Bungendore Riding Club Derby Day Competition
Closed/Restricted Adult Riding Club event for BRC Members & EA 18 years+
Sunday 31 May 2026 @ Bungendore Showgrounds
Get ready for a fun, inclusive Derby Day designed to challenge riders while keeping the emphasis on participation, confidence, and enjoyment. With both Jumping Derby and Dressage Derby options, there’s something for every horse and rider combination.
Jumping Derby: Riders jump both a show jump and a cross country round; jumping heights are:
35 cm (Class 1 - Fairy Wrens),
50 cm (Class 2 - Kookaburras)
65 cm (Class 3 - King Parrots)
Looking for something a little different? The Dressage Derby blends traditional dressage with fun, practical challenges to showcase harmony, control, and adaptability.
Riders may choose between:
- Magpies Dressage Derby – walk and trot only
- Lyrebirds Dressage Derby – walk, trot, and canter
Horses may be ridden in a maximum of 2 classes, but only one Jumping Derby round.
Riders may bring one horse only.
Dressage Derby
Both BRC Dressage Derby Tests (2026) include obstacles in the dressage arena such as a slalom serpentine, ringing a bell and picking up a cup. Don't worry if you aren't able to perform all the tasks, the judge will score you based on what you are able to do.
Jumping Derby
The Jumping Derby consists of a Showjump course AND a Cross Country round of approximately 10 obstacles. There will be a break of at least 60 minutes between the 2 jumping phases.
You may be required to complete your showjump round before your cross country round (or vice versa) depending on which class you have entered.
The Jumping Derby will be judged as per EA eventing rules for both the show jump and cross country phases:
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- Optimum time for both phases of the Jumping Derby will be calculated based on a speed of 300 mpm; time penalties accrue at 0.4 per commenced second over optimum time.
- In the cross country phase you may miss up to two obstacles, but will accrue 100 penalties for each one
- If you are eliminated in either of the jumping phases you may be allowed to ride your second phase after all other riders have finished, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE TECHNICAL DELEGATE
- Ribbons will be awarded to 8th place for the showjumping and cross country phases of the jumping competition, and for the Magpies and Lyrebirds Dressage Derby competitions.
- Medallions will be awarded for the rider who is closest to the Optimum Time in the cross country phase of the Jumping Derby.
Overall Derby Day Champions
- If you enter both the Jumping Derby and the Dressage Derby you will be in the running for the overall Derby Day Championship prizes. Sashes will be awarded to 8th place for the overall Derby winners for the Fairy Wrens, Kookaburras and King Parrots classes based on the lowest total penalties overall (regardless of which dressage test you choose to do). Penalties are calculated as follows:
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- Dressage penalties are calculated by subtracting the % score from 100
- Each rider’s penalties are calculated by adding their dressage, show jump and cross country penalties together
- In the case of equal penalties there will be a countback to the lowest dressage penalties first, followed by the lowest show jump penalties, and finally by the rider who is closest to Optimum Time.
General Rules
Gear Check: you must report to the Marshall for a gear check before your dressage Derby test, and again prior to your jumping rounds. It is responsibility of the rider to comply with this rule. Helmets must be tagged. EA approved body protectors must be worn for the cross country phase.
In the dressage phase:
• an ordinary snaffle bit (EA approved) must be used, a noseband is not compulsory
• stock and fender type saddles are permitted
• dummy spurs are allowed
• martingales, bandages, boots are not permitted
• a breastplate without rings is permitted
• callers are permitted, but riders may not ask for directions
• neat, tidy riding attire; plaiting is not necessary
The BeanCorner refreshment van will be attending on the day, serving hot and cold drinks (including the caffeinated kind of course!), cookies, toasted sandwiches and BBQ staples.
Volunteers
We cannot run this day without the help of our lovely volunteers, and we greatly appreciate their help.
If you are a BRC member and are able to provide a volunteer for the day then they will be looked after with food and drinks, and you will be entitled to a $30 discount on future BRC events. We are looking for cross country jump judges and time keepers, dressage or showjump pencillers, marshalls and runners on the day. BRC members can also qualify for a $30 discount for future BRC events if they provide help in the lead up to the event. Helping can include set-up before or packdown after the event, oiling or painting jumps, helping flag, number and dress the XC course. To qualify for the $30 discount we would expect a reasonable time commitment of about 4 hours. Please look out for posts on the BRC group Facebook page for working bees leading up to the event.