Parent's Guide to SANESA Schools Equestrian Primary and High School 2026

SANESA runs a Primary Schools League and a High Schools League (SANESA Rules 2026, section 5). Because equestrian measures a horse-and-rider combination, learners don't compete in age groups; they compete by level, from Level 0 up to Level 7, with different levels offered in each discipline.

Core League disciplines: Dressage, Dressage Freestyle, Prix Caprilli, Jumping, Equitation, Working Riding, Working Hunter, Performance Riding and In-hand Utility.

Additional disciplines: Endurance, Eventing, Vaulting, Western Mounted Games, Saddle Seat, Mounted Archery, Working Equitation and any others added.

Both leagues count towards school points, and riders compete for school, district and provincial teams. Learners don't need to join a national discipline association to compete in SANESA, but SANESA points are separate from discipline association grading; to be recognised by an association, a rider must be a paid-up member and apply to it.

SANESA Rules (2026), section 6 (discipline rules can add more):

• An approved hard hat with a three-point harness, and correct footwear (shoes with a heel), whenever mounted.
• Jodhpurs or breeches, preferably beige, cream or white. Black or navy jodhpurs are not allowed in any discipline.
• School shirts or shirts with sleeves and collars (with or without a school tie), golf shirts, school blazers or school tracksuit tops are acceptable in all classes (Level 7 may have different discipline rules).
• Black gaiters, or chaps that look like gaiters, are allowed; no other chaps.
• Long hair neatly tied back, preferably in a hairnet.
• Rider number on the left side (unless the discipline says otherwise): a cloth band 10 cm wide with numbers at least 6 cm high.
• Some school attire (shirt and tie, blazer, waistcoat, or a numnah with the school logo) is highly recommended.
• Level 0 riders may not wear spurs.
• A divided skirt (culottes) may be worn for religious reasons.

Tack must follow the relevant discipline association's rules, and triangular reins are not allowed in any discipline.

From the SANESA Rules (2026):

• Riding-school ponies: yes. Riding schools must register their horses on their riding-school profile, with correct passport numbers, against every rider who uses them. Team selection is the same as for any other rider.
• Size: riders may ride horses or ponies of any size in both primary and high school competitions.
• Substitutions: at a qualifier, a horse and/or rider may be substituted only if the rider is from the same school, rides the exact same class, and both are already registered. No substitutions at District Finals or Nationals.
• Stallions: not allowed in any class unless the district, provincial or national executive gives specific permission and a Stallion Indemnity Form is lodged each year. Stallions may never be ridden in primary or high school showing classes (show riding, working riding, working hunter), and Level 0 riders may not ride stallions. Stallions must wear a yellow stallion tag on the bridle, and the rider and parents take full responsibility for the stallion's behaviour.

SANESA Rules (2026), section 8:

• A horse or pony may compete in no more than 4 classes a day. Lead Rein ponies may do up to 6 lead rein classes only. In-hand utility doesn't count towards the limit.
• No more than 2 jumping classes and no more than 2 dressage classes a day per horse. Medium, Advanced and Prix St Georges dressage are limited to 1 class a day.
• Breaking these limits can disqualify the rider and/or school for the season.
• Warming up: at all SANESA shows, qualifiers, District Finals and Nationals, only the competitors themselves may warm up or ride their horses, from 6 pm the night before the show until it ends. Riders with disabilities who need an exception must ask the show organisers and National Office in writing beforehand.
• Horses that kick must wear a red ribbon in the tail, and stallions a yellow stallion tag on the bridle, at all times.

SANESA scores both the rider and the school (SANESA Rules 2026, section 12). Points are awarded only at approved qualifying shows.

Individual points: 100 for 1st, 99 for 2nd, 98 for 3rd and so on, whatever the class size. Elimination or retirement earns 10 participation points. Ties get equal points. No points for a no-show or scratching.

School points: each level carries a weight (Level 0 = 0, Level 1 = 5, rising by 5 per level to Level 7 = 35).

• Levels 0 to 6: the top third of the class earns 200 for 1st, 195 for 2nd, down in steps of 5, plus the level weight. The rest get 20 participation points plus the level weight.
• Level 7: the top half earns placing points plus the level weight; the rest get 20 plus the level weight.

A class cancelled on the day gives 20 points plus the level weight to rider and school. Points don't carry forward when a combination moves up a level. If a child changes school mid-season, points already earned stay with the old school, but individual points stay with the rider.

Check results within the set time and email any queries to your District or Provincial SANESA committee.

From the SANESA Rules (2026):

Qualifiers (section 9): each province or district runs qualifying shows, with all classes of a qualifier held at one venue over 4 consecutive days. Each province must publish its selection criteria on the SANESA website by 31 December of the year before; otherwise the national rules apply. Selection is based on taking part in the shows offered in your district or province.

District Finals (section 18): in provinces with districts, a Finals show is held. Gauteng districts may field up to 3 district teams per class per discipline, other districts up to 2. District teams have up to 4 riders. Provincial teams for Nationals are selected from individual horse-rider combinations on their Finals placings. Provinces without districts select from their qualifying shows.

National Championships (section 21): the season's final event between provinces. Each province may enter A and B teams (Gauteng A, B and C), up to 4 riders each. Combinations must have qualified through the provincial qualifiers or Finals. No substitutions are allowed, and a rider may not be in both the A and B team in the same class, even on a different horse.

No prize money is awarded at any SANESA qualifier, Finals or Nationals.

The Rising Stars Challenge is SANESA's competition for all Level 0 classes (SANESA Rules 2026, sections 23 and 24):

• Primary schools: Level 0 Lead Rein and Level 0 Off Lead. High schools: Level 0. Primary riders below Grade 0 may enter Rising Stars classes only, from the year they turn 4.
• Level 0 riders' points still count for their school in the league.
• Riders may cross-enter Lead Rein and Off Lead at one show, but a Level 0 rider may not enter any other level at the same show.
• Level 0 riders may not wear spurs or ride stallions. There are no Level 0 classes at the National Championships, nor at District Finals unless the National Executive approves in writing.

Rising Stars Challenge Championships: open to Level 0 riders from all provinces who have ridden at least 2 qualifying shows, mostly at Level 0, and have not been selected for or ridden in a district or provincial team at another level. Riders enter as individuals, with prizes for individual placings; schools may also enter one team per discipline (max 3 riders).

From the SANESA Rules and Regulations (2026):

• District colours: awarded by the relevant sports council to learners who are selected for and actually compete for their district. Not awarded for riding in school teams. Withdrawn if the learner didn't compete.
• Provincial colours: for learners selected for and actually riding for their province at the National Championships, as a metal pin: gold for the A team, silver for B, bronze for C. Not awarded for school teams; withdrawn if the learner didn't compete.
• These are the only school equestrian district and provincial colours recognised by the national discipline associations, SAEF and SASCOC.
• National colours: awarded only if a National Schools team is selected for international competition and the rider actually competes. None are awarded for World Cup for Schools or similar school-team competitions (per DBE and SRSA directive).
• Level 0 (Rising Stars) riders receive no colours, but get a recognition pin from the SANESA National Council.

From the SANESA Rules and Regulations (2026, Version 2):

• A parent or designated guardian must accompany the rider at every SANESA show and takes full responsibility for the rider and horse (Section 1, rule 13). Parents sign acceptance of the Riders' and Parents' Code of Conduct with every entry.
• SANESA shows are school events: no foul or abusive language or unsuitable conduct, and the horse's welfare comes first.
• Abuse of officials (including scholars doing community service) by a rider, parent, coach or chef d'équipe is reported to the show director, who may apply these penalties: for a first reported instance, the rider is eliminated from all classes at that qualifier with no refund; for a second, the rider is banned from SANESA qualifiers and shows for the rest of the year. Either way the matter also goes to a disciplinary enquiry, and the school is told.
• Judges' decisions are final. If you disagree, take it to the show director, who may raise it with the judge.
• Complaints about an official go to the show director; complaints about a show go to the organising committee in writing within 48 hours. Both carry a R200 complaints fee. Anonymous or verbal complaints are not considered.
• Results queries: within 7 days of publication for qualifiers; within 30 minutes for Finals and Nationals.