As the winter frost deepens and the new year comes into view, the national governing body for eventing in these isles, British Eventing, has unveiled its eagerly awaited 2026 calendar. Riders, owners, and enthusiasts across Britain may now begin to plan their seasons with a sense of renewed promise.
New Venues and the Return of Old Friends
The 2026 schedule welcomes Waverton House in Gloucestershire as a fresh addition to the national calendar, while returns to the fold for the first time since 2022. These changes mark a welcome broadening of opportunity for grassroots competitors and a chance for communities long accustomed to unaffiliated events to re-engage under the BE umbrella.
Simultaneously, some long-established fixtures bid farewell: Catton Park International has been cancelled, and venues such as Horseheath and Launceston the latter having been sold will no longer appear in the 2026 programme. Their absence marks not just a loss of familiar terrain, but a reshaping of the eventing landscape.
Major International Fixtures: The 2026 Season in Full
For those with eyes on the higher echelons of the sport, several celebrated fixtures remain in place for 2026. Among them: Badminton Horse Trials returns to its traditional slot the week of 6–10 May after two years of temporal displacement. Other international and national contests from early-season fixtures in April through to late-autumn events provide a broad suite of opportunities for riders at all levels.
In addition, adjustments to existing venues aim to refine the competitive pathway. Some venues will offer new classes, others additional dates. For instance, a second fixture date has been added to Littleton Manor, and early-season provision is improved at Lincoln with the introduction of a BE90 class. Such developments reflect a conscious effort by BE to balance grassroots accessibility with the demands of advanced competition.
An Adaptive Calendar Shaped by Riders
The 2026 calendar is not merely a list of dates and places: it is the result of substantial consultation, shaped by input from rider panels and organiser feedback. As BE’s leadership remarks, this is “not just about putting events in a diary” but about constructing a coherent roadmap that aligns riders’ ambitions from humble BE80 beginnings to the lofty heights of international CCIs.
This approach acknowledges the myriad pressures faced by organisers rising costs, land-use constraints and the logistical burden of staging safe, quality competitions. The calendar’s revised shape demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and strategic planning, ensuring that the sport thrives for all who ride and love horses.
What This Means for Competitors and Enthusiasts in 2026
For grassroots riders, the expanded fixture list and new venues offer additional chances to compete close to home. For ambitious amateurs and professionals, the schedule presents a structured, reliable route through intermediate levels towards advanced and international classes.
Equally, the changes encourage a renewed sense of community and involvement. The return of venues like Pontispool and the arrival of new grounds at Waverton House signal that the sport remains alive and evolving open to change while respectful of tradition.
The 2026 British Eventing calendar stands as a testament to progress and prudence: a thoughtfully arranged schedule, rich with opportunity, yet mindful of the sport’s long-term health. British Eventing has delivered a plan that serves both the novice and the elite, the local stable and the travelling competitor.
Do write and share your reflections upon this matter, and may your 2026 season prove most fulfilling beneath saddle and bridle.
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