Affiliated Dressage Help

[Brushy]

I'm looking for some help from all you dressage aficionados out there! I'm hoping to register BD this year with my new mare after me having a few years off competing, My instructor has advised me to register BD and do the affiliated sections as the judges are 'more consistent' (her words) in what they're looking for, however looking at the website its all change and none of it bears any resemblance to what I remember from a few years back, and I can't make head nor tail of what I, or the horse need to be registered as!! We're only looking at doing Prelim and the horse has no points, do I and she need to be fully registered, or associate, and whats the difference in gold, silver and bronze? I have read, and re-read the website but its just SO confusing!! Also the horse came over from Ireland as a three year old, does this make her 'imported', sorry if that's a stupid question, its just the term imported conjures up images of glossy warmbloods!!

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[Noble]

You can register as an associate member free (both you and your horse) and enter prelim gold (non qualifier) classes or the same but buy a ticket and enter the bronze section. This would be a cheaper option than becoming a full member whilst at prelim level unless you wish to do areas etc when you must be a full member. This is as I understand it, I must admit the new changes are a little confusing.