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.

2026 Showing Championships are held on Friday 18th, Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September, featuring a vast range of classes for amateur & novice showing enthusiasts: lead rein & first ridden, in-hand & ridden, breeds, youngstock, veterans, working hunters and working hunter ponies, turnout, have-a-go, equitation and fun classes.

Championship classes are awarded superb rosettes, sashes, championship rugs and sponsored goodies and in most championship classes, the winner and reserve also qualify to go forward to a Supreme Championship!

Need help and advice about showing?
We’re very pleased to be partnered by The Showing Register who offer clinics around the country throughout the year and advice for Sunshine Tour competitors. There’s lots of FREE SHOWING ADVICE available from The Showing Register

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

  • 1st – 4th place in an unaffiliated showing 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 online 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

SHOWING TIMETABLE & SCHEDULE

Please read the full schedule & check the timetable before entering!

CHECK THE FACEBOOK PAGE AND JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP. We use our social media to push out updates regularly, both prior to the show and throughout the 4 days of competition at Hickstead in September.

 

ENTRY INFORMATION & DATES

Entry information available via the Show Information page.

Online Entries available via the Enter page (August). 

 

START TIMES & DRAWN ORDERS

Times and Start Lists are published on this page from Tuesday 2nd September.  Please note: First classes of the day can start as early as 7.30am and last classes may finish as late at 7.00pm.

Showing at the Sunshine Tour is guided by various rule books, according to the relevance to the class. See schedule (published in June) for details for each class’s format & rules.

For general advice please contact The Showing Register at www.theshowingregister.co.uk

Guiding Rule Books available:

We’re very proud to have grown from a little show to a huge championship and be able to offer sponsorship packages for individuals and businesses. You may already know about the Sunshine Tour, if you’d like to know more, here’s a bit about the Sunshine Tour 2026.

In 2026 the championships will run from Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th September and we’re already gearing up to make this year the best yet. We have lots of packages available, see Sponsorship & Trade page for more information.

To enquire about being part of the continued success of the Sunshine Tour as a sponsor or trade, please contact Cathy at sunshinetourchamps@outlook.com, she will be delighted to discuss options and packages to suit your business needs.