In a huge coup for the club, the event will be run in conjunction with the Open FEI Championships at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC).

"The Australian Equine Livestock and Events Centre is undoubtedly one of the best equestrian venues in Australia and it is only logical that a major dressage event features on its annual calendar," TDC major events coordinator Marjolyn Thomas said.

"The Tamworth Dressage Club team ran a very successful NSW Dressage Championships in 2019 and was allocated the rights to run the championships again in 2020 and 2021 but unfortunately covid threw a spanner in the works and the event has now returned to Sydney."

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Thomas said the club was looking forward to hosting the championships in 2023.

"We are a very strong regional club, which over the past years has grown from its grassroots origin at the Moonbi Showgrounds to now being a permanent fixture on the annual AELEC calendar," she said.

"We have run major regional and state events and are super excited to soon be able to add a national dressage championships to our list of achievements."

The 2023 National AOR Dressage Championships will feature a full schedule of competitions from preliminary to Grand Prix for amateur owner riders.

The event will feature horse and pony classes and some levels will also feature the very popular freestyle or 'sand dancing' events.

The Open FEI Championships will feature small, medium and big tour championships which will all include a freestyle component. Together these events will cater to all level riders.

Thomas said the list of benefits of hosting the events was a long one.

"Apart from it being another income producing event for AELEC, our event will attract in excess of 200 riders and 300 horses to town - many who are sure to have forgotten something," she said.

"The event requires accommodation for 20-plus officials over the four days and will draw on various other local industries to make it all happen - catering, equipment hire, trades, retail with event prizes and gifts.

"Indirectly, the fact that we continue to have all Olympic equestrian disciplines represented at AELEC - all with major events - will open the door to additional funding opportunities and collaborations, further enhance Tamworth's position as a leader in the equestrian industry and will be a great addition to the Northern Inland Centre of Sporting Excellence as a whole.

"We're excited to be able to bring the major dressage events to the country and offer regional competitors a more accessible opportunity to compete."

There are busy times ahead for Tamworth Dressage Club.

Next year sees Tamworth Dressage Club with two major events at AELEC. An Official Competition in May with a heavy focus on officials training and a Regional Championships featuring the inaugural Open FEI Championships in December.

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