THE SUNSHINE TOUR offers unaffiliated and amateur competitors the chance to qualify to compete at UK’s most famous showground – The All-England Jumping Course at Hickstead. The prestigious 4-day championship show includes dressage, show jumping, showing and eventers challenge championship classes.

The Eventers Challenge Championships features classes from 50cm to 90cm, held on Thursday 11th & Friday 12th September 2025. The course consists of a mix of iconic Hickstead show jumps, (including the planks!) and natural, rustic obstacles. Each horse & rider combination can compete over 3 levels, and there is also the opportunity to enter open classes and clear round, (maximum of 3 eventers challenge classes per day).

Championship classes are awarded superb rosettes, sashes, championship rugs and sponsored goodies!

EARLY EVENTERS CHALLENGE QUALIFIERS
November 1st to December 31st, you can qualify at any venue holding Eventers Challenge/Arena Eventing classes by placing 1st-4th. It must be a class that includes a combination of SJ fences and XC/rustic/WH fences, with a timed section. From 1st January onward, you can only qualify at registered centres & clubs.

You cannot use hunter trials, pure XC classes, or horse trials/eventing/ODE classes as qualifiers. Training classes, member-only classes and shows, affiliated classes, second rounds and championship classes are not eligible to use as qualifiers. Please see Qualifier Classes (below) for more information.

Good Luck and have fun!

Here’s all the essential information …

Restrictions apply to horse and competitor previous winnings and level of competition. To be eligible to qualify and compete, please ensure you comply with the Rules & Restrictions. Details available via the Rules & Restrictions page HERE

Registration

Both the horse and competitor must be registered with the Sunshine Tour in the current year to be eligible to take part in qualifying competitions and compete in the Championships.

Qualifying Criteria

  • Eventers Challenge & Showing 1st – 4th place in an unaffiliated class from 1st November to 31st December at any centre or club, from 1st January to 31st July at a registered centre or club. Qualification DOES NOT go down the line. Results must be submitted for verification within one month of qualifying competition (by 31st January for November & December competitions, by 4th August for July competitions).

Information about the procedure to register and qualify for the Sunshine Tour Championships HERE

Details on classes eligible for qualification HERE

Eventers Challenge Class Format: First section consists of 6-8 show jumps, with a time allowed, immediately followed by a second section of 8 or more ’cross country’ style rustic and natural fences with an optimum time.

Show Jumping at Sunshine Tour refers to the British Eventing rule book  for judging of classes, conduct, tack & rider clothing. You can view the full rule book HERE. Please note, that not all BE rules will apply because Sunshine Tour runs arena eventing style competitions not full event format.

We’re very proud to have grown from a little show to a huge championship and be able to offer you a sponsorship package, we offer individual and business sponsorship packages. From just £85 you can have your name in the schedule and enjoy a VIP Pass for 2 people including refreshments in the Dick Saunders pavilion. If you have a business that you’d like to promote, we can help with advertising in the schedules, banners on the showground and Facebook & website links. We have lots of packages available, please see Sponsorship Packages for the options available or ask for a bespoke package to suit your needs.

You may already know all about the Sunshine Tour and the popularity of taking part in a fabulous championship at the famous showground at Hickstead? If you’d like to know more, here’s a bit About the Sunshine Tour.

If you would like to become part of the Sunshine Tour, please get in touch with Rebecca on 07904 898696, email office@sunshinetour.co.uk or message us via Facebook.