Anyone a BD member???

[Dressagefreak]

I am quite interested to join BD but am wonderind whether what it entails, cost of membership e.t.c? Anyone in BD who can give me some idea of what it's like? I have two class tickets to try an affiliated comp but haven't got round to it yet.
Thanks x x x

[Lgd]

Membership is about £42 for a year (must admit mine goes by DD so I don't pay an awful lot of attention!)

Horses do not need to be registered for Prelim classes. In fact, if they have a section A in the Prelim, you can enter without the rider being registered either. The rider needs to be registered if you want to try and qualify for the championships - the qualifying part of the class is Section B.

Rider and horse need to be registered for Novice upwards. Horse registration is around £46 for a year.

You can download registration forms from www.britishdressage.co.uk

[DITZ]

hey just another question on this not being needed to be registered for prelim, i was told that you do need a bridle number - where do you get one of those from?

[Lgd]

You can get them from BD direct (not the cheapest method!) or from most decent saddlery shops.

Although they say bridle numbers it is permissible to have them attached to a saddlecloth (they come with velcro attachments), on a breastplate or on the rider's arm (tie on).

I've just treated myself to a really nice Kavalkade set that attach to the bridle with velcro - about £10 for two discs and loads of plastic numbers that you attach to the disc.

[Gemma16]

How come you can't have your number on your back?

[Lgd]

Used to be bridle only. They've got a bit more lenient as some horses really don't like io it on the bridle.

Probably not on the back as it looks untidy and draws the eye. All the other numbers are quite small

[Dressagefreak]

Lgd-£42 isn't too bad. So once I move up to novice does my horse have to be registered too? What about the BD points system? Doesn't the horse have to be registered to get the points?
If you're in BD could you give me some kind of idea what the standard is like compared o unaffiliated comps.
x x x

[Lgd]

No points are awarded at Prelim. Horse only needs to be registered if you win two Prelims at 65% or more and want to go to the regional championships OR if you qualify for the Area Festival (two scores of 59% or more) and wish to attend that.

Points are gained from Novice level upwards so essentially the horse does have to be registered to gain points and are awarded:

60 - 61.99% = 1 point
62 - 63.99% = 2 points
64 - 65.99% = 3 points
66 - 67.99% = 4 points
68 - 69.99% = 5 points
70 - 71.99% = 6 points
72% + = 7 points (max awarded)

Unaffiliated standards vary markedly, depending mainly on if you have a BD judge or not mostly. If you are getting reasonable marks from a BD judge then you are likely to get similar marks in affiliated classes. Most of our unaffiliated classes in the NE area use BD affiliated judges or BD judge trainees so the standard is not hugely different. I certainly would not judge any differently for unaffiliated, although I would probably be comparatively more lenient with a Pony Club walk and trot test.

Unless you are absolutely appalling a judge will try not to crucify you at Prelim as it is supposed to be to encourage people to improve and keep trying rather than frighten them off altogether. The judge should try to make at least one positive comment in the collective marks section - it can get very difficult sometimes - you know you did a bad test when the judge comments on how attractive your horse is or how well turned out it is :D

[Dressagefreak]

Hm yer I read about the no points at prelim thing last nite in a leaflet i got. Maybe I'll just register once we're good enough to do novice or if i think i might stand a chance of qualifying for the area championships. I usually get over 59% at unaffiliated so hopefully....!

[star]

just paid my horse registration for the year - £48.50. My registration renewal will come through soon I guess and that is another £49 or so! I am gonna be so skint!

[Dressagefreak]

Lols! Well I did my first novice recently so I'll keep going unaffiliated at those 'til we know what we're doing and then I think I'll affiliate.:)