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 17th & Friday 18th September 2026. 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).

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. Competitors are placed on least penalties over whole course and closest to optimum time in second section.

Riders who are eliminated or score more than 24 penalties in the show jumping phase do not continue to the cross country section – at the judges’ discretion. The bell will be rung to indicate that the rider may not continue to the cross country section.

Cross country section may include fixed and/or knock-down fences, portable cross country fences and natural hazards.

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 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

Online Entries for Classes, Stabling & Camping: Available via this page from Sunday 10th August. Dressage, Show Jumping & Eventers Challenge entries open at 10.00am; Showing entries open at 12.00pm; Stabling bookings open at 2.00pm. By entering online you will know immediately if your entry is successful.

Postal Entries for Classes, Stabling & Camping: Open on Monday 11th August. Download entry form (available in July); we recommend recorded delivery; there is an admin fee. You will not know if your entry is successful until confirmed by Sunshine Tour.

Initial Class Entry Close: Online: Wednesday 13th August. By post: Wednesday 13th August.

Stable Entry Closing Date: Online & Post: Wednesday 3rd September.

Stabling & Camping: Available via this page from 2.00pm on Sunday 10th August. There are separate booking systems for classes & stabling. You are advised to book class entries before booking stabling. Three types of stabling are offered: temporary, brick and internal barn. Early booking discount for stabling booked for duration of show apply from 10th August to 13th August. Bedding & hay, camping & electric hook-up can also be booked via stabling booking system.

Waiting List & Late Entries: Subject to availability, waiting list & late entries may be offered during the period Sunday 17th – Wednesday 20th August.

Withdrawals After Initial Closing Date: Withdrawals are only accepted for acute medical conditions and must be submitted in writing accompanied by vet’s or doctor’s evidence. Withdrawals submitted: 14th – 20th August may be eligible for 75% refund; 21st to 27th August 50% refund; 28th August to 3rd September 25% refund; 4th September onward – no refund for any reason. Evidence to support a withdrawal must be submitted by 30th September.

Amendments After Initial Closing Date: Only minor amendments accepted, subject to organisers discretion and may incur a £5.00 fee.

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.

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.

Format and Scoring Rules

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.