11 min read Last updated: January 2026 Dreaming of competing in dressage without leaving the yard, juggling transport, or paying BD membership fees? This guide shows UK riders how to use two proven platformsDressage Anywhere and ERidersto ride BDruled tests from Intro to Advanced Medium, film once from the correct letter, and get certified-judge scores monthly, so you progress faster with clear, actionable feedback. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Pick Your Platform What To Do: Choose Dressage Anywhere for BDaligned judging and broad test options, or ERiders for leagues, prizes and leaderboards. Enter monthly to keep momentum. Why It Matters: Matching the platform to your goals keeps you engaged and progressing. Common Mistake: Joining without checking rules, levels or filming specs. Area: Arena Setup What To Do: Measure a 20x40m or 20x60m arena per the test and place letters clearly and correctly. Clear the track so the horse stays visible. Why It Matters: Correct dimensions and markers enable fair, comparable scoring. Common Mistake: Misplaced letters or the wrong arena size invalidating movements. Area: Camera Placement What To Do: Mount a steady tripod at the required letter (often C), keep the whole horse in frame, and film in one continuous take. Record a 10second test clip first. Why It Matters: Clear, uninterrupted footage lets judges score accurately. Common Mistake: Handheld wobble or leaving frame leading to penalties or rejection. Area: Attire & Tack What To Do: Wear permitted, neat kit (gloves, helmet) and use legal BD tack; present a clean, tidy horse. Remove boots if class rules require bare legs. Why It Matters: Compliance avoids elimination and boosts presentation marks. Common Mistake: Using noncompliant bits or forgetting gloves. Area: Video Submission What To Do: Upload directly or share an unlisted YouTube/Vimeo link as allowed. Label files clearly and include horse/rider details when requested. Why It Matters: Proper submission prevents delays and ensures judging. Common Mistake: Broken links, low resolution, or missing information. Area: Monthly Feedback What To Do: Enter monthly, log scores and judge comments, and target one or two priorities in schooling before the next test. Why It Matters: Focused, iterative changes deliver steady percentage gains. Common Mistake: Saving scoresheets without changing your training plan. Area: UK Weather Planning What To Do: Use the monthly window to film on the driest, safest day; prep under lights midweek and keep weatherready rugs and clean kit on hand. Why It Matters: Flexibility keeps you competing through winter and mud. Common Mistake: Filming in poor footing or low light that harms visibility. Area: Accuracy & Geometry What To Do: Ride to the markers, show straight centre lines, true circles, and timely transitions; breathe and allow time in movements. Why It Matters: Accuracy and rhythm are easy marks many riders miss. Common Mistake: Cutting corners, drifting, or hurrying transitions. In This Guide What is virtual dressage and how does it work? Which UK-friendly platforms are best? Do I need British Dressage membership and what levels can I ride? How do I film a test that gets scored (stepbystep)? How do I use monthly virtual feedback to improve faster? Which platform suits your goals? How does virtual dressage fit UK weather and yard logistics? What kit do I actually need for online dressage day? Want to compete in dressage without leaving the yard? Virtual dressage platforms now let UK riders film a test at home, upload it, and receive scores and detailed feedback from certified judges.Key takeaway: Dressage Anywhere and ERiders let UK riders enter British Dressage tests and global leagues from home, with monthly classes, certified judging, and clear filming rules no BD membership required.What is virtual dressage and how does it work?Virtual dressage is judged competition you ride and film at home, then upload to a platform to be scored under British Dressage rules. You choose a test, follow filming and attire guidelines, submit your video, and receive official scoresheets plus comments to help you progress.For UK riders, the two most established options are Dressage Anywhere and ERiders. Both run monthly competitions so you can set a regular training rhythm, and both are designed to align with British standards on arena size, tack, attire, and judging. Youll ride in a correctly marked arena, film from a fixed point as specified by each platform, and upload your video either directly to the site or via a link (such as YouTube). Results are published after judging, with leagues and prizes on certain platforms.Which UK-friendly platforms are best?Dressage Anywhere and ERiders are the top UKfriendly choices: Dressage Anywhere offers BDruled classes from Intro through Advanced Medium with monthly shows, while ERiders focuses on competitive leagues and prizes with global entry. Both accept entries from the UK and beyond, making them ideal if you want flexible, yearround competition.Dressage Anywhere runs monthly online shows with classes from Introductory up to Advanced Medium, judged under British Dressage rules and open worldwide. It supports a wide range of tests including British Dressage (BD), Riding for the Disabled (RDA), Pony Club, and British Eventing, without requiring you to be a member of those bodies. It also hosts specialist series such as the Irish Draught and the UK Friesian Federation Online Friesian Dressage League, where riders collect points towards championships.ERiders positions itself as highly competitive, with frequent leagues and prizes that attract riders who love tracking rankings. Its popular among UK riders who want that extra push of a leaderboard. Riders on the Horse & Hound forum say its a strong pick if you are competitive, noting its lot of leagues and prizes. You can also find similar feedbackdriven options such as Equitest and Interdressage, with riders praising the constructive scoring and comments exactly what you need to sharpen your training between outings.The classes are judged by certified British Dressage judges and have a list of rules and guidelines to follow to insure everyone is competing equally and under the same rules for attire, filming, arena size etc. Totally legit! Friesian owner competing in Dressage Anywhere under UK Friesian Federation (source)I have used interdressage in the past and been very happy with the scoring and feedback. New Rider forum user comparing options (source)I use eriders and equitest. Eriders is good if you are competitive, they have a lot of leagues and prizes! tobiano1984 on Horse & Hound (source)Do I need British Dressage membership and what levels can I ride?No, you dont need BD membership to enter BD tests on Dressage Anywhere, and you can ride levels from Introductory through Advanced Medium. This makes virtual dressage an accessible pathway into official tests without the cost and logistics of affiliated shows.Dressage Anywheres monthly schedules cover the standard BD progression Intro, Prelim, Novice, Elementary, Medium and Advanced Medium alongside noncompetitive and beginner classes, plus para, pony, exracehorse, and breedspecific leagues. The tests follow British Dressage movements and marking scales, so your scores provide a credible benchmark against UK standards. ERiders also offers a broad spread of levels and class types, with series and prizes that reward consistency across the season.How do I film a test that gets scored (stepbystep)?Follow the platforms rules for arena size and marking, attire and tack, camera placement, and continuous filming, then upload directly, via YouTube, or by link as allowed. Good audio and a steady, uninterrupted video from the correct letter are essential for a valid score.Heres a quick filming checklist that works for both Dressage Anywhere and ERiders:Set up the arena correctly: a standard dressage arena (usually 20x40m or 20x60m, per the test) with letters clearly visible.Place the camera at the required letter (often C for short arena, but check each platforms rules) and ensure the whole horse is visible in every movement.Use a sturdy tripod or smartphone mount; avoid a handheld wobble and keep the frame level.Film the test in a single, continuous take with the rider and horse identifiable; announce rider/horse details if requested.Wear permitted attire (neat, conservative colours; gloves; helmet) and use legal tack per BD rules; plaiting is optional but smart presentation helps.Upload the video using the platforms preferred method: direct site upload or an unlisted YouTube/Vimeo link.Presentation matters on camera. Choose smart, competitionappropriate clothing that meets BD guidelines from our curated range of womens competition clothing, pair with approved riding helmets, and finish the picture with wellfitted horse riding boots and supportive horse boots and bandages for training days. For chilly or wet yard days while you prep and warm up, keep your horse comfortable in weatherproof turnout rugs, then swap to clean kit for filming.Quick tip: If youre filming outdoors between showers, have a helper on lens duty with a clean cloth and set the phone to Airplane Mode to prevent notifications interrupting the recording. Always do a 10second test clip to check framing before you ride up the centre line.How do I use monthly virtual feedback to improve faster?Enter monthly shows, catalogue your videos and scoresheets by date/test, and use judge comments to target one or two improvements per month. Layer video with mirrors or sensors where possible to build feel and measure the small wins.Virtual dressage shines as a training tool because it creates a rhythm: film, submit, study, adjust, repeat. Keep a simple log of each test (date, arena size, level, judges key comments) and file the video alongside it. Over time, youll see patterns maybe your free walk consistently loses marks, or transitions could be more prompt. The next month, design your schooling plan around those priorities.Pro tip: Pair video with realtime feedback. Arena mirrors help you check straightness, bend and rider position between show days, while wearables and simple phone apps can track symmetry and rhythm. Refine your aids with precise schooling tools like dressage whips, and ride in quality pads from trusted brands such as LeMieux for comfort and a professional look on camera. If your horse needs support through increased work, explore our horse supplements to aid recovery and focus, and use thoughtful grooming routines to present a tidy, plaited mane for filming.Which platform suits your goals?Choose ERiders if you want competitive leagues and prizes, and choose Dressage Anywhere if you want BDaligned judging, global series, and access to BD, RDA, Pony Club, and British Eventing tests without membership. Both are UKfriendly and run monthly shows.If you love structured, longterm goals and championship points, Dressage Anywheres series including the UK Friesian Federation and Irish Draught provide a welcoming framework with credible British Dressage judging. If you thrive on leaderboards and prize incentives, ERiders multiple leagues can keep you laserfocused on consistency. Either way, youll be riding under UKrecognised standards with feedback that transfers directly to inperson competitions when youre ready.How does virtual dressage fit UK weather and yard logistics?Virtual dressage lets you compete yearround despite wet winters and muddy seasons by riding at home on suitable footing and filming when the weather allows. Monthly show windows give you flexibility to pick a dry, safe day for your arena.In the UK, winter rain and short daylight often scupper show plans. With virtual options, you can school under lights on a weekday, then film on a brighter weekend window, keeping your competition momentum intact. Keep your horse warm and muscles supple with appropriately weighted stable rugs on frosty mornings and switch to breathable winter turnout rugs for outdoor warmups. For robust rugging that stands up to British weather, explore trusted brands like WeatherBeeta and Shires.Quick tip: In muddy conditions, groom legs and tails thoroughly before filming and have a spare clean numnah ready. A tidy horse telegraphs professionalism and judges can concentrate on your training, not your turnout.What kit do I actually need for online dressage day?You need compliant attire, a wellpresented horse, a stable camera setup, and a properly marked arena; add weathersavvy layers and smart accessories to look and feel competitionready. Heres a practical, UKready checklist:Show attire: jacket or tidy training wear per class rules, gloves, and a compliant riding helmet. For a polished look, browse our womens competition clothing.Legwear and footwear: comfortable, closecontact womens jodhpurs and breeches and supportive riding boots for secure aids.Tack and training: a clean saddle and bridle per BD rules, neat saddle pad (LeMieux is a rider favourite), and a schooling or dressage whip for precision at home.Horse presentation: bath or spotclean, brush and shine from our grooming essentials, and consider plaiting for a smart frame.Protection and comfort: wellfitted horse boots and bandages for schooling, removed if the class rules specify bare legs.Weather management: reliable turnout rugs for wet yards and layered stable rugs for preride warmth; check out value options from Gallop Equestrian.Filming kit: a solid tripod or smartphone mount, spare battery, and a helper if possible. Mark your arena clearly with letters.Treats and motivation: reward a confident centre line with something from our horse treats collection.Budget savers: keep an eye on lastchance finds in our Secret Tack Room clearance for seasonal bargains.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend doing a full dress rehearsal the week before your target class: ride the exact test in full kit, film it, and tweak anything the camera reveals from geometry to jacket fit.What are the most common mistakes to avoid?The biggest pitfalls are incorrect arena size/marking, poor camera placement or zoom, and not following attire/tack rules all of which can cost marks or invalidate your test. Fix these first, then focus on accuracy and rhythm for easy points.Top avoidables:Arena errors: 20x40 vs 20x60 confusion, letters too small or misplaced, or cones blocking the view. Measure and doublecheck.Filming faults: camera not at the correct letter, rider going out of frame, or pixelated video. Test your setup, then film once more if needed.Rule slips: noncompliant bits, martingales in forbidden classes, or missing gloves. Crosscheck the platforms tack and attire list.Untidy presentation: muddy legs, flapping tails, or illfitting pads. A quick brush and tidy pad swap can lift your overall impression.Pacing and geometry: cutting corners, drifting off centre line, and hurried transitions lose easy marks. Ride the markers and breathe.Quick tip: Before you upload, watch your video once as if you are the judge: can you clearly see every movement? If not, refilm now its faster than appealing later.Bottom line: make virtual dressage your monthly training engineVirtual dressage is the simplest way for UK riders to ride Britishstandard tests, collect expert feedback, and keep progressing through dark, wet months. Pick your platform BDaligned Dressage Anywhere or prizedriven ERiders schedule a monthly filming day, and let consistent scoresheets steer your schooling. With the right attire, a reliable camera setup, and weathersavvy rugging, youll present your best work every time.FAQsDo I need to be a British Dressage member to enter?No. Dressage Anywhere lets you ride British Dressage tests without BD membership, while still being judged under BD rules.What levels are available on Dressage Anywhere?Classes run from Introductory through Advanced Medium, plus noncompetitive, beginner, para, pony, exracehorse, and breedspecific leagues.How do I submit my video?Upload directly to the platform, or submit a YouTube/Vimeo link as allowed. Ensure your video follows the rules on arena, attire, tack and filming position.Are the judges qualified?Yes. Dressage Anywhere uses certified British Dressage judges, and competitions are run under BD rules for fair, consistent scoring.Which platform has the best leagues and prizes?ERiders is known for its competitive leagues and prizes, making it a great choice if you want leaderboards and seasonlong targets.Can I compete yearround in the UK?Yes. Both Dressage Anywhere and ERiders run monthly shows, ideal for UK winters when travel is tricky and outdoor arenas are wet or frozen.What kit should I prioritise for filming?Start with compliant attire and helmet, a steady tripod, a clearly marked arena, and weatherready rugs for warmups. Explore competition clothing, helmets, and turnout rugs to get set. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop Competition WearShop Riding HelmetsShop Riding BootsShop Jodhpurs & BreechesShop Turnout Rugs