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AQHA Leveling Program

  

Changes to the AQHA leveling program - driven by exhibitor feedback - are on the way for 2014. Many of those changes are directed at what had been known as the Novice and Rookie levels, and 2014 will see the reintroduction of the mid-levels.

To collect exhibitor feedback, the AQHA Blue-Ribbon Task Force worked with Mallory Vestal, Ph.D., of West Texas A&M University, and C. Jill Stowe, Ph.D., of the University of Kentucky. The group designed an email survey, which was sent to 23,000 AQHA members, ages 19 and over who have shown in the past three years.

To aid with level verification, the Blue-Ribbon Task Force will be working with the AQHA IT Department to develop a Web-based verification system for 2014 that will aid members in finding their level.  

Beginning in January 2014, the enhancements to the entire leveling program will take place. Necessary rules will appear in the 2014 AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.

To view the 2014 enhancements to the leveling program, download this attachment.      

Definition of Experience	2013 Level Names	2014 Revised Level Names
Most highly accomplished - exhibitor	Open	Level 3 All points earned in the past three years, all divisions, all levels excluding Level 1
Most highly accomplished - horse	Open	Level 3 All open division points earned in the past three years, excluding Level 1
Moderately accomplished - exhibitor	Intermediate	Level 2 All points earned in the past three years,  excluding Level 1
Moderately accomplished - horse	Progressive	Level 2 All open division points earned in the past three years, excluding Level 1
Minimally accomplished - exhibitor	Novice	Level 1 All points earned in the past three years, excluding Level 1 (horse) points; an exhibitor can return to Level 1 if the exhibitor has not earned  any points in that class for 10consecutive years and must meet the eligibility requirements per Rule SHW245.3
Minimally accomplished - horse	Green	Level 1 Lifetime points, all divisions, all levels excluding Level 1 (exhibitor) points
Beginner to few accomplishments - exhibitor	Rookie	Rookie  Lifetime points, all divisions, all levels excluding Level 1 (horse) points
Beginner to few accomplishments - horse	Rookie	Rookie  Lifetime points, all divisions, all levels excluding Level 1 (exhibitor) points

 

 

Competition Licenses  

    

Annual AQHA Incentive Fund competition licenses will expire December 31. If the horse owner wishes to receive money for points earned in 2014, they must complete a competition license for each Incentive Fund-nominated horse before the horse competes.

To receive Incentive Fund payout, owners must pay a competition license fee of $50 for the amateur division and $50 for the open division per horse. The fee can be paid any time during the year, and will become effective when it's received by AQHA or by show management. Points earned prior to paying the annual license fee will not be Incentive Fund-eligible.

 

Please be sure to download the AQHA Incentive Fund competition license form and have it available to competitors at your upcoming AQHA-approved shows. 

  

Patti Carter-Pratt	Melynda Ackley
Executive Director of Shows	Director of Competition Administration

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