American Quarter Horse AssociationJanuary 14, 2013
Learn more about how classes are leveled and find your level at www.aqha.com/leveling. (Journal photo)
Full 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.
Learn more about how classes are leveled and find your level at www.aqha.com/leveling.
Why did AQHA start the leveling program? The leveling program was created to level the playing field at AQHA shows. Under the old system, once exhibitors pointed out of Novice, or horses out of Green, they had to move up to what we call the Open level. AQHA staff, directors, competitors and Professional Horsemen recognized the need to add a middle level, meaning the Intermediate or Progressive level. The leveling program:
I am still trying to fully understand the Novice part of this leveling. To hold a Novice card in any event you must not have earned more than 25 points in that event. Since not all shows will have leveling, here is my question: In the leveling program exhibitors can now earn up to 40 points in showmanship before they move out of Novice. With the new leveling system, is the old Novice system completely gone? If it is not, then can a Novice amateur only show Novice at shows that offer leveling?
Anytime a show offers a Novice class they are leveling. So, even the old show system was "leveled" when Novice classes were offered. The main changes to the system were how the levels, such as Novice, are figured; we also added a mid-level, known as Intermediate/Progressive.
To ensure that you are still a Novice amateur in showmanship, refer to the exhibitor data available at www.aqha.com/leveling and compare it to the 2013 level point ranges chart, also available at www.aqha.com/leveling. The point ranges chart tells you how many points it takes to point out of Novice on a per class basis. You will then match the point range with your points in the exhibitor data and this will let you know what levels you are able to show in this year.
Remember, you can always show up a level, but not down, which has always been the case for Novice-eligible exhibitors.
Here's a great example: If you are Novice in showmanship, you can also show up into the Intermediate level (the stepping stone between Novice and the Open level), or in the Open level. If the show does not offer an Intermediate level you can show up to the Open level. If you are planning (and eligible) to show in Novice classes, you will need to fill out a Novice application. You will be able to find this application online at www.aqha.com/novice. Keep a copy of this application and a copy of your exhibitor data for reference when you enter at your next show.
Will points earned in showmanship affect the exhibitor's level or the horse's level? Since showmanship is only offered in the youth, amateur and Select amateur divisions, which are divisions based on the exhibitor level, points earned in showmanship classes will only affect the exhibitor’s level. Do Green classes combine with regular classes to get a total number of points? Example: Green western riding and western riding When figuring Green level eligibility, lifetime points earned by the horse in all levels and all divisions (excluding Novice) are added together. Meaning: Green points + Intermediate (youth, amateur, open) points + Progressive points + Open (youth, amateur, open) points = Green eligibility. When figuring Progressive and Open level eligibility, Green points are not included. Green points are not included when figuring exhibitor level eligibility, meaning Novice, Intermediate and Open youth, Open amateur and Open Select amateur. Do points earned in the Novice or Green level count toward world show qualifications? No. Only points earned in the Intermediate, Progressive and Open levels will count toward qualifications for world shows. Is the cut off for the Green level 25 or 25.5? The cut off for Green is 25 points. Progressive starts at 25.5 points. Are membership cards going to be changed? At this time we do not know if the membership cards will be changed. Novice membership cards are still required for entry in a Novice class. What do exhibitors need to give show management to prove what level they are in? Exhibitors need to provide their membership card to show management. To expedite the entry process, exhibitors are encouraged to provide a printout of their level eligibility, known as the “exhibitor data” found at www.aqha.leveling. The exhibitor’s eligibility does not change throughout the year, so the exhibitor may keep the printout on hand to provide to show management at each show they attend that year. The same process may be done for horses competing in open division classes. Owners or exhibitors may print out and provide show management with the horse’s eligibility, known as the “horse data” found at www.aqha.com/leveling, to verify the horse’s level. Show management will have access to the data sheets to determine which level the exhibitor/horse is eligible for in for each class, but bringing your own copy of your and your horse’s eligibility will expedite the entry process. Do the points start over every three years? Point levels are recalculated every year and exhibitor or horse eligibility (for all classes, excluding Rookie and Green) is based on points earned in the past three years. Is it true that Novice is going away? The Novice program is still in effect. Two things are required to compete in a Novice class:
Do Novice points count toward a horse leveling out of a Green class? No. Novice points only count for an exhibitor graduating out of Novice. Green points only count for a horse graduating out of Green. What constitutes a Rookie when leveling starts? A Rookie is an exhibitor or a horse that has less than 10 lifetime points in a class. Is Rookie based on lifetime points or points earned in the last three years? Rookie is based on lifetime points earned in a specific class. When a youth graduates to amateur, will they still base their level off of the last three years? Yes. Their level will still be based on their last three years of competition. If I attend a show that does not offer leveling, what class or division would I be eligible for? You would enter a traditional show the same way as you always have. If you are not Novice eligible, you will show up in the Open level. If you are Novice eligible, you may enter both Novice and Open level classes. If I haven't shown in the last three years and I was previously Novice, would I still be Novice now? If you are still eligible to be in the Novice program, per Rule SHW245 in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations, and have not earned any points in the last three years, you would be eligible in the Novice level. Will the membership fees stay the same with the leveling program? Membership fees are still the same for 2013. How do I determine which level I will be in for 2013? If you are competing in youth, amateur, Select amateur, halter and cattle-event classes, look up your exhibitor eligibility in the “exhibitor data” at www.aqha.com/leveling. For horses that will be shown in open division classes, excluding halter and cattle events, look up your horse’s points in the “horse data” at www.aqha.com/leveling. Using the points listed in the data sheets, you will then need to look at the 2013 point level ranges to determine which level(s) you can show in. These are also available at www.aqha.leveling. What are the different levels? The exhibitor levels are Rookie, Novice, Intermediate and Open. The horse levels are Rookie, Green, Progressive and Open. Do the points earned in amateur and youth stay with the exhibitor or with the horse? Points earned in exhibitor-based classes, such as amateur and youth, will appear on the exhibitor’s record. Will the levels be listed on the membership cards? At this time we do not know if the membership cards will be changed. Why does the Novice application still have to be completed? To ensure that an exhibitor is Novice eligible based on the constraints listed in Rule SHW245, a Novice application must be completed. The ability to compete in a Novice class is based on two prerequisites:
How is a horse to be leveled if the show is not leveling its classes? If the level a horse is eligible for is not offered at a show, the horse will show up in the level that is offered. Horses and exhibitors always have the choice to show up a level or two, but may not show down a level. If the show does not offer Intermediate/Progressive classes and that is the level the exhibitor/horse is eligible for, the exhibitor/horse must show up in the Open level. NOTE: 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. My child is 17, does he show in the 14-18 classes or the 18 and under classes? Your child will show in the class for which he or she is eligible, depending on what class is offered at the show you are attending. How do you find out if a show will be leveled? You will need to contact the show management to find out if the show is leveled or check Show Calendar in every issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal. Will the shows that offer leveling be advertised in the Journal? Yes How do I read the data to determine which level I will be in? To figure eligibility in classes based on the exhibitor – youth, amateur, Select amateur, halter and cattle events – you will need to download the "exhibitor data," available at www.aqha.com/leveling. Exhibitors who have earned at least a 0.5 point in a class will be listed in the exhibitor data. If you have not earned at least 0.5 point in a class, that class will not be listed under your name, meaning you may be eligible to compete in all levels of that class as long as you comply with eligibility requirements set forth in Rules SHW245 and 251. The first column in the exhibitor data is Rookie Eligibility, which is based on lifetime points earned in that class. If you have earned more than 10 lifetime points in that class, you are not eligible to compete in Rookie. The second column in the exhibitor data is Novice Eligibility. You will compare the points listed in the Novice Eligibility column to the 2013 Novice level point range for that class, which is available at www.aqha.com/leveling. If your points listed in the Novice Eligibility column fall within the point range, also verify that you are Novice eligible under Rules SHW245 and 251. The third column in the exhibitor data is Intermediate/Open Eligibility. You will compare the points listed in the Intermediate/Open Eligibility column to the 2013 Intermediate level point range for that class. If your points listed in the Intermediate/Open Eligibility column fall within the Intermediate point range, you are eligible to compete in Intermediate as long as you are also eligible under Rule SHW251. If your points listed in the Intermediate/Open Eligibility are above the Intermediate point range, you are only eligible for Open-level competition. How do I know if my horse is still eligible for Green? Your horse’s lifetime points earned in a class – all divisions and levels combined – determine its Green eligibility. If your horse has earned 25 or less lifetime points, it would be eligible for Green. Also, the horse cannot have won more than $1,000. To figure eligibility in classes based on the horse – excluding halter and cattle events, which are based on the exhibitor – you will need to download the "horse data," available at www.aqha.com/leveling. Horses that have earned at least a 0.5 point in a class will be listed in the horse data. If the horse has not earned at least 0.5 point in a class, that class will not be listed under the horse’s name, meaning the horse may be eligible to compete in all levels of that class as long as it complies with eligibility requirements set forth in Rules SHW245 and 251. The first column in the horse data is Rookie/Green Eligibility, which is based on lifetime points earned in that class. If the horse has earned more than 10 lifetime points in that class, the horse is not eligible to compete in Rookie. If the horse has earned more than 25 lifetime points in that class, the horse is not eligible to compete in Green. The second column in the horse data is Progressive/Open Eligibility. You will compare the points listed in the Progressive/Open Eligibility column to the 2013 Progressive level point range for that class; the 2013 point range chart can be found at www.aqha.com/leveling. If the horse’s points listed in the Progressive/Open Eligibility column fall within the Progressive point range, the horse is eligible to compete in Progressive as long as it is also eligible under Rule SHW251. If the horse’s points listed in the Progressive/Open Eligibility are above the Progressive point range, the horse is only eligible for Open-level competition. Will showing in other associations effect which level I am eligible for with AQHA? It could possibly affect your Novice eligibility and your horse’s Green eligibility. Refer to Rule SHW245 for Novice eligibility guidelines. Also, if a horse has earned more than $1,000 in an event, it is no longer eligible for Green competition. If I am eligible for all levels, which level do you suggest I show in? If you are eligible for all levels, unless you know you can compete with Open-level competitors, you should enter the Novice/Green or Intermediate/Progressive level. The leveling program was designed to benefit exhibitors who are showing at their specific level, which levels the playing field. NOTE: 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. What is a Green horse? A Green horse is a horse that has earned 25 of less lifetime points in a class and has won less than $1,000 in an event. Are showmanship points added with halter points to determine level for halter? No. Showmanship is separate from halter, but performance halter and regular halter classes are added together to determine the level. Is the Green level only for the open division? Yes. The Green level is only for the open division. The Green level is based on the horse’s record. What type of membership do I need to be able to show in AQHA shows? There are youth, amateur and general memberships. If you are going to compete in Novice classes, you also need to complete a Novice application in addition to your AQHA membership. I have earned Superior awards and placed in the top three at a world show, but it was years ago. What level would I be in for 2013? If you have not shown in the past three years, you can return to competition as a Novice, provided you have not held an accredited judges card. See Rule SHW245 for Novice eligibility guidelines. How do I enter the all-around in leveling? All-around points will be calculated as always. Why is leveling up to show management? Why isn't leveling going to be mandatory at all shows? The choice to determine which classes to level gives show managers flexibility and the ability to meet the needs of their customers. Show managers will decide whether or how to level their shows based on what’s best for their customers; this is generally determined on the number of entries they historically have had. NOTE: 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. If you go to a class and they do not have enough entries to earn points in that level , then what? The leveled class will be combined. Will the membership cards still say Novice? If not, how will show management know you are eligible for Novice? In addition to a youth, amateur or general AQHA membership card, exhibitors wishing to enter Novice classes must also complete a Novice application. How will leveling effect Select amateur classes? Show management has the option to level the Select amateur classes, as well. To determine if I am Novice, do I use my personal lifetime points or just my points over past three years?
To determine if you are Novice eligible, refer to the Novice Eligibility column in the exhibitor data. If your point total falls outside of the 2013 Novice level point range, you are not Novice eligible in that class. Additionally, if your Novice Eligibility point total falls within the Novice point range, also verify that you comply with the Novice eligibility guidelines set forth in Rules SHW245 and 251.
Novice-level eligibility point totals are calculated from points earned in the past three years in Novice amateur, Novice youth, amateur, youth and open competition.
To determine if I am Intermediate, do I use my personal lifetime points or just my points over past three years?
Intermediate-level eligibility is determined by youth, amateur and open points earned in the past three years (Novice points are excluded).
To verify that you are eligible for Intermediate, also refer to Rule SHW251, which details achievements won and how they affect Intermediate/Progressive eligibility.
NOTE: 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.
If I point out of Novice during the year, does that mean I must show up in the Intermediate level for the remainder of the year?
No. If you are eligible for the Novice level at the beginning of the year, you will be remain eligible to compete in Novice until the end of the year.
To determine if I am an Intermediate, do I use both my Novice and regular (open, amateur, youth, etc.) points, or just my regular points? For example, over the past three years, I have earned about 85 Novice points and two amateur horsemanship points. Even though most of my points were earned in Novice competition, does that mean I am only eligible to compete in the Open level?
Intermediate-level eligibility point totals are calculated from points earned in the past three years in amateur, youth and open competition (Novice points are excluded).
In this example, you would be pointed out in the Novice level, but you would have two amateur horsemanship points, therefore, you would be eligible for the Intermediate level.
To determine if my horse is Green (has earned 25 lifetime points or less in a particular class), do I add up that horse’s lifetime points in open and amateur only, or do previous Novice and/or Green points count, as well?
All open division points count for Green eligibility and $1,000 in money earned counts, as well. Novice points do not count because the Novice level is based on exhibitor record and Novice points won are not tracked on the horse’s record.
If someone has placed in the top three at an AQHA Novice championship show, are they still Novice eligible? Class champions at a Novice championship show are not eligible for Novice in that class for the three subsequent years. Meaning second- and third-place finishers are still eligible for Novice-level competition.
If someone has won a world or reserve world championship in another breed organization (over 7,500 members), are they still Novice eligible?
If they won their title within in the past three years, they are not Novice eligible. If the title was won longer than three years ago, they may compete in Novice as long as they comply with other Novice eligibility guidelines set forth in Rules SHW245 and 251 in the AQHA Handbook.
I understand that the number of points at each level will change each year, so in theory, your lifetime points could be unchanged but your level could change if the numbers move up or down. Is that what you mean when you say people may move in and out of Novice?
Is this true: Not only will the point level cut-offs change, but since you're only using your points earned in the past three years, your point total will also be moving up or down, leading to changes in your level?
Is Novice eligibility based on lifetime points? Or will you be able to move back into Novice after you point out?
Novice-level eligibility is based on Novice, Intermediate and Open points earned in the past three years. Intermediate- and Open-level eligibility is based on Intermediate and Open points earned in the past three years, excluding Novice points.
An exhibitor may move back into the Novice level if his or her Novice, Intermediate and Open point total from the past three years falls within the Novice point range and the exhibitor is still considered Novice eligible under the guidelines stated in Rules SHW245 and 251.
Can you move in and out of the Intermediate and Open levels from year to year depending on your performance? And do Novice points count against those levels?
Once an exhibitor points out of the Novice level, if the exhibitor has earned little to no Intermediate- or Open-level points, the exhibitor will be eligible for Intermediate and will not have to show directly up in the Open level.
Will there be two sets of points possible to qualify for the AQHA World Championship Show, i.e. Open and Intermediate/Progressive?
NOTE: 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. Points earned in Intermediate and Progressive classes between January 1 - April 3, 2013, will count toward qualification to the AQHA world championship shows. These points will be combined with Open level points to determine world show qualification. However, separate finals will not be held at the 2013 world shows for Intermediate/Progressive and Open. High-placing Intermediate- and Progressive-eligible entries will be recognized at the 2013 world shows.
Is it true that only Open-level exhibitors/horses gain points from the full class size and Intermediate/Progressive entries only earn points based on the Intermediate/Progressive class size, even when run concurrently or split?
Yes, that is correct. The Open-level points are paid out on the total number entered in that class. The Intermediate/Progressive points are based on the number entered in just the Intermediate or Progressive level. If the classes above were held concurrently, then only the Open-level entries placing above the Intermediate/Progressive entries would receive points accordingly.
Here is an example:
The advantage to showing in the Intermediate/Progressive level is 1) you do not have to compete with the Open-level horses or exhibitors, 2) all available points will be paid out in the Intermediate or Progressive level and 3) Progressive, Intermediate, as well as Open, points count for world show qualifying and the AQHA Incentive Fund.
Do I add Novice- and Open-level points to see where I stand on the spreadsheet to determine my eligibility?
The exhibitor data spreadsheet has been simplified to three columns: Rookie Eligibility, Novice Eligibility and Intermediate/Open Eligibility. Download the new exhibitor data at www.aqha.com/leveling.
When determining if you are eligible for a particular level, compare the point total listed under that column to the 2013 level point range, also available at www.aqha.com/leveling.
How do I know my level?
Refer to “Find My Level” at www.aqha.com/leveling for instructions on how to determine your class levels.
I started showing again about four years ago. I am 62 years old. I have only accumulated eight points in western pleasure. What level would I be able to show at? Back in the 1980s, I earned about 90 points in western pleasure, so I have not been Novice-eligible for quite some time. Would I be able to go back to Novice or does my old show record prevent that?
The ability to compete in the Novice level is based on Novice, Intermediate and Open points earned in the past three years and Novice eligibility in accordance with Rules SHW245 and 251 in AQHA Handbook.
The 2013 Novice-level threshold for amateur western pleasure is 0-29.5 and 0-20 for Select amateur western pleasure. If the points you have earned in the past three years total to eight, you are eligible to compete in Novice western pleasure, as long as you are Novice-eligible under Rule SHW245.
Just how deep do the points go? For instance, if there were 10 horses in a class – eight Intermediates and two Open – and the Open-level riders placed eighth and ninth, would they still get one point for eighth and half a point for ninth?
In this situation, the first-place horse is an Intermediate, so it would earn one point. The second-place horse is an Intermediate, so it would earn half a point. In this situation, the Open horses would not receive any points – they would have to place first, second or third to receive points.
For further clarification, the Open-level points will be based on the total number of horses entered in the class, meaning the 10 horses in your scenario. The Open points will only go as deep as the total number of entries; two points for first, one point for second, half a point for third. However, in this scenario, there is no third-place Open horse/rider. However, the Intermediate class has eight entries, thus is a one-point class (one point to first place, half a point to second place).
Can you explain the three-year evaluation of what level a rider/horse would be in? Will you still "graduate" out of Novice after X-amount of points? Or could you move in and out of Novice/Intermediate levels based on show success/activity?
You will still graduate out of Novice when you have earned the maximum number of points designated for that class level. Novice eligibility is based on Novice, Intermediate and Open points and achievements earned in the past three years; refer to achievement guidelines in Rules SHW245 and 251.
Once you have graduated out of Novice, under the new leveling program, you may return to Novice in that class if your points earned in the past three years fall within the Novice-level point range. However, to be able to compete in Novice classes, you must still maintain Novice eligibility in accordance with Rule SHW245 in the AQHA Handbook.
Why was a three-year period chosen as the time on which levels are based?
The reason three years was chosen as the time period is to minimize the impact of a single year and at the same time not penalize a horse or rider who have been inactive for a few years and now want to re-enter the show scene. This will allow some of our older show horses to return with new riders in the amateur and youth. It will also allow an open horse to return at a lower level after a long-term lay-off.
What is the rationale behind allowing the highest tier to earn points inclusive of the lower tier exhibitors/horses, but not the other way around? Meaning, if an Intermediate rider places better than advanced riders, they do not get credit in the way of points.
If AQHA had simply established separate Intermediate/Progressive classes, the numbers in each class would have been smaller and the result would have been a serious detriment to the Open-level exhibitor.
The approach chosen offers a two-pronged motivation structure: The Open-level exhibitor/horse retains the advantage of having strong numbers in the class, while the Intermediate exhibitor/Progressive horse has the advantage of not having to show against AQHA’s top-tier competitions, such as world champions.
An Intermediate/Progressive exhibitor/horse may always choose to “show up” in the Open level, thereby taking advantage of the total number in the class, but risk going against the higher-level entries. If, however, that Intermediate exhibitor/Progressive horse does not perceive a high probability of beating the regular exhibitors in the class, it is still possible to earn points based on the number of Intermediate exhibitors/Progressive horses one beats. Thus, under the leveling structure, the Intermediate exhibitor/Progressive horse has a greater likelihood of earning AQHA points.
Will you still be able to enter the Novice level and Open level and/or Green, junior and senior classes, as is currently the case?
Yes. If you are a Novice-/Green- level exhibitor/horse, you can also show in the Intermediate- or Open-level class at the same show.
Additionally, Rookie and Novice classes may be held concurrently and the exhibitor may enter both classes concurrently. Intermediate-/Progressive- and Open-level classes may be held concurrently, but the entries must choose which level they are entering.
It appears that the amateur classes will be further subdivided by allowing Novice Select, Intermediate Select and Open Select in addition to the regular Novice amateur classes. Is this true?
The leveling options will be up to the show management. If show management feels that the customers for that show would benefit, a show could offer an Intermediate Select level, as well as an Open Select level with an Intermediate amateur level and Open amateur level.
For example: 1. Novice amateur showmanship 2. Intermediate Select amateur showmanship 3. Select amateur showmanship 4. Intermediate amateur showmanship 5. Amateur showmanship
This type of configuration might be advantageous to shows that have very large showmanship classes. On the other hand, if a show regularly experiences smaller showmanship classes, that show might want to avoid the leveling altogether and just offer the Novice- and Open-level showmanship classes.
How is all of this going to be reflected on my horse's show record in terms of points, Registers of Merit, etc.?
It will be reflected the same as always. A horse that places first in Intermediate will be reflected that way on its show record. Keep in mind that a point is a point – once 10 points (earned in Intermediate, Progressive and/or Open levels) are earned in a class, a Register of Merit will be awarded, like always.
How is this program going to affect the points eligible for the AQHA Incentive Fund?
With the leveling program in place, there are more places for exhibitors to compete and be competitive. Therefore, more horses are able to take advantage of the Incentive Fund program. Simply put, the leveling program, will essentially be “spreading the wealth” among more exhibitors and horses. This will create a larger market to sell horses, another positive aspect to the leveling program.
Which level can I earn AQHA Incentive Fund points in?
Points earned in Intermediate-, Progressive- and Open-level competition count for Incentive Fund payout.
Points earned in Rookie, Novice and Green will not count toward Incentive Fund earnings.
I have earned 36 Novice points in the last three years in showmanship, which indicates that I am now a Novice amateur under the new leveling program. Is that my correct level?
Yes, you are Novice-eligible in showmanship. Keep in mind that to compete in Novice, your three-year point total must fall in the correct point range and you must also hold a Novice membership card; see Rules SHW245 and 251 in the AQHA Handbook for Novice eligibility guidelines.
In the off chance a Select amateur and amateur class is combined, someone could be an Intermediate in one, but now is not?
Yes
What does the leveling program mean for the AQHA Novice championship shows? According to the old point system, I was an amateur, but according to the new point system, I am still a Novice. Can I attend a Novice Championship Show?
You may attend a Novice Championship if you have qualified for a Novice Championship. Qualifying methods include competing at 20 shows (show numbers), placing in the top 10 in a Novice class at an AQHA regional championship or qualifying through your affiliate.
Which points do you take into account for to figure each level?
The exhibitor-based levels are figured as follows on a class-by-class basis:
The horse-based levels are figured as follows on a class-by-class basis:
Learn more about how classes are leveled and find your level at www.aqha.com/leveling. Submit questions about the leveling program to AQHA Executive Director of Shows Patti Carter-Pratt at pcpratt@aqha.org or via the AQHA Facebook page.
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