Awards Programs

A point system provides honorary awards ranging from the Register of Merit, ARHA Champion, ARHA Ranch Horse Champion, Superior Event Horse, Performance Versatility, Honor Roll and ARHA High Point Horse of the Year.

*More information about these awards can be found in the ARHA Rule Book. 
 
The American Ranch Horse Association provides members with a wide range of opportunities to prove and show horses where they are recognized in each event that they excel in. Starting with horses as young as weanlings, ARHA registered horses may begin amassing lifetime points in recognition of their achievements in the show ring.
ARHA honors outstanding achievements and establishes a record of exceptional conformation and performance with an elaborate and prestigious awards system.
The American Ranch Horse Association also offers an annual Honor Roll which recognizes horses each year who have attained the highest number of points nationwide in each ARHA approved events, including a separate conformation division. This recognition is extended to our amateur and youth as well as our open division.
An overall ARHA High Point Horse awards will be presented annually based on the number of points earned by an individual horse in each division that earns the most points during the calendar year. The Rookie of the Year will be awarded to the amateur and youth horse/rider combination that accumulates the greatest number of points during that calendar year.
Register of Merit (ROM)
The purpose of the ARHA Register of Merits is to establish a record of excellence. Horses are advanced to the Register of Merit when they have won at least 50 points in the scale of points for event as listed in this handbook. Conformation Points earned may be carried over form year to year ; weanling year forward with no age limits; Performance Classes- Points to be earned toward R.O.M in each performance class but no R.O.M will distinguished for Junior horse or Senior horse division. A horse starting to compete in a Junior event and earning the required points or horses beginning as a junior horse but not accumulating the required points until they become a senior horse are both entitled to one R.O.M. This applies to all performance classes that allow a split for junior and senior horses. In the event that an ROM is awarded, a proper certificate shall be prepared and forwarded to the owner of the said horse.
ARHA Champion
The title ARHA Champion will be awarded to horses that have won a total of 100 points in 5 or more shows under 5 or more judges and at least 50 points have been won in conformation and at least 50 have been won in one performance classes. Points may be accumulated in more than one year. In the event that the title of ARHA Champion is awarded, a proper certificate shall be prepared and forwarded to the owner of the said horse.
NEW: ARHA Ranch Horse Champion
This title will be awarded to horses that have earned 50 points in conformation, 50 points in one
non-cattle event and 50 points in one cattle event for a total of 150 points. Points may be accumulated in more than one year. In the event that this title is awarded, a proper certificate shall be presented to the owner of the said horse.
Superior Event Horse
The title ARHA Supreme Champion will be awarded to horses that have earned a combination of 150 points in any one ARHA point earning event. The number of shows and judges has no effect on this title. Points may accumulate in more than one year. In the event that the title of ARHA Superior Event Horse is awarded, a proper certificate shall be prepared and forwarded to the owner of the said horse.
 
ARHA Super Ranch Horse
This is the most superior award in ARHA. The horse must have Superior Titles in each of the following 7 events, Ranch Horse Conformation, Ranch Riding, Ranch Cutting, Ranch Trail, Ranch Roping, Ranch Reining, & Working Ranch Horse. An appropriate plaque or trophy will be presented to the owner of the said horse.
Performance Versatility Award
The title ARHA Versatility Horse will be awarded to the horses that have earned at least five (5) R.O.M's in a minimum of five (5) events. Horses earning this award for this title will be awarded an appropriate trophy or plaque to the horse's owner.
Honor Roll Titles
ARHA shall award Honor Roll titles on an annual basis to the horse earning the most points in each event during the calendar year providing that a minimum 25 points are earned in the event. Honor Roll awards are given for every point halter and performance class listed (excluding JR & SR. horse separations). The Association will present Honor Roll Titles at the annual ARHA Membership Convention.
ARHA High Point Horse
ARHA will present annual award based on the number of points earned by an individual horse (all ages) in open, amateur and youth divisions with any one horse in their respective division, which earns the most points during a calendar year during that year's competition. The horse which earns more points during a year than any other horse has earned in all events will be the year's High Point Horse and an appropriate trophy or plaque will be awarded to the horse's owner at the annual ARHA Membership Convention.
Rookie Of The Year
1. To be eligible for this award:

  1. The exhibitor must be a first time ARHA amateur /youth card holder.

  2. The exhibitor cannot have won ANY breed association points (open, youth, amateur or novice) at any time prior to the year of the award.

  3. All eligible exhibitors must hold a current ARHA amateur /youth card.

  4. Application for Rookie of the Year must be made at time of submission of amateur or youth card.

2. This award is based on total points accumulated on a one horse/one rider basis per calendar year.

  1. Only one amateur rookie of the year and one youth rookie of the year will be awarded in each division.

3. Tiebreaker.

  1. To the person winning the points in the greatest number of different events.

  2. To the person with the greatest number of wins.

4. An appropriate award's) will be awarded at annual ARHA membership convention.
 

World and Reserve World Champion
ARHA may elect to host, sponsor, recognize, approve a competitive event to designate World Champion and Reserve World Champions. Such competition would be open with no qualifications to limit entry, other than registration and membership in good standing. ARHA points will be awarded. Notice of World Championship competition will be published by ARHA.