In late July, the American Quarter Horse Association Executive Committee approved the AQHA competition leveling plan.
Although full implementation of the plan will not take place until 2013, AQHA will test the leveling program throughout 2012 by running scenarios on shows that have been held and, in some instances, testing both the exhibitor Intermediate level and the horse Progressive level at shows.
The leveling program changes include more and different levels, including new Rookie and Intermediate showing levels, more and different awards and two Novice championship shows.
Leveling involves these new levels:
- Rookie (based on the exhibitor and horse’s experience/points combined and designed to be the true entry into AQHA competition)
- Novice (based on the exhibitor’s experience)/Green (based on the horse’s experience)
- Intermediate (based on the exhibitor’s experience)/Progressive (based on the horse’s experience)
- Open
The purpose of the Rookie level class in particular is to reach AQHA members of all ages and riding levels. By developing true entry-level classes, AQHA plans to introduce new AQHA members, as well as current AQHA members who have never shown, to the AQHA show scene.
Rookie-level classes will be offered in all three AQHA divisions – open, amateur and youth.
Eligibility for a Rookie-level class depends on both the horse and the rider’s show records:
- For a horse to be eligible to compete in a Rookie-level class, that horse must have earned fewer than 10 lifetime points in that class in any division.
- For an exhibitor to be eligible to compete in a Rookie-level class, that exhibitor must have earned fewer than 10 lifetime points in that class in any division.
- Thus, to compete in a Rookie level class, the horse and rider must each have earned fewer than 10 points in that particular class.
Open, amateur, Novice amateur, youth, Novice youth and Rookie-level points all count toward Rookie-level eligibility.
Upon earning 10 points in a particular class in any division, the horse will immediately become ineligible to compete in that particular class at the Rookie level in any division. The owner of the horse will receive a certificate of recognition, similar to a Register of Merit, and the accomplishment will be added to the horse’s show record.
Also, upon earning 10 points in a particular class in any division, the exhibitor will immediately become ineligible to compete in that particular class at the Rookie level in any division. The exhibitor will receive a certificate of recognition, and the accomplishment will be added to the exhibitor’s show record.
For halter classes, Rookie-level halter classes must be all-ages classes and must be held as stand-alone classes. Rookie-level halter classes are not eligible for grand and reserve awards.
And finally, Rookie-level points do not count toward anything other than computing Rookie-level eligibility and recognition. Rookie-level points will not count toward the AQHA Justin Rookie of the Year Award. For rules regarding the AQHA Justin Rookie of the Year Award, see Rule 501 in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.
“AQHA was so pleased with the 10 very successful pilot Rookie shows that we had across the country in 2011,” said Patti Carter-Pratt, AQHA executive director of shows. “The shows were well-received by the entry-level competitors, and AQHA is excited to offer this to riders who want to try their hand at AQHA shows. We’re also looking forward to 2012 and our testing of the Intermediate and Progressive levels.”
The overall goal of the new show leveling program is to get more new people involved in showing their American Quarter Horses and drive the showing market in a strong direction. If you have questions about the show leveling program, contact the AQHA competition department at (806) 376-4811.
Watch for more information coming soon on the Novice/Green and Intermediate/Progressive levels. For more information, visit www.aqha.com/showing.
