The 2023 Osberton International Horse Trials saw the exciting conclusion of BEDE Events BE100, Novice and Intermediate leagues. With generous support from Agria Lifetime Equine Insurance, Arena Saddles and Investec, the leagues offered competitors an additional aim for the 2023 season, running across all BEDE Events fixtures.
Agria Lifetime Equine BE100 League
A key group of competitors targeting the league had emerged ahead of the Osberton CCI1* finale, with Flo Carter and Abel Star holding a comfortable lead. With double points available during Osberton, all eyes were on the top four. However, despite consistent performances during the season’s events none produced additional points hauls during the CCI1* competition.
Flo Carter claimed the Agria BE100 League title, together with Abel Star, following consistent performances at Shelford Manor (1 & 2), Berkshire College of Agriculture and Brightling Park. The pair finished on an impressive 26 points. Unfortunately, Flo was unavailable for prize giving.
Rachael Handy, and Turlough Mist, made good on three top ten finishes at Shelford Manor and Catton Park to take second.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed, we only got Basil 2-years-ago, he’s own by Janet Shipley and we only stepped up to BE100 in April so we’re a bit out of our depth with all this and a bit shocked! He’s a great horse and is very honest, so we’ll see what next year holds,” explained Rachael, who finished on 21 points, keeping a comfortable margin between herself and Lillie Barnett and Sophie Hall who tied for third on 19 points.
Arena Saddles Novice League
With the early part of the British Eventing season beset by weather related abandonments and cancellations the Arena Saddles Novice league was supported by additional venues to give competitors increased points scoring opportunities.
Laura Ridout and First Touch claimed victory with 15 points achieved at Berkshire College of Agriculture, Catton Park, and Shelford Manor. Not competing at Osberton, but making the trip up from Gloucestershire, Laura commented:
“It was a bit of slow start with the wet weather, but she got going eventually and some good placings and nice clears, so I was really happy with her. I’ve had her 4-years, she’s eight and it’s only myself and mum who’ve ridden her.”
As the season unfolded the league started to become a key aim for Laura.
“I planned to have a go at the league, but it definitely worked out better than I planned! It means a lot and hopefully over the winter we can go away and come back and do even more next year”.
Investec Intermediate League
With Oasby and Thoresby’s Intermediate classes sadly abandoned, Richmond and Frickley Park stepped in to support the Investec Intermediate league, both of which benefitted league leaders. However, it ended up being a happy accident that lead to the eventually league winner.
A tighter run event than the Novice and BE100 leagues, just a single point separated the top two places. Katie Patrick and Stillbrook Donie were eventual leaders on 15-points, ahead of Kitty Hamilton and Heragana who finished the season on 14-points.
“The season was quick rocky with all the weather cancellations. My horse has only just stepped up to Intermediate, so I was really pleased with him and had some good runs and finished off well. Donie is actually my mum’s horse, but she broke her back falling off him, so I took over! I’m now looking forward to next season.
We go to all the BEDE events so when I saw the league it was really interesting and became something to aim for. It was just a shame I didn’t get to do the CCI3*-L here [at Osberton] this year but gives me an aim for next season.”
A new league to aim for
Ahead of Osberton, BEDE Events was pleased to confirm a new addition to their league offerings – the Eco Voltz League.
The new league runs across all levels and all BEDE Events, and will be based on horse and rider combinations. This will enable combinations to traverse the levels of eventing throughout the season and still be competitive in a league.
The new Eco Voltz league requires riders to register, via the BEDE-events.co.uk website, in advance and offers competitors points from Osberton 2023 to Shelford (2) 2024. The eventual winner will be crowned at Osberton International 2024 and will win an Eco Voltz Electric Bike sponsorship package for the 2025 season.
