SHW225-229. Amateur Eligibility

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SHW225. AMATEUR ELIGIBILITY. The application for amateur membership must be true and correct in every detail. A false statement shall be grounds for possible disciplinary action under AQHA's disciplinary procedure, (VIOLATIONS section) which includes suspension, fine and/or expulsion from membership. In addition to the membership requirements, the following rules apply. An amateur:

  • SHW225.1 Must be 19 years of age on or before January 1 of the year of application and no longer eligible to compete in AQHA youth classes

  • SHW225.2 May show in select amateur classes upon turning 50 years of age.

  • SHW225.3 For three calendar years previous to application for amateur membership, an amateur may not have:

    • SHW225.3.1 shown, judged, trained or assisted in training a horse (whether or not a registered American Quarter Horse) for remuneration, monetary or otherwise, either directly or indirectly. Payment of entry fees and/or expenses by anyone other than the amateur, the amateur's "Immediate Family" as defined herein or an amateur's nationally sponsored team (team demonstrations, exhibitions or international competitions only) shall be considered remuneration;

    • SHW225.3.2 instructed another person in riding, driving, training or showing a horse (whether or not a registered American Quarter Horse) for remuneration, monetary or otherwise, either directly or indirectly;

    • SHW225.3.3 shown, trained or assisted in the training of a horse (whether or not a registered American Quarter Horse) for which an immediate family member accepts remuneration, monetary or otherwise, either directly or indirectly, for such services;

    • SHW225.3.4 held credentials of horse show judge for AQHA or any other equine organization;

    • SHW225.3.5 been a member of the American Quarter Horse Association of Professional Horsemen; or

    • SHW225.3.6 held membership accreditation with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Women's Professional Rodeo Association (Barrel Race Only) or International Professional Rodeo Association, for those events or classes which are the same events or classes in which the individual competes, or desires to compete, in AQHA amateur competition. For example, a person who competes in a PRCA roping event may not compete in amateur calf roping or dally team roping (heading or heeling) but may show in any other amateur classes. A permit holder is not considered as one who has membership accreditation in a professional organization and may compete in any AQHA Amateur class.

  • SHW225.4 Notwithstanding subsection SHW225.3.3-4 above, certification as an instructor in equitherapy by Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) or similar organizations recognized by AQHA shall not result in amateur ineligibility. AQHA shall maintain a list of such recognized organizations. To be eligible as an AQHA amateur, the excepted instructor may only teach students enrolled with the recognized organization or prescribed such rehabilitation by a licensed medical doctor. Any amateur competitor excepted under this provision shall file such certification with the AQHA Amateur Department prior to any competition by such individual.

  • SHW225.5 Notwithstanding subsection SHW225.3.4 above, an individual who is 65 years of age or older and holds horse show judging credentials for AQHA or any other equine organization but has not judged in the previous twelve months is eligible to immediately apply for amateur membership so long as he/she meets all other amateur eligibility requirements and relinquishes his/her horse show judging credentials.

  • SHW225.6 Notwithstanding subsection SHW225.3.5, an individual who is 65 years of age or older and is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association of Professional Horsemen is eligible to immediately apply for amateur membership so long as they meet all other amateur eligibility requirements and relinquish their Professional Horsemen membership.

  • SHW225.7 Notwithstanding subsection SHW225.3.6 above, an amateur member who is eligible to compete as a select amateur and has earned Gold Card status with another association or organization is eligible to compete in any AQHA amateur class so long as they have not activated their Gold Card to be eligible to compete within the other association or organization.

SHW226. As a condition for the issuance of amateur membership, the applicant, and/or the family member who actually owns the horse with which the amateur will participate, agrees to provide, upon request, such documentation or other proof as requested by AQHA to support the representations of sole economic ownership of the horse or horses exhibited by the amateur in amateur or open events, and the other criterion set forth above. Failure to promptly furnish such documentation upon request may be cause for immediate termination of amateur membership and be grounds for possible disciplinary action by the Executive Committee under AQHA disciplinary procedures.

SHW227. To become eligible for amateur membership, or become eligible for reinstatement to amateur membership, the individual must wait a period of up to three (3) years from the date of the last incident which rendered the individual ineligible. Violation of AQHA's rule requirement for truthful application for amateur status may be cause for more severe sanction than such waiting period.

SHW228. If a record owner (1) leases a horse for breeding purposes only and (2) retains sole right of competing with the horse, such record owner may exhibit the horse in open or amateur AQHA classes.

SHW229. Upon revocation of amateur membership because of ineligibility, all earned amateur points from time of violation of eligibility rules shall be revoked.