Thursday, July 30, 2009

How To Earn AQHA points?

I have an AQHA registered mare and I would like to start competing in AQHA shows with her.I show at local and state shows, but that is getting too easy! I do hunter under saddle, trail, equitation, showmanship, and western pleasure. My goal oneday is to get enough points to go to world (probably in showmanship), but right now I am a bit clueless! I am registered with AQHYA and I am guessing I would have to start in novice classes. How do I start earning points and what type of shows do I need to go to to earn AQHA points?
Answers:
Hi, in order to acquire AQHA points, you will need to go to AQHA shows. You can visit the AQHA website at www.aqha.com, as others have mentioned. Under Event Schedule you will find a show schedule. This is listed by Month and State, so you can easily find AQHA shows in your area. Points are awarded depending on the number of entries in the class, For 3-4 entries, first place will get 1/2 point, for 5-9 entries, 1st will get 1 pt and 2nd will get 1/2 point, and so on up to 9 pts possible in one class. This is all outlined in the AQHA rulebook which you can also access at the AQHA website. Since you are new to showing AQHA, you should be eligible for novice youth and youth classes, also open classes if you want. You need to make sure that your Youth card designates the novice classes you are eligible for. As for qualifying for the world show, each class requires different amounts of points and these amounts are adjusted each year depending on actual participation in the prior years world show. There are 2 way a person can qualify for the Youth World show, nationally and state qualification. Nationally just means you accumulated the designated amount of points to qualify. State qualification is different from state to state. Here in Texas there are 2 teams determined by top 10 national shows and top 10 state shows. You will have to check with your state QHA for their requirements and you will definitely want to join your state organization. AQHA also offers what is called a Regional Experience. This is a show held in your region (look at the AQHA website to determine your region) that is held like the World show, but is entirely invitational and you get to experience a show similar to the World show but with not as steep of competition. Individuals that have not won a World championship are able to compete at the Regional Experience. Good luck and welcome to the world of AQHA.
If you compete for the World, some of the classes that you have listed require an enormous amount of points such as showmanship, pleasure and hunter under saddle (usually over 30 points). The same also goes for AQHYA so I would consider events such as hunter hack or jumping. Jumping requires the least number of points to qualify for either World, 2 amateur and 1 youth. Check out both websites and see what points are required for each class to qualify. You need to go to AQHA sanctioned shows to win points and the bigger shows and circuits offer more points because the class sizes are larger and so more competition. Check their website and there will be info for show schedules, divisions etc.
You have to show at AQHA sanctioned shows in order to get AQHA points. Go to www.AQHA.com for a list of shows, and other information.
It is a really good idea to work with an AQHA trainer, the shows can be pretty political, and there are small details in presentation that can make you look totally out of place, its a good idea to work with someone that knows all the details of the circuit standards.
At first you can show novice youth, and youth. You eventually point out of the novice division. The point system is based upon how many people that you beat, so you have to go to shows that have a lot of people, and place well to get points.
i showed in aqha for 4 years and made to the world twice, if you already have your membership, you just need to find out what area you are in for aqha, like the west coast is pcqha, pacific coast quarter horse assoc. once you do that, you can find shows in your area and start competing. if you want to make it to the world, you should go to a lot of shows, but the most important ones are the qualifying shows those are the shows that will give you all the points to qualify nationally, but if you are first or second in your area that will get you there to, and if you go to aqha.com and sign in it will tell you the amount of points you need to qualify on the national level.good luck!and id be happy to answer any other q's you have!
I have an AQHA and I earn points by going to shows like I barrel race and I go to the show and I just earn points
You can earn points at AQHA shows. Call the association for more info.
Don't be disappointed if you don't win as you did at local shows. AQHA is very competitive. If you do not have a trainer you are working with, you will find it is very difficult.
We have friends who always placed at the top, but when they dropped their trainer and continued to show on their own, they were not even looked at.
We also know a AQHA trainer and judge and he told us this:
I pat your back if you pat mine. They give each other business. Main thing is don't get discouraged, enjoy yourself when you show..no matter where you place.

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