Will your Weekly Riding Lesson Take You To The Top?

The British Horse Society is pleased to announce that the Equitation Competition for Young Riders will again take place in 2001. The BHS believes that this is the only national competition for those who do not own a horse or pony of their own. The prizes will be valuable vouchers to spend on high quality training.

The competition is designed to recognise the importance of the welfare of the horse through the part played by correct riding. The BHS aims to broaden the base of British riding and identify talent, and to give opportunities to young people to benefit from quality instruction in horse care and equitation. The competition provides a pathway for talented riders to progress to the national and international scene, while at the same time promoting BHS Approved Riding Schools as establishments where safe and competent riding and tuition can be enjoyed.

There will be two classes: 17 years and under, and 13 years and under. Each class will consist of Dressage and Jumping Tests and, new for this season, the competition will also include a 'Horse Awareness' test of the competitors' knowledge of the horse, its health and care. This section of the competition will involve the competitor answering six questions about horse husbandry.

Any licensed riding school may enter competitors in local qualifiers held at BHS Approved riding schools. Competitors must be riding school clients and must ride horses that are owned by the riding school. The first three competitors in each local qualifier will go forward to one of ten regional qualifiers in May 2001 (see below). The winner from each regional competition will go forward to the final, which will take place in July.

The BHS hopes that riding schools and their clients will enjoy this special opportunity to take part in an equestrian event specifically designed for them.

Anyone wishing to enter the competition should talk to the riding school where they ride. For more information contact Jan Lovick at the BHS 08701 20 22 44 or email j.lovick@bhs.org.uk


2001 Regional Qualifiers
(for winners of the local qualifiers)

26 May Ardgowan Riding Centre Renfrewshire
Tel: 01475 521390
20 May Aberconwy Equestrian Centre Gwynedd
Tel: 01492 544362
1 June Golden Castle Riding Stables Powys
Tel: 01873 810469
31 May South Causey Equestrian Centre, Co Durham
Tel: 01207 281136
27 May Barleyfields Equestrian Centre Derby
Tel: 01283 734798
28 May Alton Riding School Derbyshire
Tel: 01246 590267
29 May Strumpshaw Riding Centre Norfolk
Tel: 01603 712815
1 June Blacknest Gate Equestrian Centre Berkshire
Tel: 01344 876871
28 May The Naval Riding Centre Hampshire
Tel: 023 9237 9974
1 June Millfield School, Street Somerset
Tel: 01458 442291

Anyone interested in taking part, or running a competition please contact Jan Lovick in the BHS Competitions Office at Stoneleigh Deer Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2XZ for further information and copies of rules; or telephone 08701 20 22 44 or email: J.Lovick@bhs.org.uk

The British Horse Society would like to thank the Elise Pilkington Trust for their continued and generous support of this unique competition.