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Leveling Program

Learn more about the AQHA competition leveling plan.

2012 Region Seven ChampionshipFull implementation of the AQHA leveling program started January 1, 2013. Effective April 3, 2013, the Intermediate and Progressive levels will be temporarily postponed until the launch of AQHA's database upgrade. Learn more about the database upgrade.

How Classes Are Leveled

Classes are leveled based on exhibitor or horse records.

Classes leveled by exhibitor record include youth, amateur, Select amateur, halter and cattle events. The levels for those classes are:

Classes leveled by horse record are open division classes, with the exception of halter and cattle events, which are leveled by exhibitor record. The levels for classes based on horse record are:

  • Rookie
  • Green
  • Progressive
  • Open

Effective April 3, 2013, the Intermediate and Progressive levels will be temporarily postponed until the launch of AQHA's database upgrade. Learn more about the database upgrade.

Learn more about level eligibility in Rules SHW245 and 251-260 in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.

Have a question about leveling? Read the leveling program Q&A with AQHA Executive Director of Show Patti Carter-Pratt.

Find Your Level

Two resources are needed to find the level(s) in which you are eligible to compete: the 2013 level point ranges (updated April 9, 2013)  and exhibitor data or horse data, depending on the class.

The following levels are based on lifetime points earned:

  • Rookie (based on horse and rider)
  • Green (based on horse)

The following levels are based  on points and achievements earned in the past three years.

  • Novice (based on rider)
  • Intermediate (based on rider)
  • Progressive (based on horse)
  • Open – rider
  • Open – horse

To find your level, follow these steps:

1.    Download the data.

a.    If you will compete in youth, amateur, Select amateur, halter or cattle events, download the exhibitor data (updated March 28, 2013).

b.    If you will compete in open division classes, with the exception of halter and cattle events, download the horse data (updated January 23, 2013).

2.    Search the data document by your last name, for exhibitors, or by the horse’s registered name.

3.    Exhibitor eligibility for the Rookie, Novice and Intermediate/Open levels is detailed in the exhibitor data. Horse eligibility for Rookie/Green and Intermediate/Open is detailed in the horse data.

  • Any exhibitor who has earned at least 0.5 point in AQHA competition will be listed in the exhibitor data.
  • Any horse that has earned at least 0.5 point in AQHA competition will be listed in the horse data.

4.    Rookie eligibility

  • If an exhibitor's Rookie Eligibility for a class equals 10 or more points, the exhibitor is not eligible for Rookie competition in that class.
  • If a horse's Rookie/Green Eligibility for a class equals 10 or more points, the horse is not eligible for Rookie competition in that class.

5.    Green eligibility

  • If a horse's Rookie/Green Eligibility for a class is greater than 25 points in that particular class, the horse is not eligible to compete in Green in that class. Additionally, if a horse has earned $1,000 in that event, the horse is not eligible for Green competition in that class. Once a horse has progressed out of Green, the horse may continue competing in Green for the remainder of the year. The horse will never be able to compete in Green in that particular class after its last year of Green eligibility.

6.    Novice eligibility

  • If an exhibitor's Novice Eligibility falls outside of the Novice level point range for a class, the exhibitor is not eligible for Novice competition in that class.
  • To compete in a Novice level class, the exhibitor must hold either a Novice amateur or Novice youth membership card. The conditions of Novice membership are outlined in Rule SHW245.

7.    Intermediate/Open eligibility – exhibitors

  • If an exhibitor's Intermediate/Open Eligibility falls outside of the Intermediate level point range for a class, the exhibitor is not eligible for Intermediate competition in that class and must show up in the Open level.

8.    Progressive/Open – exhibitors

  • If a horse's Progressive/Open Eligibility falls outside of the Progressive level point range for a class, the horse is not eligible for Progressive competition in that class and must show up in the Open level.

8.    To verify the level points ranges, download the 2013 level point ranges (updated April 9, 2013).

If you have questions about finding your level, contact AQHA Customer Service at (806) 376-4811.

In the News

  • April 12, 2013 – As a result of the database upgrade delay, AQHA temporarily postpones the availability of Intermediate and Progressive level classes.
  • April 3, 2013 – Read a message to members, regarding the AQHA database and status of the leveling program, from the AQHA executive vice president.
  • January 10, 2013 – AQHA answers questions from members about the AQHA leveling program.
  • December 20, 2013 – Level point ranges for 2013 AQHA shows are available online.
  • September 12, 2012 – The final AQHA leveling program test show kicks off September 13 in Eugene, Oregon.
  • August 24, 2012 – The AQHA Executive Committee approves rules, effective January 1, 2013, that will govern the new AQHA leveling program.
  • March 23 2012 – AQHA Executive Director of Shows Patti Carter-Pratt recaps the Silver Dollar Circuit in Las Vegas, the second AQHA leveling program test show.
  • March 20, 2012 – The results are in from the Silver Dollar Circuit March 14-18 at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
  • February 18, 2012 – AQHA leveling program debuts at the Kansas Quarter Horse Association Prairie Classic in Oklahoma City.
  • February 21, 2012 – The AQHA leveling program pilot makes the 2012 KQHA Prairie Classic a landmark event.

The overall goal of the new show leveling program is to get more new people involved in showing their American Quarter Horses and drive the showing market in a strong direction. If you have questions about the show leveling program, contact the AQHA competition department at (806) 376-4811.