Amateur Status
Amateur Status
Amateur Status refers to the status of athletes who do not participate in competition for financial gain. To be considered an amateur athlete, you must adhere to certain guidelines. Holding Amateur Status allows an adult athlete to compete in classes that are restricted to amateur athletes.
Being an amateur doesn’t necessarily reflect skill level or experience. Eligibility criteria can vary by discipline. In most cases, to maintain EC Amateur Status, athletes must not accept remuneration for: coaching*, training or competing on a horse where remuneration is connected to the individual or their family; acting as an agent for the sale, purchase and/or lease of a horse; using any personal association as an equestrian with an advertisement; entering any form of sponsorship agreement that is in conflict with remuneration provisions.
* No amateur shall accept remuneration for coaching any person to ride or drive a horse, including riding or driving clinics and seminars, except as follows:
- Those holding active EC NCCP Instructor certification (Instructor of Beginners) may accept remuneration for teaching beginners within the instructor context and still maintain EC amateur status.
- An EC amateur may accept remuneration for instruction or coaching of athletes with physical and/or visual impairments.
(Reference: Coaching Operations Guide: Coaching and Amateur Status)
To obtain EC Amateur Status, complete and sign the Amateur Declaration when purchasing or renewing your EC Sport Licence. You must declare your EC Amateur Status on an annual basis during EC Sport Licence renewal.
Amateur Status can be challenged. Amateur Status challenges are subject to EC Rules regarding official complaints.
The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.
Joe Paterno
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are competing at an EC competition in a division restricted to amateurs, you must claim Amateur Status annually. This restriction will be indicated in the Competitions’ Prize List and usually the division name will be indicated as “amateur.”
Each discipline may vary in their definition of amateur, so please ensure you refer to the EC Rulebooks for the discipline you are competing in.
In order to receive National Ranking points, all EC Rules and all division requirements must be complied and adhered to.
You can claim Amateur Status while purchasing or renewing your EC Sport Licence.
Your status will be shown on your sport license. If it does not appear, you can declare it by visiting My-EC.
Challenges to another sport licence holder’s amateur status must be filed as a complaint through the EC Discipline, Complaints and Appeal Policy.
Please refer to your specific discipline Rulebook as some disciplines may allow gifts up to a certain amount.
Certain disciplines allow brand ambassadors. Please refer to your specific discipline Rulebook.
EC Registered and Licenced Coach Status holders who also compete as athletes are subject to the same rules as all EC sport licence holders. Amateurs must not accept remuneration for coaching, training, and other services as outlined in discipline rules.
There are two exceptions:
- An individual may maintain Amateur Status if they hold EC/NCCP Instructor Certification AND they only teach beginner level athletes in a developmental (non-competitive capacity).
- An EC amateur may accept remuneration for instruction or coaching of athletes with physical and/or visual impairments.
**Please refer to Section A: General Regulation G108.2 for further information on these exceptions.
It means that we have received results from a competition where you are listed as having competed in an amateur class without declaring Amateur Status. Your results will be flagged as competing ineligibly and points for EC National Rankings will not be given.
Amateur Status cannot be retroactive or backdated. It is recommended that you log into My-EC immediately to declare Amateur Status if you meet the criteria and wish to continue competing in amateur classes.
You may also be liable for fines under the Schedule of Fines and Penalties should the issue not be corrected.