BEDE’s Novice League Returns for 2024 British Eventing Season

Photo by Tim Wilkinson for EquiConsulting.

BEDE Events and Arena Saddle’s Novice League is making a return for the 2024 season, and will this year feature an increased number of qualification events.

BEDE have teamed up with a range of other eventing venues to offer a wider reach of accumulating fixtures for the Arena Saddles Novice League. Once again, the League will culminate in a grand finale at the Osberton International Horse & Driving Trials CCI2*-L.

The Arena Saddles Novice League is open to registered members of British Eventing who have not competed at Advanced or CCI3* level in the previous five years.

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) – 7th – 10th March
• Eventing Spring Carnival, Thoresby – 28^th– 31^st March
• Breckenbrough – 6^th – 7^th April
• South of England – 6^th – 7^th April
• Aspen Cooling Solihull (1) – 20^th – 21^stApril
• Calmsden – 23^rd – 24^th April
• Osberton International (1) – 3^rd – 5^th May
• Tweseldown – 10^th – 12^th May
• Frenchfield – 18^th – 19^th May
• BCA – 8^th – 9th June
• Catton Park – 15^th – 16th June
• Farley Hall – 21^st – 23^rd June
• Brightling Park – 29^th – 30^th June
• Forgandenny – 13^th – 14^th July
• Blindley Heath – 10^th – 11^th August
• Agria Equine Lifetime Shelford (2) – 2th – 26th August
• Sapey – 31^st Aug – 1^st Sept
• Osberton International (2) – 3^rd – 6^thOctober – CCI2*-L FINAL

Points will be collected through the Novice events: one point will be awarded for starting, one point will be awarded upon completion; two points for jumping clear in the showjumping phase; and two points for jumping clear (without time penalties) in the cross-country phase.

Those who meet the MER three times (Minimum Eligibility Requirements) may enter the CCI2*L at Osberton, where there are triple points on offer; 6 points clear SJ, 6 points for clear XC (sans time penalties), 3 points for completion and 3 points for staring. In addition, points will be awarded for placings: 15 points to the winner, 14 points to the runner up, and so on, with 15^th place receiving one point.

The league prize-giving will be held alongside the CCI2*-L prize-giving in the main arena, with all prize winners required to be in attendance.

Arena Saddles have offered a new saddle of the rider’s choice as part of the enhanced prize package.

Arena Saddles says, “Supporting our eventing community is our passion at Arena Saddles. That’s why we are delighted to partner with BEDE Events for the Arena Saddles Novice League again in 2024. The BEDE Events series is unique in offering a range of events for riders of all levels, from grassroots to international, making it such an important and valued series for the eventing community. We look forward to seeing you at our stand, where you can try out our latest products and be in with a chance to win a brand-new Arena saddle!”

Stuart Buntine, BEDE Events Director, says, “We’re once again pleased to be working closely with Arena Saddles to support the Novice competitors and build a pathway to Osberton at the end of the season.

Last year we found several Novice competitors used the League as a new target for the season and we’re pleased to be able to offer this once again, with increased events to great the road to Osberton.”

Full details for the league and registration forms can be found via https://bede-events.co.uk/leagues