Trials restructuring will see more levels
HORSE driving trials are to be totally restructured in a bid to encourage competitors to progress further in the sport.
The move follows a questionnaire sent to all British Horse Driving Trials Association members earlier this year.
Instead of two levels, club and national, from next season there will be four '“ club, approved club, regional and national. The aim is to give competitors a wider choice. Events will have to follow new criteria, including design of obstacles, how the event is publicised, level of judge and warm-up facilities, to be granted particular status.
The level of event will also dictate qualifiers on offer. In the first year, events will choose which category they fall into; after this, they will be monitored by the BHDTA.