BRC’s first-ever virtual championships hailed a huge success

The very first virtual edition of the British Riding Club’s (BRC) National Dressage Championships provided a great opportunity for riders to compete

This year’s BRC National Dressage Championships took place virtually for the first time ever. BRC ran the SEIB Novice Winter Dressage Championships and HorseHage & Mollichaff Intermediate Winter Dressage Championships 26 April to 2 May 2021.

The virtual championships were livestreamed via the BRC Facebook page, allowing supporters to watch more than 14 hours of competition in total – receiving more than 6,600 views. The tests ranged from Intro to Advanced Medium and included junior and senior competitors.

Rachael Hollely-Thompson, Head of BRC, said: “This has been a huge undertaking and the whole team worked incredibly well to ensure a seamless production for our riding club members. In all, we had more than 1,250 entries, running across the 58 arenas, with 29 dressage judges marking the all-important tests and giving great feedback to the riders.

“We’re thrilled to have been able to run this competition for those riders who had already qualified and hope that everyone enjoyed taking part. We saw some fabulous arenas and backdrops, which we wouldn’t normally get to see. This is certainly one of the largest virtual equestrian competitions we’re aware of.”

It was tough to reorganise the championship following their cancellation due to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, but it was well worth the effort as so many riders were able to enjoy the championship they qualified for.

Davinia Kickham riding Divine San Siro from Atherstone & District RC won the Senior Novice title, with a score of 75.25%. “Having competed in the BRC Christmas Cracker event last year, I’d like to say that my partner’s now a seasoned professional at videoing! Getting all dressed up, plaited and even remembering the test created the nerves (well for me, perhaps not Jeff).”

Kate Heap from Billericay & District RC, winner of the Medium D25 and overall individual mixed Pick A Test winner, on a score of 74.85% said: “San Francisco PR had a major stifle operation 18 months ago and his recovery was very slow – then covid struck, so we haven’t really had an opportunity to test how the joint will hold up under strain until this championship.

“I found the experience of taking part in an online test very different to the norm! Cisco’s quite a laid-back horse and I rely on the atmosphere of a new venue and other horses to give him that ‘razzle dazzle’ we all strive for in competition. But this time there was none of that. It was lovely to have the excuse to get him all dressed up and in the show attire, it gave us a real purpose and boost to our daily training.

“I finished our recording with much better appreciation of how to use our arena and heightened ring craftsmanship, which I wouldn’t have developed so much if I’d just gone to a venue and ridden the test once!”

For more information and the full results, visit bhs.org.uk