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NSEA Eventers Challenge
EPWORTH EQUESTRIAN
Sunday 15th November 2026
70cm, 80cm, 90cm & 1m qualifying classes for the
NSEA Eventers Challenge Final @ Hickstead
May 2027
Top 2 teams & 4 individuals to qualify
NEW 50 & 60cm EC classes will qualify for the GR EC finals at the NSEA GR EC CHAMPS IN AUGUST
This competition is open to schools from all counties and will also count for RPL points
Organiser: John Gibbons
Entries only accepted thru website with payment
www.epworthequestrian.co.uk
All Entries will be individual & Team Manager will confirm Teams by Wednesday 11.11.2026 18.00hrs
Entries Close Monday 09.11.2026 12.00hrs
Limited Spaces 1st Received, enter early……….
Entry Fees £37.50 per class to include Paramedic Fee.
Withdrawals before Close of Entries will be refunded minus £12 Admin Fee, After, only refunded if replaced from waitlist minus £12 Admin Fee or Transferred in Full to Entrants Epworth EQ A/C to be used at any Epworth EQ facility.
Cancellation due to Extreme weather / Covid 19 / Other Factors out of our control will either be refunded Minus £6 Admin Fee or Transferred in Full to Entrants Epworth EQ A/C to be used at any Epworth EQ facility.
Eventers Challenge Qualifiers
The Course is made up of SJ & simulated XC fences with an optimum time & no style marks. Larger arenas may use secured XC portables. Riders will jump a series of show jumps and then proceed immediately into the XC phase which is run on an optimum time of 350- 375m/m.
Class 1GR55 Grass Roots 50/55cm Individual Only ECQ (NSEA Hickstead Qualifier for August)
New for 2026-27
Class 2 GR65 Grass Roots 60/65cm Individual Only ECQ (NSEA Hickstead Qualifier for August)
New for 2026-27
EC National Qualifiers for Hickstead in May
Class 3 Mini 70-75cm Team & Individual ECQ (NSEA Hickstead May qualifier). All team riders automatically count as individuals.
Class 4 Novice 80-85cm Team & Individual ECQ (NSEA Hickstead May qualifier). All team riders automatically count as individuals.
Class 5 Intermediate 90-95cm Team & Individual ECQ (NSEA Hickstead May qualifier). All team riders automatically count as individuals
Class 6 1m-1.05 Open Team & Individual ECQ (NSEA Hickstead May qualifier). All team riders automatically count as individuals
count as individuals
Teams of 3 or 4, best 3 scores to count
NSEA Eventers Challenge Rules for Scoring 2026-27
The intention of these rules is to reward riders who have a clear round and to penalise riders who have jumping penalties or who are significantly faster than the Optimum Time. Where there are several competitors with a clear round, then the nearest to the Optimum Time will win, rewarding an appropriate judgement of pace around the course.
EC1) Open to Teams and Individuals
- Riders will jump a course of 5-8 show jumps and then proceed immediately into the XC phase of 8-15 simulated XC fences, depending on the size of the arena
- The speed for the XC phase will be between 320m/m to 375m/m depending on the size of the arena – smaller arena = tighter turns which slow you down. A larger arena with flowing lines will ride on a quicker time. The speed for each class will be given in the schedule or on the noticeboard at the event. Times will be recorded to one-hundredth of a second if the timing equipment allows.
- NSEA/BE Eventing Rules for tack and rider equipment for XC.
- There will be no style mark. No age restriction on the mini (70/75) class.
- Top two teams and 4 Individuals at each height to qualify for the NSEA Eventers Challenge Championship to be held at Hickstead in May.
EC2) Dress: XC colours, body protectors are compulsory. Hair must be above collar length, long hair to be kept in place in a hair net. Rider must wear BE approved skull caps, no fixed peak SJ hats.
EC3) The competitor with the fewest penalties wins. In the event of a tie, the competitor closest to the optimum time will be the winner. In the team competition, the total of the best three scores is used to place the team. The combined difference from the Optimum Time of the 3 best scores is used to break any ties.
EC4) The top 2 teams & 4 individuals at each qualifier will qualify for the NSEA Eventers Challenge Championship.
EC5) Organisers are asked to ensure that the XC phase includes elements that give a choice about the track and therefore the time taken. Organisers are asked not to display a clock showing the time taken visible to the rider to as the aim is to educate riders to ride by feel.
Penalties are awarded as follows
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Knockdown (to include SJ and knockable xc fences)
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4 penalties
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1st Refusal
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4 penalties
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2nd Refusal
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8 penalties
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3rd Refusal
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Elimination
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Rider Fall
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Elimination
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Horse Fall
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Elimination
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Starting before the bell, retaking an obstacle already jumped, error of course or outside assistance
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Elimination
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Where the Optimum Time is 120 seconds or less, for every commenced second in excess of 10 seconds under the optimum time
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1 penalty
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Where the Optimum Time more than 120 seconds, for every commenced second in excess of 15 seconds under the optimum time
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1 penalty
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Exceeding time limit (2 times the Optimum Time)
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Elimination
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NB Fences might be raised 5cm at the May Championships
Disclaimer
No responsibility can be taken by the organisers for any accident or damage to competitors, attendants, animals, spectators or their property or vehicles of any description
Your Responsibility
All persons attending the event must take all reasonable precautions to avoid and prevent accidents and must obey instructions given by the Organiser or by officials and stewards on its behalf.
All competitors and those associated with their school are the responsibility of the Team Manager whilst at the competition
TV & Photography
Please note that professional photographers will be present at NSEA competitions. There may also be TV cameras at the Championships. Please indicate on the entry form if you do not wish to appear in press coverage/ TV or photos taken by our official photographers
Child Protection & Safeguarding
If you have any concerns, please contact the NSEA on tel 07552 836032 / competition@nsea.co.uk to be put in contact with our designated Child Protection Officer. If you have immediate concerns, you can contact
Childline tel 0800 1111 or NSPCC tel 0808 800 5000
General information
Please ensure that you do not muck out your horsebox onto the Car Park. Take all litter home with you.
All dogs must be kept on leads at all times. Any dog mess must be cleared up.
Outside assistance will not be tolerated- and could result in elimination.
NSEA affiliated competitors only may warm up & compete horses on the show ground
All competitions, parents and representatives from every school must ensure that they act courteously to stewards and officials at all times. Rudeness will not be tolerated.
In the event of cancellation, you entry will be refunded on receipt of a sae, less £5 per cheque admin fee.
Have a good day!
Rules
NSEA / BE Eventing Rules for tack & rider equipment.
NSEA General & Competition Rules 2026-27
Note- NSEA Rules- hair up please.
Start Times will be available on the NSEA website 2 days before the competition on www.nsea.org.uk
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