Find Your 2014 Competition Level Using AQHA’s New Online System
AQHA Publicity
AQHA exhibitors and American Quarter Horse owners can now use an online system to help them determine their level eligibility. To determine level eligibility for 2014, visit www.aqha.com/leveling to access the AQHA leveling program Web-based verification system.
AQHA divisions – youth, amateur and open – are divided into levels. The leveling program uses an objective handicapping system to assign exhibitors and horses to competition levels.
Youth, amateur and select amateur classes, plus open division halter and cattle events, are leveled by exhibitor record. Meaning, the user will search for level eligibility for those classes by exhibitor membership ID.
All open division classes, excluding halter and cattle events, are leveled by the horse record; the user will search by a horse’s registration number to determine its eligibility.
Changes to the AQHA leveling program go into effect January 1, 2014. Many of those changes are directed at what had been known as the Rookie and Novice levels, now known as Rookie and Level 1. The mid-levels, which were put on hold in 2013, will be reintroduced in 2014.
“As its name suggests, the leveling program levels the playing field of AQHA competition,” said AQHA Executive Director of Shows Patti Carter-Pratt. “Staring January 1, the leveling program will be fully effective once again, and the eligibility rule changes will be in place.”
“I think we’re all really excited to see the positive effect the leveling program will have on the show industry this year,” Carter-Pratt added. “From the bottom up, the leveling program is designed to improve exhibitor experiences at AQHA shows and further American Quarter Horses as competitors.”
Visit www.aqha.com/leveling to use the Web-based level verification system. The Web application will show you the levels you and your American Quarter Horse are eligible for in 2014.
Level 1 (Novice) eligibility application must be filed each year, and all Level 1 exhibitors are encourage to complete the Level 1 (Novice) application and return it to AQHA as soon as possible.
Previous Level 1 (Novice) application information on file with AQHA may conflict with current eligibility, which would affect the eligibility being shown on the level verification system.
If assistance is needed in verifying level eligibility, AQHA customer service representatives are available to help at 806-376-4811.
AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHAnews on Twitter, watch the AQHA Newscast and visit www.aqha.com/news.
