The 2026 British open championship will bear a “vital rider and owner-led format change”, and a primary prize 5 occasions final 12 months’s.
The NAF Hartpury Worldwide Celebration of Eventing incorporating the British nationwide championships returns to Hartpury College and Hartpury School from 11-16 August.
Organisers have promised that this 12 months the British open xhampionship will “take centre stage”. It has been elevated to FEI four-star degree from a nationwide superior class, and can run inside the NAF CCI4*-S, “inserting the championship firmly on the coronary heart of the competitors”.
“This streamlined construction ensures the British open is contested over the identical observe, in the identical area and below the identical highlight because the worldwide area,” a Hartpury spokesperson stated.
“The place eligible, the general CCI4*-S winner can even be topped British open champion, taking each titles.”
The decline in entries to the championship had triggered concern; high course-designer Mark Phillips stated he was “dismayed and embarrassed” by the category final 12 months, as there have been so few entries and “nearly extra overseas riders than Brits”.
“The prize cash of £407 for first gained’t have coated the winner’s prices,” he stated in his H&H column. “And third prize of £192 gained’t have coated the entry price.”
He famous that the CCI4*-S, wherein high Brits ran as an alternative, had a +£7,000 prize pot, including: “If the British open means nothing to Hartpury and British Eventing (BE), scrap it or give it to an organiser who needs to make one thing of it.”
2026 British open championship prize pot
The primary prize for the 2026 British open championship will probably be £2,500 on high of the CCI4*-S prize, so “combos will probably be chasing as much as £5,000 and some of the coveted one-day titles on British soil”.
“Awarded the championships for the subsequent 5 years, Hartpury in partnership with NAF is doubling down on its dedication to eventing,” the spokesperson stated. “This long-term backing has enabled daring funding, shut collaboration with riders and homeowners and a transparent ambition to make the occasion greater and higher.”
Hartpury deputy vice-chancellor Rosie Scott-Ward stated the change had come immediately from rider suggestions.
“By integrating it with the CCI4*-S, we’re making a clearer, extra aggressive and extra seen championship that’s really on the pinnacle of the occasion,” she stated. “With all the pieces constructing to Saturday, it guarantees to be a standout second for riders and spectators alike.
“We’re additionally eager to work on participating our area people to convey extra spectators to our sport for a household weekend in Gloucestershire.”
BE CEO Rosie Williams added that BE had been working with Hartpury to attempt to add worth to the nationwide championships.
“ It’s a very necessary a part of the British Eventing calendar and one thing we need to have a good time extra,” she stated. “These adjustments will assist convey the championships to the forefront of the occasion and provides them the prominence they deserve.”
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Katie Magee and Treworra on their technique to profitable the British open championship and being topped 2025 British nationwide champion at Hartpury.
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Tom McEwen and JL Dublin present the good thing about their expertise to safe a person bronze medal.
Credit score: Nico Morgan
Katie Magee and Treworra on their technique to profitable the British open championship and being topped 2025 British nationwide champion at Hartpury.
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Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo at Hartpury in August 2022.
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H&H information editor
Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Captivated with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all facets of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, wherein she competes her personal horses, and he or she additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits by way of to worldwide championships.
