Guidelines for the Adequan® Level 2 Championships

Rules and procedures for the AQHA Level 2 Championships at the AQHA World Championship Show.

Please note: Level 2 classes will not count toward All-Around Amateur or Superhorse awards tabulations.

Level 2 information:

  • Level 2 is not available in the following classes: progressive working hunter, jumping or pleasure driving; amateur boxing, amateur jumping or amateur pleasure driving. 
  • Three judges in placed classes when held separately from the Level 3 prelims.
  • Level 2 classes will have only one go round that will be considered a finals at which time awards will be presented.
  • Level 2 scored classes are run concurrently with corresponding Level 3 class.
  • Half of the required qualifying points of the corresponding Level 3 class are needed to qualify.
  • Half of the required entry fee of the corresponding Level 3 class will be charged.
  • 70 percent of entry money  goes to the jackpot, 30 percent of entry money goes to awards and administration.
  • If a qualifier is Level 2 eligible and qualifies for Level 3, the qualifier can enter both levels (will be charged entry fees for each).
  • The top 10 placings and 5 finalists will be recognized. Champion, Reserve Champion and Bronze Champion will be recognized with a trophy, while Champion and Reserve Champion will be also be recognized with a trophy belt buckle.
  • Top 10 and 5 finalists achievements will be put on the horse’s permanent record; however, title will not reflect a world show placing. (For example: First place in Level 2 amateur western pleasure will read “Level 2 Champion” and give the show date.)
  • There will be no shootouts.
  • In the Open Division, after official draws have been posted, no exhibitor changes will be allowed that would result in a separate run from the original entry.
    • If the same exhibitor enters in Level 3 and Level 2 for a dual entry, the exhibitor cannot be changed to a different Level 3 and Level 2 rider that would cause separate rides in the work order.
    • If a dual entry exhibitor decides to change to a Level 3 only rider, his Level 2 entry will be scratched.
    • If two different exhibitors enter Level 3 and Level 2 on the same horse, the exhibitors can be changed on either entry but the horse will still compete in each working order in the original position.
  • Placed Classes
    • Level 2 hunter under saddle, western pleasure, showmanship, horsemanship and equitation on the flat will run separate from the Level 3 prelims.
    • Working hunter and hunter hack – Level 3 will have a work order and run first followed immediately by Level 2 competitors with a different work order.
    • Exhibitor options for placed classes held separately (exhibitor and/or horse must met Level 2 eligible

      • Option: Exhibitor A can exhibit the same horse in both level 3 and level 2

      • Option: Exhibitor A and B can exhibit the same horse, with Exhibitor A in level 3 and Exhibitor B in level 2, or vice versa

      • Option: Exhibitor A can exhibit 2 horses, one in level 3 and one in level 2

      • Option: Exhibitor A can show Horse 1 in level 3 and Horse 2 in level 2

    • Placed classes held concurrently the same exhibitor can exhibit only one horse.

  • Halter
    • Level 2 and Level 3 classes will be held concurrently. Both classes will be shown at one time. If an exhibitor is eligible, he/she may enter both levels but the horse will be shown only one time.
  • Team Penning and Ranch Sorting
    • Level 3 will have a work order and run first followed by Level 2 competitors with a different work order.
    • If a team wants to ride in Level 2, all team members must be Level 2 eligible.
  • Speed events (barrel racing, pole bending, stake race and breakaway roping)
    • Same horse entered in both levels ridden by same rider can roll over time or take two runs. This must be declared at the time of entry.
    • Horse entered only in Level 2 will have their own work order and run after the end of Level 3/Level 2 concurrent prelims.
    • If a horse is entered in Level 3 with one exhibitor and in Level 2 with a different exhibitor, that horse will work twice, once in the Level 3 work order and once during the Level 2 only work order.
  • Scored Events (equitation over fences, cutting, working cow horse, boxing, tie-down roping, heading, heeling, reining, western riding, trail and ranch riding)
    • Same horse entered in both levels ridden by same rider, Level 3 score will roll over and be counted for the Level 2 score for the Level 2 placings.
    • Horse entered only in Level 2 will have their own work order and work after the end of the Level 3/Level 2 concurrent prelims.
    • If a horse is entered in Level 3 with one exhibitor and in Level 2 with a different exhibitor, that horse will work twice, once in the Level 3 work order and once during the Level 2 only work order.
  • If a horse is entered in both Level 3 and Level 2 and shown by the same exhibitor, that horse will be drawn in the Level 3 working order and only shown once. These dual entries will be depicted on the Level 3 work order with an asterisk.
  • Dual entries will show as part of the Level 3 work order, but the score will also count in the Level 2 part of the class; therefore, when the Level 2 work order is drawn, the dual entries will appear at the bottom of the Level 2 order with an asterisk but will not show again.
  • If a horse is entered in Level 3 with one exhibitor and in Level 2 with a different exhibitor, that horse will work twice, once in the Level 3/Level 2 concurrent work order and once during the Level 2 only work order.
  • Level 3 / Level 2 concurrent scored class in which exhibitor is being judged (equitation over fences), an exhibitor may only show once.
  • If needed, Level 3 shootouts will occur after all Level 3/Level 2 concurrent entries have been shown.