TERMS OF ENTRY
Entry to and attendance at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships is subject to the General Rules and Regulations of the Show (as set out in the Official Schedule) and British Dressage Rules (as set out in the British Dressage Rule Book or available on the British Dressage website). By entering the Show you confirm that you have read, understood, accept and agree to comply with the Rules and Regulations of the Show and the Rules of British Dressage. In particular you acknowledge that the Organiser shall not under any circumstances be responsible for any loss, injury, illness or damage to (whether or not foreseeable and howsoever caused), or any theft from, any Competitor, any horse or other animal, any vehicle, or any other property whatsoever in the Show Ground, providing that nothing shall exclude or limit the Organiser’s liability for the death of or personal injury to any person caused by its negligence or that of its employees or agents.
GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
Please read the General Rules and Regulations carefully as they contain information regarding stabling, passes and other important information.They can be found in the full schedule which is available to download via www.bdnationals.com
By entering, attending, or being in any way involved in any aspect of the Show, you indicate that you accept and agree to comply with these General Rules and Regulations.
GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
Please read these General Rules and Regulations carefully. By entering, attending, or being in any way involved in any aspect of the Show, you indicate that you accept and agree to comply with these General Rules and Regulations.
1) DEFINITIONS – In these General Rules and Regulations the term “Competitor” refers to every Entrant and Associated Person. The term “Entrant” refers to all exhibitors and competitors entering the Show. The term “Associated Person” refers to all owners, riders, handlers, drivers, grooms, and parents / guardians of competitors under the age of 16, associates and / or supporters of Entrants. The term “Show” refers to the event known as the LeMieux National Dressage Championships held at Somerford Park, Cheshire CW12 4SW (the “Show Ground”). The term “Organiser” refers to British Dressage Ltd, Show Direct Ltd and all its employees, officers, representatives, volunteers and show officials. The term “Show Secretary” refers to Sara Green or such other person as may be appointed to perform such role.
2) PRACTICE JUDGING – No.
3) BRIDLE NUMBERS – Must be worn in accordance with British Dressage Rule 113.
4) REPRESENTED PAYMENT – Any payment that has to be represented to the bank for whatever reason will be subject to a £20 administration fee each time it is represented.
5) WITHDRAWALS – to be made to the Secretary on 07790 309424 with confirmation in writing via entries@showdirect.co.uk.
6) REFUNDS OF FEES – A refund of 50% of the entry fee, stable fee and / or hook-up fee will be made on written cancellation by the Competitor prior to 18 August 2025, after which the entry, stable and / or hook-up fee is non–refundable. No refund for whatever reason will be applicable after this date in accordance with British Dressage rule 66..
7) MUSIC – All music must be provided as an mp3 file by emailing it to music@showdirect.co.uk to arrive by two days before the specific class at the latest. The file name must be in the format “horse name, rider name, level” for unambiguous identification of the music. The Organiser cannot be held responsible for the quality of the recording or any mishap that may occur with the music.
8) TIMETABLE – The Organiser reserves the right to cancel, add to, alter the arena in which any competition is scheduled to take place, or amend any competition times or alter the published timetable for the Show as they deem appropriate.
9) ARENA WALK EXERCISE – All arena walk exercise times are subject to amendment, times will be posted at the Show Secretary’s Office and in the Stable Manager’s Office. Competitors may only participate in arena walk exercise on the day that the horse is competing. Only horses competing on Thursday may use the Wednesday walk exercise times for arena familiarisation. All horses must have a mounted rider and with the exception of the Para dressage competitors, no horses may be led, whether with or without a mounted rider.
10) COMPETITION WARM-UP ARENAS – Designated warm-up arenas for each competition arena will be available for exercise from 3.00pm on Wednesday 10 September until 7.00pm, after which they are available from 6.50am each morning until 10 minutes after the completion of competition in the arena for which that is the warm-up arena. From Thursday onwards, only competitors within approximately 50 minutes of competing will be allowed to use the relevant warm up arenas during competition hours.
11) GENERAL EXERCISE ARENA – A designated General Exercise Arena will be available for use by Competitors. The number of Competitors in the General Exercise Arena at any one time will be limited and Competitors must book a 30-minute time slot in advance with the Steward on duty at the General Exercise Arena or via the Steward at the LeMieux Warm Up Arena. The General Exercise arena will be open from 4.00pm – 7.00pm on Wednesday 10 September, from 7.00am – 6.00pm on 11 September – 13 September and 7.00am – 12.00pm on Sunday 14 September.
12) PRIZE GIVING – All mounted Prize Givings take place in the LeMieux Arena. Prize giving times are subject to amendment and Competitors should present themselves to the arena steward at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled prize giving time. Unless otherwise specified within the class details shown above, the top 3 Competitors will be required for each prize giving and Competitors must be mounted for all prize giving ceremonies. Competitors may have a handler to lead the horse in the prize giving if required, but the handler must be suitably dressed.
The timetable for unmounted prize givings 4th-10th place in each class, will be available each day at the Secretary’s Office.
The organiser reserves the right to withhold prizes if competitors do not attend or are late for the official prize giving.
13) PRIZES AND PRIZE MONEY – Prize money will be paid to the rider by BACS transfer after the show via an online system. Riders must collect a prize money claim form from the Secretary in order to register their bank details for payment. All prize money claims must be made by 30 September 2025. Any additional prizes awarded and commemorative plaques must be collected from the Show Secretary prior to departure from the Show Ground. Additional prizes will not be forwarded after the Show.
14) SCORE SHEETS – all score sheets will be electronic and emailed to the person who made the entry for each horse/rider combination.
15) LOCATION – Entrance to Somerford Park is on the A54 and is just ten minutes off Junction 18 of the M6. If travelling from the south, it is best to travel past Junction 17 and come off at Junction 18 to avoid small roads. The postcode for the Show Ground is CW12 4SW.
16) SHOW GROUND ACCESS – Horses may arrive on the Show Ground from 1.00pm on Wednesday 10 September (NO early access). Access to the Show Ground will be from 6.00am – 11.00pm on Show days. Outside these times the entrance will be opened for emergency access only. All competitors must have the correct passes to access the showground.
Horses requiring stabling must arrive on the Show Ground before 6.30pm. Should any competitor be delayed, they must contact the Stable Manager on 07487 423 564. The Stable Managers Office will open at 7.00am and close at 7.00pm each day.
17) STABLING – There will be Permanent and Temporary Barn Stables available on the Show Ground. All Stables must be booked on-line. If you wish to increase the number of nights a horse is stabled once the initial stable booking is made, please contact the Show Secretary on 07790 309424 to amend your booking.
All horses will be balloted between permanent and temporary stables, and it will be subject to the nights that stables are required rather than the date that booking is received. Competitors should not request permanent stabling as it will not alter the allocation of stables. Competitors applying for stabling for a horse not actually entered at the Show will be allocated temporary stabling for the companion and the horse entered at the Show.
Horses may not arrive before 1.00pm on 10 September and all horses must depart on Sunday 14 September.
STABLE PRICES | 1 Night | 2 Nights | 3 Nights | 4 Nights |
All Stables are 3m x 3m | £80 | £125 | £170 | £215 |
The sex of the horse MUST be indicated when booking the stable. Stallions will be stabled separately.
It is understood by competitors that horseboxes / trailers may be parked some distance from the stables and it is understood that it may not be possible to park competitors who have more than one horsebox / trailer at the Championship in the same location.
Stable hire is from 4.00pm on day of arrival – 3.00pm on the day of departure (access from 1.00pm on Wednesday 10 September).
A sachet of Virkon disinfectant sufficient to produce 5 litres of disinfecting solution will be available for each stable booking. Riders are responsible for providing their own buckets/spray equipment and disinfecting their allocated stable if they so wish.
Occupants are advised that stables must be vacated on time so that incoming horses may be stabled. Lighting is not provided within the temporary stables. Any damage caused to stables will be charged to the hirer.
All Competitors will pay a £20 per stable cash deposit upon arrival at the Stable Managers Office prior to being allocated stables. This deposit is fully refundable by visiting the Stable Managers Office prior to departure and upon confirmation by the Stable Manager that the Competitors stable has been skipped out, wet bedding removed and left clean and tidy. If, in the opinion of the Stable Manager, the stable is not left as requested the deposit will not be refunded. If a deposit is not collected before departure, no refund will be made.
Should space be available late stabling requests may be accepted after Monday 18 August, however, they will be subject to an additional fee of £5 per stable per night. please contact the Show Secretary on 07790 309424 to amend your booking.
18) HORSES STABLED ON VEHICLES – Horses may not be stabled in horseboxes / trailers. A Competitor deemed by the Organiser to be stabling their horse / pony in such a way will be asked to leave the Show Ground.
19) UNAUTHORISED USE OF STABLES – Any Competitor who enters or makes use of any stable that has not been officially reserved or allocated for their use will be liable for a fine of £180 per stable.
20) STABLE BEDDING – Although bedding may be in the stable allocated to the Competitor from previous occupants, no bedding is provided with the hire of the stable. Natural Flake Shavings may be purchased from the Stable Mangers Office at £10.00 per bale between 8.00am and 7.00pm. Straw is not permitted in stables.
21) HORSE FODDER – No horse fodder is available for purchase from the Stable Managers Office.
22) STORAGE OF BEDDING & FODDER – No hay, fodder or any flammable materials may be stored by the Competitor next to or underneath their horsebox and should be stored within their vehicles. Should the Competitor fail to comply with this requirement they may be asked to leave the Show Ground.
23) LITTER & HORSE WASTE - All litter and horse waste must be deposited in the correct rubbish bins and / or disposal locations. Anyone found leaving waste in the horsebox parking areas or any other incorrect location in the Show Ground is liable to a fine of £100 and may be asked to leave the Show Ground.
24) VACCINATION RECORD – All horses and ponies at the Show must have a current and valid record of vaccination against Equine Influenza that fully complies with British Dressage Rule 10. All vaccination certificates will be checked at the Stable Managers Office when horses and ponies arrive at the Show. All horses and ponies must have been vaccinated within the past 12 months before arriving at the Show and horses and ponies that have been recently vaccinated must have 6 clear days after the vaccination before arrival. Horses and ponies without a valid vaccination certificate on arrival will not be allowed to remain at the Show.
25) HORSEBOX ELECTRICAL HOOK UP – A limited number of 6amp electrical hook ups are available for horseboxes at a cost of £132 (inc. VAT) per hook up for the period that the Competitor is staying in the Show Ground. Competitors must have a 16amp (blue socket) extension cable to connect to the socket supplied by the Organiser. It is the responsibility of the Competitor to ensure that all their cables and electrical equipment comply with current electrical regulations. Competitors must ensure that all electrical items in their horseboxes have a current PAT Certificate. Whilst the Organiser endeavour to supply the hook up booked the Organiser does not guarantee a constant supply throughout the Show, nor do we accept any responsibility for losses and / or discomfort occurring as a result of a break in the supply provided. Electrical connection must be booked online by 18 August 2025 and is on a strictly first come basis.
26) GENERATORS – Competitors may have generators in the horsebox parking areas providing they are moderately sized and do not reach a noise or emission level whereby, in the opinion of the Organiser, they become a nuisance. The Competitor is responsible to ensure that any generator complies with all health and safety regulations and users must adhere to the re-fuelling procedure set out in the Organiser’s document: - P 04 ‘Refuelling vehicles and Equipment’ which is available on-site from the Stable Managers Office or in advance by request to the Organiser. All generators must be turned off between the hours of 11.00pm and 8.00am.
27) LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) – Bottled gas may be used in conjunction with fitted living accommodation within horseboxes sited in the lorry park; however, it is the responsibility of the Competitor to ensure that all gas bottles are fitted correctly and that all appliances are fitted to the gas bottle through approved pipework.
28) FIRE EXTINGUISHERS – All vehicles must be equipped with an appropriate fire extinguisher to conform to Local Authority Regulations.
29) VEHICLES – The Organiser reserves the right to remove any vehicle which is obstructing any access (even if locked and unattended) and the Organiser will not be liable for any injury, loss or damage occasioned by such removal.
30) VEHICLES REQUIRING TOWING – Should any vehicle become stuck on soft ground while in the Show Ground the Competitor must contact an official immediately who will arrange for the vehicle to be towed onto hard standing. The Organiser reserves the right to charge the Competitor if, in the opinion of the Organiser, excess damage is done to the ground by the Competitor prior to requesting the towing service or by not waiting for the towing service to arrive. The Organiser will not be liable for any injury, loss or damage howsoever caused while the Organisers agents are in the process of towing any vehicle.
31) CAR ACCESS TO THE SHOWGROUND – Cars without passes must be parked in the public car park and will not be permitted entry at the Horsebox Entrance. Cars with Competitor Car / Lorry Passes must be parked in the designated car park and will not be permitted in the stable area or horsebox parking area.
32) MOTORBIKES, SCOOTERS, BICYCLES AND QUAD BIKES – Except for authorised official vehicles used by the Organiser, motorbikes, scooters, bicycles or quad bikes are not permitted at the Show. Disability vehicles are permitted.
33) SMOKING – Is not permitted within any building or marquee on the Show Ground or within the stable area.
34) BARBEQUES – No barbeques are permitted in the Show Ground.
35) DOGS – Are permitted in the Show Ground but must be kept on a lead and under control at all times. If in the opinion of the Organiser, any person fails to control their dog/s they may be asked to leave the Show Ground.
36) PUBLIC TOILETS – Public toilets will be open in the Show Ground 24 hours a day.
37) PUBLIC SHOWERS – Limited public showers are available in the Show Ground.
38) OBJECTIONS – Any objections should be made in writing in accordance to British Dressage Rule 134.
39) OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS – It is understood and agreed by Competitors that any photographs (and / or film footage) taken at the Show by an official photographer may be used by the Organiser for security and / or promotional purposes without payment.
40) FARRIER – There is no Farrier on call. A list of local farriers is available at the Secretary’s and Stable Manager’s Offices.
41) COMPETITOR CATERING – A mobile catering outlet will be open from 1.00pm – 6.00pm on Wednesday 10 September.
A Catering Marquee will be open from 6.00pm – 9.00pm on Wednesday 10 September till Saturday 13 September serving evening meals.
42) ACCOMMODATION – For accommodation in the local area visit www.bdnationals.com
43) COMPETITOR CARAVANS & CAMPING – There is no charge to competitors competing at the Championships who, rather than use live-in horseboxes wish to bring a caravan or camp on the Show Ground. Competitors should indicate their intention to bring a caravan or tent in the notes section when booking stabling and should contact the Stable Manager upon arrival. Electric is not available for tents. Caravans or tents may not be located next to the competitor’s horsebox or horse trailer.
44) RADIO NATIONALS – Radio Nationals will be broadcasting on all show days during the Championships.
45) CASH POINT – There is no cash point on the show ground.
46) COMPETITOR GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS – Free admission passes are provided to the Competitor as follows: -
1 x 4 day general admission competitor wristlet per rider entered to compete. |
Plus 1 x 4 day general admission competitor wristlet for additional personnel for each horse entered to compete. |
2 x 4 day general admission competitor wristlets will be provided for each non – riding owner (British Dressage members only and the registration numbers must be provided online). |
2 x Competitor Lorry / Car Passes will be sent to the competitor with 2 horses or fewer entered in competition. 3 x Competitor Lorry / Car Passes will be sent to the competitor with 3 horses entered in competition. 4 x Competitor Lorry / Car Passes will be sent to the competitor with 4 horses or more entered in competition. Car passes do not gain access to the show ground without the occupants having wristlets. Cars may not be parked in the horsebox park. |
All requirements must be clearly stated on the notes section online. All passes will be sent to the billing contact of your online account. Any replacement wristlets will be charged at the standard rates. Any other tickets may be purchased as detailed below.
47) PURCHASING ADMISSION TICKETS – Information and the link to purchase additional tickets is available on www.bdnationals.com.
48) TICKET REFUNDS – Refund information is available in the Show Ground Admission Terms & Conditions, which may be viewed at www.bdnationals.com.
49) LOST PROPERTY – All lost property during the show will be located at the Secretary’s Office. Any inquiries regarding lost property following the conclusion of the Show should be made to Wendy at wendy@showdirect.co.uk.
50) RESPONSIBILITY – The Organiser shall not under any circumstances be responsible for any loss, injury, illness or damage to (whether or not foreseeable and howsoever caused), or any theft from, any Competitor, any horse or other animal, any vehicle, or any other property whatsoever in the Show Ground, provided that nothing shall exclude or limit the Organiser’s liability for the death of or personal injury to any person caused by its negligence or that of its employees or agents.
Any items brought into the Show Ground or left in vehicles or tack lockers (whether locked or not) are at the Competitor’s own risk. Competitors shall take such steps as are necessary to secure their property whilst in the Show Ground.
Competitors are responsible for ensuring that their horses are in good health and each Competitor shall take all necessary steps to prevent the contracting or spread of any disease or illness at the Show.
Competitors will be responsible for reimbursing the Organiser for all liabilities, costs, expenses, damages and losses (including but not limited to any direct, indirect or resulting losses, loss of profit, loss of reputation and all interest, penalties and legal costs and all other reasonable professional costs and expenses) suffered or incurred by the Organiser arising out of or in connection with any breach of these Rules and Regulations by the Competitor or anyone under the control of the Competitor.
All Children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a responsible adult and may not be left at the Show unaccompanied.
Each Entrant will be considered responsible in all respects for the acts and/or failures to act of their Associated Persons. The Entrant shall be responsible for the consequences of any infringement by its Associated Persons of these Rules and Regulations.
Competitors are personally responsible for ensuring that they take all necessary measures with regards to health and safety.
Upon any entry to a competition at the Show each Competitor acknowledges that he/she is taking part in a risk sport and represents that he/she is a competent rider at the level of competition in which he/she has entered.
Competitors who suffer a fall or any other injury whilst on in the Show Ground must report the fall / injury to the Show Secretary.
Competitors shall comply with any reasonable instructions given to them by the Organiser or Somerford Park.
51) INSURANCE – Competitors are personally responsible for damage to: any buildings, land, equipment, or other property in the Show Ground; or to any third persons caused by the Competitor, their employees, their agents, or their horses / ponies. It is strongly advised that Competitors have in force third-party insurance providing full coverage for participation in and attendance at the Show.
52) ADDITIONAL FEES – The Organiser reserves the right to charge an additional fee to Competitors should extraordinary circumstances arise which require procedures to be implemented that would not normally be anticipated or expected but were considered by the Organiser to be in the best interests for the wellbeing of either Competitors, horses and animals, general public and / or the successful running of the Championships. Any additional fee will be agreed with the consent of the governing body.
53) REMOVAL FROM THE SHOW – If any Competitor or animal is considered by the Organiser to be behaving in a manner that is disruptive to other persons or animals present at the Show, the Organiser retains at its absolute discretion the right to exclude or remove said Competitor or animal from the Show and also refuse admission or decline entry to future Shows. Where such measures are applied to an Entrant, the Organiser will consult with the Chief Executive of British Dressage. The Organiser will not be liable to the Competitor for any compensation in relation to either exclusion or removal from the Show or declining an entry to the Show.
54) OTHER TERMS – If any court declares that any provision of these Rules and Regulations is invalid, unlawful or unenforceable to any extent, the provision will, to that extent, be severed from the remaining provisions, which will continue to be valid to the fullest extent permitted by law.
These Rules and Regulations are governed by English law. The Organiser and Competitor both agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts