Avon Centre's Winter Dressage series is the perfect place to take your horse or pony over the winter. With fantastic facilities and a relaxed, inclusive and welcoming atmosphere it suits all ages and abilities, whether you are looking to take your horse out to increase their, and/or your own confidence, or you need somewhere to go to get in dressage test practice. You can also accrue Championship points across our series running from October through to April, and be in with a chance to be crowned one of our Winter Dressage Class Champions! See full Terms & Conditions for details of how our points system works.

Entries are £14 per class, full Terms & Conditions are below. If you have any questions regarding entries for the winter dressage series please contact 0117 9590266 or email: winterdressage@theavoncentre.org.uk

Entry: £14 per class

• Entries in advance only. Online entries preferred - you can enter using our Secure Online Entry System.
• Payment is secure and it goes directly to The Avon Centre.
• You will receive an email confirmation of your class entry and payment.
• Late Entries: an additional fee of £2 payable at the time of booking. This fee is non-refundable.
   

• Standard Classes: Rosettes 1st - 6th place.
• Participation Rosette for Have-A-Go Class as detailed above.

For our Championship Finale in April 2026 we will once again offer prizes, rosettes and sashes - generously sponsored by local businesses and friends of The Avon Centre.

(Please get in touch if you/your business or someone you know would like to offer sponsorship for any of our classes.)

This year we offer two new classes: Lead Rein and "Have-A-Go" Dressage.

Lead Rein:

• Open to all riders who are riding with the assistance of another person leading the horse or pony. We have no age limitations on this class, and it certainly isn't just for children!

"Have-A-Go" Dressage:

We love dressage at The Avon Centre, and want to encourage as many people as possible to "Have-A-Go!" Everyone who completes their test will win a rosette, however due to the huge variety in special adjustments for any combination in this class, we feel it would be unfair to award placings. Your test will be judged and scored, and you will have a percentage score and judge comments to reflect on - see if you can beat your own score next time!

You may wish to try this class for any number of reasons, including but not limited to:

• Non-BD tack - if your horse doesn't like to play by the BD tack rules but you'd like to get out, have fun, and get some dressage competition experience.
• Ground Assistance - ideal for anyone wanting someone on the ground in the arena with you, for any reason. Rider and/or the horse/pony may be feeling anxious and want moral support. Rider may be differently abled and would like support from side-walkers. Rider may be newly off the lead rein and want the extra support.
• Perform a walk-only test - for any reason at all, no questions asked. You may submit a particular test to perform in advance if you wish.

IMPORTANT: We are not able to provide leaders and/or sidewalkers to those requiring it - please bring your own support crew. We advise that anyone on foot in the arena wears a riding helmet up to current safety standards. Those entering the arena on foot do so at their own risk. The Avon Centre will not be liable for any injury. See Terms & Conditions for full disclaimer.

• The Avon Centre accepts cash or card/contactless payments for refreshments.
• Subject to availability, we are usually able to offer delicious hot bacon/sausage/veg burger in a roll, hot and cold drinks, and a selection of snacks.

Entries close at midnight on the Tuesday prior to competition.

·          Late entries may be accepted at the organisers discretion and if a Class is not full, until 8pm on the Thursday prior to competition.

·      Withdrawals made BEFORE midnight on the Tuesday prior to competition will be offered a full refund if requested. Entry fees cannot be refunded AFTER this time.

·        Withdrawals and cancellations made BEFORE 8pm on the Thursday prior to competition may have their entry transferred to another one our events. You may also gift your entry to a friend, swap horse and/or rider, or request to donate your entry fee to The Avon Centre RDA branch in this timeframe. 

·        Cancellations made AFTER 8pm on the Thursday prior to competition may not be transferred. Thank you for your understanding.

Entries are to be completed via My Riding Life. If you have any questions regarding entries, please contact the Centre by email: winterdressage@theavoncentre.org.uk and/or info@theavoncentre.org.uk, or telephone 0117 9590266.

Avon Riding Centre Tests can be downloaded from the information page. The Avon Centre cannot provide copies of BD tests due to copyright. Thank you for your understanding.

Test Times will be uploaded to My Riding Life on the Friday before each competition around 2pm.

Dressage Rules

Standard Classes to be run under British Dressage rules.

o   Walk and Trot tests are designed for genuine new to dressage riders and inexperienced horses and ponies not previously placed 1st – 3rd at Prelim level or above. Others can enter at HC only.

o   Our Intro Class has different sections. When booking please make sure that you specify which section you would like to enter:

·        Junior = riders under the age of 18 at the time of competing

·        Open = open to all.

·        Our Have-A-Go Class riders will usually be performing the same test.

o   All other classes are open. Horses and ponies with affiliated points over Novice level may enter at HC only. Test callers allowed for all classes. Horses and ponies must be 4 years and over. 

o   Entries must be received the Tuesday before each competition. Entries cannot be refunded if cancelled from this date. Entries are to be completed via MyRidingLife. If you have any questions regarding entries please contact the Centre by telephone: 0117 9590266 or email: winterdressage@theavoncentre.org.uk or info@theavoncentre.org.uk.

o   Please display your allocated bridle saddle number on BOTH sides of the horse. You may choose to display your number on the bridle or saddle. Points may be deducted from your overall score if not displayed correctly. We ask you do this for both organisational and safety purposes.

o   Times will be uploaded to MyRidingLife on the Friday before each competition from 2pm.

Championship Series

During the Winter Dressage Series comprising of 7 events, points will be awarded to competitors placed 1st to 6^th. On the Championship Finale Day in April, prizes will be awarded to those who have accumulated the highest number of points in each Class during the Series.

For each placing 1^st to 6th in the class, riders receive points according to the table below:

1^st place = 10 points

2^nd place = 8 points

3^rd place = 6 points

4^th place = 4 points

5^th place = .2 points

6^th place = 1 point

NEW THIS SEASON = Points are allocated to the rider, not the combination. If the rider competes more than one horse in the same class, only the best placed score will count towards the Championship. Points won on the Championship Finale Day in April 2026 will be worth DOUBLE!

General T & C's

·        Competitors must wear correct dress, footwear and hard hat. Hard hats must conform to current safety standards with a 3 point harness and chin straps must be fastened while mounted. You do not need to wear full competition attire, we are an inclusive venue and want our riders to feel comfortable. If you do have competition attire please wear it.

·        Competitors under 18 must be supervised by an adult.

·        A qualified first aider will be in attendance.

·        All classes are ridden in indoor arena. Warm up in outdoor arena and must be done with consideration to others, with a maximum of 6 horses at a time and no sooner than 40 min before test time. Please observe the rules of the school and speak with a member of our team if you have any questions or concerns.

·        All horses are to be vaccinated to date and not be carrying any infectious diseases.

·        No mucking out of trailers/horse boxes on site. Droppings must be cleared from all areas.

·        Well behaved dogs are welcome and must be kept on leads. Noisy dogs will be asked to be kept well away from horses.

·        Horses must not be left unattended tied to the outside of vehicles.

·        Objections must be handed to an official in writing within 15 minutes of the end of a class with a £20 deposit. No refund of entry fees unless accompanied by a doctors or vets note.

·        Results will be posted on MyRidingLife and updated in real time. An email with a link to this page will be sent to the email address connected to the billing contact details for each entry. Results will be posted on the website within two weeks of each competition. Please do not request them prior to this.

·        Abusive behaviour towards any of the officials, staff, volunteers, members, judge, other competitors, official photographer, spectators or animals will not be tolerated and the offender will be asked to withdraw with no refund. Any person deemed to be behaving inappropriately will be asked to leave the premises without refund.

·        Directions of any steward or representative of The Avon Centre must be followed, failure to do so may result in elimination and/or being asked to leave a class/the venue site. No refund of entry fees will be made.

The organisers reserve the right to cancel classes, limit entries or amend rules at their discretion.

There may be photography or filming going on at our competitions. It is your responsibility to let us know if you do not want to be photographed or filmed whilst at our event.

The Avon Centre staff, volunteers, landowners or anyone acting on their behalf will not be held responsible for any loss/accident to persons, animals or property.

Limit of Legal Liability

Competitors enter and compete at their own risk and save for death or personal injury caused by the negligence of the Avon Centre, its owners, servants or agents they agree not to claim for injury, loss or damage caused to or suffered by any person, horse or pony or any other property including vehicles in connection with or arising from any activity at The Avon Centre whether or not the said injury, loss or damage is caused by the negligence of the owners or any other person or thing on The Avon Centre land.

DISCLAIMER – ANY INDIVIDUAL USING THE FACILITES WITHIN THESE PREMISSES DOES SO AT THEIR OWN RISK.