The No Stirrup November Challenge is a month-long riding challenge where you complete 10 rides without stirrups (or just one stirrup at a time) throughout November. It's designed to help riders develop an independent seat, improve balance, and strengthen the connection with their horse. Upon completion, you'll receive a blue rosette with tails reading "I survived No Stirrup November!"
The challenge costs £20 to enter. This includes your activity log, optional exercise checklist, and your completion rosette upon successfully finishing the challenge.
The challenge runs throughout November (1st November through 30th November). You have the entire month to complete your 10 no-stirrup rides. Logs must be submitted by 10 December 2025.
Everyone! The challenge is open to:
You need to complete 10 rides without stirrups (or with one stirrup) during November. There's no minimum time requirement per ride – whether it's 5 minutes or 50 minutes, it counts!
No! You've got complete flexibility. You can do 10 rides on 10 different days, or you can do multiple rides in one day (e.g., a morning and evening ride both count). Whatever works best for your schedule!
No, there's no minimum time requirement. If you drop your stirrups for 5 minutes during a lesson cool-down, that counts as one ride. If you ride for an hour without stirrups, that also counts as one ride. The focus is on consistency and gradual improvement, not duration.
You choose! You can:
All methods count equally toward your 10 rides. We recommend the one-stirrup method for riders new to no-stirrup work, as it's safer and helps you develop balance more gradually.
Absolutely! You can complete your rides on your own horse, a loan horse, riding school horses, or a combination of different horses. We understand not everyone has daily access to the same horse.
Any riding activity counts! This includes:
Yes, absolutely! Bareback riding definitely counts as you're riding without stirrups. It's an excellent way to develop your seat and balance.
The following activities don't count:
Yes! For example, you might warm up with stirrups, drop them for 10 minutes of trot work, then put them back for your cool-down. As long as you spend some portion of the ride without stirrups, it counts as one of your 10 rides.
Absolutely, but do start gradually! We recommend:
You've got the entire month, so there's no rush. Focus on gradual improvement rather than pushing yourself too hard.
Always prioritise safety! If you experience any of these warning signs, take a break and return to riding with stirrups:
Remember: The goal is gradual improvement. Forcing yourself when tense is counterproductive and can be hard on your horse.
We highly recommend it, especially if you're new to no-stirrup work. A qualified instructor can:
No. The Equestrian 25 Challenge is not liable for accidents during activities. All activities are undertaken at your own risk. Horse riding carries inherent risks, and by participating, you acknowledge these risks and take full responsibility for your safety and wellbeing.
For each ride, record:
You can use the official logbook provided, or any format you prefer (handwritten notebook, digital document, spreadsheet, etc.).
Upon registration, you'll receive an email with a link to download the official No Stirrup November Activity Logbook. You can also find it on the Rules page. Simply download and print it out!
The optional exercise checklist provides progressive activities to help structure your no-stirrup rides, including:
It's completely optional – use it for inspiration or create your own riding plan!
Submit your log once you've completed all 10 rides. The deadline is 10 December 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
You can submit via:
Include your full name, registration email, and clear photos/scans/PDF of your complete log.
You'll receive confirmation that we received your log. We'll review it within 48 hours and notify you when it's been accepted. Your rosette will be posted within 5 working days, and delivery typically takes 3-5 working days via Royal Mail.
You'll receive a traditional blue rosette with tails inscribed "I survived No Stirrup November!" It's a beautiful keepsake to display proudly alongside your equestrian achievements. You can see a photo of the rosette on our Rules page.
Once your log is reviewed and accepted, your rosette will be posted within 5 working days. Delivery via Royal Mail typically takes 3-5 working days.
You'll need to complete all 10 rides to receive your completion rosette. However, any progress you make is still valuable for developing your riding skills! If circumstances prevent you from finishing, you're welcome to try again next year.
Yes! You can register at any point during November. You'll still have until 30th November to complete your 10 rides.
We understand that everyone's situation is unique. If you have specific circumstances that require modifications (injury recovery, physical limitations, etc.), please contact us to discuss reasonable accommodations.
We're here to help! Contact us via:
Response time: Within 24 hours. We're here to support you throughout your challenge journey!
Join riders across the UK in developing an independent seat this November
Register for £20 Back to Challenge Home