British Eventing (BE) has its own points system to help grade horses and ponies so that competition is fair. There are two different BE points systems; one for horses and ponies competing at novice level and above, and one for those competing at grassroots level, for which the system is called foundation points.
British Eventing points
Horses earn BE grading points at affiliated one- two- and three-day events at novice level and above. Points are awarded to every one in four dressage starters in that particular class.
Grades
Grade 1 Elite — 500 or more grading points
Grade 1 — 61 or more grading points
Grade 2 — from 21 to 60 grading points
Grade 3 — from 1 to 20 grading points
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Grade 4 — no points
Points
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Horses that jump double clear jumping rounds, incur no time penalties in the showjumping phase, and who are unplaced, will earn points too.
Horses that have one point or more must compete in open classes at BE100 level and below and horses with 21 or more points must compete in open classes at novice level.
Foundation points
BE foundation points are awarded in all classes at BE90, BE100 and BE100 Plus level. They are not awarded at BE80(T) level (except at championships). As with standard BE grading points, foundation points are awarded depending on the number of dressage starters, and unplaced double clear jumpers will also gain points.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
The number of foundation points a horse earns has no impact on what level they are allowed to compete at.
A horse is only eligible to be downgraded if it has not won any points in the current and preceding two calendar years, and can only be downgraded via an application to BE, which they can decline where they feel necessary. A horse that is downgraded loses all of its previously earned points and becomes Grade 4.
It is worth noting that any downgraded horse is not eligible to qualify for any BE80, BE90, BE100 regional final or championships, except for the BE100 under-18 championships. And if the downgraded horse wants to move up the class ladder again, it must re-qualify as per the BE rules. A horse can only be downgraded once.
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoythe magazine deliveredto your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access ourH&H Plus online servicewhich brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
