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BRITISH DRESSAGE NEWS

NATIONAL CONVENTION RETURNS

The British Dressage National Convention returns to Hartpury College and University on 26 and 27 November, hosted by the ‘Best of British’.

Current and former World Championships team riders Gareth Hughes (pictured) and Michael Eilberg will headline the 2022 National Convention, alongside special guest

IN MEMORIAM

The sport has lost a great supporter and competitor in Frances Rudge who sadly passed away on 3 July at the age of 78 following a brave battle with cancer.

Together with her late husband Mick Rudge, Frances ran the ever-popular Stubbing Court CDI in Derbyshire, until 2000, as well as being an international dressage rider herself. Prior to taking up dressage, Frances enjoyed threeday eventing alongside Mick. She was awarded a Bronze FEI Badge of Honour in 2003, of which she was extremely proud.

On behalf of the dressage community, British Dressage offers sincerest condolences to the family, friends and connections of Frances. presenters, with the biggest training event in the BD calendar returning to a capacity in-person audience at Hartpury in November.

Tickets are now on sale, with in-person prices frozen at pre-pandemic levels in order to offer the best value training experience for all BD members.

NEW APPRENTICESHIPS LAUNCHED

British Dressage is to work with Sport Structures as its partner to support the delivery of an employment pathway of nationally recognised qualifications for apprentices working in the sport.

The BD Apprenticeship programme will cover the learning of practical equestrian skills, as well as providing a range of qualification pathways delivered in an equestrian setting. Routes can be chosen in a range of equestrian and business areas, from leadership and digital marketing to senior equine groom.

Training will be delivered by a qualified tutor team, using interactive technology to capture evidence as learners progress. This will be complemented by experiences such as attending sessions at high profile events, yard visits and the integration of some existing BD qualifications.

Where apprentices show a real passion or aptitude in a certain area, such as riding, coaching or events management, additional wraparound education will be provided to support their aspirations, creating a bespoke learning experience tailored to their needs.

As well as school leavers, the programme will support those wanting to return to the industry, or employers looking for a way to develop their existing staff. Those who are interested in working with horses, but have not had opportunity before, will now have an accessible route into the industry.

Most of the qualifications will be fully funded, with some employers receiving a grant to take on a new apprenticeship.

AGM ARRANGEMENTS

The Annual General Meeting of British Dressage will be held at Arena UK, Allington Lane, Allington, Lincolnshire, NG32 2EF on 6 October 2022 at 6:00pm, and will also be livestreamed on the BD website. For information about voting and putting questions to the meeting, see BD Action on p60.

New Autumn 2022 Collection