Amateur riders are “the lifeblood of our sport” – and they have the chance to win a range of titles and prizes this eventing season.
Organiser Bede Events has released details of its amateur leagues and incentives for 2026, including the return of the Eco Voltz and the Agria 100 leagues, which run from Oasby (1) (11-12 March) until Osberton International Horse Trials (30 September to 4 October).
The Eco Voltz league, sponsored by the electric bike company, runs at all British Eventing (BE) levels at all BEDE events; combinations may compete at different levels within the season and the overall leader will win an Eco Voltz bike and sponsorship for the 2027 season.
“Back for a third year is the well received Agria 100 League, running across all BEDE Events BE100 classes and culminating in the Amateur BE105 at Osberton International in October,” a BEDE spokesperson said. “The league not only offers an end-of-season £1,500 cash prize pot but also provides a structured MER [minimum eligibility requirement] pathway for those looking to compete in the Osberton finale.”
Apart from the leagues, a UVEX highest-placed amateur rider title will be named in each section, an overall winner per event and a champion crowned at the end of the season.
An amateur is defined as someone who does not get paid to teach riding, or ride other people’s horses competitively or otherwise, and for whom riding is not their main job or source of income. Amateurs must register in advance for all the incentives – do we mean something else here?.
“Amateur riders are the lifeblood of our sport, and it is one of eventing’s strongest USPs [unique selling points] that amateurs get to compete against the elite professional rider week in, week out,” said BEDE Events director Stuart Buntine. “We have always wanted to support the amateur rider and are delighted that Eco Voltz, Agria and Uvex share this ethos, giving them bonus prizes and accolades to aim for.”
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Amateur riders also have the BE Baileys Amateur Rider Series to contest, running at BE100, BE105, novice and intermediate all season.
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
