be graded according to their age at the time of registration to the scale given in the table unless proof of import at an earlier age can be supplied.  These points may be reduced by Downgrading or by Assessment.

·         Rule 22 – British Dressage Tests. BD Inter II has been removed from circulation.

·         Rule 27 - Eligibility for Restricted and Open sections. Removed;requirement for U21 riders nominated for a CDI to move to the Open section for the level they are eligible. The rule on union flags remains unchanged.

·         Rule 29 - Eligibility for riders aged 14 and under. New Rule added.

·         Rule 31 –Pick Your Own Classes. Amended to include FEI para classes where a PYO FEI is held.

·         Rule 36 –Balloting. Wording added; In the event of oversubscription competitive entries must be accepted over HC entries.

·         Rule 40 – HC Entries. Wording added. Riders competing HC must abide by all the tack rules appropriate for the level at which they are competing, including the warm up.

·         Rule 41 – Prize Money. Amended wording. Starters defined as the number of horses published on the class results and include HC and training entries.

·         Rule 52 – Whips. Wording added; A rider may compete HC carrying a Whip in an FEI level Class at a Premier League, however the result may not be used as any qualification.

·         Rule 52 – Whips. Wording added; In national 4, 5 and 6 year old qualifying class’s whips are permitted. At Young Horse Championships, only 4 year olds may have whips, not 5 & 6 year olds. Whips are not permitted when the FEI Young Horse tests are ridden.

·         Rule 54 – Saddles. Wording added; Brightly coloured saddles are not permitted however small panels of colour on areas such as the cantle are permitted.

·         Rule 57 –Bridles. Wording added. Mojo holograms are permitted.

·         Rule 58 –Nosebands. Wording added. Covering of the front of the nose band with sheepskin is not permitted.

·         Rule 104 - Foreign Judges / FEI Judges not listed in Great Britain. Rule amended; FEI 3*, 4* or 5* Judges may officiate at affiliated BD competitions providing they meet the national minimum judging requirements as set in the current FEI Education system, i.e. Dressage – a certified national Grand Prix Judge, Para Dressage – a certified national PSG judge.

·         Rule 108 - Number of Judges required for competition. Rule amended;

·         Rule 109 - Number of Judges required for Area Festivals. Rule amended;

·         Rule 111 - Qualification cut off dates for Regional Qualification. Rule amended; qualifying periods have gone back to they were previously on the basis we now have additional resource in the office.

·         Rule 115 a) – Qualification requirements. Prelim qualification amended;

·         Rule 125 j, K, l) – Eligibility for Area Festivals. Rule Amended; Once a combination has competed at the National or Winter Championships (including Music Championships), they cannot compete at that level or below in Area Festivals in future years. 

·         Rule 127 – U25 Championships. Qualifying percentage amended to 64%

·         Rule 128 f) – Senior Home International. Rule amended; Horse and rider combinations that have competed at the BD National or Winter Championships (including Freestyle classes) in the 12 months preceding the selection date must compete at a higher level at the Senior Home International. Riders may compete on a different horse at a lower level provided that it is eligible.

·         Rule 129 –BYRDS Home International. Amended wording.

·         Rule 131 –BYRDS Inter Regional. Amended wording

·         Rule 134 to 142 –Team Quest. TQ rules added.

·         Rule 144 – Eligibility for Para Equestrian. Rule amended; Riders may only compete in their classified grade as per FEI rules.

·         Rule 146 a3) – Visually impaired riders. Wording added; Riders who are classified Grade Ia, Ib or II are not required to wear blacked out glasses or goggles.

·         Rules 150 –152. Para Qualification. Changes to eligibility and points.