The National Reining Horse Association currently recognizes nine categories of competition that represents the wide variety of types and levels of difficulty that are found within reining events around the world. The categories, which are described more fully below, include divisions for professional and non-professional exhibitors as well as special events of various kinds.
CATEGORY 1 CLASSES
This category includes the classes that make up the vast majority of NRHA Ancillary approved reinings. Each class is tracked throughout the NRHA show year and at the end of the year World Champions, along with the top 9 rider and horse combinations are recognized. The classes are for all NRHA members and NRHA Licensed horses. The classes are as follows:
Open – Any NRHA member can enter any horse in this class.
Intermediate Open – Entries are restricted by the rider’s NRHA earnings. It is for those that have more experience than Limited Open riders, but aren’t quite ready for the Open.
Limited Open – Entries are restricted by the rider’s NRHA earnings. It is for those that are those who might have shown a little in the Open divisions, but still want more experience.
Rookie Professional – Entries are restricted to riders who do not have Non Pro status and by the rider’s NRHA earnings. This is the entry level class for those who are beginning in the Open divisions.
Non Pro – Any NRHA member that has applied for and been granted Non Pro status can enter any horse in this class.
Intermediate Non Pro – Entries are restricted to those with Non Pro status and by the rider’s NRHA earnings. It is for those who have gained experience in showing, but aren’t quite ready for the Non Pro class.
Limited Non Pro – Entries are restricted to those with Non Pro status and by the rider’s NRHA earnings. It is for those who have just left the ranks of Rookie and are getting started in the Non Pro classes.
Novice Horse Open – Entries are restricted by the horse’s Category 1 NRHA earnings only. It is a good class to start a green horse for show ring experience.
Novice Horse Non Pro – Entries are restricted by the horse’s Category 1 NRHA earnings and to only those riders with Non Pro status. It is also a good class to start a green horse for Non Pro riders.
Prime Time Non Pro - Entries are restricted to exhibitors 50 years of age and older that have Non Pro status.
CATEGORY 2 CLASSES
This category includes classes used in Aged events that are restricted by the horse’s age only. Typically, futurities are for 3 year old horses and derbies are for 4, 5 & 6 year old horses. Two of the major events in the NRHA are the NRHA Derby held in May and the NRHA Futurity held in November. Aged Events can have the following classes…
Open
Intermediate Open
Limited Open
Non Pro
Intermediate Non Pro
Limited Non Pro
CATEGORY 3 CLASSES
This category is reserved for NRHA youth classes. NRHA is dedicated to the growth of the Youth Program. Youth competing in this category earn points toward year end awards, Top Ten standings and Youth Incentive Awards. Youth classes are…
Youth 13 & Under
Youth 14 – 18
Youth Rookie (Restricted by the youth rider’s points. Entries do not need non pro status to ride in the Youth Rookie class. Not awarded year end or Top Ten awards)
Unrestricted Youth
10 & Under Short Stirrup
CATEGORY 4 CLASSES
This category of classes are for NRHA approved, breed or gender specific events. An example would be a Gelding Incentive show, the Scottsdale Arabian show and the AQHA World Show. Earnings in this category are kept on record, but do not count for year end awards or Top Ten purposes.
CATEGORY 5 CLASSES
Category 5 is designated for a variety of diverse classes. Earnings in this category are kept on record, but do not count for year end awards or Top Ten purposes. The classes include:
Rookie
Prime Time divisions
Gelding Classes
CATEGORY 6 CLASSES
This category includes classes used in Aged events that are restricted by the horse’s age and by other specific criteria, such as specific breeder’s futurities and derbies that require stallion subscription, foal nomination or other such requirements to enter. Some examples are the National Reining Breeders Classic and the Michigan Born Bred Owned Liberty Derby. Category 6 classes are to be mirrored after Category 2 classes .
CATEGORY 7 CLASSES
This category is used to track earnings from the NRHA Affiliate Championship events such as the Regional Affiliate Finals, European Affiliate Championship and the North American Affiliate Championship. These classes provide special recognition for those who qualify through their local affiliate based on their participation in local shows. Category 7 classes are…
Open
Intermediate Open
Limited Open
Rookie Professional
Non Pro
Intermediate Non Pro
Limited Non Pro
Prime Time Non Pro
Novice Horse Open
Novice Horse Non Pro
Youth 14-18
Youth 13 & Under
Freestyle Open
Freestyle Non Pro
Saddle Series
CATEGORY 8 CLASSES
This category is reserved for earnings from National Governing Body and Federation Equestre Internationale events. Examples of these events are the World Equestrian Games, Pan Am Games, CRI and CRIO competitions worldwide.
