Hickstead holds unaffiliated championships

If you’ve always dreamed of competing at Hickstead, now is your chance – as an unaffiliated championship is being held there at the end of the summer.

Grassroots riders

For the first time, the finals of the Sunshine Tour series will be held at the All England Jumping Course in West Sussex.

Not to be confused with the professional series held in sunny Spain in early Spring, this series encourages grassroots riders to take part inunaffiliated dressage, showjumping and showing competitions.

The 2015 tour is on now at various venues throughout the UK, with classes for all ages and abilities.

Range of classes

Showjumping starts at cross-pole height and goes up to 1m, while dressage caters for levels from Intro to Elementary.

Those who want to try their hand at showing can compete in a range of classes, includingworking hunters, show ponies, natives, cobs, youngstock and novelty classes.

Riders who finish in the top six in their class automatically qualify for the championships at Hickstead on 18-20 September.

Fabulous opportunity

The series was started byRebecca Stansfield in 2006, when the finals had just two classes. Last year more than 600 riders took part and Rebecca hopes to expand the series even further.

“The Sunshine Tour offers a fabulous opportunity for unaffiliated riders to experience the fun and excitement of competition,” Rebecca said. “We want to welcome as many people as possible, so we’re keen to team up with more venues right across the country.”

Qualifying events are already underway, and riders who want to enter should visit the Sunshine Tour UK website.