FOUR local amateur dressage riders, competing at Preliminary through to Prix St Georges have qualified for next year’s prestigious Petplan Equine Area Festivals Championships.

The following horse and rider combinations won their respective classes at Cel Aeron Equestrian Centre recently with each gaining scores high enough to earn them the chance to compete in the Championships at Hartpury Arena in Gloucestershire next April.

In the Novice Open, Newcastle Emlyn based, Nicola Howell will ride Nibelet Unison Hit, and Summerhill Cyclone in the Elementary Open. Llandysul based Sue Thomas will ride Llangybi Billy Boy in the Advanced Medium Restricted class with Llangoedmor based Andree Thomas riding Miniature Hero in the Advanced Medium Open. Kelly Webb of Aberaeron will ride Lauder in the Prix St Georges.

The Petplan Equine Area Festivals, or ‘The Petplans’ as they are known among competitors and fans of dressage, is a series of 18 dressage competitions that runs from August to November 2013. Held at top competition venues across the UK these events give riders the chance to compete in top class arenas and experience true championship conditions.

Charlotte Collyer Petplan Equine’s Marketing Executive said: “This is the 15th year in which Petplan Equine has supported this series. It’s always such a pleasure to see these talented amateur dressage horse and rider combinations doing so well on the ‘big stage’! We wish all those who have qualified here at Celaeron the very best of luck in the Petplan Equine Area Festivals Championship next April.”