The ever-confusing vaccination rules...

Each horse must have a valid vaccination certificate, which undeniably relates to that horse, completed, signed and stamped on each line by a veterinary surgeon, who is not the owner of the animal.  The name the horse is entered under should be the same as the name on the passport, however if the name on the passport is a stable name, you can provide an endorsement from your vet to confirm that it is the same horse.

It must state that the horse has received two injections for primary vaccination against Equine Influenza given no less than 21 days and no more than 92 days apart. (Only these first two injections need to have been given before the horse may compete).

In addition a first booster injection must be given no less than 150 days and no more than 215 days after the second injection of the primary vaccination.

Subsequently, booster injections must be given at intervals of not more than 1 year apart, commencing after the first booster injection.

None of these injections must have been given within the preceding 7 days, including the day of the competition or entry into the competition stables.

Annual vaccinations may be given on the same date each year, but this is not recommended.

For more on vaccination rules, see the

This is a minefield! Here is the link to the BHS table of eligibility but it is worth asking and checking for every event.  Make sure you ring the BSJA or British Dressage to clarify your horse's winnings as obviously these can change from week to week (hopefully anyway!).

One pitfall in the rules is that if you have competed at certain other levels or competitions in the same year (in some cases the year before), you may be ineligible. For example if you have competed in an unaffiliated Open horse trials (ie 3ft6+), this may make you ineligible to do the Intermediate or Novice horse trials qualifier. You might think they will never find out... but you only need one jealous rider on another team who recognises you and you will be eliminated so don't do it!!

Disclaimer: while team managers do their best to keep abreast of the rules, it is ultimately the rider's responsibility to check their eligibility and to make the manager aware if there is a problem. Do not be afraid to say if you think you have made a mistake - we may still be able to enter you as an Individual and there are usually people ready to fill in for you.

This is a minefield! Here is the link to the BHS table of eligibility but it is worth asking and checking for every event.  Make sure you ring the BSJA or British Dressage to clarify your horse's winnings as obviously these can change from week to week (hopefully anyway!).

One pitfall in the rules is that if you have competed at certain other levels or competitions in the same year (in some cases the year before), you may be ineligible. For example if you have competed in an unaffiliated Open horse trials (ie 3ft6+), this may make you ineligible to do the Intermediate or Novice horse trials qualifier. You might think they will never find out... but you only need one jealous rider on another team who recognises you and you will be eliminated so don't do it!!

Disclaimer: while team managers do their best to keep abreast of the rules, it is ultimately the rider's responsibility to check their eligibility and to make the manager aware if there is a problem. Do not be afraid to say if you think you have made a mistake - we may still be able to enter you as an Individual and there are usually people ready to fill in for you.