{"id":3514,"date":"2026-06-05T19:53:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T18:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/area5\/?post_type=news&p=3514"},"modified":"2026-06-05T19:53:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T18:53:51","slug":"the-pony-club-specialised-ability-dressage-competition-closing-date-30-06-26","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/area5\/news\/the-pony-club-specialised-ability-dressage-competition-closing-date-30-06-26\/","title":{"rendered":"The Pony Club Specialised Ability Dressage Competition – Closing date 30\/06\/26"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n
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The Pony Club Specialised Ability Dressage Competition<\/h3>\n

As part of The Pony Club\u2019s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and creating opportunities for all young people, we are pleased to announce the Specialised Ability Dressage Competition.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.
\nFor the chance to take part in this exciting showcase competition, we are asking riders aged under 26 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 2026. A panel will then approve the riders based on whether the competition is suitable and appropriate.<\/p>\n

Eligibility<\/h4>\n