Show Management’s Most FAQ’s You Need to Know

Show management team, An Equine Production, has developed a helpful infographic of the most Frequently Asked Questions they receive about the 2020 AQHA Rule Book. (Scroll to the bottom of the page and print it out to keep on hand in your paper book for quick reference!)

Medications: Forms must be turned in within one hour of administration. If the show office is closed, they must be turned in within one hour of the office being opened the next morning. Rule VIO403.8 pg. 43. If you have a horse on the grounds and they are not being shown, still file a medication form, in the event it is shown. Have questions on specific medication/timing? Call Medication Hotline at 1-800-633-2472.

Green/Level 1: Rule SHW245 Eligibility, pg. 99– Points are based on Nov. 1st- October 31st of each year. If you show a horse at any horse show from Nov. 1st, 2020 – Dec. 31st, 2020, the points earned will not be counted for 2021 eligibility. They are counted for 2022 eligibility. This applies for L1 Amateur and Novice Youth eligibility as well. Horses competing in Level 1 (Green) classes may not have won $2,500 or more in any equine organization or association in that class. Still 25 points per class applies. Also, if a rider has competed on an NCEA equestrian team on scholarship or riders as a starter, he or she is not L1 eligible.

Rookie: SHW 252, pg. 102- Horses may now have up to 50 lifetime points per class. The rider must still have less than 10 points per class to be eligible. Prize money won can also affect eligibility. Over Fence classes do not apply for horses.

Quantity? Performance Classes- Rule SHW400, pg. 127- Performance classes that are individually worked (Ranch Riding, Reining, Working Cow Horse, Boxing, Western Riding, Barrels, Poles, Jumping, Working Hunter, Trail, Roping classes, Team Penning, Sorting and Cutting) you can show the following:

• All Age Open- a total of four horses can be exhibited (No stipulation on how many of each age)
• Junior or Level 1 Junior- three horses may be shown
• Senior or Level 1 Senior- three horses may be shown
• Leveled classes- a total of four horses may be shown (no stipulation on how many of each level)
• Leveled rail classes- (example) If the L2 and L3 Senior Western Pleasure classes are NOT concurrent, you can show one in the L2 and another horse in the L3. If concurrent, only one horse may be shown.

Versatility Ranch Horse: SHW 461.1 pg. 168- No horse may cross enter Trail AND VRH Trail, regardless of division. SHW 481.14 pg. 173- No horse may cross enter Reining AND VRH Reining, regardless of division. Anytime there are enough categories (3) involving VRH classes to have an all-around named (conformation, cattle, and one other performance class) that becomes a VRH show on its own. Those classes cannot be part of the original show. Separate AQHA processing fees will apply.

Odds and Ends:

• Can an adult child and the child’s mom show the same horse in BOTH Amateur Showmanship and Select Showmanship? NO. One, if L1 eligible, could show in the L1 and the other could show in the age appropriate class.
• Can an exhibitor of select age, show one horse in Amateur Showmanship and another horse in Select Showmanship? Yes.
• Can an exhibitor show the same horse in Ranch Riding and Western Pleasure at the same show? No. SHW416
• Can an exhibitor show one horse in the L1 Amateur Walk/Jog Trail and another horse in the lope Trail? No. However, a child could show the W/J Trail and an adult could show in the lope Trail.
• Can an exhibitor show the same horse in the Walk/Jog Horsemanship and the Lope Western Pleasure? Yes.
• Non-Owned Horses- Can be shown by a L1 Amateur/Youth in the appropriate L1 class? Yes. At non-top 10 shows, the horse can be shown without additional paperwork. At top-10 shows, permits can be required.

Performance Halter- If your horse has an ROM in ANY division, the horse is eligible to show Performance Halter in any division.

Exhibitor Levels- It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to know his/her correct level.

World Show Qualifier’s Handbook– Points earned by a youth from August 1st-December 31st in the year he/she turns 19 years of age will count towards amateur qualification for the upcoming Amateur World Show. This applies for youth who meet amateur eligibility/membership requirements as of January 1st.

Though this is designed as a quick reference guide, at all times, refer to the AQHA Rule Book- www.AQHA.com/rulebook.