Open to horses five years old and younger. Horses shown in a snaffle or hackamore must be ridden with two hands.

Open to horses six years old and older.

All ages; junior and senior horses combined.

Open to those meeting APHA's Amateur eligibility requirements:

1. Age. An individual is considered an Amateur exhibitor when he/she is no longer eligible to show in the Youth program. For Amateur eligibility purposes, the age of an individual as of January 1 will be maintained throughout the calendar year.

2. Remuneration Restrictions.

a. For a period of 60 months (five years) prior to the date an application for Amateur status is received in the APHA 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 training a horse; nor received remuneration for instructing another person in showing a horse in competition.

b. An individual may not have shown, ridden, trained or assisted in training of a horse for which the individual’s spouse, at the time, accepted any form of remuneration, either directly or indirectly, for training, assisting in training, or showing of said horse in competition for a period of 60 months (5 years) prior to the date an application for Amateur status is received in the APHA office.

c. Entry Fees/Premium Money. An individual who has had the entry fees paid or has received premium money would still be eligible for the Amateur status, however, when the Amateur exhibits a horse owned by anyone other than himself/herself or those listed in AM-020.A., the payment of expenses - per diem, lodging, transportation or mileage - shall be considered remuneration. Payment of entry fees by someone other than the immediate family shall not be considered remuneration unless entry fees were paid for service rendered. See Rule SC-160.G.3.

d. Amateur Status. Amateur status may be maintainedonly by continual refusal of remuneration.

3. Judges Ineligible. Any approved horse show judge is ineligible.

OWNERSHIP

A. OWNERSHIP ELIGIBILITY. Any horse exhibited in Amateur classes at APHA-approved shows or shows sponsored by the APHA, or to qualify for the various APHA Amateur points, titles and awards, the Amateur or the Amateur’s family must be the current recorded owner of the horse. Family shall include the following: spouse, mother, father, son, daughter,
brother, sister, grandchild, grandparent, step-grandparent, legal ward, inlaws (father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter), stepchild, stepparent, half brother, half sister, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or solely owned corporation, ranch or farm. Such ownership must be evidenced by the records of the APHA. Throughout the rest of these rules, the above shall stand as ownership requirements. See Rule GR-020.K.1. and RG-035.B.1.

1. Horses Under Lease. Horses leased to either the Amateur or the Amateur’s family are not eligible for participation in APHA-approved Amateur classes, for APHA Amateur points, and/or APHA Amateur awards.

2. Horses Owned in Partnership or Jointly. Horses whose current recorded ownership is in a partnership or jointly owned by any person other than those listed above are not eligible for participation in APHA-approved Amateur classes, for APHA Amateur points, and/or APHA Amateur awards.

3. An amateur who is the spouse of a trainer cannot show a horse for which their spouse/trainer has received remuneration for training during the six (6) month period preceding showing of the horse.

4. College or University Owned Horses. Students that are eligible to compete as an Amateur or Novice Amateur can show college or university owned horses in APHA-approved Amateur or Novice Amateur competition after meeting the following requirements:
a. Amateur/Novice Amateur Application and Eligibility. All rules regarding application and eligibility for Amateur or Novice Amateur status shall apply. See Rules AM-010, AM-015, AM-205 and AM-210.
b. Application. The student must submit an application to APHA requesting permission to show a college or university owned horse. The application must be submitted and approved prior to
competing in any APHA-approved shows. If the application is approved or denied, a letter will be sent to the applicant. If the application is approved, the approval letter must be presented to
the show secretary when show entries are made. An application must be submitted at the beginning of each semester the student is wishing to compete and must include the following items:
1. Signature of the college or university equestrian team coach or equine program instructor.
2. List of horses with which the student is planning to show.
3. Verification that the student is enrolled in at least 12 credit hours.
4. Photocopy of student identification.
c. For APHA purposes, the spring semester will be from January 1 – June 30 of each year and the fall semester will be from July 1 – December 31 of each year.

B. TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP. The exhibitor must be able to prove ownership at the time of the show by presenting the APHA registration certificate or a legible photocopy with the correct owner or owner’s name printed on the certificate by the APHA office.

Open to those meeting APHA's Novice Amateur eligibility requirements:

A. QUALIFICATIONS. Same as Amateur. See Rule AM-010 (see rulebook). In addition:

1. Point Limitation. Novice Amateur eligibility will be determined on a per-category basis (see Rule AM-250.A.) at the time application for status is made. The APHA reserves the right to check all equine associations/registries for points and/or money earned.
a. To be eligible for Novice Amateur status in a category the applicant cannot have earned twenty (20) performance points (Open, Amateur and/or Youth combined) in that category in any recognized equine association including, but not limited to APHA, AQHA, ApHC,
IBHA, PHBA, PtHA, AHA, AMHA, ABRA and POA.
b. To be eligible for Novice Amateur status in a category the applicant cannot have earned fifty (50) Novice Amateur or Novice Youth points combined in that category in any recognized equine association including, but not limited to APHA, AQHA, ApHC, IBHA, PHBA, PtHA, AHA, AMHA, ABRA and POA.
c. To be eligible for Novice Amateur status in a category the applicant cannot have earned $2,500 in prize money in classes included in that category in any recognized association, including but not limited to NSBA, NRHA, NCHA NBHA and PRCA.
d. To be eligible for Novice Amateur status in a category, the applicant cannot have won a World Champion or Reserve World title in any recognized equine association, including but not limited to APHA, AQHA, ApHC, IBHA, PHBA, PtHA, AHA, AMHA, ABRA and POA.

2. Year Long Eligibility. If an individual is considered a Novice upon application they will be considered a Novice for that calendar year regardless of points and/or money earned.

3. Individuals that have, at any time, been ineligible for Amateur status according to Rule AM-010.A.2.-3. are not eligible for Novice Amateur status.

Open to those meeting APHA's Youth eligibility requirements:

A. AGE. The age limit for Youth Classes is eighteen (18) years of age. The minimum age of a youth exhibitor will be five (5) years of age with the exception of Leadline. For APHA purposes, the age of an individual on January 1 shall be maintained throughout the entire calendar year.

B. MARRIAGE. Individuals, regardless of age, who are or have been married are ineligible to compete in Youth classes.

C. BIRTH DATE. The youth’s birth date must be received in the APHA office prior to receiving awards. A birth certificate may be required should any question arise as to the authenticity of the birth date submitted to the APHA office.

D. REMUNERATION. A Youth may affect future Amateur eligibility by having shown, ridden, judged, trained or assisted in training a horse for remuneration, either directly or indirectly, or received compensation for instructing another person in riding in the previous five years prior to the date applying for an Amateur card. See Rule AM-010.

OWNERSHIP

A. A horse exhibited in Youth classes does not have to be owned by the contestant showing the horse, however, in order to be eligible for the various APHA points, titles and awards and for exhibiting at shows sponsored by the APHA (i.e.,World Show), the horsemust be owned
by the Youth and/or the youth’s family (mother, father, stepparent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, inlaw (brother, sister), legal guardian, grandparent or step-grandparent), family owned corporation, ranch or farm.

1. Horses Under Lease. Horses under lease to, but not owned by any of the above named persons, do not qualify for the APHA Youth points and/or awards.

2. Horses Owned In Partnership. Horses owned in partnership or jointly with any person other than those listed above are not eligible for APHA Youth points or awards.

3. Horses Registered In The Name Of A Non-Family Owned Farm Or Ranch. Horses registered in the name of a farm or ranch other than the youths family as listed above are not eligible for APHA Youth points or awards.

B. Evidence Of Ownership. Ownership must be evidenced by the records of the APHA. Throughout these rules, the above shall stand as ownership requirements.

C. Transfer of Ownership. The exhibitor must be able to prove ownership at the time of the show by presenting the APHA registration certificate or a legible photocopy with the correct owner or owner's name printed on the certificate by the APHA office.

Open to those meeting APHA's Novice Youth eligibility requirements:

A. QUALIFICATIONS. Same as Youth. See Rule YP-010. In addition:

1. Point Limitation. Novice Youth eligibility will be determined on a per-category basis (see Rule YP-250.A.) at the time application for status is made. The APHA reserves the right to check all equine associations/ registries for points and/or money earned.
a. To be eligible for Novice Youth status in a category the applicant cannot have earned twenty (20) performance points (Open and/or Youth combined) in that category in any recognized equine association including, but not limited to APHA, AQHA, ApHC, IBHA, PHBA, PtHA, AHA, AMHA, ABRA, and POA. Points earned by individuals showing horses not owned as described in YP-015.A., will be recorded by the APHA and will count towards Novice Youth eligibility.
b. To be eligible for Novice Youth status in a category the applicant cannot have earned fifty (50) Novice Youth points combined in that category in any recognized equine association including, but not limited to APHA, AQHA, ApHC, IBHA, PHBA, PtHA, AHA, AMHA, ABRA, and POA.
c. To be eligible for Novice Youth status in a category the applicant cannot have earned $2,500 in prize money in classes included in that category in any recognized association, including but not limited to NSBA, NRHA, NCHA, NBHA and PRCA.
d. To be eligible for Novice Youth status in a category, the applicant cannot have won a World Champion or Reserve World Champion title in any recognized equine association, including but not limited to APHA, AQHA, ApHC, IBHA, PHBA, PtHA, AHA, AMHA, ABRA and POA.

2. Year Long Eligibility. If an individual is considered a Novice upon application they will be considered a Novice for that calendar year regardless of points and/or money earned.

B. Ownership Requirements. Same as Youth. See Rule YP-015 (see rulebook).

A. For rules governing this event other than those listed in this rule, see Rule SC-265.A.-D., SC-265.G.-H., and SC-265.J.-M (see rulebook).
B. COWWORK GUIDELINES. The goal of this class is to introduce the rider to the “boxing” phase of the cow work. Judging begins when the contestant enters the arena. There shall be no schooling between the completion of the rein work and the cow work, or between cows, if a
new cow is awarded. The penalty for this is zero (0). Each contestant, upon receiving a cow in the arena, shall hold that cow on the prescribed end of the arena for a sufficient amount of time to demonstrate the ability of the horse and rider to control the cow. The judge will blow the whistle signaling the end of the work. The horse will be scored using the limited cow work scoring guidelines (see rulebook).

Only junior horses five years old and younger may be exhibited in junior classes. If the show does not include a hackamore/snaffle bit class, horses shown in junior working cowhorse can be shown in a bit, snaffle, or hackamore at the discretion of the exhibitor.

Only senior horses six years old and older may be exhibited in senior classes.

Only junior horses five years old and younger may be exhibited in this class, which can be held in addition to a junior working cowhorse class and never as a substitute. Horses must be shown in a snaffle bit or hackamore, while horses exhibited in the junior working cowhorse class at the same show must show in a legal bit.

Junior and senior classes, junior and hackamore/snaffle bit classes or all three classes (senior, junior and snaffle bit/hackamore) may be combined only when there are two or less entries in one or both divisions, or all-age classes split at the direction of the judge and the show management with the unanimous consent of all exhibitors involved in the class (or classes) in question. If a show wishes to combine a junior and senior bit reining class and has a hackamore/snaffle bit reining class, the hackamore/snaffle bit class still will be recognized as an approved class. Entries will be accepted after a class is combined. If classes are combined and additional entries are accepted such that there are now three or more entries in both open classes or youth divisions, classes must be split back the way they were originally offered. A competitor may exhibit three horses in an all-age class as long as two are junior and one is senior; or two are senior and one is junior. Up to four horses in an all-age class may be exhibited by a single rider as long as two are junior and two are senior horses.

Open to riders meeting AQHA'a Amateur eligibility rules:

(a) The application for amateur membership must be true and correct in each detail. A false statement shall be grounds for possible disciplinary action under AQHA’s disciplinary procedure, which includes suspension, fine and/or expulsion from membership. In addition to the requirements of rules 101 and 402, a person is eligible for an amateur membership and maintains eligibility when he or she:

(1) is 19 years of age on or before January 1 of the year of application and no longer eligible to compete in AQHA youth classes;

(2) An amateur may show in the select classes on the day they turn 50 years of age.

(3) has not shown, judged, trained or assisted in training a horse (whether or not a registered American Quarter Horse) for remuneration, monetary or otherwise, either directly or indirectly,
nor received remuneration for instructing another person in riding, driving, training or showing a horse for five calendar years previous to application for amateur membership; an exception exists with respect to an amateur member certified as an instructor in equitherapy by North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) or similar organizations. Such approved organizations shall be compiled and maintained by the AQHA Amateur Department. The excepted instructor shall teach only students enrolled with an approved organization or prescribed such rehabilitation by a licensed medical doctor. Any amateur competitor excepted under this provision shall file such certification with the AQHA Amateur Department prior to any competition by such individual.

(4) does not hold credentials of horse show judge, either for AQHA or any other equine organization;

(5) must not exhibit in open or amateur AQHA classes horses owned by any third party, but shall only exhibit horses solely owned by the applicant or the applicant’s family, which is the applicant’s spouse, child, stepchild, parent, grandparents, grandchild, step-parent, sibling, half-sibling, step-sibling, spouse’s parent, spouse’s step-parent, sibling’s spouse, half-sibling’s spouse, step-sibling’s spouse, sibling’s child, sibling’s step-child, half-sibling’s child, half-sibling’s stepchild, step-sibling’s child, step-sibling’s step-child, parent’s sibling, parent’s half-sibling, parent’s step-sibling, parent’s sibling’s child, parent’s sibling’s stepchild, parent’s half sibling’s child, parent’s half sibling’s stepchild, parent’s step sibling child, parent’s step sibling’s stepchild, legal ward or legal guardian. Separate legal entities, such as family corporations, trusts or partnerships, are also authorized owners of the amateur exhibitor’s horse so long as all legal and equitable owners and beneficiaries of the legal entity are individuals specifically authorized
by this rule. “Owned” means, in addition to other legitimate methods of acquiring ownership, the bona fide legal ownership obtained for adequate consideration in reasonable relationship with the actual market value of the horse. For example, a $5 payment for a world championship quality horse does not meet the required character of required ownership for competition in AQHA’s amateur division. The relationship of the amateur to the owner of the participating horse must be evidenced by submitting legal documentation (i.e. copies of marriage and/or birth certificates) to AQHA’s Show Department;

(6) Within the five calendar years previous to application for amateur membership an individual cannot hold membership accreditation in the following organizations: Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, International Professional Rodeo Association, Professional Women’s Barrel Racing and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. All Women’s Rodeo for those events or classes which are the same events or classes the individual competes, or desires to compete, in AQHA amateur competition. For example, a person who competes in a PRCA roping event may not compete in amateur calf roping, dally team roping (heading or heeling) but may show in any other amateur classes. A permit holder is not considered as one who has membership accreditation in a professional organization and may compete in any AQHA Amateur class;

(7) has not, nor during the period of amateur status cannot, show, train or assist in the training of a horse for which an immediate family member accepts remuneration, monetary or otherwise,
either directly or indirectly, for training, assisting in the training or showing of said horse;

(b) As a condition for the issuance of amateur membership, the applicant, and/or the family member who actually owns the horse with which the amateur will participate, agrees to provide,
upon request, such documentation or other proof as requested by AQHA to support the representations of sole economic ownership of the horse or horses exhibited by the amateur in amateur or open events, and the other criterion set forth above. Failure to promptly furnish such documentation upon request may be cause for immediate termination of amateur membership and be grounds for possible disciplinary action by the Executive Committee under AQHA disciplinary procedure for failure to respond to request for information.

(c) To become eligible for amateur membership, or become eligible for reinstatement to amateur membership, the individual must wait five years from the date of the last incident which rendered
the individual ineligible. Violation of AQHA’s rule requirement for truthful application for amateur status may be cause for more severe sanction than such waiting period.

(d) Payment of entry fees and/or expenses by anyone other than the amateur, his/her immediate family, or a corporation, partnership or other business entity in which the amateur and/or a member of his/her immediate family are the sole and only owner, shall be considered remuneration except for demonstrations, exhibitions or international team competitions, where the amateur is a member of the nationally sponsored team.

(e) Every person competing in an amateur class must possess a current individual AQHA Amateur membership card or a copy of an AQHA Amateur membership card. Show management must inspect this card at any show entered.

(f) Upon revocation of amateur membership because of ineligibility, all earned amateur points from time of violation of eligibility rules shall be revoked.

(g) Permits. Amateur card holders may ride horses owned by someone other than immediate family members in any open division performance class for which they have been granted exemption by AQHA with no penalty, provided the amateur member pays all entry fees and expenses in connection with showing.

Open to those meeting AQHA's Youth eligibility requirements:

(a) In addition to the requirements of rules 101 and 402 (see rulebook), any horse exhibited in the youth division must be solely owned by the contestant showing the horse or by the contestant’s parent, stepparent, sibling, half-sibling, step sibling, grandparent, step grandparent, sibling’s child, sibling’s step-child, half-sibling’s child, half-sibling’s step-child, step-sibling’s child, step-sibling’s step-child, parent’s sibling, parent’s half-sibling, parent’s step-sibling, parent’s sibling’s child, parent’s sibling’s stepchild, parent’s half sibling’s child, parent’s half sibling’s stepchild, parent’s step sibling child, parent’s step sibling’s stepchild, sibling’s spouse, half-sibling’s spouse, step-sibling’s spouse or legal guardian (as evidenced by court documents), or owned by the institution in which the contestant is enrolled as a ward. Separate legal entities, such as family corporations, trusts or partnerships, are also authorized owners of the youth exhibitor’s horse so long as all legal and equitable owners and beneficiaries of the legal entity are individuals specifically authorized by this rule. “Owned” means, in addition to other legitimate methods of acquiring ownership, the bona fide legal ownership obtained for adequate consideration in reasonable relationship with the actual market value of the horse. For example, a $5 payment for a world championship quality horse does not meet the required character of required ownership for competition in AQHA’s youth division. Such ownership must be evidenced by AQHA records and the certificate of registration of such horse must show such person as the owner by proper endorsement of AQHA at the time the horse is entered in any youth activity, show or class.

(b) As a condition for the issuance of youth membership, the applicant and/or the family member who actually owns the horse with which the youth will participate, agrees to provide, upon
request, such documentation or other proof as requested by AQHA to support the representations of sole economic ownership of the horse or horses exhibited by the youth in youth events, and other criteria set forth above. Failure to promptly furnish such documentation upon request may be cause for immediate termination of youth membership and be grounds for possible disciplinary action by the Executive Committee under AQHA disciplinary procedure for failure to respond to request for information.

(c) Stallions are prohibited in all youth classes.

(d) Every person competing in a youth class must possess a current youth membership card issued by AQHA according to rule. Show management must inspect this card or a photocopy at any show entered. Note: Although it is legal for a youth to show a non-owned horse in the AQHA open division, this action could violate rule 403(c) of the AQHA Official Handbook concerning amateur eligibility.

Open to those meeting AQHA's Novice Amateur/Novice Youth eligibility requirements.

Every person competing in a novice amateur or novice youth class must possess a novice amateur or novice youth membership card.

(a) Novice exhibitors cannot have earned 25 or more halter points or 25 or more performance points in the AQHA open, novice amateur, amateur, novice youth or youth divisions combined in a particular skill set. (Example: 7 novice youth western riding points + 3 youth western riding points + 8 novice amateur western riding points + 5 amateur western riding points + 2 open western riding points = not eligible for novice amateur or novice youth in the novice skill set E.)

(b) Novice points are not recorded on a horse’s performance record; points are recorded on the exhibitor.

(c) Once an individual has earned 25 AQHA novice amateur, amateur, novice youth, youth or open points, or any combination thereof, in a skill set; or, won a world or reserve world in an AQHAapproved event, national or reserve national championship title in any equine breed organization; or won a total of $5,000 in cash and prizes with any equine breed organization, he/she will no longer be eligible to participate in the novice skill set containing that class(es) in subsequent years but may continue to compete in that novice skill set until the end of the calendar year in which the afore-mentioned instances occurred. Any individual who has been an  accredited horse show judge will not be eligible to participate in novice skill sets.

(d) If an individual is considered a novice upon application, he/she will be considered a novice for that calendar year.

(e) Points earned in the novice division may not be used for any amateur or youth awards, or World Championship Show qualification.

(f) Applicants are responsible for verifying eligibility regarding earned halter and performance points in novice amateur, amateur, novice youth or youth divisions. Applicants may contact AQHA concerning halter and performance points in novice amateur and novice youth divisions that have been reported to AQHA and recorded in AQHA’s records.

(g) A novice achievement award will be awarded to an individual that has completed a skill set. A belt buckle will be awarded to an individual for the first novice skill set completed. A novice certificate of achievement will be awarded for all other skill sets that an individual completes.

(h) Novice amateur and novice youth members may apply for up to 10 permits that allow them to compete in one AQHAapproved show per permit with non-owned horses in novice division classes only. Points earned in these classes will count toward the 25-point cap per novice skill set for novice eligibility. Applications for permits shall be directed to the AQHA Show Department on application forms provided by AQHA or an application may be filled out at an AQHA-approved show, and be granted as AQHA, in its sole discretion, determines.

(i) A novice amateur member or novice youth member wanting to show a college or university owned or leased horse in novice classes only must meet the following requirements:
(1) The individual must be a current novice AQHYA member or an AQHA novice amateur member prior to the AQHAapproved show at which they wish to compete.
(2) The individual must request an application from AQHA to be eligible to participate in this program. The application must be submitted and approval must be received prior to participating
in the AQHA-approved show. A letter will be sent to the applicant either confirming or denying the application. If the application is approved, the letter must be presented to the show secretary
at time of entry.
(3) The following items must be submitted with the application: verification that the individual is enrolled in 12 credit hours per semester, signature of college or university equestrian team coach or equine program instructor, list of college or university owned or leased horses that the individual will be showing and photocopy of student identification.
(4) For AQHA purposes the spring semester will be from January 1 - June 30 of the current year and the fall semester will be from July 1 - December 31 of the current year.

Open to horses of any age, to be ridden in an approved bit. Reins with romal required. Only one hand may be used on the reins and hands must not be changed.

Open Bridle - open to any rider.

Limited Open Bridle - open to any rider that has not won more than $10,000 in reined cow horse shows and limited age events (lifetime earnings in reined cow horse events) except Youth Bridle, all Non Pro Limited and Youth Limited classes. To be eligible to compete in this division, contestants must have a valid Horse Show Limited Open designation on their membership card and a current application on file in the office. The Open and Limited Open shall have a common draw (Except in the case of the NRCHA World Show and any NRCHA Produced Event that has an Open Bridle Spectacular).

Non Pro Bridle - open to approved Non Pro riders. (Non Pros are individuals who do not train horses for the public; see the NRCHA rulebook or call the NRCHA office at 580.759.4949 for a complete definition.)

Intermediate Non Pro Bridle - on a provisional basis for 2009 and 2010. This class is open to approved Non Pro riders who have not earned more than $25,000 in this or any other approved NRCHA class in lifetime earnings, except Youth Bridle, all Non Pro Limited and Youth Limited classes as of November 16th of the current show year. To be eligible to compete in this division, contestants must have a valid Horse Show Intermediate Non Pro designation on their membership card and a current application on file in the NRCHA Office. The Non Pro Bridle, Intermediate Non Pro Bridle and the Novice Non Pro Bridle will have a common draw at the shows. (Except in the case of the NRCHA World Show and any NRCHA Produced Event that has a Non Pro Bridle Spectacular.) This class will not count for Regional Standings, World Show Qualification, or National Standings. Earnings will count toward lifetime earnings, eligibilities and Merit Awards.

Novice Non Pro Bridle - open to approved Non Pro riders who have not earned more than $7,500 in this or any other approved NRCHA class in lifetime earnings, except Youth Bridle, all Non Pro Limited and Youth Limited classes as of November 16th of the current show year.To be eligible to compete in this division, contestants must have a valid Horse Show Novice Non Pro designation on their membership card and a current application on file in the NRCHA Office. The Non Pro Bridle, Intermediate Non Pro Bridle and the Novice Non Pro Bridle will have a common draw at the shows. (Except in the case of the NRCHA World Show and any NRCHA Produced Event that has a Non Pro Bridle Spectacular.)

Youth Bridle - open to riders 18 years of age and under as of November 16th of the current show year (may be divided: 14 & under, 15 through 18, however only one year end award is given). For safety reasons, Youth are not allowed to show stallions in any Youth class. Youth Bridle and Youth Limited classes may not run concurrently with any other classes.

This class, which may also be divided into open and non-pro divisions, gives NRCHA bridle horse competitors a chance to show their 6 years or older horses in all three aspects of reined cow horse (herd, reined, and fence work). Previously horses who were too old for aged events did not get to show in herd work.

Open to horses 5 years of age and under as of January 1st of current show year that have
never been shown in a bridle or two-rein down the fence at any judged classes or events with the exception of horse sales. The rider shall use closed reins. Two hands must be used on the reins, except in the herd work.

Open Hackamore - open to any rider.

Limited Open Hackamore - open to any rider who has not won more than $15,000 in reined cow horse shows and Limited Age Events (lifetime earnings in reined cow horse events) except Youth Bridle, all Non Pro Limited and Youth Limited classes. To be eligible to compete in this division, contestants must have a valid Horse Show Limited Open designation on their membership card and a current application on file in the office. The Open and Limited Open shall have a common draw (Except in the case of the NRCHA World Show.)

Non Pro Hackamore - open to approved Non Pro riders only.

Open to horses of any age that have not shown in the bridle down the fence in any judged classes
or events with the exception of horse sales, prior to November 16th of the current show year. These horses can be shown only one year in this class. The rider must use one hand on the reins.
Any number of fingers between reins will be permitted. Earnings in this class are counted as bridle earnings for purposes of Merit awards.

Open Two-Rein - open to any rider. Not to run concurrent with Non Pro Two-Rein.

Non Pro Two-Rein – This class is open to approved Non Pro riders. Beginning in 2008 this class will be an approved class for a period of two years and its status will be reviewed based on participation.

Work to consist of reining pattern and single cow work (boxing) on the end of the arena. Each contestant upon receiving a cow in the arena, shall hold that cow on the prescribed end of the arena for 50 seconds, demonstrating the ability of the horse and rider to control the cow. Time shall begin when the gate closes behind the cow after being let into the arena. The announcer or judge will signal the completion of the 50 seconds with a whistle or horn. Horses 5 years of age and under as of January 1st of current show year may be shown in either a snaffle bit or hackamore. Horse of any age may be shown in the two-rein (for one year only) or bridle. Riders cannot have shown down the fence 3 actual runs in any judged classes or events with the exception of horse sales. Being entered in a class which includes the fence work will be counted as going down the fence regardless if the rider boxed the cow and pulled up before the run was completed. The responsibility for eligibility lies with the competitor. If an individual feels a competitor is not eligible for a class, the burden of proof lies with the person who protests.

$5,000 Non Pro Limited - open to approved Non Pro riders who have not earned more than $5000 in lifetime earnings and who comply with all Non Pro eligibility rules, with the exception
of 2.1.10 ownership rule. (See pages 14, 15, and 16 for Non Pro eligibility rules.) For purposes of determining eligibility for this class, all Non Pro Limited earnings shall be computed at zero as
of January 1, 2002. This class may run concurrent with Non Pro Limited.

Non Pro Limited – on a provisional basis for the 2008 and 2009 show year. This class is open to approved Non Pro riders who have not earned more than $5,000 in classes with down the fence cow work, but may have won more than $5,000 in Non Pro Limited earnings and who comply with all Non Pro eligibility rules. Non Pro riders in this class must meet the requirements of the 2.1.10 ownership rule. (See pages 14, 15 and 16 for Non Pro eligibility rules.) After Non Pro competitors reach the age of 50, they may fall back into the Non Pro Limited class. However, they may not go down the fence again in any judged classes or events with the exception of horse sales and remain in the Non Pro Limited Class. Competitors may fall back to the Non Pro Limited Class only one time. Any rider that has not reached the age of 50 and wishes to compete in the Non Pro Limited class may petition the NRCHA Board of Directors for special consideration. This class may run concurrently with $5,000 Non Pro Limited. This class will not count for Regional Standings, World Show Qualification, or National Standings. Earnings will count toward Non Pro Limited eligibilities and the Certificate Of Ability.

Youth Limited - open to riders 18 years of age and under as of November 16th of the current show year. Youth may not show stallions in Youth classes. Youth Bridle and Youth Limited classes may not run concurrently with any other classes.

Limited Age Events shall include events for which only horses of a specified age are eligible. Futurities are for 3-year-olds only, derbies are restricted to 4- and 5-year-olds, but may be held for 4-year-olds only and also include but are not limited to the following NRCHA managed events: NRCHA Stakes, NRCHA Hackamore Classic, NRCHA Derby and NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity.

Open - Open to any rider who possesses a current NRCHA membership card.

Intermediate Open - open to any rider who is not on the top 30 Open rider listing; based on Open money won in the past three years at any NRCHA approved Limited Age Events and is not on the top 12 Non Pro rider listings; based on Open and Non Pro money won in the past three years at any NRCHA approved Limited Age Events. To be eligible to compete in this
division, contestants must have a valid LAE Intermediate Open designation on their membership card and a current application on file in the office. There will be added money to the purse.
Entry in the Open division must be paid to show in this class. This applies to all NRCHA Approved LAE.

Limited Open - open to any rider who is not on the top 30 Open rider listing; based on Open money won in the past three years at any NRCHA approved Limited Age Events, has not earned over $10,000 in Open and Non Pro money at the NRCHA Futurity, Derby, Hackamore Classic, Stakes or Maturity through 2001, and after 2001 at any NRCHA approved Limited Age Events and is not on the top 12 Non Pro rider listings; based on Open and Non Pro money won in the past three years at any NRCHA approved Limited Age Events. To be eligible to compete in this division, contestants must have a valid LAE Limited Open designation on their membership card and a current application on file in the office. There will be added money to the purse. Entry in the Open division must be paid to show in this class.

Non Pro - Open to any rider who possesses a current NRCHA Non Pro card.

Intermediate Non Pro - open to any rider who possesses a current NRCHA Non Pro card and is not on the top 12 Non Pro rider listings; based on Open and Non Pro money won in the past three years at any NRCHA approved Limited Age Events. To be eligible to compete in this division, contestants must have a valid LAE Intermediate Non Pro on file in the office. Entry in the Non Pro division must be paid to show in this class. This applies to all NRCHA Approved LAE.

Amateur - Open to any rider who possesses a current NRCHA Non Pro card and is not on the top 12 Non Pro rider listings; based on Open and Non Pro money won in the past three years at any NRCHA approved Limited Age Events and has not won more than $5,000 in lifetime earnings in Open and Non Pro money at the NRCHA Futurity, Derby, Hackamore Classic, Stakes or Maturity through 2001, and after 2001 at any NRCHA approved Limited Aged Events.

Ladies - Open to all female Open and Non Pro riders.