Huge congratulations to
Sandi, Mary, Laura & Daisy
for their fantastic riding at WWEC at the Area 9 ODE
FAQ's, Team Information
&
Championship Dates
Can I join a team? – The simple answer is yes just about anyone can. MDRC is an adult only Riding Club so you need to be 18 years and older. With each discipline there are a set of rules regarding the horse’s previous achievements but these can be checked easily. E.g if your horse has BE points or BS Money then they might have to jump a bigger course.
Do I have to have been on a team before? – Absolutely not. All the qualifiers are clearly marked with a test (Dressage) or height (SJ + XC)
What is involved? – Well for each team discipline we need 4 members to enter a team. The top three scores to count, so it can run on three but all three scores will count. At some of the events different levels will be needed in a team at others you will all do the same class. It is a lovely day out and a brilliant way to meet people and have a good fun day. It is also possible at some events to enter as an individual should you like to dip your toes, but if you enter as a team you also get an individual placing (double the rosettes) & a possibility to represent your club at a final.
Your horse must be fully vaccinated. The dates can be easily checked. The Riding Club is very strict with this so we will check all passports before the competition.
Membership - You must have been a member of the Riding Club 21 days before the competition.
Entry Fees – When MDRC enter a team a provisional entry & fee are sent & then the full entry closer to the time. When the event is advertised the entry fee will announced then.
Hat Tag - Your hat will need to be tagged (this can be done on the day). You will need a 2009 back protector for Eventers challenge / XC phase. The good news is this year that tag includes all Pony club & BE events so no need for multiple tags.
Final Dates - You must be free for the final of the qualifier you are entering for. It depends on the discipline you have entered as to where the final is. We have listed below the dates & place of the 2018 finals.
- Novice Winter Championships - 14/15th April 2018 Arena UK, Lincoln
- Intermediate Winter Championships - 27th/29th April 2018 Bury Farm
- Festival of the Horse - 19th/20th may Aston Le Walls
- Horse Trials - 3rd/5th August Swalcliffe
- National Championships - 1st/2nd September Lincoln
Team Training – If you would like to be considered for a team place then you would be expected to go to at least one team training practice. 1. The is too make sure you are happy & safe to go to the completion, 2. We can check your tack and equipment to make sure you are wearing what is allowed for that discipline. 3. Sometimes there may be more than one team entered so this will give the trainer a chance to pick the teams accordingly. It is also a nice way to meet the other team members so a familiar face on the day.
What can I compete in? – Well there is, Dressage, Dressage to music, Quadrille, SJ, Jumping for Style, Eventers Challenge / FOTH, Le Trek, Eventing – ODE.
Volunteer – For every team we enter we need to supply a volunteer for the day (that’s how the shows manage to run) This is a really important part of the team as no volunteer no team.
What to wear? - Each discipline has slightly different rules on what the horse can wear. For example the dressage is run under BD, the Eventing under BE rules so you can wear different bridles in the dressage phases. The riding club has numnahs & riding club kit to be worn at the events – XC Colours & hat silks. These can be purchased beforehand. It is a fab photo moment to have the same kit on and is a lovely feeling to be part of a team.
On the day – The Riding Club will receive times for each member of the team & pass them on.
- As a rider you will need to take your hat & horses passport to the secretary’s tent on arrival; they will be checked, hat tagged and ticked off the list. If you need a back protector for the event take that along too. You can collect your number. You will also have your tacked checked before you go in to your event (normally before or in the collecting / warm up ring) so make sure you leave enough time to get this done.
- MDRC will always try to have a member of the club at a completion to help, but you will also have your team members to help too.
- Being part of a team is a lot of fun and a really good day out, the venues are lovely.
- Please remember you are representing Marlborough District Riding Club, so please do act accordingly and in a manor you would like others to follow.
Thank you & here is to an amazing season with lots of fun & ribbons!!
Any questions please do ask!