The Pony Club Specialised Ability Dressage Competition

As part of The Pony Club’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and creating opportunities for all young people, we are pleased to announce the Specialised Ability Dressage Competition.

This dressage competition debuted in 2024 and will showcase the often-unseen talent of so many of our young athletes whose different abilities, physical, neuro-diverse, visible or invisible can be a barrier to accessing competition.

Riders may fall between RDA (whether therapeutical or competitive) and the formally structured BD classified para-dressage. Given that athletes can only be classified from the age of 13, this means fewer opportunities to compete. This Pony Club initiative is centred around young people with either a physical limitation that may be outside classification, or with neuro-diverse or learning challenges who love riding but find few opportunities to compete. Our aim is to provide an open and inclusive pathway to bridge the gap between RDA and formal para-dressage pathways.

The aim of this showcase competition, held at The Pony Club National Championships, is to support such athletes and their horse/pony by providing a pathway to enjoy competitive dressage. The competition will be held on Tuesday 12th August at Offchurch Bury, Warwickshire. Competitors will choose between either a walk/trot test or a walk/trot/canter test. The competition will take place on grass.

For the chance to take part in this exciting showcase competition, we are asking riders aged up to 25 years (who do not need to be a PC member), or their parents/guardians, coaches, or influential adults in their life to apply to The Pony Club by 30th June 2025. A panel will then approve the riders based on whether the competition is suitable and appropriate.

To apply please complete the form below and we will be in touch to let you know if you are successful.