Showing > About MQHA

Level 1 Horse Non-Pro Classes

SHW238.
LEVEL 1 HORSE NON-PRO ELIGIBILITY. Exhibitors must have a current youth or amateur membership. Youth exhibitors are not eligible to exhibit a stallion, see exception for youth ages 14 and older residing in Mexico, South or Central America in SHW215.9. Horse ownership is required per SHW220. Generally, youth exhibitors are not eligible to exhibit a stallion. See AQHA rule book for more information.

SHW238.1
Level 1 Horse Non-Pro classes are offered in showmanship, western horsemanship and hunt seat equitation.

SHW238.2
Horses are eligible to compete if they have not, as of October 31 of the previous show year, earned more than 10 AQHA lifetime points (points earned by the horse from all levels in any division will count excluding introductory/rookie points and are cumulated in determining eligibility) in that corresponding class.

SHW238.3
Horses placing in the top 3 (Level 1 Horse, Level 2, or Level 3) at any AQHA World Championship Show are ineligible to show in the corresponding Level 1 Horse Non-Pro class beginning the following year.

SHW238.4
Eligible horses will have the entire calendar year to compete in their respective Level 1 Horse Non-Pro Class.

SHW238.5
These classes must be held as standalone classes. Standalone classes allow for judges and show staff to create simpler/lower degree of difficulty patterns that are appropriate for horses at this limited stage. This allows for exhibitors to develop these younger or less experienced horses while showcasing their skills in pattern classes competing on horses with similarly limited experience. If a lead change is included in a pattern, it must be designated as a simple lead change.

Effective June 1, 2026, any horse exhibited in the youth, amateur, or Level 1 Horse Non-Pro division must be solely owned by the contestant showing the horse or the contestant’s immediate family (SHW220).