ROR North East Regional Championships

RoR Northern Regional Dressage Championships 2025

Date: 18th May

Venue: Highfield Equestrian Centre, Sunderland

Closing date: 15th May

Organiser/Secretary contact:

Eligibility: 

For all RoR Competition Registered horses that have qualified.

Riders must be aged 15 years and over at 1st January 2025

Each RoR Regional Championship event is a

RoR Northern Regional Dressage Championships 2025

Date: 18th May

Venue: Highfield Equestrian Centre, Sunderland

Closing date: 15th May

Organiser/Secretary contact:

Eligibility: 

For all RoR Competition Registered horses that have qualified.

Riders must be aged 15 years and over at 1st January 2025

Each RoR Regional Championship event is a qualifier for the RoRNational Dressage Championships 2025 which will be held at the Jockey Club RoR National Championships at Aintree in August 2025. The Championship classes will run and judged under BD rules, they will however, also be affiliated to RoR only and no BD grading points will be awarded.

RoR Regional Dressage Horse INTRO Championship 

RoR Regional Dressage Horse PRELIM Championship

RoR Regional Dressage Horse NOVICE Championship

RoR Regional Dressage Horse ELEMENTARY Championship

RoR Regional Dressage Horse MEDIUM Championship

All championship levels up to and including Medium to have two sections - Restricted and Open 

Regional Championship – Qualification criteria
Standard BD tests

Min % required x 2 per level to qualify
 
 
Restricted
 
Open
Intro
63%
Combinations not to have competed at Prelim level or above nor won any RoR Regional, RoR Winter or National Championship at this level
65%
Combinations not to have competed at Novice or above
Prelim
63%
Combinations not to have competed at Novice level or above nor won any RoR Regional, RoR Winter or National Championship at this level
65%
Open to all
Novice
62%
Combinations not to have competed at Elementary level or above nor won any RoR Regional, RoR Winter or National Championship at this level
64%
Open to all
Elementary
60%
Combinations not to have competed at Medium level or above nor won any RoR Regional, RoR Winter or National Championship at this level
62%
Open to all
Medium
60%
Combinations not to have competed at Advanced Medium level or above nor won any RoR Regional, RoR Winter or National Championship at this level
62%
Open to all
 

To qualify for RoR Regional Dressage Horse Championship classes, riders must submit two score sheets for the level at the required minimum percentage or above from affiliated competitions, unaffiliated competitions or both. Score sheets must include the registered racing name of the horse, have full details re date and venue and must be signed by the Judge. The qualification is for horse/rider, no substitutes (horse or rider) allowed. Horse/rider combinations are allowed to compete in two classes at adjacent levels so long as they have submitted the relevant qualifying score sheets.

Horses qualified with two riders are not allowed to be entered more than once in the same Championship class. Combinations can take part in any regional championship but must submit the relevant score sheets for each. To submit your qualifying scores, you can either:

Email with supporting proof by way of screenshot of event scoreboard, BD record etc. to aparkinson@ror.org.uk

All qualifying score sheets must have been received and approved before entering any RoR Regional Dressage Horse Championship class. Series Overview: https://www.ror.org.uk/series/522

Prize Structure:

Championship Classes: rosettes to 6th place and a finalist rosette to each competitor. Prizes in kind may also be available. Competitors, in accordance with BD rules, must attend prize givings, mounted or unmounted at the organiser’s discretion, or ensure that they are represented, when requested by the organiser. Failure to attend (unless agreed with the organiser) may result in the forfeit of rosettes or other awards. Correct competition dress should be worn for prize givings, whether mounted or not.

Prize Vouchers for official RoR Merchandise will be awarded in Championship classes only

1 – 5 starters
1st Prize - £30 voucher
6 – 11 starters
2nd Prize - £20 voucher
12+ starters
3rd Prize - £10 voucher
 

Sponsorship Opportunities

Example Package
Premium
Standard
Full naming rights
Y
Y
Branding on relevant RoR pages
Y
Y
Opportunity to provide branded prizes
Y
Y
Social Media mentions
Y
Y
One MPU placement in RoR Enews
Y
 
Sponsored content opportunity on RoR sites and social media
Y
 
Event presence, may include trade stand, banners, goody bags, PA announcements
Y
Y
Branded sashes
Y
 
Inclusion in PR news
Y
Y
Want to know more? Please get in touch with Becci Thompson, Marketing and Fundraising Executive to discuss ideas, options and how you can gain exposure for your brand at this special event by email at bthompson@ror.org.uk
 

RoR Rules for Dressage

Competitions, Eligibility and taking part

1) RoR Dressage incentives are open to Competition Registered horses that have raced, (including raced overseas and P2P) and unraced horses that have been in training with a licenced trainer.
2) All horses must be fully registered with RoR and hold current Competition Membership
3) All riders must be aged 15 years or over at 1st January of current year
4) All horses must be at least four years of age on 1st January of current year.
5) All horses must compete under their Weatherbys, or recognised racing authority, registered name.
6) By entering any RoR event, including externally organised, members agree to be bound by these and the general Rules of RoR, found here: https://www.ror.org.uk/rules and the T&Cs in place at any venue hosting RoRclasses.
7) Each competitor is responsible for ensuring that they are conversant with, and agree to adhere to, these rules.
8) For the overview and competition criteria for all RoR Dressage incentives, go to: https://www.ror.org.uk/series/dressage
9) All competitions hosted by, or on behalf of, RoR will run under BD rules and are affiliated to RoR only. 
10) No BD grading points will be awarded. 
11) Qualification scores for the Winter Championships and Regional Championships can be gained at affiliated and unaffiliated events unless otherwise stated and all tests must be BD standard tests that are currently in use. 
See BD Rule Book (available online) for more info.

12) Results from Pony Club tests, BE tests, Online Dressage tests and Freestyle to Music tests will not be accepted towards qualification. Scores from Combined Training competitions are acceptable so long as the dressage test is current BD standard. 
13) Horse/rider combinations can enter up to two Championship classes on a single day at RoR Regional Dressage Championship events, provided they are eligible and have qualified and the levels are consecutive.
14) Qualification status is for horse/rider combination only and no substitutions are allowed.
15) RoR Regionals Championships – two scores are required per level as per the competition overview.
16) RoR National Dressage Championship qualification is via the RoRRegional Dressage Championships only.
17) For horses competing at Advanced Medium and above, check out the opportunity to compete in The RoR Dressage Horse Special, how to qualify: https://www.ror.org.uk/series/518
18) Entries for each event will be via a specific link and will be online only.
19) No postal or telephone entries will be accepted.
 

Qualifying criteria

1) Riders must submit their qualifying sheets and have received confirmation of qualification before entering any RoR Championship class.
2) Scores gained from previous RoR events, including Championships, may be used, if applicable and so long as the results were gained with the relevant qualifying period for the intended competition.
3) Qualifying submissions must be made by email only and must include:
i) The correct number of qualifying score sheets or a screenshot of the combination’s (horse/rider) BD record showing the relevant results,
ii) The date, venue, horse and rider names, Judge’s name and signature, level of test and the percentage scored must be clearly visible on all sheets submitted for verification.
iii) The horse’s current Competition Membership number
iv) The correct title of the RoR event that the qualification is being submitted for.
4) Riders must submit a new set of qualifying sheets if wishing to compete in another RoR Championship Dressage event, in other words the same set of qualifying sheets can only be submitted once.
5) Submissions and queries via personal messaging platforms will not be accepted.
6) In the event of entry numbers exceeding the allocated space available for any Championship class, then priority will be given to the highest scores gained at qualification in descending order. An average will be taken from the two scores submitted by each competitor and a league table formed to support the administration when a class is oversubscribed.
7) Any person entering a RoR Dressage Championship class without prior approval from RoR, will forfeit their entry fees and will not be permitted to start in the class.
 

Refunds and Withdrawals

Refunds and Withdrawals before and after the entry closing date: for the Winter Festival of Dressage see Event Organisers’ T&Cs. 

Competition Rules

1) No commanding and no whips allowed in any RoR Championship Dressage test.
2) Dispensation – must be lodged in advance with the organiser and the only acceptable form is a BD issued dispensation note
3) Fall of horse and/or rider = elimination.
4) If a rider has a fall from their horse, they must be seen by one of the designated medical staff. 
5) If, in the event of a Championship class exceeding 4 hrs in duration, it is understood that members may wish to leave before the end of the class. Members may leave early under the following circumstances:
i) An emergency
ii) That their score is out of the top 10 placings as they currently stand
iii) That they accept that there can be no objection to any results/scoring once the sheet or sheets have been taken
iv) That they have notified the organiser of their intention to leave early
v) That adequate monies have been provided to cover any postage costs
6) The Judges’ decision is final. 
7) Abuse, whether verbal or online, of stewards, officials, volunteers, trainers/coachs and fellow competitors will not be tolerated. Any person disobeying these rules will result in elimination and possible exclusion from future RoR events.  
8) The Judge may disqualify any rider at any stage in the competition for dangerous riding, inappropriate behaviour or language, abuse of officials, misuse of whip or spurs or ill treatment of the horse (see Equine Welfare below)
 

Awards and allocation

Prize Vouchers, if applicable, will be allocated thus, unless otherwise stated:
1 – 5 starters
1st Prize
6 – 11 starters
2nd Prize
12+ starters
3rd Prize
 

1) Prize Structure (unless otherwise stated): rosettes to 6th place and a finalist rosette to each competitor in each Championship class, plus a Sash to each section winner.   Prizes in kind may also be given.  Prize money is overall and not by section.
2) Prize Money: if applicable, will be allocated as above and will be paid by RoRvia BACS after the event. 
3) Winners and placed combinations will be presented with and will be required to fill in a prize money claim form. 
4) Competitors, in accordance with BD rules, must attend prize-givings, mounted or unmounted at the organiser’s discretion, or ensure that they are represented, when requested by the organiser. Failure to attend (unless agreed with the organiser) will result in the forfeit of prize money, rosettes or other awards. Correct competition dress should be worn for the prize giving whether mounted or not. 
5) Competitors wishing to leave before the conclusion of the class must inform the secretary or RoR representative on duty and must leave the sum of £2.50 and clear postage instructions in order to receive their score sheet. 
6) RoR will not be liable for any postage costs due to insufficient monies left by the competitor. 
7) The RoR Social Media policy can be found here:
https://d301l49b0xhsa2.cloudfront.net/documents/RoR-SOCIAL-MEDIA-POLICY.pdf

8) The Championship Event organisers and RoR reserves the right, at any time, to make any changes/amendments to the competition, rules and prize structure
Objections/Disqualification

1) Objections must be made by email within 24hrs of the publishing of results for any RoR class and sent for the attention of the RoR Managing Director to info@ror.org.uk
2) Objectors will be notified of any official findings following the scrutiny of any objection.
3) Members may be disqualified at any stage of the competition period if found to be in breach of any rules in place.
4) The competition period for each Series will be taken as the start date for submission of results, right through to six months after the actual competition.
5) Any breach of the rules in place may result in disqualification at the discretion of RoR.
6) Any person that has been disqualified from a RoR competition must return all awards to RoR immediately, namely - rosettes, branded prizes inc rugs, sashes and prize money.
7) Any member entering a class for which they are not eligible according to the overview and schedule for that series will be disqualified and will forfeit the entry fee. 
8) It is entirely the member’s responsibility to check and ensure eligibility for each class before entering any event.
 

Competition Dress and Tack

1) Competitor dress, saddlery and tack: please refer to the current BD handbook, also available online at: 
https://www.britishdressage.co.uk/competitions/competition-rules/

2) Any person riding a horse at any time during the event, whether competing or not, must wear a current standard hard hat with the chin strap correctly fastened, at all times.
3) Two bridle numbers to be worn during working in and whilst competing and must be clearly visible. Can be attached to the bridle or the saddle cloth. Note – bridle numbers are not supplied by RoR or the Event Organiser.
4) No draw reins or martingales allowed.
5) Breastplates are allowed.
6) Intro, Prelim and Novice classes – snaffle bridles only, Elementary and above – a double bridle may be used. See BD Rule Book for permissible bits.
7) Ear covers are permitted in RoR Dressage classes, and must not cover the eyes, should not be fastened to the noseband and should be of a discreet colour. Ear Plugs – are allowed in Mounted Presentations only and are not allowed in competition. Failure to observe this rule will result in elimination.
8) Face Masks are permitted, should be a discreet colour and cover the nose and face only, the mouth and bit must be easily visible.
9) Freestyle To Music classes, general rules applicable – please refer to the current BD handbook.
10) Rider Dress – see BD Members Guide (available online) pages 123 – 131. Body protectors may be worn at any level. Spurs may be worn at all levels. Headsets/earphones are not permitted in RoR Dressage tests unless formal BD dispensation has been granted and approved before the start of the competition.
11) Hot weather – at the Judges’ discretion only, riders may compete without their jackets.
 

Equine Welfare

1) Horse welfare, please refer to the RoR Rule Book, BD Rule Book or email info@ror.org.uk
2) There is a restriction to the number of dressage classes that any horse may be entered in, on a single day. Horses competing at Novice level or below: 4 classes including warm-up tests, Elementary and Medium – 3 classes including warm-up tests, Advanced Medium and above – 2 classes including warm-up. One extra entry in a FSM class may be permitted upon request.
3) Shoeing – there are no specific rules for horses being shod/barefoot in RoRdressage classes.
4) REMINDER to everyone that the trimming of sensory whiskers and horses’ ears is banned. See BD Rule Book pages 14 – 19.
5) Judges may disqualify any rider at any stage in the competition for misuse of whip or spurs, ill treatment of the horse or if in their opinion the horse is unsound, sick or unfit to compete. 
6) Hot weather – riders must prioritise horse welfare and make sure that horses have opportunities to drink water and that the horse is warmed up and cooled down adequately.
7) Routine testing for prohibited substances may take place at any RoRChampionship event without prior notification. For a list of prohibited substances: https://inside.fei.org/fei/cleansport/ad-h/prohibited-db
 

General Provisions and Event T&Cs 

1) There may be a mandatory charge for First Aid cover at each Championship event.
2) Stabling on-site for events
i) RoR is not responsible for on-site stabling at events.
ii) Members book stabling at their own risk
iii) All bookings must be done via the organiser or venue for each event as per the schedule.
iv) It is the member’s responsibility to organise and pay for their own stabling.
v) Refunds – please refer to the booking conditions for the individual event.
vi) Any issues arising from stabling are between the ‘hirer’ and the ‘owner’ and not RoR
3) Please refer to each individual venues T&Cs re any of the below
i) No horses may be left unattended outside lorries/trailers.
ii) Lungeing horses at the event
iii) No hay nets may be tied to the outside of lorries/trailers.
iv) All droppings must be removed from the parking areas immediately.
v) Respect to be shown for each venues’ property
4) All dogs, if allowed, must be kept on leads and any mess must be cleared up and disposed of appropriately.
5) Photography & Videos – RoR’s Image Capture Policy
i) Please be aware that at the majority of RoR competitions, educational events, parades, annual awards and other promotional activities, RoR employ an official photographer or appoint a member of the RoR team to capture images, photos and/or videos.
ii) For more information on how RoR uses the images and your rights in respect of data use and privacy, please click here for the full policy https://d301l49b0xhsa2.cloudfront.net/documents/RoR-Image-Capture-Policy.pdf
iii) If you do not consent to you or your connections being photographed, please speak to the photographer in the first instance or a member of the RoRteam on-site. You can also call the RoR Office on 01488 648998 or email info@ror.org.uk
Governance

1) Safeguarding and Duty of Care: https://www.ror.org.uk/about-us/ror-governance
2) RoR Complaints Procedure
https://d301l49b0xhsa2.cloudfront.net/documents/RoR-Complaints-Policy-Website-Version-2023.pdf

Registered Charity No: 1084787 | OSCR Number: SC043339 | Registered Company No: 4089376

The Company is registered in England and Wales & The Company is limited by guarantee

Website: www.ror.org.uk

1
 

IMPORTANT - NO REFUNDS UNLESS A VETERINARY NOTE OR DOCTORS NOTE PROVIDED BEFORE TIMES ARE ISSUED . 

******PLEASE NOTE STRICTLY NO REFUNDS IN ANY EVENTUALITY AFTER TIMES ARE ISSUED AS WE PAY ROR FOR ALL ENTRIES ON TIMES . PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR A REFUND OR ARGUE THIS POINT - BY ENTERING YOU ARE AGREEING TO THESE TERMS *****