The novice program was established to introduce exhibitors to AQHA-approved shows and allow them the opportunity to compete with others with similar skills in the youth and amateur divisions. Complete details on novice eligibility and activities are available in the AQHA 2003 Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.
  

Eligibility: For complete eligibility rules, please check with AQHA at www.aqha.com.

Every person competing in a novice amateur or novice youth class must possess a novice amateur or novice youth membership card. Novice exhibitors cannot have earned 25 or more halter points or 25 or more performance points in the AQHA open, novice amateur, amateur, novice youth or youth divisions combined in a particular skill set.  Novice points are not recorded on a horse's performance record points are recorded on the exhibitor. Once an individual has earned 25 AQHA novice amateur, amateur, novice youth, youth or open points, or any combination thereof, in a skill set; or, won a world or reserve world in an AQHA-approved event, national or reserve national championship title in any equine breed organization; or won a total of $5,000 in cash and prizes with any equine breed organization, he/she will no longer be eligible to participate in the novice skill set containing that class(es) in subsequent years but may continue to compete in that novice skill set until the end of the calendar year in which the afore-mentioned instances occurred. Any individual who has been an accredited horse show judge will not be eligible to participate in novice skill sets. If an individual is considered a novice upon application, he/she will be considered a novice for that calendar year. Points earned in the novice division may not be used for any amateur or youth awards, or World Championship Show qualification. Applicants are responsible for verifying eligibility regarding earned halter and performance points in novice amateur, amateur, novice youth or youth divisions. Applicants may contact AQHA concerning halter and performance points in novice amateur and novice youth divisions that have been reported to AQHA and recorded in AQHA's records. A novice achievement award will be awarded to an individual that has completed a skill set. A belt buckle will be awarded to an individual for the first novice skill set completed. A novice certificate of achievement will be awarded for all other skill sets that an individual completes. Novice amateur and novice youth members may apply for up to 10 permits that allow them to compete in one AQHA-approved show per permit with non-owned horses in novice division classes only. Points earned in these classes will count toward the 25-point cap per novice skill set for novice eligibility. Applications for permits shall be directed to the AQHA Show Department on application forms provided by AQHA or an application may be filled out at an AQHA-approved show, and be granted as AQHA, in its sole discretion, determines. Any novice youth or novice amateur member wanting to show a college or university owned or leased horse in a novice classes only, please refer to the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations and contact AQHA at www.aqha.com.  The above eligibility requirements were taken from the 2006 AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations, section 405(A), pp 96-98. Again, for complete rules on novice eligibility, please contact AQHA at www.aqha.com.

NCQHA Approved Shows

Novice youth and novice amateur classes are offered as part of every regular NCQHA approved show. Novice exhibitors are also free to compete in their respective amateur or youth classes as well as in open classes at these shows. Almost all classes open to amateur or youth exhibitors are potential classes available to novice exhibitors. However, classes generally differ in availability by show. Work with your district representatives to make sure that the classes you are interested in are offered at a show near you!

All Novice Shows

This is a one to two-day show that is open to only Novice Youth and Novice Amateur Exhibitors. There are clinics on Showmanship, Horsemanship, and/or Equitation given by professional clinicians prior to the show. The points for these shows are approved by AQHA as well as NCQHA. Therefore, the points earned at these shows go towards year-end awards and are reported to AQHA. “Open” classes (not approved by AQHA and NCQHA) are also offered at these shows so that 4-H exhibitors and others will be encouraged to participate in the clinics and join in the fun. Descriptions of some of the more popular novice classes offered at shows: 1. Halter Division Showmanship at Halter: Showmanship at halter is judges the showmanship skills of the exhibitors. Judges evaluate the grooming and fitting of the horse, and expertise of the exhibitor in presenting the horse. Each exhibitor is required to individually perform a pattern designed by the Judge with emphasis on preciseness of pattern and degree of confidence exhibited by the showman. 2. Western Division Western Pleasure: One of the most popular AQHA show events is western pleasure. Contestants compete simultaneously, traveling the perimeter of the arena, and at the discretion of the judge, and are asked to walk, jog, lope and reverse the direction of the horse. Horses are evaluated on quality of movement while staying quiet, calm, and traveling on a loose rein. Western Riding: Judges the quality of the gaits and the abilities of the horse to change leads precisely, easily, and simultaneously, using both hind and front legs. Following one of three patterns consisting of a log and a series of pylons, the horse and rider must change gaits – from a walk to a jog or a lope – throughout the course. Reward is given to the horse that changes fluidly and precisely at the middle point between the pylons within the pattern. Western Horsemanship: Designed to test the rider’s abilities to execute, in concert with their horse, a set of maneuvers prescribed by the judge using western tack. Divided into two sections, riders first individually perform the prescribed pattern at a walk, trot, or lope, as specified. Finalists ride as a group around the perimeter of the arena. Judging focuses on the rider’s ability to maintain a correct body position, to demonstrate poise and confidence, and to precisely control the horse using subtle aids and cues. Walk/Trot Western Horsemanship: Available only at All Novice shows. The same rules apply in walk/trot western horsemanship as in western horsemanship, except loping is prohibited both in pattern and rail work. Points earned in this class count towards totals for novice eligibility determination and are officially recognized by the AQHA. Points earned in this class are not eligible for year end awards through the NCQHA. Trail: The trail class tests the maneuverability of an American Quarter Horse through an obstacle course. Mandatory obstacles include one in which the rider will open, pass through and close a gate. Scoring is based on the horse’s willingness, ease, and grace in negotiating the course. The other two mandatory obstacles are riding over at least four logs or poles and one backing obstacle. Horses are not required to work on the rail but the courses are designed to demonstrate each horse’s ability to walk, job, and lope willingly between obstacles. Reining: Judges the horse on movements, mastery of a prescribed maneuver and attitude as he is guided through one of 11 AQHA patterns. The horse is required to perform a number of stops, spins, rollbacks, lead changes and circles at a lope. The horse should be willing to be guided with little or no resistance. 3. English Division: Hunt Seat Equitation: Tests an amateur or youth’s ability to ride–not the performance of the horse. As in western horsemanship, contestants work a predetermined pattern consisting of maneuvers such as changing gaits; travel in a figure-8 pattern; backing up as well as posting on the correct diagonal and/or counter-cantering. Top riders return to be judged as they travel the perimeter of the arena performing gait changes at the judge’s discretion. Emphasis is placed on ability to sit correctly, hold the correct riding posture, and control the horse on a precise pattern. Walk/Trot Hunt Seat Equitation: Available only at All Novice shows. The same rules apply in walk/trot hunt seat equitation as in hunt seat equitation, except cantering is prohibited both in pattern and rail work. Points earned in this class count towards totals for novice eligibility determination and are officially recognized by the AQHA. Points earned in this class are not eligible for year end awards through the NCQHA. Hunter Under Saddle: A preliminary class for English riding disciplines in which judges evaluate a hunter-type American Quarter Horse on the flat, at a walk, trot and canter. Emphasis is placed on smoothness of gait, free-flowing stride, and willingness to perform. Exhibitors wear traditional English attire.

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