What is Arena Eventing?

Bates Arena Eventing series is a two-phase competition, where riders can qualify for the Championships to be held at Aston Le Walls Eventing Centre.  Arena Eventing is the perfect pre-season competition, providing both show jumping practice and training over some of the technical elements of cross country, all on an arena (this could be a surface and/or grass) during the winter months.  Classes are run at 80, 90, 100 and 100Open and are open to anyone in their 12th birth year or older.

QUALIFIERS

Qualifying competitions are organised and run by the venue, competitors are requested to abide by the venue's rules and guidance when competing there.  Qualifying venues will be provided with rules, regulations and format details relating to how each qualifier should be run.

Rider are not required to be members of BE to take part in the qualifiers.

Riders should where cross country kit a current standard body protector and helmet are mandatory.  

Competitors who qualify for the Championships at Aston Le Walls will receive a Championships qualification email from the BE Office on receipt of the results at BE from the qualifying venues.  Upon receipt of the qualification email competitors will have 14 days to become a member (minimum PAYG) of BE to retain their qualification.  Failure to do this will result in the qualification being passed down the line to the next placed combination that have not already qualified.  Qualifying period is between 1st October and mid February.

Qualification is as follows:

For 80cm & 90cm classes
• below 15 starters in a class > top 4 qualify
• up to and incl 30 starters in a class > top 6 qualify
• 31 or more starters in a class >top 8 qualify

For 100 cm class
• below 15 starters in a class > top 6 qualify
• up to and incl 30 starters in a class > top 8 qualify
• 31 or more starters in a class >top 10 qualify

British Eventing reserve the right to increase the number of qualifying places from Arena Eventing Qualifiers.

For full details on qualifying venues and dates, competition structure and scoring and full rules please see below.

CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Bates Arena Eventing Championships will be held at Aston Le Walls, Northamptonshire on 22 & 23 February 2025.  They are open to BE members only, a minimum of PAYG membership is required for the rider, no need to purchase a horse season ticket, just a free horse registration.

• Competitors who qualify for the Championships will receive an email from British Eventing confirming the qualification.

• Qualification is for combinations only. Substitutions will not be possible.  If a combination is qualified for all 3 Championships, their Championship entries will be limited to the 2 higher level classes.

The Championships will run the following classes:-

• AE80
• AE90
• AE100
• AE100Open

It is the competitor's responsibility to ensure they enter the correct class.

1. Horse eligibility for the Championships

a. Grade 4 horses (including Downgraded horses) can compete in all AE Championship classes. If the horse has never competed in BE competitions before, the horse is Grade 4 and is eligible for any championship class.

b. There is no limit on Foundation Points earned. 

c. BE Graded horses can compete in AE100Open Championships only.

d. If the horse of a qualified combination is higher than BE Grade 4 (i.e. has earned BE Grading* points at BE Novice or above), it can only enter the AE100Open Championship. 

*BE Grading explained here 

2. Horses may only be entered into each Championships class once, even if qualified with a different rider.

3. When entering both the qualifier and championships the same horse’s name must be used (no stable names).

4. The Championships are run and administered under British Eventing Rules and Regulations. Body protectors and protective headwear to current guidelines must be worn. 

5. Stop watches are not permitted.

6. The competitor agrees to comply with all the relevant BE rules as detailed in the BE Rules and Members' handbook, including those relating to vaccinations & BEFAR (BEF Anti-Doping Rules). 

7. Riders must be in their 12th birth year or older in 2025; horses/ponies must be 5 years or older.  Heights: for AE80 and AE90 Championships ponies must be at a minimum 132cm’s, for AE100 they must be a minimum of 142cms.

8. Riders who have completed an Advanced, 3*, 4* or 5* competition prior to time of entry in the current season, or in the two previous seasons, and horses who have BE Grading Points, may only take part in the BE100Open class.

9. The competitor confirms that they have appropriate third-party insurance cover in place for the day of the competition for which they are entering. 

Championships refund policy as per Championship Schedule on the BE website.

A BE Official will be present at the Championships to oversee competition.  Hats will be checked and tagged.