It's not all about the professional producers — two managers and a student are among the championship title winners at the Longines Royal International (25-30 July) this week.
Here are the eight amateur champions who have been crowned so far — come back to horseandhound.co.uk over the weekend to see the rest.
Amateur M&M: Shanbo Rory
Sophie James partnered her own Shanbo Rory, a 10-year-old Connemara, to stand Ponies (UK) amateur ridden mountain and moorland champion.
Amateur heavyweight hunter: Lord John
Lord John, ridden by Henrietta Spencer, claimed the O'Connell heavyweight amateur hunter title and went on to stand overall amateur hunter supreme.
Amateur lightweight hunter: Seabourne Silent Valley
In heavy rain, Garry Merton riding Seabourne Silent Valley landed the amateur lightweight hunter title before standing reserve supreme to the heavyweight Lord John.
Amateur middleweight hunter: Boss
For the second year running Lucinda Martin piloted her home-produced Boss to take the O'Connell middleweight amateur title.
Amateur small hunter: Louvaine Rooney
Megan Cookson piloted Louvaine Rooney to stand O'Connell small amateur hunter champions.
Amateur large riding horse: Bronte
Another repeat winner was Samantha Coates, who piloted Bronte to top the large championship before standing supreme amateur riding horse. Samantha works in event management in London.
Amateur small riding horse: Toncynfhg Liberation
Lauren Falcus piloted this six-year-old by Liberance to stand amateur small riding horse champion. Lauren is a business manager for a recruitment agency in Manchester.
