1. Step 1: REGISTER
2. Register both horse and competitor to take part in qualifying competitions. Restrictions apply to both horse’s & competitor’s previous winnings and level of competition. Check your eligibility to participate via the Rules & Restrictions page HERE
3. If you have already taken part in a qualifying competition, you must register the horse & competitor within 2 weeks.

• Apply for Horse Registrations HERE
• Apply for Competitor Registrations HERE
• Note: For July competitions, all applications for registration close on 4th August 2026.

Step 2: QUALIFY

Qualify by successfully converting an eligible placing from a qualifying class into a verified qualification. Applications for Qualification Numbers must be submitted online (link below).

Qualifying Classes

• Class must be eligible height / type. 2026 classes eligible for qualifying HERE

Eligible Placings

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

Convert Results into a Verified Qualification

• Submit result and evidence (screenshot/photo of published results). For showing only, a signed qualifier form can be used as evidence (see below for link to printable form).
• Evidence must be submitted online, email submissions are not accepted.
• November & December early eventers and showing results must be submitted by 31st January.
• January to June results must be submitted within one month of qualifying competition.
• July results must be submitted by 8th August.

Note: Until you have received a Qualification Number, your submission of results/evidence is not finalised or approved. To avoid rejection of your application, follow the submission guidelines carefully (shown in the online application form).

IMPORTANT! Qualification DOES NOT guarantee availability of entry.

• Submit results for verification HERE

SHOWING ONLY competitors can print off their own Showing Qualifier Form to take with them and get the show organiser to sign. A photo of this form can then be used for verification when results are submitted.

Find a Qualifying Competition

To locate local registered show centres & clubs, and a list of upcoming qualifier dates, visit the Registered Centre & Clubs page HERE

Step 3: ENTER

Class entries open online 15th August, postal entries open 16th August. Stabling bookings may open on a different date, please see website ‘Enter’ page from July onward.

During the qualification season, 1st January to 31st July, you can keep up to date with all the latest information via our SHOW INFORMATION page and from our Facebook PAGE & 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: Available via ENTER page from Saturday 15^th August. Show Jumping & Eventers Challenge entries open at 10.00am; Showing entries open at 12.00pm. By entering online you will know immediately if your entry is successful.

Postal Entries for Classes: Open on Sunday 16^th 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: Tuesday 18^th August. By post: Tuesday 18^th August.

Stabling & Camping: Available via ENTER page from TBC. Three types of stabling are offered: temporary, brick and internal barn. Bedding & hay, camping & electric hook-up can also be booked via stabling booking system.

Stable Entry Closing Date: Online & Post: Tuesday 8^th September.

Waiting List & Late Entries: Subject to availability, waiting list & late entries may be offered during the period 19^th – 28^th 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: 19^th – 24^th August may be eligible for 75% refund; 25^th to 31^st August 50% refund; 1^st to 7^th September 25% refund; 8^th September onward – no refund for any reason. Evidence to support a withdrawal must be submitted by 30^th 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 Monday 7^th 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.

Rules & Restrictions

Both horse and competitor must be registered in the current year to take part in qualifying competitions. Restrictions apply to both horse’s & competitor’s previous winnings and level of competition. Check your eligibility to participate via the Rules & Restrictions page HERE

• 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 8th 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.

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.

Any questions: Email info@sunshinetour.co.uk