Welcome to the Arena Saddles Novice League.
Novice competitors will reap the rewards of a brand-new competitive league across the 2023 season, with points earned towards major prizes at the end of the year. Sponsored by Arena Saddles, who offer beautifully styled saddles with meticulous attention to detail, you will be confident that your saddle is comfortable for you and your horse. The Arena Saddles Novice League will take place across the BEDE Event competitions, culminating in the grand finale for those qualified: the CCI2* class at September’s prestigious Osberton International Horse Trials.
The Arena Saddles Novice League is open to registered members of British Eventing who haven’t competed at Intermediate or above in the previous five years. Points can be collected by a horse and rider combination in any Novice division across the qualification events and the finale, though GO BE classes will not count towards point allocations.
Pre-registration is required to join the league, and points cannot be retroactively collected for events completed prior to registration. The participating events are as follows:
• Oasby (1) – 9th to 12th March
• BCA – 10th – 11th June
• Catton Park – 17th – 19th June
• Brightling Park – 1st – 2nd July
• Agria Lifetime Equine Shelford (2) – 26th – 28th August
• Osberton International – 27th Sept – 1st October – CCI2* Final
Points will be collected through the initial events: three points will be awarded upon completion; two points for jumping clear in the showjumping phase; and two points for jumping clear (sans jumping penalties) in the cross-country phase. Those who meet the MER three times (Minimum Eligibility Requirements) may enter the CCI2* at Osberton, at which points will be awarded for placings: 15 points to the winner, 14 points to the runner up, and so on, with 15th place receiving one point, while all double clears (no jumping penalties in either jumping phase) will receive a two-point bonus. The league prize-giving will be held alongside the CCI2* prize-giving in the main arena.
Arena Saddle will be enhancing the prize pot for the league winners with:
- The winner will receive - An Arena saddle and Arena Girth of the winner’s choice with matching Arena Stirrup Leathers
- Second Place will receive - An Arena Girth, Arena Stirrup Leathers and Arena Saddle Pad each of the winner’s choice
- Third Place will receive - An Arena Saddle Pad of the winner’s choice, Arena Saddle Pad bag, Arena Helmet bag and Arena Tall Boot bag
Stuart Buntine, Director of BEDE Events, says: “It’s great to see Arena Saddles expanding their support of eventing and BEDE Events. We’re delighted to host this new league across all of the BEDE Novice fixtures. The CCI2*, at Osberton, will run with showjumping as the final phase and giving the riders a great destination fixture to end the season with.”