Showing FAQs

Weekend shows on a weekday? Aged events for young horses? The terminology cutters use can be pretty confusing for a newcomer.  This page does a good job of explaining the difference.

Basically, there are two different types of competition: weekend events and limited-age events, aka “aged events.”

"Limited-Age Event (LAEs) Classes" are for horses of a specific age. In general, futurities are for 3-year-olds, derbies are for 4-year-olds, and classics or maturities are for 5 and 6-year-old horses. Aged events often (but not always) have more added money, as well as higher entry fees. Typically, contestants go through one or more qualifying rounds before the finals.

“Weekend / Championship Classes” have no restrictions on the age of the horse.  Weekend Classes held during an event are open to any horse or rider that meets the eligibility requirements of a given class.

And no, the so-called weekend classes don’t necessarily have to take place on a weekend, although Friday-Saturday-Sunday competition is by far the most common.

Many weekend events have begun adding LAE classes to their schedules. But as a rule, weekend events offer some or all of the "Weekend / Championship" classes.

NCHA approved classes are designed to offer a variety of possibilities to show a cutting horse.   Some classes are based on the Horse's earnings.  Some classes are based on the Rider's classification and/or earnings. .

NCHA tracks the following classes for national and circuit year-end recognition:

Horse Classes

1. Open - open to any horse with any rider regardless of either's earnings.
2. $25,000 Novice Horse - open to horses with less than $25,000 in earnings⁺ regardless of rider earnings.
3. $5,000 Novice Horse - open to horses with less than $5,000 in earnings⁺ regardless of rider earnings.
4. $25,000 Novice Horse Non-Pro - open to Non-Professional riders on an owned horse that has earned less than $25,000 in earnings⁺.
5. $5,000 Novice Horse Non-Pro - open to Non-Professional riders on an owned horse that has earned less than $5,000 in earnings⁺.

Rider Classes

1. Non-Pro - open to Non-Professionals on any owned horse^* regardless of either's earnings.
2. $35,000 Non-Pro - open to Non-Professional riders on any owned horse^* who have earned less than $35,000⁺.
3. Unlimited Amateur - open to Amateur Riders on any owned horse^* who meet the eligibility qualifications⁺.
4. $50,000 Amateur - open to Amateur riders on any owned horse^* who have earned less than $50,000⁺.
5. $15,000 Amateur - open to Amateur riders on any owned horse* who have earned less than $15,000⁺.
6. $2,000 Limited Rider - open to riders that have earned less than $2,000⁺.
7. Senior Youth - open to riders aged 14 - 18 (based on age as of June 1)
8. Junior Youth - open to riders aged 13 and under (based on age as of June 10

^*Definition of an "owned horse" is available in the Official NCHA Rule book - Standing Rule 51.a.4

⁺For a complete list of current, approved classes, refer to the Official NCHA Rule book - Standing Rule 8

You can find your eligibility on the NCHA website at this link.

Eligibility is good for one full point year.  You can continue to show in the class(es) in which you start the show year regardless of how much you win during the year. 

Eligibility determination is based on earnings and types of earnings.  Limited Age Event eligibility is different from Weekend / Championship class eligibility - so make sure and check your classes!

The best way to get more familiar with the sport is to spend time with a local trainer who is an invaluable source of information. These professionals can show and teach you every facet of the sport. They can be your personal coach and doorway into the industry. 

The NCHA provides a free digital trainers directory located on the NCHA website at this link.

You can use this directory to find local trainers in your local area.

We encourage you to attend local cuttings, meet the trainers in your area, talk to other competitors, and find the trainer that is the best fit for you!

NCHA's point year begins on December 28.

For Weekend / Championship classes, it ends 2 Sundays before Thanksgiving.

For Limited Age Events, it ends on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

First - Congratulations!

Second - You may continue showing in the same classes until the end of the point year.  Any class with a monetary limit is the same. (See Standing Rule 6.i in the  Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations )

The end of the point year is 2 Sundays before Thanksgiving for Weekend classes and the Sunday before Thanksgiving for Limited Age classes.

The new point year always begins on December 28.

You bet!

NCHA tracks all earnings regardless of the class in which you earn them.

Money won in a $50,000 Amateur weekend class counts just the same as money won in a $15,000 Amateur class or a $5,000 Novice Horse Non Pro class.

Your lifetime earnings (updated throughout the year) and eligibility for the current year can be found on Rider Earnings Lookup page.

The owner of any horse being ridden in an NCHA-approved show must be a current member.

If the horse is owned by a corporation, business or partnership... that entity must have its own membership and it must be current / active.

In the event that an owner is not a current member, any points or money won will NOT to be counted towards awards and lifetime earnings - and the secretary of the show where that horse was ridden may be fined.

Are you thinking of buying a horse and have your mind almost made up - but really want to get in a real show pen once or twice prior to pulling the trigger?

NCHA offers you the ability to get a special permit that allows you to do just that at a weekend show.

When considering a permit, keep the following things in mind:

1. Each permit applies only to one (1) horse.
2. Each permit may be used for up to five (5) trips to the herd.
3. Permits will list show name and class eligibility - so you'll need to know where you plan to try your horse.
4. Permits are NOT good for Limited Age Events.
5. Permits are only good for showing in the Open or Novice Horse classes - NOT the Novice Horse Non-Pro classes.
6. IF you are a Non-Pro or Amateur, you must pay your own entry fees!  You cannot violate Standing Rule 51.a.1.

Call the NCHA Show Department and get your permit - and then buy your horse!

There are several NCHA Championship / Weekend classes in which the horse’s rider does not need to own the horse:

1. Open
2. $25,000 Novice Horse
3. $5,000 Novice Horse
4. $2,000 Limited Rider
5. Youth (Junior Youth / Senior Youth)

Non-Pro / Amateur riders may compete in the $2,000 Limited Rider on any horse, regardless of ownership^*, without jeopardizing their Non-Professional / Amateur status.

Amateur riders, if eligible, may also compete in the $1,000 Amateur on any horse, regardless of ownership^*, without jeopardizing their Amateur status.

In all other Non-Pro and Amateur classes, you must own the horse you ride^*.

* See the NCHA Rule Book - Standing Rule 50.d.4 for definition of an "owned horse"

The answer to that question is "it depends".

NCHA approved shows are required to use at least 1 certified NCHA judge.

Often, medium size local shows will have 2 or 3.

When a show's added money reaches a certain amount, the number of required judges increases.

NCHA produced events all use a 5 judge system.  In this system, the high and low scores are tossed out, leaving the middle three scores to be tallied.  Additionally, a NCHA assigns a monitor to make rulings on major penalty discrepancies and to evaluate the judges’ performance during each go-round.  

Four NCHA monitors will spend 270 days verifying scores at approved shows each year. When you consider that an average show day lasts for 9 hours, that accounts for 2,430 hours that will be spent making sure riders are scored fairly.