UK Equestrian Competitions and Order of difficulty
Many of us at Discount Equestrian compete regularly in various disciplines at different levels. However, we’ve been chatting about levels in equestrian sporting events and that led to some great discussions about the accessibility of this information. For instance, if you’re interested in finding out the levels of competition involved in a new discipline with your horse, would you know where to find that information? Sometimes, internet searches are fruitless and discourage us from further research. If you’re like some of us and wish to have a go at something new with your noble steed, we hope this will help!
Whichever equestrian disipline you decide to pursue, we are here to help you get the best Riding Wear and Horse Wear for the job!
* Dressage & Para-Dressage
Celebrating the beauty of equine movement, alongside the magic of that human-horse partnership we are all passionate about, dressage is perhaps the most graceful of equestrian sports. It is also accessible to any rider – no-matter your level of experience. If you’d like to find out more, you can visit the British Dressage website: https://www.britishdressage.co.uk/our-sport/all-about-dressage/dressage-defined/
Level 1 = Introductory
Level 2 = Preliminary (Prelim)
Level 3 = Novice
Level 4 = Elementary
Level 5 = Medium
Level 6 = Advanced Medium
Level 7 = Advanced
Level 8 = Prix St Georges
Level 9 = Intermediate
Level 10 = Grand Prix
* Show Jumping & Para Equestrian Jumping
Precision and power combine as show jumping requires supreme concentration from our equine partners as well as ourselves. Show jumping’s fast-paced yet stylish performance continues to remind us that through working as a team, we can accomplish whatever we dream. Although it requires more equipment than dressage, we believe show jumping is just as exciting at grassroots level as it is at Grand Prix. More details can be found on the British Showjumping website: https://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/
Level 1 (Affiliated) = British Novice
Level 2 (Affiliated) = Discovery
Level 3 (Affiliated) = Newcomers
Level 4 (Affiliated) = Foxhunter
* Eventing
The ultimate test of endurance, skill, and strength, eventing is a sport for the brave! Even courses at minimum height can send adrenaline coursing through both yours and your horse’s bloodstreams. However, you should only ever consider eventing your horse once you’re satisfied they’re fit and strong enough to handle the pressure. Following levels are explained further on the British Eventing (BE) website: https://www.britisheventing.com/about/what-is-eventing/the-competition-levels
Level 1 = BE80 (T)
Level 2 = BE90
Level 3 = BE100
Level 4 = BE100 Plus
Level 5 = BE105
Level 6 = Novice (N)
Level 7 = Intermediate Novice (IN)
Level 8 = Advanced Intermediate (AI)
Level 9 = Advanced Level
* Endurance & Para Endurance
Long famed for pushing both horse and rider to their limits, endurance riding is not for the faint-hearted. Challenging both yours and your horse’s physical capacity, endurance also tests your emotional capability to endure. Further information can be found on the Endurance GB website: https://egb.myclubhouse.co.uk/
Level 1 = Pleasure Rides
Level 2 = Novice
Level 3 = Open
Level 4 = Advanced
* Driving & Para-Driving
Once humanity’s only form of transportation, carriage driving has evolved to become an enjoyable equestrian sport. The carriage driving community are as welcoming as they are competitive! Despite competition being fierce, if you take on carriage driving you are guaranteed access to a fantastically knowledgeable support network. Further information can be found by visiting the British Carriage Driving website: http://www.britishcarriagedriving.co.uk/reference/class_structure.htm
Level 1 = Pre-Novice
Level 2 = Club Novice
Level 3 = Club Open
Level 4 = National Novice
Level 5 = Intermediate
Level 6 = Open (Singles, Pairs, Tandems & Four-in-Hand)
Level 7 = Advanced (Singles, Pairs, Tandems & Four-in-Hand)
Level 8 = International & World Championships
* Vaulting
Perhaps not as well-known as other equestrian sports, vaulting is a spectacle of gymnastics on horseback. Vaulting represents harmony between horse and human, requiring high levels of acrobatic skill as well as an unbreakable bond with your horse. For the rules of vaulting, you can visit the British Vaulting website: http://britishvaulting.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BEV-Rules-2019-Rev-2.pdf
Level 1 = Walk Classes
Level 2 = Pre-Novice
Level 3 = Novice
Level 4 = 1*
Level 5 = 2*
Level 6 = 3*
More information about the rules and regulations surrounding all of these equestrian sports can be found by visiting the FEI website: https://www.fei.org/
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