NRHA Competition Categories

The National Reining Horse Association currently recognizes eight categories of competition that represent the wide variety of types and level of difficulty that are found within the reining event. The categories, which are described more fully below, include divisions for professional and non-professional exhibitors as well as special events of various kinds.

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CATEGORY 1 Category 1 (Ancillary classes; World Champion and top ten awards to apply) This category includes the vast majority of NRHA approved reining events. These classes are for all NRHA members and NRHA Lcensed horses. The classes are as follows: Open - Any NRHA member may show any horse in this class. Intermediate Open - Same as Open. but restricted based on the rider's earnings. Limited Open - Entry level, same as Open, but restricted to lower rider earnings. Non Pro - Any NRHA Non Pro member as defined in the Non Pro section of the NRHA Handbook may comptete in this class. Intermediate Non Pro - Same as the Non Pro, but restricted based on the rider earnings. Limited Non Pro - Same as the Non Pro, but restricted to lower rider earnings. Novice Horse Open - Open to all NRHA memers but restricted based on horse earnings. Novice Horse Non Pro - NRHA Non Pro members but restricted based on horse earnings. CATEGORY 2 Category 2 - Special Events (Futurity, Derby and other approved aged events) This category is reserved for NRHA approved events that are restricted to horses of a specific age, generally 3, 4, 5, and/or 6 year olds. These major events include the NRHA Futurity and the NRHA Derby, as well as numerous other Special Events around the country. These classes include: Open - Open to any NRHA member and eligible horse. Intermediate Open - Same as Open. but restricted based on the rider's earnings. Limited Open - Entry level, same as Open, but restricted to lower rider earnings. Non Pro - Any NRHA Non Pro member as defined in the Non Pro section of the NRHA Handbook may comptete in this class and eligible horse. Intermediate Non Pro - Same as the Non Pro, but restricted based on the rider earnings. Limited Non Pro - Same as the Non Pro, but restricted to lower rider earnings. CATEGORY 3 Category 3 - Youth Classes NRHA is dedicated to the growth of the Youth Program. Category 3 is designated for NRHA approved Youth Reining competition. The youth competing in this category earn points toward year-end awards, Top Ten standings and Youth Incentive awards. This category includes the following classes: Youth 14 to 18 Youth 13 & Under CATEGORY 4 Category 4 (NRHA recognized, NRHA rules to apply, but not for World Champion and Top Ten awards.) This category is reserved for awards that are offered through an NRHA approved class as an incentive to a specific breed and/or gender. Some of these awards include the Pfizer/NRHA Gelding Incentive and the APHA Gelding Incentive award. CATEGORY 5 Category 5 (NRHA recognized, NRHA rules to apply, but not for World Champion and Top Ten awards.) Category 5 is designated for a variety of diverse classes, including the following: Rookie Prime Time Non pro Snaffle Bit or Hackamore - Open and Non Pro. Various horse age restrictions, determined by show management. Freestyle - Open and Non Pro CATEGORY 6 Category 6 (NRHA recognized, NRHA rules to apply, but not for World Champion and Top Ten awards.) Competition in this category is restricted to members and/or horses meeting a specific criteria other than as defined in the NRHA Handbook, such as specific breeders futurities and derbies that require stallion subscription, foal nomination or other such requirements to enter. CATEGORY 7 This category is used to track earnings from the NRHA Affiliate Championship events. These classes provide special recognition for those who qualify for regional championship participation based on their earnings in local affiliate shows. The following classes are offered: Open Intermediate Open Limited Open Non Pro Intermediate Non Pro Limited Non Pro Novice Horse Open Novice Horse Non Pro Youth 14-18 Youth 13 & Under CATEGORY 8 This category is reserved for earnings from USET sanctioned events. Qualifying classes are held at several reining events held early in the year. Qualifying exhibitors are eligible to participate in the Semi-Finals held at the NRHA derby in May. Finalists from the Semi-Finals advance on to the USET Festival of Champions held in June in Gladstone, NJ.

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