Limited Rider

Earn awards while learning a new skill!

About Limited Rider

Reining sounds exciting with all the spins and stops, but you’ve only shown in western horsemanship.  English sounds interesting but you consider yourself a western rider.  Is there a way to try a different event, gain experience and still feel competitive?  The American Quarter Horse Association offers the limited rider program for AQHA members wanting to try something new. The limited rider program allows you the chance to compete in a different event and learn new skills.

Limited Rider Class

A - Halter / Performance Halter
B - Reining
C - Working Cow Horse Boxing
D - Trail Green Trail
E - Western Riding/ Green Western Riding
F - Team Penning
G - Ranch Sorting
H - Barrel Racing
I - Pole Bending
J - Stakes Race
K - Jumping
L - Working Hunter/ Green Working Hunter
M - Hunter Hack
N - Equitation Over Fences
O - Western Pleasure/ 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure/ Green Western Pleasure
P - Western Horsemanship
Q - Hunter Under Saddle/ Green Hunter Under Saddle
R - Hunt Seat Equitation
S - Tie Down Roping
T - Breakaway Roping
U - Heading
V - Heeling
W - Cutting
X - Showmanship
Y - Pleasure Driving
Z - Versatility Ranch Horse

Are you eligible to compete in the AQHA Rookie level? Find out more about the AQHA show leveling program and all of the levels offered!

Eligibility

The limited rider program is available to youth, amateur or open competitors.  The limited rider classes are designed to help you and your horse grow in a new event at your pace. To be eligible, you must not have earned 25 open, amateur or youth lifetime points in that class.

How to Earn

You show with your peers and earn points in youth, amateur or open competition, but your points also count toward limited rider year-end awards!

Basically, the person who shows the most in a particular class, has the best chance to earn the high-point award. The more you practice, the better you'll get!

You can earn many awards as a limited rider. Awards are determined by your points earned January through December. Points are based on the standard AQHA point scale found in the AQHA Handbook of Rules & Regulations. The points you earn are those that are recorded on your permanent show record for that class.

At year end, a high-point winner will be recognized in each limited rider class in the amateur, youth and open divisions. The high-point limited rider in each skill set as of December 31 will win a specially designed Montana Silversmiths belt buckle. The top-10 point earners in each skill set will be awarded certificates.

As a limited rider, you continue to build your skills while competing.  When you earn 25 lifetime points in a skill set as a limited rider - congratulations! Now, use that experience and compete in youth, amateur or open competition - or try a new skill set!

See more AQHA Partner benefits