Amateur CR in horse riding: everything you need to know
of reading - words
TheAmateur CR status(Complete Regional) allows any non-professional rider to participate in official regional equestrian competitions. Being an “amateur” simply means that you arenot paid to edit – not that you practice without seriousness. This status opens the doors to a circuit of organized and secure competitions, between the pleasure of the club and the adrenaline of competition.
To access it: an FFE Competition license (25-36 €/year), the technical level validated by your instructor and registration for official competitions (40-80 €/competition). With an annual budget of €3,300 to €6,500 for a club horse, you join the 25% of licensed riders who compete in France.
In this guide, discover what this status actually changes in your practice, the accessible disciplines and how to organize your daily life as a competitive rider.
What is CR amateur status?
The status which opens the doors to regional competition
Are you climbing regularly, you are progressing from one week to the next, and the idea of competing is starting to interest you? The Amateur CR (Complete Regional) status is probably for you. It will allow you to participate in official regional competitions while remaining an amateur.
Being an amateur, what does it mean in practice? It's simple: you don't get paid to ride a horse. No fees, no professional contracts, no sponsors who finance your practice.
But be careful, the meaning is quite different from a practice without seriousness. On the contrary:
- You train regularly
- You work on your technique several times a week
- You have a real desire to progress and measure yourself against others
You no longer climb just for the pleasure of the moment, even if pleasure of course remains at the heart of your practice.
What it does for your progress
It's really a good compromise between the pleasure of joining a club and the adrenaline of competition. You progress at your own pace, without the pressure of professionals who make a living from it, but with enough challenge to get out of your comfort zone.
You will meet other enthusiasts. Who knows? Perhaps they are going through the same struggles as you (the horse who refuses water during cross country, the disastrous dressage workout in the rain, etc.). But also, they share the same victories. These meetings often create strong friendships, exchanges of advice, sometimes even partnerships to train together.
And then, you may be preparing for higher levels. Some current champions started exactly there, on regional grounds, as amateur CR.
