Divisions

 

ARHA Youth & Amateur Show Divisions

If it's fun, friendly competition you crave, the ARHA has programs for every level of interest and skill. Whether you are a youth, amateur, or professional, team up with a ranch horse and compete in events ranging from local shows to the world show. ARHA-approved shows are family oriented and offer a full slate of  Amateur, Youth and open classes for all types of horsemen and women.
 

 

Youth Division

ARHA Youth classes were established to emphasize good horsemanship through proper methods of training both horse and rider; to provide recognition for young people who own or show ARHA registered horses; to promote ideals of citizenship, sportsmanship, showmanship, and leadership, and to promote capabilities of youth in competing on ARHA horses.

The ARHA offers a national point system. Points earned may lead to various lifetime awards, annual high point awards and awards to recognize outstanding youth horses. There are programs designed for the beginning showman as well as those that challenge the most advanced exhibitor.

Youth Requirements

  1. To compete in a ARHA approved Youth class, every person must possess a current Youth membership card and present such card, or copy of card, when making entry. Failure to present card or copy of cards will result in denial of entry. ARHA youth card applications will be provided by show management at shows. This application and fee may be submitted with show result forms.

  2. To obtain a current year's Youth card, a person must be no more than eighteen (18) years of age on January 1 will be considered eighteen (18) years of age for the balance of that calendar year for horse show purpose. Upon age nineteen (19) years on any January 1, the person is no longer eligible for ARHA youth events. The annual fee of ten ($10.00) dollars for youth card, payable in U.S. funds. This fee is additional to the ARHA membership fee. Cards are valid through December 31 of the current year.

  3. Married persons, divorced persons, mothers or mothers to be, regardless of age, are not eligible for ARHA youth events.

  4. All stallions, regardless of age, are prohibited in ALL ARHA Youth events.

 

Age Divisions

a) It is recommended that, where there are large classes, the classes be divided into age groups to provide more equal competition. Age divisions listed below do not apply to halter classes.

  1. If there is to be one (1) class, undivided, the age group is to be 18 and under.

  2. If there are to be two (2) classes, the age division must be:

  3. 13 and under;

  4. 14-18

b) Age groups may be combined at a show, at the direction of the judge and the show management with a unanimous consent of all exhibitors involved in the class only if there are 2 or less entries on one or both of the age groups to be combined. Age groups may never be split at the show.

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The ARHA Amateur Division

Interested in becoming an Amateur and competing against other ARHA owners at your experience level? If you haven’t joined the ranks of professionals or trainers, then consider becoming an Amateur and compete in classes custom tailored to your ability with other Amateur’s who share common interests and partnerships with their horses. For only $10.00 added to your ARHA membership, this could be an investment you can’t pass up!

Awards and Recognition for the Amateur

Amateur members are eligible to earn and receive many awards for their participation in the Amateur classes. The Amateur award system is designed to award Amateurs who have proven their superiority in the fields of competition in ARHA approved events. To be eligible, all Amateurs must be current members in good standing with the ARHA and must hold a current ARHA Amateur card.

Amateur Eligibility

  1. Every person competing in an Amateur class must possess a current ARHA Amateur card issued by ARHA. Show management must inspect the card, or a photo copy of card, at any show entered. ARHA Amateur card applications will be provided by show management at shows. This application and fee may be submitted with show result forms. The application must be the be endorsed by two (2) current ARHA members that are not members of the applicant's immediate family or copy of other association amateur card. ARHA Amateur card applications will be provided by show management at shows.

  2. All Amateurs must have a current ARHA membership listed in their name.

  3. There shall be an annual fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for Amateur card, payable in U.S. funds. This fee is in addition to the ARHA membership fee. Cards are valid through December 31 of the current year.

  4. An amateur card may be revoked at any time for violation of any ARHA rule or regulation. A person revoked from Amateur status must relinquish their amateur card and return it to ARHA upon notice.

Amateur Qualification

To qualify as an Amateur exhibitor with ARHA, an individual must meet the following requirements.

  1. Age. An individual must be nineteen (19) years of age or older as of January 1 of the year applying or must otherwise ineligible for Youth events. For ARHA show purposes, the age of the individual as of January 1 will be maintain throughout the year.

  2. Remuneration Restrictions.

  • For a period of 60 months (five years) prior to the date of application for Amateur status is received in the ARHA office, an applicant may not have shown, ridden, judged, trained or assisted in training a horse for remuneration, either directly or indirectly; not received remuneration for instructing another person in riding, driving or instructing another person in showing a horse in competition.

  • An individual may not have accepted remuneration in the previous 5 years for having conducted seminars, clinics, given instruction in equitation, or horse training or judging.

  • Premium money is not considered remuneration but payment of entry fees, expenses, ect., by any person other than the contestant or the contestant's father, mother, sister, brother, grandparent, legal guardian, or spouse, shall be considered remuneration.

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Amateur and Youth Points

Points awarded in amateur and youth classes will be designated as such and not considered for any other ARHA award or title. Points are to be compiled on a one horse/one rider basis and will count towards any award as long as the amateur or youth requirements are met as outlined. In the event the horse is sold, all past points are lost and a new start must be made by the new exhibitor, except when the horse is required by the previous owner.