The BYRDS (British Young Rider Dressage Scheme) Under 25 Championships is a very popular and successful competition which has been hosted for the last 16 years by Sheepgate Equestrian Centre, Boston, Lincolnshire. Held every August this prestigious event runs National Championship classes at Prelim, Novice, Elementary, Medium and Advanced Medium, as well as the FEI Team tests at Pony, Junior and Young Rider levels. The UK currently has some exceptionally talented young rider, horse/pony combinations, which was reflected in over 370 combinations from across the UK riding in excess of 1250 tests over 6 days!

Equetech is a big advocate of encouraging young riders, so this year, Equetech sponsored the Preliminary Championships which saw 30 of our young, talented riders competing for that much sought after Championship title. With the class commencing at 15.32 and finishing at 19.09, it was a long afternoon for the three judges, Miss L Pearce, Mr S Hambidge and Mrs M Richardson whom awarded a range of scores from 63.39% to 70.48%. The Championship winner was 14 year old Lily Crisp riding Mr McGonagall on 70.48% who won an Equetech gift voucher to the sum of £100. In second place was 10 year old Lainey O'Neill and Glyncoch Red Rascal, 70.30% and in third place was 17 year old Olivia Walker riding QEG Lux, 69.35%. Equetech is pleased to be sponsoring the Preliminary Championship class again in 2018.

Well done to all who qualified, rode and obtained success at this important and prestigious event.