British Dressage was set up as an independent company in January 1998. It was designed with different types of membership in mind. With 565,000 horses in Great Britain and around 2 million people riding in Great Britain there is a vast audience for dressage membership. Of course whether people realise it or not, everybody who rides is doing dressage. So if you are just a general interested equestrian enthusiast there is a special membership for you.

The Associate Membership was particularly designed for the hobbyist equestrian enthusiast in mind. The cost of £15 is a true give away. For this small sum associate members receive a membership badge, a membership pack, a membership card and a full year's subscription to Dressage News which is currently valued at £21.00. This informative publication consists of an omnibus schedule, show results and many interesting articles on top riders, judges, training and young riders. Members will also be given special offers by the many dedicated dressage sponsors. All levels of membership offer group courses.

The second membership level is for the non-competing member. This service is designed for the owner offering third party and personal accident insurance plus all the benefits of associate membership. In addition, a British Dressage rule book and judges panel book are included with this membership.

For the real dressage enthusiast there is full membership which gives the additional opportunity to compete at affiliated dressage competitions.

British Dressage is proactively seeking to review its membership in future years to ensure every area is covered.

Dressage News: A bi-monthly magazine containing details of affiliated dressage competitions and other information, mailed to members free of charge.

Grading: A grading system is operated allowing horses to progress carefully through planned and monitored levels of training. Marks are awarded at competitions according to the percentage gained and results are recorded on computer.

Tests: Tests start at preliminary level and progress in difficulty through Novice, Elementary, Medium, Advanced Medium and Advanced. The Advanced Level includes Prix St Georges, Intermediate I and II, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special. Test and score sheets can be obtained from the office. Championships/Selection: Both the summer and winter dressage seasons end with prestigious championships, qualifiers for those taking place throughout the country. British Dressage also operates a selection process to identify potential international competitors.

Freestyle Dressage to Music Championships: These events take place every year with tests available at Novice, Elementary, Medium, Prix St Georges and Grand Prix levels, for which score sheets must be obtained from British Dressage.

Annual Dressage Group Course: There is an annual British Dressage course with a leading international trainer which is open to all members.

Travel and Training Fund: A travel and training fund, which was established to fund regional training courses and team travel to international competitions, is administered by British Dressage.

Young Members - BYRDS: There are excellent opportunities available to pony riders, juniors and young riders through special training schemes, festivals and talent spotting project.

Voluntary Help: British Dressage relies extensively on a dedicated band of helpers in the form of competition organisers, judges, writers, stewards and other volunteers without whom dressage competitions would not take place.

Horse Registration: All horses and ponies competing in affiliated dressage classes must be registered annually and must be owned by members of British Dressage. Registration runs from 1 January to 31 December. Horses and ponies of any height may take part in affiliated dressage but they must be 4 years old and over. There is no age limit of riders. On completion of registration, owners will be issued with a Horse Registration Card and a supply of entry forms. Horses competing in Preliminary Qualifiers for the National Championships need not be registered but riders must be members.

Classes of Membership and Subscription Rates

Life Member (one off payment)	£750	Non Competing Member	£20
Full Member (full year)	£40	Associate Member	£15
(£5 reduction if payment by direct debit)	£35	BHS Silver Membership (optional)	£18
Full member (half year 1 July - 31 Dec)	£20	Bridle Number	£9.50
Horse Registration
- up to and including Advanced Medium	£ 35
- Advanced	£ 50

Payment by direct debit, cheque/postal order, Switch or Credit Card

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