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).
• Dressage & Show Jumping 1st – 3rd place in an unaffiliated class 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 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 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:

• British Show Horse Association
• British Show Pony Society 
• National Pony Society
• Veteran Horse Association
• British Skewbald & Piebald Association

HOW TO REGISTER & QUALIFY

Step 1: REGISTER both horse and competitor to take part in qualifying competitions. Note! restrictions apply to both horse’s & competitor’s previous winnings and level of competition. Check the horse & competitor restrictions HERE

• Register a Horse HERE (awaiting 2025 update)
• Register a Competitor HERE (awaiting 2025 update)

Step 2: QUALIFY by converting an eligible placing, in an eligible class into a verified qualification.

Eligible Placings

• 1st-3rd in Dressage or Show Jumping from 1st January to 31st July at a registered centre or club.
• 1st-4th in Showing or Eventers Challenge from 1st November to 31st December at any venue, from 1st January to 31st July at a registered centre or club.

Eligible Classes

• Eligible qualifier classes HERE

Convert to a Verified Qualification

• Submit result and evidence for verification (screenshot/photo of published results) WITHIN ONE MONTH of the qualifying competition.  Early qualifiers (1st Nov – 31st Dec) competition results must be submitted by 31st January & July competition results by 4th August.

Note! Qualification DOES NOT guarantee availability of entry.

• Submit results for verification HERE (awaiting 2025 update)

Step 3: ENTER. Online entries open 10th August, postal entries open 11th August.

KEY INFORMATION ABOUT QUALIFICATION

• Qualification is free. After submitting an eligible result, The Sunshine Tour will check your submission and, if valid will issue a unique qualification code.
• Each successfully verified result allows you to enter in ONE championship class (same horse/competitor combination, discipline and level). Each horse/competitor combination can qualify up to 6 times in show jumping and dressage, up to 3 times in eventers challenge, and without limits in showing – limitations to the range of classes may apply.
• Paid for entry is necessary to take part in the championship show. Entries open 10th August.
• Qualification does not guarantee availability of entry in championship classes.  We make very best efforts to match qualification numbers to availability of entry numbers. However, this is not always possible – entries are taken in order of receipt and some classes can fill very quickly.
• Class Criteria – rules used to judge qualifying classes (e.g. format/rules of class, restrictions on age of rider, height/colour/breed of horse, etc.) might not exactly match the championship class.

RULES & ELIGIBILITY

• Qualification can only be gained in an eligible class at an eligible centre or club, within the qualification period.
• If you cannot find a registered centre or club near you, you can apply for an Open Qualifier. Email info@sunshinetour.co.uk for information.
• Verifiable results are required to be submitted within one month of a qualifying competition (by 31st January for Early Qualifiers and by 4th August for July Qualifiers).
• Restrictions on amateur status, previous experience and competitive success apply for both horse and competitor.
• Horse and competitor must comply with the restrictions at the time of qualification and at the time of championships.
• Qualification is awarded to horse & competitor combination, no substitutes are permitted.

Any questions: Email info@sunshinetour.co.uk

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.