Page updated 4 May
Contacts:
Head of Dressage – Liz Pugh 07950 640655 lizpughey@aol.com
Assistant Head of Dressage – Nicky Tomkinson 07875 255026 nickyisele1970@gmail.com
Dressage involves working to improve you and your pony on the flat, whether you intend to compete at competitions or not. Dressage and flatwork is vital for success in all disciplines, and is key to improving your jumping.
In East Cheshire, we offer dressage rallies at two levels, friendly within-branch competitions and opportunities to compete on behalf of the branch at national qualifiers and championships, both on a team and individual basis.
A. Rallies
♦ “Flatwork Made Fun” Rallies:
Description: These new sessions are aimed at younger members, focussing on their flatwork skills whilst having some fun so they are learning without knowing it!
Suitable for: All welcome to come and join us, including those on or off the lead rein. All ages welcome, including riders and ponies that may be nervous or young and requiring experience. Canter not necessary – grouped accordingly.
Format: 45-50 minute sessions with approx. 10 min cool down. 3-4 per group
Entry fee: £15
Upcoming Dates:
More to be posted here when available
All entries on Entrymaster
Times will be texted to you a couple of days before the rally
♦ Dressage Rallies:
Description: General flatwork and dressage training rallies aimed at those approximately age 12+.
Format: 45-minute sessions, aiming for 2 per group. Please put as much detail on entry to help group members in suitable pairings.
Suitable for: Suitable for combinations competent in walk, trot and canter and able to work effectively into a snaffle bit. Combinations should be competently trotting and cantering on the correct diagonal/leg and competing (or aiming to compete at) Pony Club Grassroots (Prelim) or above, right through to Pony Club Open (Elementary/Medium). Young horses and ponies welcome.
Entry fee: £20
Upcoming Dates:
More to be posted here when available
All entries on Entrymaster
Times will be texted to you a couple of days before the rally
♦ “Polework for Dressage” Rallies:
Description: These new sessions will focus on improving your horse/pony’s rhythm, suppleness and core stability, whilst keeping training varied and interesting.
Suitable for: All welcome to come and join us.
Format: 45 minute sessions with 3 per group
Entry fee: £15
Upcoming Dates:
More to be posted here when available
All entries on Entrymaster
Times will be texted to you a couple of days before the rally
♦ Test Riding Practice Rallies:
Suitable for: All welcome, priority will be given to riders competing at the area dressage competition.
Format: Short lesson followed by a test ride in the white boards, 2-3 riders per group
Entry fee: £20
Upcoming Dates:
Sunday 21 May
All entries on Entrymaster
Times will be texted to you a couple of days before the rally
B. Competitions
♦ Branch Dressage Competitions:
We host our own friendly branch dressage competitions which count to our branch dressage points league. For anyone who hasn’t attended before, these are a great introduction to Dressage – fun and friendly – tests can be read and we all support each other.
We have lots of great tests from walk and trot (those on lead rein are welcome) through to more complex tests – but something for everyone, and we run so that there are two tests for each level, so members can have a second go! Most plait, as good practice for competitions, and nice to dress up!
Upcoming Dates:
Sunday 25 June at Higher Farm, Byley, CW10 9LN Entries
♦ Winter Dressage Qualifiers & Championships:
Each Winter, members can compete in a competition series called the Barrier Spring Festival Series. Riders compete to qualify for the England and Wales finals as details below:
*New for 2022/23: This year, there will be no preliminary rounds, but members must compete at their area competition to qualify for the final in February 2023. There are also now team and individual competitions, just like the Summer championships! This is at PC Novice (BD Prelim), PC Intermediate (BD Novice) and PC Open (BD Elementary) so we will be looking for members to join our teams. Please join us at our branch competitions.
2022/23 Dates:
Spring Festival Area 5 Dressage Qualifier – Sunday 15th January 2023 at Northop – Schedule
Spring Festival Championships, England & Wales (Novice, Intermediate and Open) – Saturday 11th to Sunday 12th February 2023 at Arena UK, Grantham
Full details, rules and eligibility criteria can be found here:
Barrier Spring Festival Dressage Details & Rules
Please get in touch with Corrie to register your interest or find out more about joining team EC at these qualifying events.
♦ Summer Qualifiers & Championships:
Annually, branch teams from our area (Area 5: Cheshire and North Wales) compete against each other, and members can qualify individually for the Regional & National Championships detailed below:-
Area 5 Dressage Qualifier (Team & Individual) – Sunday 28th May 2023, Denbigh (Hosted by F&D Branch)
Regional Championships (Grassroots) – Saturday 26th to Sunday 27th August 2023, Kelsall Hill (North Midlands Region)
National Championships (Novice, Intermediate and Open) – Friday 11th to Saturday 19th August 2023, Offchurch Bury, Warwickshire
Full details, rules and eligibility criteria can be found for each of the above here:
Dressage Area & Championship Details & Rules
Please get in touch with Liz to register your interest or find out more about joining team EC at these qualifying events.
C. Other Events & Opportunities
- Musical Ride in East Cheshire
- The Pony Club Dressage Home International at Royal Windsor Horse Show
- Dressage to Music Competitions
D. Useful Information & Resources
♦ Rule Book:
The most up-to-date version of the Pony Club rulebooks for this year can be found here:
♦ Dressage Tests:
See the link below for all the Pony Club tests that are used at our competitions:
Below are the key tests that are used for our competitions and also the Winter Series Qualifiers:
Novice Dressage Test 2020
Intermediate Dressage Test 2022
Open Dressage Test 2020
For those starting out, below are great for those new to dressage or green horses just starting:
Walk & Trot Tests (also used for lead rein):
Walk & Trot Dressage Test 2022
D Level Dressage Test 2012
Tests including canter:
C Level Dressage Test 2012
Grassroots Dressage Test 2018
E. Feedback & Queries
We are always keen to hear your feedback – please do get in touch if you have any questions or feedback. Details of our current dressage contacts are at the top of the page.
If you would be willing and able to volunteer at any rallies, occasions or events, we would love to hear from you.