DRESSAGE 2021

This championship is for amateur riders with unaffiliated and novice horses/ponies. Professionals and professionally produced combinations are excluded from competing in the Sunshine Tour. Our definition of a ‘professional’ is someone who earns money from:
• Training, schooling or competing horses/ponies.
• Buying and/or selling or breaking in horses.
• Teaching and/or training riders (see exception below).
• Judging affiliated classes in the same discipline as your competition (paid or unpaid).

If you participate in any ‘professional’ activities mentioned above, please respect the amateur nature of this championship and help your clients instead!

People who work with horses primarily for care, e.g. grooms, vet nurses and participate in day to day exercising of horses, but not schooling, training, competing or breaking client’s horses can qualify.  Instructors who only teach in a riding school with riding school horses/ponies can qualify.

2021 DRESSAGE QUALIFICATION
If you record your qualification within one month of qualifying (for July shows, by 8^th August), you will be given a Unique Qualification Number for each qualification earned. Horse/rider combinations can compete in 2 levels of championship, you can compete on one or more days. Your championship classes must not exceed 2 levels (Intro, Prelim, Novice, Elementary) and must be consecutive; e.g. if you’ve qualified for Intro, Prelim & Novice, you can compete in Prelim & Novice championships but not Intro & Novice championships. Warm up classes can cover 3 levels.

 Each Qualification Number allows you to enter one championship class:
At the same level as your qualification test     OR     a level above your qualification test.

You DO NOT have to compete in exactly the same TEST as your qualification, only the same LEVEL or above.

TOURS are groups of classes, divided by competence and measurable points/winnings restrictions – please respect the spirit of each level as well as the letter of the law. You CAN compete across Tours if you fit the restrictions.

If you are outside the restrictions for the class that you qualified in, you can voluntarily upgrade to a higher level.

SMALL TOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

INTRO
Horse/Pony: During the period 1^st January 2018 to the date of this year’s Sunshine Tour Championship horses/ponies not to have earned any BD points.
Horse, Rider & Combination: BD Intro Bronze restrictions apply to horse, rider or combination of both.
British Eventing Record: Combination not to have earned any BE points or BE foundation points. Rider not to have competed at BE 100 or above.

PRELIM
Horse/Pony: During the period 1^st January 2018 to the date of this year’s Sunshine Tour Championship horses/ponies not to have earned any BD points.
Horse, Rider & Combination: BD Prelim Bronze restrictions apply to horse, rider or combination of both.
British Eventing Record: Combination not to have earned any BE points or BE foundation points. Rider not to have competed at BE 100 or above.

NOVICE
Horse/Pony: Not to have earned more than 20 BD points. If horse/pony has more points than permitted, but NONE earned during the period 1^st January 2018 to the date of this year’s Sunshine Tour Championship, they are eligible.
Horse, Rider & Combination: BD Novice Bronze restrictions apply to horse, rider or combination of both.
British Eventing Record: Combination not to have earned any BE points or more than 50 BE foundation points. Rider not to have competed at BE Novice or above.

GRAND TOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

PRELIM
Horse/Pony: Not to have earned more than 20 BD points. If horse/pony has more points than permitted, but NONE earned during the period 1^st January 2018 to the date of this year’s Sunshine Tour Championship, they are eligible.
Horse, Rider & Combination: BD Prelim Bronze restrictions apply to horse, rider or combination of both.
British Eventing Record: Combination not to have earned more than 10 BE points. Rider not to have competed at BE Novice or above.

NOVICE
Horse/Pony: Not to have earned more than 50 BD points. If horse/pony has more points than permitted, but NONE earned during the period 1^st January 2018 to the date of this year’s Sunshine Tour Championship, they are eligible.
Horse, Rider & Combination: BD Novice Bronze restrictions apply to horse, rider or combination of both.
British Eventing Record: Combination not to have earned more than 20 BE points. Rider not to have competed at BE Intermediate or above.

ELEMENTARY
Horse/Pony: Not to have earned more than 100 BD points. If horse/pony has more points than permitted, but NONE earned during the period 1^st January 2018 to the date of this year’s Sunshine Tour Championship, they are eligible.
Horse, Rider & Combination: BD Elementary Bronze restrictions apply to horse, rider or combination of both.
British Eventing Record: Combination not to have earned more than 30 BE points. Rider not to have competed at BE Advanced Intermediate or above.

Dressage is guided by the British Dressage Rule Book.  You can refer to the tack & clothing information sheet HERE and the full BD rule book HERE. You are only required to wear one bridle number.

Important note for championship  classes – no whips or callers.

You can qualify in unaffiliated competitions, either open or restricted classes and select the championship section relevant to you according to Rules & Restrictions.

Intro Dressage
BD Intro or centre’s own Walk & Trot classes
Pony Club or Riding Club tests restricted to walk and trot

Prelim Dressage
BD Prelim tests
Pony Club Novice or Riding Club Prelim

Novice Dressage
BD Novice tests
Pony Club Intermediate or Riding Club Novice

Elementary Dressage
BD Elementary tests
Pony Club Open or Riding Club Advanced

Junior Dressage
Junior riders taking part in Intro, Prelim, Novice and Elementary classes

Not eligible….. Teams, training classes, clinics, quadrilles or ‘virtual’ competitions.

Printable version

QUALIFICATION PERIOD:  Eventer’s Challenge & Arena Eventing 1st November – 31st July
Dressage, Show Jumping & Showing 1st January – 31st July

Before you Start: Check that the competitor AND the horse / pony are eligible to compete at the Championships.  Rules & Regulations for each discipline are available in the ‘Championships’ pages.

Step 1: Find out where to qualify and check which classes are eligible for qualification.

Step 2: Download a  and print it. Remember to take your form with you when you compete at  a Registered centre/show/club.
If you cannot find any registered centres/clubs in your area you can apply for an Open Qualifier Form.

Step 3: Achieve 1st to 4th in an eligible class in dressage, show jumping, showing or eventer’s challenge/arena eventing. Fill in the details on your Qualifier Form and ask the Show Secretary or Organiser to sign it.

Step 4: Register your qualification and upload your completed and signed Qualifier Form.

Step 5: We will process your qualification for you and email you a Unique Qualification Number (usually within 14 days of your registration).

Any questions: Email register@sunshinetour.co.uk for help.

Ride – Compete – Qualify – Repeat.  Register every time you qualify, you will need a unique qualification number for each championship class that you want to enter. A guide to how many championships you can enter is below.

Note: qualification does not guarantee a place in the championship, entries open on 1st August and are taken in order of receipt and some classes may fill on the first day of entries. T&C’s apply, it is the responsibility of the competitor to read the Rules and Schedule before entering. The Sunshine Tour is exclusively for unaffiliated and amateur riders, competing with unaffiliated horses and ponies.

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 £70 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.