Amateur Agreement
Amateur Agreement
Amateur membership is a classification for people who wish to compete in AQHA amateur classes. To be an amateur member, you must abide by AQHA amateur rules contained in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules & Regulations. Before submitting your application to AQHA, please carefully read such rules to ensure you meet amateur eligibility. Application for AQHA amateur membership shall become active only upon AQHA’s acceptance of this application. By submitting your application for amateur membership, you affirm the truth of the following statements:
I have NOT within the previous three years of submitting this application:
- SHW225.3.1 shown, judged, trained or assisted in training a horse (whether or not a registered American Quarter Horse) for remuneration, monetary or otherwise, either directly or indirectly. Payment of entry fees and/or expenses by anyone other than the amateur, the amateur’s “Immediate Family” as defined herein or an amateur’s collegiate team and/or nationally sponsored team (team demonstrations, exhibitions or international competitions only) shall be considered remuneration;
- SHW225.3.2 instructed another person in riding, driving, training or showing a horse (whether or not a registered American Quarter Horse) for remuneration, monetary or otherwise, either directly or indirectly;
- SHW225.3.3 shown, trained or assisted in the training of a horse (whether or not a registered American Quarter Horse) for which an immediate family member accepts remuneration, monetary or otherwise, either directly or indirectly, for such services; SHW225.3.4 held credentials of horse show judge for AQHA or any other equine organization;
- SHW225.3.5 been a member of the American Quarter Horse Association of Professional Horsemen; or
- SHW225.3.6 held membership accreditation with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (Barrel Race & Breakaway Roping), International Professional Rodeo Association, or have been rated as a #7 or above in the Ranch Sorting National Championships or a #7 in the United State Team Penning Association (ratings effective as of the first of each August or when new rankings are released by the associations) for those events or classes which are the same events or classes in which the individual competes, or desires to compete, in AQHA amateur competition. For example, a person who competes in a PRCA roping event may not compete in amateur tie-down roping or dally team roping (heading or heeling) but may show in any other amateur classes. A permit holder is not considered as one who has membership accreditation in a professional organization and may compete in any AQHA approved amateur class.
SHW225.5 Notwithstanding SHW225.3.1-5 above, an individual who is 65 years of age or older and who was previously ineligible as outlined above is eligible to immediately apply for amateur membership so long as he/she meets all other amateur eligibility requirements and relinquishes his/her horse show judging credentials, his/her AQHA Professional Horseman membership, and any other professional memberships.
SHW227. To become eligible for amateur membership, or become eligible for reinstatement to amateur membership, the individual must wait
a period of up to three years from the date of the last incident which rendered the individual ineligible, except as permitted by SHW225.5 for
individuals 65 years of age or older. Violation of AQHA’s rule requirement for truthful application for amateur status may be cause for more severe
sanction than such waiting period.