No pressure, no lorry: Getting back into competing

This month, we’re pleased to shine a spotlight on one of our Classic Horse Insurance rewards partners, E-Riders. In this guest blog, the E-Riders team explores a common challenge many riders face during the summer – finding the time and opportunity to get out and compete. They explain how their online competition platform helps overcome this, giving riders of all levels the chance to compete from home, whenever it suits them.

For many horse owners, summer is the season that inspires us to dust off our competition gear, polish the tack and start making plans. Longer days and better weather make it the perfect time to get out and enjoy our horses. But for plenty of riders, the thought of competing can also bring a few worries.

Perhaps your horse hasn’t been out in a while. Maybe you don’t own a horsebox or trailer. You could be returning after a confidence knock, or simply trying to juggle work, family life and finding enough hours in the day. The good news? Competing doesn’t have to mean early starts, motorway journeys or the pressure of riding in front of hundreds of people.

Competition Has Changed

One of the biggest changes in the equestrian world over the last few years has been the growth of online competitions. Online dressage allows riders to enjoy the challenge and achievement of competing while removing many of the barriers that can make traditional competitions feel daunting.

Instead of travelling to a venue, riders simply film their dressage test at home or at their usual arena and submit their video for judging. The test is judged by qualified judges, complete with score sheets and comments, just as you would receive at an affiliated competition.

At E-Riders, we cater for everyone, from riders entering their very first Intro test to experienced competitors looking to ride British Dressage tests under competition conditions. With classes running every month, there is always something new to work towards.

Building Confidence Again

Confidence is something that almost every rider struggles with at some point. Whether you’ve had time away from horses, are bringing on a young horse, or simply feel nervous in busy competition environments, riding at home can help remove unnecessary pressure. Your horse stays in familiar surroundings. You can choose the best time to ride. If something doesn’t go to plan, you can regroup, have another go and submit the test you’re happiest with. Instead of worrying about everything that surrounds competition day, you can focus purely on your riding. Many riders tell us they start by entering one class “just to see how it goes” and, before long, they’re confidently working towards league tables, personal bests and even championship qualification.

No Horsebox? No Problem

Transport is one of the biggest obstacles preventing people from competing regularly. Owning and maintaining a horsebox or trailer is expensive, and relying on lifts or hiring transport isn’t always practical. Online dressage removes that barrier completely. If you have somewhere safe to ride a dressage test, you already have everything you need to compete. It means more riders can enjoy the sport, regardless of where they’re based or whether they have access to transport. It’s also a fantastic option for owners of young horses, veteran horses, or those returning from injury, allowing them to gain valuable competition experience in an environment where they already feel relaxed.

Competition That Fits Around Life

Modern life is busy. Between work, family commitments and caring for our horses, finding an entire day to attend a competition isn’t always realistic. Online competitions allow riders to fit their test around their own schedule.

Ride before work. Ride after work. Ride at the weekend. Choose the time when both you and your horse feel at their best. For many people, this flexibility is what keeps them competing consistently throughout the year.

At E-Riders, monthly competitions include a wide range of opportunities, from Main Arena classes and British Dressage tests, to Riding Club, Pony Club and Riding School leagues. Riders can also enjoy specialist competitions such as our Dressage to Music Arena, Hacking Challenge, Eventing League and seasonal Team Competitions, meaning there is always something to keep you motivated, whatever your goals.

It’s More Than Just a Score

One of the biggest surprises for new members is the sense of community.

Although competitors are riding from home, they’re part of something much bigger. Riders celebrate one another’s successes, share training updates, cheer each other on through social media and enjoy friendly competition with people from across the UK and beyond.

Many of our members form teams with friends, yards, riding clubs or even people they’ve met through E-Riders, making online competitions a wonderfully supportive way to stay connected.

Whether you’re aiming for your first 60% or chasing a championship title, there’s always someone ready to celebrate your progress.

Still Competitive, Still Rewarding

Online dressage isn’t simply about taking part—it’s still a genuine competition.

Tests are judged by experienced judges, with detailed feedback designed to help riders improve. Every score helps riders track their progress and build confidence over time.

For those who enjoy working towards bigger goals, riders can qualify throughout the season for our annual Championships, giving them something exciting to aim for across the summer months. Alongside this, our monthly leagues reward consistency, while our loyalty scheme means regular competitors are recognised too.

Many riders use online competitions to build confidence before attending in-person events, while others enjoy them as a long-term way of competing around work, family and other commitments.

Making Competition Accessible

Ultimately, equestrian sport should be enjoyable and accessible to everyone.

Whether you’re returning after a break, bringing on a young horse, rebuilding confidence or simply looking for a more flexible way to compete, online dressage offers an opportunity to challenge yourself without many of the obstacles associated with traditional competitions.

So this summer, if you’ve been thinking about getting back into competing, perhaps it’s time to ask yourself a simple question:

Why not start from home?

With flexible monthly competitions, detailed judge feedback, leagues, championships, specialist classes and a welcoming community of thousands of riders, online dressage offers a modern way to enjoy the sport we all love.

Sometimes, taking that first step in familiar surroundings is all it takes to rediscover the enjoyment of competing again.

As part of SEIB rewards, E-Riders offers our Classic Horse Insurance clients one free entry as a new E-Rider customer, plus 5% off for returning customers.

For more information on SEIB Rewards, visit our Rewards page.

About E-Riders

Founded in 2017, E-Riders is one of the UK’s leading online dressage competition platforms, welcoming riders of all ages, abilities and aspirations. With hundreds of entries every month from riders across the UK and internationally, E-Riders offers monthly online competitions, British Dressage tests, leagues, championships, team events and specialist classes, all judged by experienced dressage judges. Whether your goal is to improve your scores, gain confidence or simply enjoy competing around your busy lifestyle, E-Riders makes dressage accessible wherever you ride.

About SEIB

SEIB have been providing insurance for horses for over 60 years. This experience allows us to tailor policies to suit your circumstances and ensure that you and your horses are covered should the worst happen.