Rule Proposal Discussion- Should Amateurs be Allowed to Earn Income by Giving Lessons?
The AQHA and APHA Conventions are coming up and, as always, there is a number of rule change proposals on both agendas that have contributed to widespread discussion. We already reviewed two hot topics on each breed association’s agenda with the article, Big NRHA Rule Change For Non-Pros- How Would This Look in AQHA or APHA?, as it relates to the new NCAA NIL rule, so be sure to give that a look.
Click here for Review of APHA Rule Change Proposals and Preview of AQHA Rule Change Proposals.
Another topic up for discussion concerns a rule change proposal on both AQHA and APHA’s agendas that would allow amateur competitors to provide riding lessons. The full text of both proposals indicate that an amateur would be allowed to receive “direct or indirect renumeration” for these lessons.
The Proposal Text
Below is how the proposal’s text appears on APHA’s agenda.
APHA- CONTROL #AM-010-3- Allow Amateurs to give riding lessons as long as lessons are not given at a horse show or public clinic. ORIGINATORS JUSTIFICATION FOR CHANGE AND IMPACT IF NOT PASSED: Allowing amateurs the ability to give riding lessons will unleash thousands of riding instructors, which will directly increase our youth and beginner level participation. To encourage individuals to ride horses, we need to give them a cheaper alternative, otherwise they will end up in another sport. If not passed, we will continue to see a decline in our members (especially youth) as there is a direct relationship between the decline of youth/beginner riders and the rise of amateur rules that has reduced the number of lesson givers.
Below is how a similar proposal appears on AQHA’s amateur committee agenda.
#13. Amend SHW225.3 to allow youth and/or amateur members to instruct another person in riding for remuneration, monetary or otherwise, either directly or indirectly for riding lessons.
Readers’ Opinions
A number of our Equine Chronicle readers sounded off on the topic on our social media. Here is what a few of them had to say.
CON- Lauren Louw– “I don’t know if anyone has asked this, but what about liability insurance? How will it go when an amateur is giving a lesson and someone gets hurt? We all have business liability. Does that work the same for an individual? Sounds like something that could be very problematic…”
PRO- Jennifer Welch Larsen– “What about an amateur who wants to teach a few lessons to help with expenses, not just make a living at it? I would love to be able to teach a couple lessons a week in addition to my other career in IT, but I can’t and I find that ridiculous.”
CON- Tara Venable– “Last I checked, the definition of an amateur was ‘a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid rather than a professional basis.’ If we allow amateurs to accept income, why have the division at all? I find the idea of amateurs being allowed to earn income and still retain an amateur card to be absolutely ludicrous. This is another way for pros to flood the amateur division, something that’s already abused, and will now be even more so. There will be no place for a true amateur to compete anymore. Should not be allowed sponsorships either.”
PRO- Mercedes Glenn– “I think there should be a cap [on the amount of lessons/income]. I just small local open shows and do lessons here and there… and are unable to show as an amateur.”
CON- Katy Jo Zuidema- “Absolutely not. Plus what good does it do to get the ‘new people’ lessons at home and then expect them to take themselves to our giant horse shows? That’s not going to happen. They’re going to go to the local open shows that are huge and last two days, instead of 10 days, and continue to get lessons from the amateurs at home. Fill the gap better. Bring the weekend horse shows back so that the grass roots trainers can make a sustainable living on the grass roots clients. In my opinion, that’s how you fix the problem. Letting amateurs be pseudo-pros will just deter lesser amateurs, widening the gap between the novice and the top of the amateur division.”
PRO- Alean Williams– “I think if it’s limited to lessons for youth, on a part time basis, it would be fine. When they start taking in ‘clients for training,’ then they have crossed the line. Every professional started somewhere and amateurs need a stepping stone to get there if that’s their goal. That’s why I like NRHA’s rookie professional division. Shame AQHA doesn’t have something like that in their world. Every organization should if they want to keep growing and not limit people. The beginner riders need someone to learn from.”
CON- Melinda Maxson– “If you are knowledgeable enough to train others to ride, and have chosen to make a living doing it, you should compete as a professional. Anything other than a bright line rule would be impossible to police.”
PRO- Gillian Davis– “My vote: Follow the USEF rules on how they did it. Amateurs that want to do it are going do it under the rug anyway, so why not help out the industry and let amateurs help out where needed? There should be a list of how it should be done, like you cannot earn over $500 a month for giving lessons.”
CON- Emily Staubus- “Amateurs are amateurs for a reason. Other side hustles: band/braid at a show, make horse hair jewelry, offer clipping services, blanketing or stall check services – get creative. If amateurs give lessons, hop on horses (because they will), then what’s the incentive to go pro? If it’s about growing our sport, offer mentorship. I’ll sign up to mentor someone or be an ambassador. I’ll plug people into my network and encourage them. If it’s about cost, and that’s the roadblock for some, highlight leasing more.”
PRO- Katie Hester- “If an amateur has the knowledge and ability to help others improve their skills, let them do it and let them be paid for sharing that knowledge. Most of the amateurs I know work full time jobs, have done 4-H and open shows and clinics, and are a wealth of information. If they are kind enough to help me, I’ll be glad to pay them. I don’t know of any pros that can… or would… stop training long enough to give lessons each and every day to help the little guy.”
CON- Gater Eby- “You cannot redefine the definition of what an amateur is just to suit your immediate need or desires. It’s already a slippery slope… Over the past 40 years, I’ve known people showing as an amateur that were making money giving lessons. That doesn’t make it ok. I would say no. An amateur needs to stay an amateur. If they want a third category, they should make one up.”
Rule Change Process
Keep in mind that there is a specific process that all rule change proposals go through in order to be voted upon, approved, and implemented into a future rulebook. At each convention, rule change proposals are discussed within the appropriate committees. For AQHA, each committee makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors. During a later meeting, the Board of Directors approve or deny the rule change proposal recommendations. Even then, certain rule change proposals are taken to the AQHA Executive Committee for review. Only then would an official rule be included in the rulebook for the following year, unless it is eligible for immediate implementation. For APHA, rule change proposals that are passed out of committee during the convention are voted on by elected state directors. The actual vote of state delegates is electronic and takes place after the convention ends.
That’s why it’s important to wait for official word from both breed associations as to which rules have gone through the entire approval process, because the process often continues after the conventions have concluded.
