All classes listed below will lead you to a championship! Check the list for the classes you would like to qualify in and then look through the list of centres & clubs for where you can compete in a Sunshine Tour qualifier show:

Information about qualifying classes

  • Qualifying competitions are held between 1st January and 31st July (qualifying competitions start on 1st November for Eventers Challenge classes).
  • If you cannot find a registered centre/club/venue near you, there are options available. Please send us an email on info@sunshinetour.co.uk
  • Qualification is gained by being placed 1st-3rd in dressage and show jumping and 1st-4th in showing and eventers challenge classes. Qualification does not pass down the line.
  • Riders/handlers can qualify from unaffiliated open or restricted and divided or mixed classes and select your relevant class when entering.
  • Restrictions on previous winning and previous level of competition applies to all horses/ponies and riders/handlers entering the championship. Substitutions are strictly not allowed.
  • Qualification is not a guarantee of entry availability; entries are taken in order of receipt upon entries opening and classes can fill before entry deadline.

View Qualifying Classes:

1st – 3rd place gained in unaffiliated competition qualifies. Qualification does not go down the line. Riders can qualify from separate or mixed age group of rider or height of horse/pony classes and select relevant group when recording qualification and entering.

QUALIFIER CLASSES

Juniors
Lead Rein (to be judged on faults and style at the Championships)
Cross Pole / Bottom Hole / 30cm (to be judged on faults and style at the Championships)
40cm / 1’3”
45cm / 1’5″
50cm / 1’7”
55cm / 1’9″
60cm / 2′
65cm / 2’1″
70cm / 2’3’
75cm / 2’6’
80cm / 2’7″
85cm / 2’9’
90cm / 3’

Seniors

50cm / 1’7”
60cm / 2′
65cm / 2’-2’3’
70cm / 2’3’
75cm / 2’6’
80cm / 2’6’-2’9’
85cm / 2’9’
90cm / 3’

Mixed Ages
95cm / 3′
1m / 3’3’

Not eligible….. Team, Pairs, Horse & Hound, Puissance, 5 Bar, Fault & Out, BS affiliated, Club or Just for Schools classes.

1st – 3rd place gained in unaffiliated competition qualifies. Qualification does not go down the line. Riders can qualify in open or restricted classes & select relevant section according to restrictions when registering

QUALIFIER CLASSES

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, virtual competitions, BD affiliated or Quest classes.

1st – 4th place gained in unaffiliated competition qualifies. Qualification does not go down the line. Qualifier classes can be open or restricted – qualifiers select relevant class according to the restrictions applicable to their class when registering. Junior qualifiers must comply with age restrictions at the time of the championship.

QUALIFIER CLASSES

Fun Showing Classes
Novelty and Fun showing classes: e.g. Prettiest Mare, Handsomest Gelding, Judge’s Choice etc, etc
Ridden ponies, ridden horses, in-hand ponies, in-hand horses (or mixed) and lead rein classes.
Competitors can be assisted in these classes.

Turnout Classes
Condition & Turnout classes – ridden, in-hand & lead rein

Novice & Restricted Classes (but not training classes)
Ridden classes for horses or ponies or mixed heights – novice, introductory or restricted classes.
In-Hand classes for horses or ponies or mixed heights – novice, introductory or restricted classes.
Junior Handler or Child Handler classes

Starters Showing
Ridden classes for very novice exhibitors with horses or ponies or mixed heights restricted to set pattern and/or walk & trot classes.

Lead Rein & First Ridden
Lead Rein classes – 6 years and under, 10 years and under or mixed age classes (min age 3 years)
Lead Rein M&M classes – 6 years and under, 10 years and under or mixed age classes (min age 3 years)
First Ridden classes – 12 years and under
First Ridden M&M classes – 12 years and under

Junior Best Rider
Junior Best Rider, Junior Equitation, Best Equitation, any class judged on rider skills – 12 years and under, 16 years and under or mixed age classes

Pony Club, Riding Club, All-Rounder, Family Horse & Pony
Pony Club Pony or Riding Club Pony
Riding Club Horse or All-Rounder Horse
Family or Versatile Pony or Handy Pony
Family or Versatile Horse

Veteran Horse & Pony
Ridden Veteran, Senior or 15+ horse or pony – can be split into age groups or mixed ages
In-Hand Veteran, Senior or 15+ horse or pony – can be split into age groups or mixed ages
Lead Rein Veteran, Senior or 15+ horse or pony

In-Hand Show Horse & Show Pony
Cobs and Maxi Cobs – in-hand classes, can be separate or mixed height classes
Show Horse classes – in-hand, can be separate breed/height classes or mixed
Hunter classes – in-hand, can be divided into small and large hunters or mixed
Riding Horse & Hacks – in-hand, can be divided in riding horse and hacks or mixed
Thoroughbreds – in-hand, can be for ex-racehorse, retrained racehorse or thoroughbred
Foreign Breeds – in-hand, for any non-native breed
Part-Bred – in-hand, for any part-bred Arab or M&M breed
Mountain and Moorland or Native – in-hand, can be divided into small and large breed or mixed
Coloured, Odd Coloured and Piebald & Skewbald – in-hand horse or pony or mixed height classes
Show Pony & Show Hunter Pony – in-hand show pony or show hunter pony or mixed type classes

Ridden Show Horse & Show Pony
Cobs and Maxi Cobs – ridden classes, can be separate or mixed height classes
Riding Horse and Hack classes – can be separate type/height classes or mixed
Show Hunter & Ridden Hunter classes – can be divided into small and large hunters or mixed
Thoroughbreds – can be for ex-racehorse, retrained racehorse or thoroughbred
Foreign Breeds classes – ridden classes for any non-native breed
Part-Bred – ridden, for any part-bred Arab or M&M breed
Mountain and Moorland or Native – ridden, can be divided into small and large breed or mixed
Coloured, Odd Coloured and Piebald & Skewbald – ridden horse or pony or mixed
Show Pony & Show Hunter Pony – ridden show pony or show hunter pony or mixed type classes

Working Hunter, Working Show Horse/Cob & Working Hunter Pony
Working Hunter – can be split by height or mixed height 14.2hh / 148cm and over.
Working Show Horse or Working Cob
Working Hunter Pony – can be split by height or mixed height up to 15hh / 153cm.
M&M Working Hunter Pony – can be split into small and large breeds or mixed
Nursery Stakes – for junior riders riding ponies
Novice or Newcomer Working Hunter & Pony – classes restricted to novices

Not eligible.. Training classes, members-only, affiliated classes, costume, second rounds or championship classes.

1st – 4th place gained in unaffiliated competition qualifies. Qualification does not go down the line. Any type of combined show jumping and cross country style competition. Cross country section can be knock down or fixed, against clock or optimum time. Qualifying competitions can be held on surface or grass (championships are on sand).

QUALIFIER CLASSES

50cm
60cm
70cm
75cm
80cm
85cm
90cm

Not eligible….. ODE, cross country, hunter trial, team chase or BE affiliated classes.